akMPEG v4.23 released
New: - faster by pre-coding for audio and video - audio bugfix - support for
fast, script-based playback (e.g. on CD-32) Download:
akMPEG4.lha
New AmigaAMP 2.8 beta version
A new, early beta version is available from the AmigaAMP homepage, offering new features:
If you don't fear unknown bugs, and want the absolutely latest version on your system, is
wellcome to have a look at this one :)
NNTPSend - A YAM2NN add-on
If you like reading newsgroups, and did not manage to get Yam2NN 0.85 (26.03.99) to send, might
find help from this small tool. Version 0.4a has been uploaded to Aminet today, so it will take
about 2 days.
AminetGUI Update
After some time, I did some work on the Aminet-GUI again. This is mostly small bugfixes. Frames
should now be displayed without disturbing borders on non-Amiga browsers, too. You can now switch
directly from the tree structure to forum and guestbook. The link area has also been updated, adding
some new links. In the future it will be possible to add your own links. The implementation of this
functionality is still being worked upon, however. I added some auction and exchange websites to the
interactive area. I am planning to add my own exchange area, but I am right now still looking for
a suitable provider for such services. If someone knows a good provider, or has experience in CGI
prgramming, please contact me.
Due to a hard drive crash with PFS-2, it will take some time until the next large update, since I
have to completely rebuild my system. This can take some time since I have the majority of my programs
from the Internet. On this occassion I can only advice you not to use PFS-2. It was the second crash
I experienced. On the first crash I almost lost my complete web partition. The second crash took my
dh0: drive down. So I will switch my system to SFS. The introduction of the new directory design will
be delayed for said reasons, I am sorry. But I hope it won't be too long.
Basilisk II v0.8-1 released
On January 30th, Christian Bauer has released version v0.8-1 of his portable 68k Macintosh
emulator Basilisk II. The emulator
can be downloaded at the title link, including source codes.
Changes from the previous version include small changes of the ext file system handling. The
size of the finf help files is now 32 Byte, to enable saving complete FInfo/FXInfo in them.
Hyperion Software has released first screenshots (title link) of "The Heretic Fortress".
This is a multiplayer mode for Heretic II by Wankaroo, with the Amiga version nearing
completion fast, and which will be available on release of the Heretic 2-CD.
The Heretic II FAQ and the
Features page have
been updated. There won't be a 68k version, since the reached performance is insufficient.
New HyperCOM driver v2.95 BETA-2 release
VMC offers bugfix versions, removing all bugs known so far in the v2.95 update.
v2.95 HyperCOM 3z crash fixed...
v2.95 HyperCOM 3+ switched units fixed...
v2.95 Transmit BREAK crash fixed...
Download: hypercom295b2.lha
Problem with diskcopy v44.5
Andi of Future Visions writes:
The diskcopy included in OS3.5 (System drawer) is unable to correctly read and copy partitions
over the 4GB barrier. If this is true for writing I have not yet tested, but I don´t think it
will work.
If now there is an error on a partition over the 4GB barrier, like the root directory defective
due to a crash during writing, and the partition cannot be accessed by the normal file system,
a normal user is unable to rescue his data. Tools like Disksalv are unable to access these
partitions, and there is no FFS64-compatible "diskcopy" program on Aminet to copy the defective
partition to the lower 4GB and use Disksalv on it there. So I urgently recommend
not to hold important data on such partitions, since a recovery will be impossible. OS3.5 support
has been notified.
New StrICQ version 0.1712
(Version 0.1710): An Enforcer hit was removed that opened the chat window again, making chatting
impossible. The userlist still has a bug, which the author knows about. The bug looks like this:
If a user goes online in ICQ, it is not noted in the user list. Tip: Select all entries, you can
then see who has gone online.
The version available on the server is 0.1712 already.
Download: STRICQ.lha
Amiga in Macwelt 3/2000
In the "aktuell" area, the Amiga is mentioned in the Macwelt:
"Amiga moving again - Amino new owner The Amiga trademark and accompaining technology has
again changed owners. While, after the Commodore bancruptcy, first Escom and then Gateway held
the rights, they were now sold to a company named Amino Development, according to a GNN report
led by two former Amiga executives. Also according to GNN, Amiga users judge this as a chance
for an Amiga comeback, possibly as Open Source."
For one, there is a new Bootstrap released, and additionally an archive for the Bootstrap
with autodetect for WarpOS/PowerUp. Download:
ftp://sunsite.auc.dk/projects/apus/boothack.
On Olliweb (title link), at CDSUPPORT, there is an archive with Installer and ready-made scripts
for updating older LinuxPPC5-CDs from olliweb, which should run with all other linuxPPC5 versions.
At Linux.de there is a link to a PowerMac emulator for LinuxPPC5.
In the manual it says that, with the right kernel patches (included), the PowerMac emulator should
also run on Amigas with LinuxPPC5! Needed, among others: MacOS8.6 + romfile.
Heise: PC Manufacturers: New Concepts Wanted
"A basic rule of the technological society seems to win again: Innovative ideas and
products recieve high acceptance and earn big profits. Holding tight to traditional
concepts, on the other hand, leads directly to economical desaster. Not only the manufacturers
of the C64, which was leading the way in it´s time, had to learn this, when Commodore had
to give up all hope for rescue in 1994. In the 90ies of the last millenium, when the Intel x86
based PC-architecture had made it´s way for quite some time, users no longer wanted Commodore´s
products without hard drive - attempts to gain a foothold again with the Amiga came too late."
Full article (German) at the title link.
CD32 Cheats Guide v20 available
The new version 20 of the CD32 Cheats Guide is ready and available for download on the Games
site in the CD32 corner as well as on Aminet. This guide will not be continued in its current
form; a better interface and the integration of pictures and screenshots are planned for the
next version of the CD32 Cheats Guide. Download:
cd32-tips.lha - 12 Kb
Sin for Amiga
According to an e-mail from Ben Hermans (Hyperion Software) to Claus Luethje, which has been
posted at Fun Time World, Hyperion Software
will port Sin to the Amiga.
29 Jan 2000
Sender known to editors
What's all the fuzz about pirate copies?
This text shall and must be widely known. However, the author
doesn't want to start petty wars with all hacker groups at once.
For this reason the author asked to have the text published
ANONYMOUS! As the author is known to us, we accept this
exceptionally, if only for the reason that we want to help
sensitizing all parties involved for this subject, and give food
for thought.
Copies have been sent to: AMIGA.de, Haage &
Partner, Vapor, Holger Kruse, and Andreas Kleinert.
«Maybe some people have wondered what the article of Andreas
Kleinert was all about. There have been pirate copies all the time, so
why so much fuzz about them? Because it's a matter of survival!
Not every maker of software has the financial resources of a
company with windows :-) Furthermore, in the recent couple of
days, it wasn't about some small web site with 2 - 5 pirate copies.
Last friday Andreas was informed about an FTP server whose
directory structure contains round about 1500 lines, each line
representing one pirate copy.
Whenever he puts an update
into AmiNet, it takes only 2 days for the cracked version to
emerge. In addition there are cracking programs for personal use,
and key generators. If I just estimate 10 copies with a value of
10 Marks for each entry of this server, we would be at 150,000.-
DM. But the damage caused may be estimated much higher. And this
is no computer for Win95/98, with a little Amiga on the side.
This is AMIGA with a little MAC on the side! What do you need
that isn't available for free in AmiNet? What more is needed than
FULLY USABLE trial versions? All in vain? It does look that way.
But in vain is not bargain priced or free. In vain are the
efforts of a maker who doesn't make a turnover anymore. Pirate copies
of OS 3.5 (who copies CD ROMs via modem)???
There are
various roads to the future: the cheap one, that one C= has shown
us already, haven't they? The unified, new windows every two
years? Or one that stays affordable, and where together you can
feel as a community. Where you show STRENGTH in doing without
some things, and buying the product with support. I won't
denounce anyone because he uses a pirated copy from time to time.
Everyone has to make that out with himself. And I won't reproach
a HACKER who overcomes a complicated security system. But taking
away the small earnings for in part excellent programs from every
little shareware author, and intimidating the last companies that
have enabled us to hold out until today, that's unfair and has
nothing to do with a sporting hack. That's just ciminal! And who
thinks there aren't any clever heads on the side of those
concerned may anticipate getting a fitting answer some day.
In the appendix [may be ordered if needed] of this mail
I publish the contents of the FTP server. The people who run it
should know that we already know now who they are and not only
since today. They had their fun and should quit, because too much
fun often isn't good for you.
Just a quick word to the
aggrieved companies and programmers: Don't take this as a reason
for negative thinking and mourning of losses, but as a sign that
the support of the usership still lives and will keep on living.
Because the users need you as makers like you need them as
customers. If concerned software makers answer in need of data,
they will get them. Furthermore it would surely be helpful to
place the text on Anti Piracy after translation and leave it
there.»
Original article: Amiga Future posted a small part of an
interview with
Fleecy Moss on their website (German only). The whole interview will be released
in issue 23rd of Amiga Future, which will be released on February 23rd, 2000.
According to the part of the interview posted, shipping of the development environment
is planned for end of February, and the new system will come with an emulation enabling
old software to run (and it's not UAE: "The team writing this emulator have full access
to all chipset and OS sources".)
Directory Opus 4.12 source code under GPL
The source code of Directory Opus is available under GPL (General Public Licence). This means
you can use the source code if you adhere to the GNU General Public Licence. Read the details
at the title link. GP-Software makes it clear that this does not change the status of the
commercial version Directory Opus 5!
Download: dopus412b-gpl.lha.
Stargate Software News
Update: FormTrans v1.10
The Form Trans tool, translating encoded HTML forms to plain text, has recieved a small update.
Significant changes to its predecessor: Attaching informative text to the translated form can
be supressed with a keyword. Giving a target file is no longer required.
Download: formtrans.lha
sgARexx.library v3.0
The sgARexx.library is a library specially developed to support programmers in implementing an
ARexx port in their own applications. Its functions make it possible to recieve and process ARexx messages,
send own messages and execute external ARexx scrips. Another special: the sgARexx.library is free
for non-commercial and (!) commercial uses. The archive includes all necessary developer files like
includes, autodocs and examples in English. Download:
sgarexx.lha
Schatztruhe: GlowIcon Collection CD available
Especially Amiga OS3.5 users but also users of the NewIcon system, receive an extensive and professional icon
collection (altogether more than 3500 icons) with this CD-ROM which you can use to create a uniform look on
your Workbench. It contains GlowIcons for a wide range of programs (applications, games, ...), drawers,
DefIcons, ... In addition there are many DockIcons and some toolbars for certain programs.
You can order the CD online or send a simple e-mail
order to stefano@schatztruhe.de including address and way
of payment.
Amiga Arena News
Amiga Arena - Official German language "Back To The Roots" News Site!
The Amiga Arena announces the free commercial games of the "Back To The Roots" homepage.
New games online!
Starbyte - Hannibal
Serra - Conquest of Camelon
GeoWorld offer extended! GeoWorld is available for a special price from the Arena until February 29th!
IT-SalesWeek article: Amiga (!), QNX, Transmeta
Erik Zühlke writes: The IT-SalesWeek reports about the Amiga again, even a full page this time
(p.10) "Comeback to a unsure future between MS and Apple". The article begins with "seldom has a
platform won so stubborn :) users. For sure Apple users are already special, but the Amiga community
is... just that bit more extravagant" :)). It continues with a rough overview (including picture) of
the Amiga's live until sold to Amino. It closes with "...things look better than 8 weeks before for the
Amiga, and the OS is ranked 2nd at the VaporAwards directly behind Windows 2000".
Among others, "misterWEB" by Charisma was pictured, an Internet device in form of a 25% tipped,
touch-flatscreen including QNX Photon MCkernel. There are ports for adding printer, keyboard, USB,
and it comes with fixed ISP. Just by the way...
I don't have an issue of the IT-SalesWeek handy. The cited text has been re-translated and will
differ from the original, but I think the meaning of the words was untouched. If somebody has the
IT-SalesWeek article and a scanner handy, I would like you getting into
contact with me and mail me a scan... (mb)
Paul Nolan: E-Mail problems
Paul Nolan found that his alternative e-mail address pnolan@dircon.co.uk has been bouncing incoming
mail in the last 11 days. He asks everybody who did send an e-mail to this address to send it again
to pnolan@cix.co.uk.
His voice mail and the fax machine are working again. But everything send during the downtime has
been lost.
He begs your pardon for possible problems arising due to the downtime.
AROS Status January 26th
The AROS team currently works on the following: Intuition (fixing bugs, better integrating the parts,
functional menus), hardware drivers for the Native/x86 port (vga.hidd, scsi.device.hidd), Commodities,
Datatypes and the Native/PPC port.
Especially for the latter AROS is looking for developers with experience in WarpUp and PowerUp.
Additionally, people with experience in writing hardware drivers for IBM-compatible PCs are wanted.
More precisely, a exec-like sollution using the PC's IRQs and drivers for the IDE chips.
It offers a first report about the Amiga buyout by Amino, and a detailed interview with Fleecy Moss that
took place before the buyout carrying some interesting information. Reviews: Olympus C1000L Digital,
Photogenics 4.2, ImageFX 4.1, IBrowse 2.1, T-Zer0, Wasted Dreams and more; a tutorial on using layers
in Photogenics 4.2 and ImageFX.
A complete list of articles is available at the title link. The Clubbed homepgae additionally carries
parts of older issues online, and the necessary informations how to order the magazine.
Amiga News Web Directory expanded by several functions
To satisfy the wishes of many readers, the script has been expanded by several functions. So
it is now possible to configure yourself where / if your personal data should be available.
Users that already joined can modify these settings by the "modify entry" function. Please
have your password ready.
Stargate Software News
Update: FormTrans v1.10
The Form Trans tool, translating encoded HTML forms to plain text, has recieved a small update.
Significant changes to its predecessor: Attaching informative text to the translated form can
be supressed with a keyword. Giving a target file is no longer required.
Download: formtrans.lha
sgARexx.library v3.0
The sgARexx.library is a library specially developed to support programmers in implementing an
ARexx port in their own applications. Its functions make it possible to recieve and process ARexx messages,
send own messages and execute external ARexx scrips. Another special: the sgARexx.library is free
for non-commercial and (!) commercial uses. The archive includes all necessary developer files like
includes, autodocs and examples in English. Download:
sgarexx.lha
Phantasmagoria is comming!
Alive Mediasoft will port Phantasmagoria to the Amiga! The game is an adventure playing in a scary
atmosphere. Citing the PC version game manual:
"PRAY THAT THIS IS ONLY A NIGHTMARE! The story began so harmlessly for Adrienne. A loving husband,
a nice new home - what else to wish for. That a demon is released by her fault, well, such things happen.
That it is her husband is posessed by this demon, that her new home was once owned by a mad show magician
who brutally murdered all his wives here turns into a real problem for Adrienne..."
The following changes have been made since version 1.5:
The player is available for PPC- and 68k-Amigas (68040+) in different archives from
the download page.
68030 was supported until version 1.48.
Tao provides Java engine to QNX
Tao Group provided their J-Engine to QNX. It will be used in the QNX 4 real-time OS. The
engine allows using PersonalJava and EmbeddedJava applications at high speed. Moreover the
J-Engine is low on ressource usage. The complete J-Engine, including all class libraries
and AWT for supporting pJava 1.1.6, takes less than two megabyte native code.
The new Amiga/Tao system uses Tao's virtual processor. This makes support of different
hardware platforms relatively easy. The first new Amiga systems will run on x86 and PPC
platforms, as long as they are not too special. For supporting different platforms,
Amiga counts on hardware partners.
Millenium for Video Toaster/Flyer
Nova Design has released the Millenium Package for
NewTek's Video Toaster/Flyer. This is a collection of
programs, scripts, effects, fonts, backgrounds and other components bringing the Video
Toaster and Flyer up to date. The Package will be shipped on three CD-ROMs. The recommended
retail price is 349,95 USD.
Young Scientist get awarded for a Amiga/Linux project
Three Irish students used a Linux box together with Blitz Basic running on
Un*x Amiga Emulator (UAE) to graphically display the output of their C++
Linux program. They were awarded at the Ireland's Young Scientist Exhibition
'Best Use of Information Technology'. Full article at the title link.
Amiga Sector One offers
Subwar 2050 (AGA) by Microprose/Particle
for legal download. This submarine simulation was released 1993, and according to Amiga Sector One
recieved very good ratings. The reason for this was the new, fast 3D engine.
Amiga News Web Directory online again
The move of the static pages has been completed. The AN Web Directory is also functional
again :-). The other interactive elements of the website will be reactivated ASAP.
Moving...
We are moving to a different server, so amiga-news.de might be temporarily down today and
tomorrow. Scripts will probably not work as expected right from the start. For the transfer
to be as quick as possible, we will give the news only secondary priority these two days.
The interactive part of this website, like forum, vote area and the Web Directory, has been
deactivated, to avoid confusion.
We ask for your patience.
StrICQ v0.1709
On January 25th, version 0.1709 of the ICQ program StrICQ has been released.
There are no release notes attached to this version. The version 0.1707
released yesterday brought the following changes:
New: the stem variable returned by GETCONTACT has been expanded by the
following values:
New: The user info display of the prefs page has been expanded with the
data from message to and message from of the last online message.
New: ARexx command DELETEUIN UIN/K. The command can be called only once.
It removes the UIN from the contact list and deletes the history file.
Freeware SNES emulator
A new SNES emulator is being worked upon, which will be released as
freeware. It will support AGA and CyberGfx, and will require a 68040
(25 MHz) plus low-end PPC603. Sound will be processed by the 68k to
achieve a higher performance. There will be an additional PPC-only
mode.
The emulator is written in 68k and PPC Assembler. So far 32 people
have contacted the development team, they hope for more reactions.
For one to boost motivation, and for help in the development on the
other hand (e.g. low-level informations about the SNES). Gifts for
increasing motivation are gladly accepted.
Contact: S. Raghoebardayal
Nightlong
Only 91 preorders have been recieved so far for the adventure "Nightlong"
for PPC Amigas.
On the clickBOOM website there is a game trailer
in AVI and Quicktime format available. File sizes are somewhere between
6 and 12 MB, depending on format and resolution.
Translator wanted
For the english translations of amiga-news.de (you are reading them
right now), we are looking urgently for people
willing to translate the news item of a day once or twice a week.
So far I am doing the translations "all alone". However, I am facing
the first final exams at the b.i.b.
Paderborn mid February, and would like to have some preparation
time.
If you want to help me with the translations, please
contact me at solar@baud.de.
Amster mailinglist created
Jacob Laursen has created a special mailinglist for Amster.
Here you can enter discussions about Amster, the Napster client
for AmigaOS. Further details at the title link.
Meeting in Reading, England
In England, too, important Amiga personalities met with Bill McEwen,
Fleecy Moss of Amiga and Francis Charig of TAO. Steve Crietzman participated
in this meeting, representing COSA, and summarized his impressions in this
report.
amiga-news.de Forum now in English!
Nobody seems to have noticed yet: The
Forum,
so far German "only", is now divided into a German and an English part. If
you have problems, questions, want to state your point of view etc., it's for
you, and for free!
AROS News
Aaron Digulla writes:
The WWW site has been reworked (a little!) :-) The design is still bad, but (most of) the
links are ok again, the status is again updated daily, the code size graph looks a little
better, and there is a news area on the main page.
In the code we currently work on the shell and the console.device (so a functional version
of AROS Native/x86 can be expected soon). Additionally the speed issue with graphics has
been solved (Quake in AROS under Linux with X11 now runs with 50fps, Quake directly under
Linux/X11 runs with 60fps).
And it looks like there is a solution for the PR problem of AROS coming up.
Crystal Interactive: Amiga games in shops
Crystal Interactive (Bubble Heroes, Gilbert Goodmate etc.)
plans selling Amiga games in about 30,000 shops in over 30 countries worldwide. This is possible due
to dual CDs with program versions for Amiga systems and IBM-compatible PCs.
CDs for Amiga systems only will be available from distributors and Amiga retailers.
At first, Bubble Heroes will be released. It is a mixture of platform and skill test game.
New Amiga magazine for USA?
Bill Griffin, President of G&G Enterprises,
asks former Amazing authors in this Usenet posting to contact him. He plans publishing a
new Amiga magazine in the USA.
The beta version of REBOL/View will be released soon. This is the GUI
system for REBOL.
Carl Sassenrath was invited by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology to the Pervasive Computing Conference, and
will speek on REBOL focussing on distributed applications on January 26th.
On January 27th, 6PM PST, Carl Sassenrath will present REBOL to the TV audience live in
The Screensavers by Ziff-Davis TV.
The REBOL module for the HTTP server Apache for Unix and Linux is in beta phase. Details can
be asked from apachedev@rebol.com.
The January issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal carries
a REBOL article by Michael Swaine. For the rework of his website he had a look at several
scripting languages and opted for REBOL because it is easier to use than many others, and
offers a good connection to the Internet.
Amiga "BoingCoin"
The Amiga "BoingCoin" is a copper coin with the Boing ball as colored logo. Manufacturer
is All Things Amiga under license of Amiga Int.
The coin is about as thick as a mouse cord. (Bad thing some people have cordless mice. :-))
Other designes are planned as well as custom designs - e.g. for user groups. Pictures of the coin
can be found on the manufacturer's page.
The price is 10 USD plus 2 USD p&p. Special prices available for orders of 25+ coins.
Gateway Computer Show Amiga 2k in St. Louis
Bob Sharp, organisator of the big Amiga show in St. Louis planned for April 1st/2nd 2000,
tells us that many exhibitors from Europe have announced themselves in the last ten days.
individual Computers from Germany will be present as well as Paul Nolan Ltd. from England.
Other exhibitors are NASAU, amiga.org, Digital Arts, AmiTech Dayton Users Group, E.S.
Productions and Northwest Amiga Group. Those who have not yet announced themselves should do
so now.
If you want to win the famous magic cup
can place a banner on his website until the show starts. Details.
amiga-news.de now with Web Directory
After the well-respected CUCUG Amiga Web Directory has officially left its field of activity, a big gap had to be
filled in the AMIGA-Online-World. Reason enough for the runners of the popular amiga-news.de-site and the
well-known AMIGA- software-house Innovative to develop a new Web Directory, that has now been finalized.
The name of the baby is "amiga-news.de Web Directory" and is waiting to be fed with links, so that it can grow
to the size of its recently retired big brother. Among the features of the proved CUCUG AWD, the amiga-news.de
Web Directory offers new abilities: In future, the postal address, phone- number, the logo of the site and more
will be provided for every entry. In order to keep the growing amiga-news.de Web Directory up-to-date, every
website-runner in the database has the ability to change the respective data via a self-defined password.
amiga-news.de and Innovative wish you many happy hours with the new Web Directory and declare it to be
opened from today on.
Individual Computers News
As reported yesterday, Individual Computers took over the hardware department of VMC.
By the way, now we know why the X-Surf was delayed for a week ;-). Jens Schönfeld sells
his accident car to the highest bid,
the car he crashed in in December 99. The pictures clearly document that Jens has a protective
angel (and a good car) with him, since he went unscathed despite rolling about twice.
Request
Andreas Kleinert writes:
I am looking for somebody who would coordinate a handful of people interested in doing independant
benchmarks with the existing JFIF and PNG datatypes for 68k and PPC.
The problem with... erm... manufacturer-conducted benchmarks is, that they are not necessarily
transparant for everyone in every detail. E.g. graphics from Aminet should be used for the tests,
so everybody can test them himself. Additionally, different configurations could lead to different
results, so several configs should be listed. I picture it like this:
Is somebody interested in organizing something like this? Please contact
Andreas Kleinert.
Andreas Kleinert closes his website...
...at least for some days. He writes:
Due to the massive software piracy and other tendencies to de-stabilize the Amiga software
market (not even counting subtle attempts to bash the competition with unfair methods),
I decided to take this page down for some days.
In the meantime, the website does no longer carry the statement that was posted there
originally, and only offers a link to the RegNet registration site.
NTRU Cryptosystems, Inc. announces availability of Tumbler(TM) Software Toolkit
NTRU Cryptosystems, Inc. has announced the availability of the
Tumbler(TM) software toolkit implementing NTRU, the world's fastest
secure public key cryptography system. The Tumbler(TM) toolkit was
developed by Tao Group. Tumbler(TM) delivers encryption, decryption,
authentication and digital signature features at speeds over 100 times
faster than alternative systems, including those from RSA (Nasdaq:RSAS)
and Certicom (Toronto:CIC), at equivalent security levels.
We're having server problems again.
http://www.iconimaging.net/kosh/ is currently down, as are mailing lists.
We're working to try and rectify this situation, but there's nothing we
can do about it right now.
http://kosh.convergence.org/ is still live. Mailing lists will be up
again somewhere ASAP - it would be helpful if subscribers could get in
touch in case we can't get hold of a list. If anyone wants to know
anything can they mail me (greg@kosh.convergence.org) and I'll try and
answer any questions.
1989 Amiga Commercials now available as MPEG!
Stefan Robl writes:
On my suggestion, Jim Patterson now offers the three Amiga commercials from 1989 as MPEG video with much
improved quality. Each animation is now about 2.1 MB.
New Soundcard for Zorro Amigas by ALiENDESiGN
Stefan Sommerfeld writes: ALiENDESiGN has just announced a new soundcard for Zorro Amigas. All
details are available at the title link. We hope for big interest.
New CD by Warp9
Ramboy writes:
Starting immediately, you can order my new CD on the Warp9 page. All tracks have been produced
exclusively on Amiga systems. This CD is especially suited for parties, ranging from Hard Trance
to Club. In any case a must have for all who want to have a real party again. Demo songs for
listening in will probably be added soon to my page. BTW, 11 months work have been put in this CD.
The CPU manufacturer Motorola, the other manufacturer of the PowerPC chip used by Apple besides IBM,
recently purchased a minority of the Tao Group. Since 1994 Tao offers TaOS, an innovative operating
system for the diverse CPU platforms, and already engaged in a strategic partnership with Amiga
Incorporated in December 1999.
ADX Datentechnik website with new layout
ADX has reworked their website completely and very neatly. An online shop has been implemented,
where all articles can be ordered directly online.
Virus Help Denmark reports link virus "Hitch Hiker v4.11"
Virus Help Denmark found a virus infected archive on Aminet on January 18th. The archive is infected
with the link virus "Hitch Hiker v4.11". More information on the archive:
The game is playable, but please remember to remove the virus first with one of the common virus
programs like VirusExecutor, VirusZ, VirusChecker II or VT.
clickBOOM insane?
clickBOOM makes a weird offer: Those who mark themselves as complete clickBOOM and Amiga fan,
having a tattoo with the words "clickBOOM" or "Amiga" or a logo made, get all clickBOOM games
for free. Contact with clickBOOM should be made before getting the tattoo done.
I can only hope this is a joke, because such offers are very questionable in my eyes. (ps)
APC&TCP mostly unavailable due to illness
Due to illness, APC&TCP will be mostly unavailable starting January 17th to early, mid March 2000.
During this time, only snail mail (APC&TCP-Computerclub, Postfach 83, D-83236 Übersee) will be
answered with a small delay, if you enclose enough money for return stamps. The answering machine
(phone +49-(0)8642/89995) will be checked regulary, but please understand not everybody can be
called back. Fax, e-mails and storage media can be send, but will not be read and answered before
early/mid March.
3SAT Computermagazin Neues mentions Amiga
The computer magazine "NEUES" by 3SAT (German TV channel), known for really good investigations
and matter-of-fact reports is becoming more and more liked by Amiga users, because, for a positive
change, "NEUES" does not ignore the Amiga in their reports. On January 17th, there was a report
about the sellout and the cooperation with the TAO Group. Citing:
"There are news to rell about Amiga, too. After Gateway sold its Amiga share in December, the
company has entered a strategic partnership with the british TAO Group. They want to develop a new
Amiga Operating System together. Currently Tao offers four operating systems, with the realtime
OS Elate being especially interesting. Elate is platform independant, no matter if Windows or
Linux, and offers multi processor support. One can be looking forward to how Amiga might profit
from this cooperation."
LiveChat with TAO Group
The Live Chat will take place today at 16:00 GMT.Sorry for posting this so late,
but I didn´t have a change to translate any sooner. (mb)
19 Jan 2000
Christoph Dietz
Meeting with Bill McEwen in Frankfurt
Bill McEwen, President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Amiga Incorporated, explained his
vision for the future of the Amiga on January 17th.
At the first meeting after the Amiga takeover by Bill McEwen and Fleecy Moss, mainly hard-
and software developers were present as well as representatives of the two remaining German
Amiga print magazines and of course myself for amiga-news.de.
The meeting was intended for getting to know each other. Bill McEwen is not a no-name, but
so far he was rather behind the scenes at Amiga Inc.
However, he brought some goodies with him to Frankfurt. He explained the partnership with
Tao, and that their OS will be part of the new Amiga generation. He assured that not only
a developer box specification will be released in February, but also that the necessary
software will be offered for free download at the same time.
For the late summer, the introduction of the first consumer system is scheduled. The exact
specification of this model is not yet decided upon, and depends on the results of his numerous
talks with developers during his trip to Europe.
All in all, a beginning for the next - and hopefully successful - attempt to revive the Amiga.
At any case, Bill McEwen earned broad support on the Frankfurt meeting.
CSC contest over
After 62 days and 98% keys done, the CSC key has been cracked. The correct key was found by a
Sparcbox (with Solaris) in the USA. The Amiga team has done 4 million key blocks with 228 keys
each, for a total of 1.11% of the keyspace.
Now all Amiga users who participated in the CSC contest should return to calculate RC5 blocks.
Every block counts... ;-)
19 Jan 2000
Petra Struck
MeKa pictures
Hosted by the Fachhochschule Karlsruhe (Technical College), the yearly "Meeting Karlsruhe" took place
last weekend, for the seventh time and with about 150 participants. I was overwhelmed by the really
phantastic organisation of this huge meeting. There were 5 rooms with 30-35 computers each completely
networked. The Fachhochschule provided a free 10 MBit connection in addition to their rooms, which
led to great download rates. Thanks to the ATM systems from HiLan, there even where 155 MBit available
locally.
The hosts really had planned for everything. There was a seperate sleeping room where exhausted
visitors could take a nap. A cinema was available for relaxing, and all the time fresh breadrolls, coffee,
tea and other non-alcoholic beverages were offered; a really well working Internet Pizza service
made the offer complete.
I had many interesting conversations, met many, many really nice people, and left with the wish
to return for all three days next year. I really enjoyed myself, but I did regret not having brought
my computer. I want to say thanks for the invitation, and congratulate the hosts on their excellent work.
AOL for Amiga looking for support
Jorge Pino writes:
We are looking for: - enthusiastic Amiga programmers and users
- web designer with experience in Java, CGI scripting, HTML
- if possible, programmers wanting to port an AOL software
- support of the project by translations to Spanish, French, English etc.
Those interested can contact Jorge Pino by e-mail.
FMdriver VHI v1.1 released
Stefan Robl has released version 1.1 of his VHI
driver for the Framemachine on January 15th. Some VHI problems have been removed in this
version, and all features recently added to VHI are supported.
The driver is giftware (like 10 USD, hardware etc.) and works on Amigas with 68k CPU.
The class currently supports the major part of the HTML 4.0 standard as defined by the
W3C. According to Allan Odgaard, the class is more precise than many
browsers, and very well suited e.g. for e-mail programs wanting to display HTML - especially since
the class is working really fast. You shouldn't forget, however, that it is a prototype undergoing
many changes. E.g. it is being worked upon Style Sheets support. The release of a Style Sheet
supporting version will take some time, however.
With the included demo program, the class can be used as "offline browser". Without written
permission of the author, however, it must not be used on CD-ROMs etc.
The class offers the following features:
Known bugs:
If you are interested in programming a Flash viewer, RealAudio plugin etc., contact
Allan Odgaard.
3 Amiga advertisments from 1989
On his homepage, Jim
offers three Amiga commercials from 1989 for download. The three ads, described as very well made,
are tailored to the US market, and have been broadcasted on MTV in 1989.
However, so far the commercials are only available in RealVideo (.rm) format; a format without an Amiga player
being available so far. Additionally, single pictures and the sound in .wav format are available, and
Jim is interested in offering the animations in a different format. He
is looking for tips which format is best suited for the Amiga.
19.01.2000: Jims e-mail address seems to be non-functional. On the website, this
one is listed: hangfire@avalon.net. The commercials are
now available as Quicktime movies (about 1 MB per movie).
HSMathLibs v44.41 beta 2
Cyberdyne Systems has released version 44.41 beta 2
of the HSMathLibs for MC68040 and MC68060 on January 15th. In this update, many functions have
been optimized and some bugs fixed.
DeepSilence extra games wanted
We are looking for extra games for the action Manga RPG DeepSilence, that can be played within the
game in some kind of game arcade.
DeepSilence uses CyberGfx, so it can be played on the Workbench, too. 90% of the graphics are
traced. The game will offer 20 big maps, over 30 different weapons and spells, light and nebula
effects, non-linear storyline, action sequences and more.
System requirements: Amiga, 68020, AGA or gfx card, 8 MB FastRAM, 2x CD-ROM. According to the
readme file,
a 68020 reaches 30 pics/sec (resolution 320x256x8).
The game is announced for first quarter 2000. A 5 MByte demo file with informations, graphics and
a large animation is on Aminet.
Sylvio K. writes:
Hello you private programmers out there!
I know there are many programmers out there just waiting to be discovered! We offer you the chance!
Subject: We are currently working on an Action-Manga-RPG for Amiga! (Info on Aminet
/game/demo/Deepsilence.lha,
Deepsilence.readme)
and are planning to put numerous games in one level! It's like you are in a game arcade, with many
different games to play... that's where we need you! Send us your games! No matter how simple they
are! (Please, not that simple!)
Following requirements have to be met, however:
This is your chance!! Take it!
The website is about the CD32 game console, which Commodore released 1993, and its expansions
(MPEG module, SX-1, SX32, CD32-joypad etc.). Aside from posting detailed information, the CD32
Alliance wants to make new software available for the CD32, and offers their help for this.
A CD32 version of the shareware game Sharks is announced for a self-cost price of 10-12.5 Euro.
A screenshot is available from the news area.
The website currently offers a news section, information about and pictures of the CD32, a games
area planned to offer a complete overview over all CD32 games in the future, opinions about the
console and more. A developer area has been announced.
Melody Z2
Kato Development writes on their own website:
December last year, a limited number of almost-finished Melody Z2 were offered for a special
price. The demand was incredibly high, so we wanted to produce some new. Sadly, some of the
parts are very hard to get, or completely unavailable. So we cannot produce more Melody Z2
in this form.
Amiga, The Next Generation
In this text, Jack Seay focuses on the history of Windows and Amiga, and voices his thoughts
and opinions on past and future of Amiga.
Motorola investing in Tao
Motorola is investing in Tao Group Ltd., and is planning to use Taos Virtual Processor and the
Java-based OS technology in products of their own (e.g. mobile communication, Internet). An important
issue for portable applications is the virtual code needing less memory than native code, despite
being executed fast. With a RISC CPU, the memory factor is 1.4 to 1.7.
Charig: "We currently work with a number of partners from consumer electronics. Motorola is not the
only important partner, but the first investor."
DDE website in new design
Digital Dreams Entertainment (Wasted Dreams) created a new
design for their website. At the same time they announce
that they are working on the second part of Wasted Dreams. System requirements: Amiga with AGA
or graphics card, 4 MB RAM and 2x CD-ROM. First screenshots are to be released soon.
Settiin some things straight
In my trawling around the community hangouts, I have come across several misconceptions, rumours,
and a lot of confusion. Whilst I can't hope to answer everything, here are some things I want to set straight.
Bill Gates resigns as Microsoft CEO
"Microsoft founder and so-far CEO and Chairman Bill Gates passes on the CEO position of the worlds
largest software company Microsoft. New CEO will be Gates friend and former Microsoft President
Steve Ballmer.
Gates will remain Chairman, and additionally creates the job of Chief Software Architect, which he
will use to press on the development of the future Windows Internet Plattform."
It has been a while again since this page was updated, and this time it's quite bad news: 4
months ago I strained both my arms and hands and was not able to program anymore. It's been
better since then, but still I can only work for a few hours on Audio Evolution in the weekends,
otherwise it would take too much of my health. This means that there has not been a lot of progress
lately, but I'm working on something that requires a major overhaul of the program, and I think
you'll like it! Unfortunately, I can't tell when the next release will be and when I recover from
my injury. Cross your fingers!
New Alive Mailinglist
Alive Mediasoft has opened a new mailinglist, where news about their games are posted. Moreover,
Steve informed that, due to bandwith issues, the website was temporarily unavailable over the
christmas days. The bandwidth has been improvd, so the problems should be solved.
Istec 100x configuration tool
Christoph Dietz writes:
Swen Stullich has stopped development on the configuration tools for the phone systems Istec 100x.
I was able to talk him into providing me with the sources and a generic keyfile, so both will be
available in the future and development of the tool can be continued if an interested programmer
can be found.
So I divided program and source on two archives (UFT-Istec_usr.lha and UFT-Istec_dev.lha)
and uploaded them to Aminet.
Innovative News
Fourth coup of the video pros - VLRec NG 4.0 available!
VLRec NG 4.0 shines with many new features. Aside from the reworked interface graphics in
GlowIcons look and the option to record in different sizes, there is now a direct interface
to fxPAINT. Moreover, the speed of VLRec NG has been further improved, and new effects are
available. A must-have for owners of any VHI-compatible video card!
fxPAINT website updated
The fxPAINT website has been updated and expanded. Here you find new screenshots and an
overview over most effects offered by fxPAINT. The website has a more uniform layout, and
is easier to navigate now.
First VHI developer information available
Starting immediately, developers can download the FD, include, and autodoc file for VHI.
An exsample driver with source code and the vhimaster.library are scheduled to follow until
mid 2000.
innovative-web.de move completed
Our web presence has successfully moved to the faster server. On this occassion, many
improvements have been implemented in the whole website. You now see how much p&p is
charged while ordering as well as a short description of the article. The navigation bar
has been reworked so it is perfectly usable in 800x600. Please resend e-mails send on
January 11th, 12th or 13th to info@innovative-web.de or order@innovative-web.de if you
have not recieved an answer yet.
Today we release the english version from SeaSide. You can order the game in some days at all
dealers worldwide or direct by APC & TCP. You found some Screenshots and infos on our homepage:
www.chiemgau.com/apc&tcp (title link).
Please dont forget: Due to a stay at a hospital we are not available from mid January to early
March. During this period we can not be reached via phone, fax or e-mail and we also can not
deliver orders. This will be done from early march when we resume our bussiness as usual. During
this time our homepage will not be updated. Thank you.
Interview with Petro Tyschtschenko
Daniel Orth writes:
In an interview with amiga.topcool.de, Petro Tyschtschenko said that Amiga already sold 12,000
OS 3.5, this number however being not yet sufficient to earn money. That would take 25,000.
Moreover, Petro commented on the fusion of the German print magazines amigaOS - Amiga Plus.
He regrets that there are only two Amiga magazines left (counting in the PCgo add-on Amiga Magazin).
However he regards the amigaOS as "a very professional magazine".
innovative-web.de
innovative-web.de (fxPaint etc.) is partially down until (presumably) January 12th. IMPORTANT:
Please send e-mail you send to xyz@innovative-web.de again, to
bs168@fen.baynet.de until the homepage is fully
functional again, because the e-mails will not reach us otherwise. Thanks for your patience.
COSA Progress Update
The subject of the new "Open Letter" from the "Campaign to Open Source AmigaOS" - short COSA -
is of course the Amiga buyout. The authors put a special focus on what impact this sale has on
the COSA project.
TAO-Group and QNX now HaVi members
In addition to several other companies, the TAO Group and QNX Software Systems are now also members
of the HaVi organisation. HaVi has been founded by eight members of the entertainment industry in
November 1999 to set standards and enforce the conformity to them, e.g. for home networks, so that
devices of different manufacturers can "communicate" with each other.
Image Engineer Special Offer
Until 25. January 2000 it's possible to order Image Engineer with a very low price. Only 25$.
http://www.amigaworld.com/support/imageengineer/offer10012000.html (title link)
Visual Engineering has new Offer of the Month.
Register plug-ins for Image Engineer with lowest prices ever! Take a look at interactive tutorial,
which allows online image manipulation.
Issue 10 of "The Pulse"
The new issue of the free magazine "The Pulse" from Alive Mediasoft contains detailed reviews
of Spherical Worlds, Whales Voyage Part One, Adventurer's Lair, Damage, Extra Life and A7+
as well as the story about the latest Amiga buyout. Also you can read previews of Descent 2
and Home Land as well as of fxPaint and Pagestream.
Credit Card Fraud on Internet
Using credit cards in the Internet seems to be not that secure as the banking companies tell us
over and over again. A security hole in a software for authentification of credit cards by the
company Cybercash (ICVerify) enabled a 19 year old cracker from Moskow, named Maxus, to transfer
money at will since 1998, and even withdraw money from cash terminals (according to Maxus).
After the cracker failed in blackmailing the US online music retailer eUniverse, he reportedly
posted 25,000 credit card numbers on his website. The FBI now handles the case.
More links on the subject: InternetNews: Failed Blackmail Attempt Leads to Credit Card Theft Maxus (non-functional copy of the cracker´s homepage)
On the Amiga Inc. page, you can find a second press release:
Amiga and Tao-Group enter into a strategic relationship.
11.01.2000: The "press release" has been deleted from the Amiga website
in the meantime - it was not originally intended for release, and has been posted to the
website more or less by accident. (mb)
2IDs online again
2ID´s website (Symphonie Pro support and SoundFX Preset support site) is now available online again.
The Symphonie Pro support site has been completely reworked, and some new features implemented. A
forum is now available, the guestbook has been restructured.
Also new is the SoundFX Preset area. Here, you will find presets for SoundFX in the future. If you
have created presets yourself, you can submit them.
The texture CD "OVERLAY" is finished, and can now be ordered in the 2IDs-iNET store. Also available
there is the first Sounds & Sample CD "PROTRACT" by 2IDs.
Layout Change
The main page has been changed some days before, and today this change is adopted
by the english subpages. I hope everything runs smoothly. But since the changes have
been numerous, and Murphy watches computers with special interest, there will be
some dead links lurking around for sure. If you hit one of them, feel free to
contact me at solar@baud.de so I can fix them.
Articles about the Amiga sale
Since the attention of national and international press has been growing due to the recent
Amiga purchase, we summarize the links to the seperate articles on our special page known
from the last purchase... We now labeled the site "AmigaNG". You can find the link here at
the title, or permanently in the right hand menu at the top.
Amiga 2K
Amiga 2K is the next major Amiga event, which will take place early April in St. Louis,
hosted by Bob and Diana Scharp. Bill McEwen, Fleecy Moss and Petro Tyschtschenko will
represent Amiga Inc. on the Gateway Computer Show.
GNN: New operating system: 68 percent planning to switch
"About 68 percent of the PC users are planning to change to a new or different operating
system this year. This is the result of a non-representative survey of the computer
magazine PC-Welt among 1,700 online visitors."
Full article (German) at the title link.
ANN planning AWD successor
ANN is planning in creating a successor for the now-closed Amiga Web Directory. Those
willing to help can contact Christian Kemp. Good
English skills are of course required.
aminocom.com
Yesterday I read this URL in several postings, and asked Fleecy Moss by e-mail if he knows
this URL, or is somehow involved in this project otherwise, since the descriptions on the
website sound very familiar to me. Fleecy replied immediately: "Never heard of it 8-)"...
World Headquarters
Amiga Corporation
23800 SE Kent-Kangley Road
Kent, WA 98032
TEL: (425) 413-2620
FAX: (425) 413-2640
You have to dial a 001 for USA, which should be added by the webmaster ;-). In addition
to the existing e-mail addresses, the following have been added:
fleecy@amiga.de, bill@amiga.de and
randy@amiga.de. "Randy" has not been introduced so far.
Amiga Watch Communiqué 4: Clouds In My Coffee
Tech Head Stories, the electronic journal of narrativity and technology presents Amiga Watch,
an ongoing series of commentary and analysis of the Amiga/Amino Scene. Communiqué 4: Clouds
In My Coffee, presents a 20 point strategic plan for turning around the Amiga that is sure
to be of interest to all supporters of the platform.
New links for amiga-software.com
Patrick Beerhorst writes:
I want to point to the offer from amiga-software.com. With this page, I made it my goal to
offer a link collection of good Amiga software products which often "suffer" from a long
or complicated URL and are therefore unknown to many users, or quickly forgotten if you
forget to bookmark it.
So if you have good submissions for the page, please send them in, so I can keep the page
continuously updated. For submissions, please use the offered form, or send me a mail in
the format title / URL / description and address of the author. Please don't forget to
mention if special hardware is required (like PPC etc.).
Info for PC users: Trojan/Feliz destroys important system files
"The trojan wishes a 'happy new year' [FELIZ ANO NOVO], and a face appears. However, eight
important system files are deleted in the background. A new system boot is no longer possible
then. Like before, beware of new year e-mails with attached files. Of course there are harmless
(exe) files around. My advice: NEVER open this file, no matter from which address it comes."
PerSuaSiVe SoftWorX - Software Engineering Website moving
From January 7th to 9th, my WWW provider is changing it's server infrastructure, so www.ar-kleinert.de
might be temporarily unavailable. E-mails should be delivered normally, however.
GNN: USB-expansion for Amiga
The title link is yesterday's top news at GNN.
GNN writes:
"After the easy-to-expand Universal Serial Bus was quickly spread first by Apples iMac,
and shortly afterwards by Windows 98 systems, interest is now growing among users of
other platforms - at least that of Amiga users might be satisfied soon.
The TigerTronics team is developing a USB expansion board for all Amiga models with
Zorro expansion card, like the 3000 and 4000 series. It is labeled "Eriol", and will
offer two USB ports. Low and high speed USB devices will be supported. If more than
two devices are to be connected, standard USB hubs have to be used. To transmit data
quickly and keep system usage low, Eriol will access Amiga memory directly by DMA
transfer."
Full article (German) at the title link.
Legal Quake version for WarpUP (beta version) released
Yesterday, the first beta version of Quake 1.09 and QuakeWorld has been released by
Frank Wille and Steffen Häuser. The beta version is available at the title link,
and contains binaries for WarpUP (vbcc-WarpUP compiled) and PowerUP (vbcc-PowerUP compiled)
of QuakePPC.
Feature list:
It is a beta version. Stability, Warp3D support and a comfortable user interface will follow.
Diamond Caves II and Maniacball now freeware
After releasing Diamond Caves I as freeware, the author Peter Elzner has decided to release
the legendary Amiga games Diamond Caves II and Maniacball as freeware. The numerous levels
are available for free download, too.
#Ami3D competition
The competition is for all renderers, the selected subject is "The Garden". If you want
to participate, you can find all necessary details here.
.AmiUpdate Interview
.AmiUpdate did an interview with Georges Halvadjian, author of
Perfect Paint, which you can read at the
title link. There is also a detailed review of Perfect Paint.
Römer Computer also closing
Neo writes in the News forum:
I just found this posting in the Heise Newsticker Forum (title link) (partial):
"You have to face reality! Horst-Dieter Römer on
January 2nd, 2000 Hello friends! Until December 31rd, 1999, I was Amiga service partner and
did quit, because it was no longer justifiable from an economic point of view."
However, there is no mention of this on the Römer homepage yet.
One less, again :-((
Mario Eng writes on the subject in ANF:
The shop Römer COmputer in Berlin is closed, repairs and sales of Amiga hardware and supplies
does however continue on the Römer homepage. E-Mail to
Eng@Roemer.de.
GIGA: New Amiga Ownership
"...after Jim Collas and his hardware plans failed at Gateway and quit, it was already forseeable
that Amiga wouldn't see a bright future. 'Now we can finish the job started 15 years ago', says
Amino CEO Bill McEwen, without further commenting this..."
Full article (German) at the title link.
The work on Tales of Tamar is making steady progress, the demo version will be released soon.
Those who already own it will enjoy a yet improved version even closer to the final game:
Go to the camp, and you will find a nice update for the demo version (v0.25) in one of the
displayed tons! As a small gimmick, we included a small MasterMind clone named "RuneStone"
which you will enjoy for sure.
Additionally, we are looking for language-skilled people (for localising the demo version,
subsequently the full version). People interested should contact me at
pr-manager@eternity.amiga-software.com.
Questions to Bill
So Amiga is sold, and of course there are many, many open questions. Please send us your
questions as fast as possible, so we can incooperate them in our interviews. Send questions
to Andreas Magerl, editor-in-chief Amiga Future, e-mail Andreas@chiemgau.org.
TigerTronics website now online
TigerTronics has the goal of developing a USB card for Amiga. In February 2000, the first
prototype card will be finished. Afterwards, the necessary Amiga software will be developed
for this card.
scene-handler now for MovieShop V5
The new version of scene-handler can now also work on MovieShop V5 data. Currently there is
only a demo, since particion access is not yet available. Additionally, a new AIFF/AIFC bug
has been fixed. The registered version is now able to add new sounds to projects. Try participating
in our survey. Download:
scene-handler.lha.
amiga-news.de owes much to the Amiga Web Directory. Basically, this news service was created from
the idea of offering something like the AWD for the German language. AWD has been by inspiration in
many things. I think it is sad that they close now, since news around the Amiga will not subside
so quickly, especially after the Amino purchase. Therefore I hope the people behind the AWD will
think this over. (ps)
News number #2000...
I had rather have the Amino announcement being news number #2000 posted on these pages,
but it's close enough. Happy new... uh, last year of this millenium? ;-) (mb)
Austrian Law of Electronic Signatures in force
Since January 1st, the Law of Electronic Signatures (SigG) is in force in Austria. Electronic
signatures by e-mail and Internet are therefore equivalent to hand-written signatures.
Heise: Gateway sells Amiga
"The legendary multimedia computer Amiga has a new owner, again. Computer manufacturer Gateway
sells the rights on the name and all still existing hardware to the company Amino Development.
Additionally, Amino gets the rights on all Internet domains around the Amiga, and currently
held by Gateway. How much Gateway recieves for the package has so far not been disclosed by the
two companies.
The followers of the Amiga, which enjoys cult status among its fans, have gone through a
rollercoaster of emotions in the years gone by: hope-filled announcements of a revival of the
hardware platform have again and again been followed by cancellations."
Who has bought Amiga?
Volker Mohr has done this summary for us
Everybody has heard it: Amino Development has purchased
the rights on the name Amiga, the Internet domain, and most important, on the Amiga technology
developed in the time before Gateway. Not purchased were the rights on the new multimedia
environment, so far been called "AmigaObjects", and the so-called Amiga MCC. These products,
developed during the Gateway era, will be integrated into the Gateway product line without the
name Amiga in the future.
With other words: What we user would call Amiga does now belong to Amino.
But who is Amino? Basically, Amino consists of two persons: Fleecy Moss and Bill McEwen. If
you had an eye on Amiga Inc. and Gateway in the last few years, these names will sound
familiar to you.
Bill McEwen was employed at Amiga, Inc. as "Head of Marketing and Software Evangelism". He
left the company only days before Jim Collas, not all that voluntary himself. Before Bill
worked at Amiga, Inc., he already was employed by several other well-known computer companies,
but had nothing to do with Amiga. Despite this, he was immediately impressed by the capabilities
of the (original) Amiga, and very quickly became a convinced member of the Amiga community and
a supporter of the (by Jeff Schindler) so-called "Amiga Classics". Of course he did not lose
the feeling for the need of new hard- and software developments. So, he was also a supporter of
Collas' plans for the so-called AmigaMCC.
Bill McEwen had to leave Amiga, Inc. a few days before Jim Collas. While Collas was said to
have left the company "for personal reasons", Bill never hid that his contract was not extended.
While Bill is no long-standing Amiga fan, he did not only learn to understand and value the Amiga
and his users, but also was able to win the trust of old Amiga gurus like Dave Haynie and Carl
Sassenrath.
Fleecy Moss is also known to most from his time at Amiga, Inc. Little is known about his time
before that. In an interview with the magazine CU Amiga (which has been closed down in the
meantime), October issue 1998, page 30f., he tells a little bit about himself: "I am British,
and currently work in the USA. I am Project Manager and System Architect, responsible for
introducing new special computer systems. I am Amiga user for 8 years (translator's note:
with the interview being dated 1998), and started with a Commodore Pet and VC 20 at the
age of 11. What I hope to give the Amiga is respect for his philosophy and community ideals,
as well as a good feeling for the future and the digital information revolution." (translator's
note: The above has been re-translated and might differ slightly from the original, to which
I don't have access.)
After Joe Torre, Fleecy Moss was the second important person at Amiga, Inc. whose contract
was not extended. After his departure, Fleecy initiated the KOSH
project. KOSH is intended to be "the hardware equivalent to Linux", a computer platform
honoring user wishes and needs, developed as open source. Fleecy knows of course that such
a goal cannot be achieved in short terms. When Gateway canceled the AmigaMCC plans, Joe Torre
initiated Amino together with Bill McEwen. (translator's note: probably this should read
Fleecy Moss and Bill McEwen, not Joe Torre!?) There have been little information about
this company. The first impression on the public was made by the close connection with
Phoenix, a connection of several Amiga distributors
and developers with the goal of creating a new platform as an alternative to the Amiga. This
common platform was originally intended to be based on PPC systems with QNX as operating
system. Both was not a final decission when Phoenix / Amino was founded, but a basis of
discussion for common plans.
So what does the purchase of Amiga by Amino mean? It is clear that the freshly founded two-man
company does not have the funds to continue AmigaOS development and have new hardware build
in short terms. But that is not required necessarily. To get an impression what can be expected,
I recommend having a close look at the Phoenix pages. The basic difference will probably be that
now there will be no development of an Amiga alternative, but a further development of the Amiga
platform. This means, roughly, that Amiga/Amino will lead the path, but several other companies
will build new Amigas, too. This would bring the Amiga area a similar situation as in the PC area,
where many companies can honor many special wishes of users. This path of action has several
advantages: The necessary investments are distributed among several companies. Additionally,
this gives added security to the user, since a possible bancruptcy of a single company would
not endanger the whole market. This way, the Amiga as a platform will be of interest again
for new users.
If the future systems will run on a modern AmigaOS, QNX or whatever, or if the new systems will
be based on PPC, that's speculation. It's a fact, however, that there has been work on the future
before the purchase, too, so things don't start from zero. Especially how new users are to be
drawn has to be speculated about. For sure there has been thought put in this area, too.
I am convinced that many surprises are to be expected soon.
Bill McEwen speaks at Amiga.org:
Happy New Year to all Amigans around the world. Today Gateway announced that we have acquired Amiga. This is all true,
and we are going to be making numerous announcements in the next week about the plans for the future systems, and it is
all going to be very exciting. There is a very bright future for us, and now we can begin the journey. Welcome 2000! - Bill McEwen
I now recommend one thing: go back and have a look at the last
two caricatures by Torsten Dudai (Once upon a time...). Either all these heads agree on a common goal, and cooperate;
or this Hydra will be going nowhere. If I see things correctly, there are two heads considerably stronger than the rest -
QNX and Amino. If THEY agree on things, the next few days will tell. But the people behind PowerOS, MorphOS, Screens,
and AROS should have a close look at what is going on, and think twice about how they can serve the cause best. (mb)
AmigaOS 3.5 wish list
Martina Jacobs writes: I just hit a site I think interesting. At the title link, you can
find a user wish list for AmigaOS 3.5 updates. Using the guestbook, you can state your opinion
of what is still needed in AmigaOS.
If H&P knows about this site, I don't know,
but it only makes sense this way. If it isn't the case, they know now. :-)
KDH News
KDH wishes happy new year 2000. A successful and well year 2000 we wish all AMIGA cutomers
present and future. Due to some internal work (stock counting, removing the last storm damage,
and holidays), our shop will be closed from January 1st to 18th. All Internet orders recieved
during this time will be delivered starting January 18th.
SadJesterIcons Update
Bruno has updated several of his icon sets, and offers them for download on his website:
Besides, a visit to Brunos website is always worth its while, since aside from the icons he also
offers a lot of good material for webworkers, and more.
LWN: Most important Linux news 1999
LWN (Linux Weekly News) has summarised all news from 1999 important for Linux in a timetable, and
even mentioned the Gateway announcement from September. For all Linux users an interesting view
back to 1999.
Report from the Chaos Communication Congress
"The 16th Chaos Communication Congress divided the hacker community into two fractions more
than ever before - one wanting to do a life style party, and the other wanting to stress
political discussions and seminars. Harsh criticism and euphoric words were balanced in the
final discussion on Wednesday after three days "fun at the system". Chasms were across
"Windowsing", "generalism" and "game-centricism" of the hacker meeting. Does the Chaos
Computer Club open itself to the mainstream in a time when Internet is becoming the masses
media, and is the meeting degrading to just another LAN party?" More links: Wired: Chaos Reigns in Berlin
With New Prices into the Next Millenium (30.12.99)
Taking the high Dollar (or low Euro) into account, PerSuaSiVe SoftWorX again have decided to allow
for cheaper registrations through RegNet. Additionally, prices have been updated to reflect all
possible, most uptodate bundle discounts as well. For example, the cheapest bundle (#5553) now only
is $14 instead of $18.5 and the most expensive (#5563) only is $65 instead of $77.5. Please see
www.ar-kleinert.de/regnet_e.html for links to
RegNet and their sales conditions.
Amiga User Group 99 with new homepage
The AUG99 homepage has been completely redesigned, and the first part is already online.
More areas will follow in the next days.
Amiga Link Directory