Q : Will there be a PowerPC version of OS3.5?
A : No. OS 3.5 will support applications that run on the PPC co-processor by
integrating the Haage and Partner WarpOS engine into the build. However, no
part of OS 3.5 will run on these cards.
Q : Who is developing OS3.5?
A : The OS3.5 technical specification was created by Olaf Barthel,
Alain Penders and Fleecy Moss in Feb'98. The development of OS3.5 is being managed completely
by Amiga Inc. We are negotiating with a number of Amiga developers, in the
hope of using their knowledge and expertise to enrich the final OS3.5
product.
Q : With 3.5, will MUI applications stop working?
A : No. The entire interface and layout engine is being given an
overhaul. We are involving the
authors of the three main layout engines in this work, ensuring
compatibility for all of the existing layout
engines.
Q: Why is this a ROMless update?
A : We looked long and hard at whether to provide ROMs or not. Several
issues, including cost,
the number of different types of machines and need led us to
conclude that we can build an
effective OS3.5 release on top of the OS3.1 ROMs by effectively
using the Jumpstart functionality.
Q: Will there will be an OS3.6?
A : Amiga, Inc. has no plans at present to produce an OS3.6 upgrade.
Q: Why should I buy OS3.5, or new hardware or software when Next
Generation Amiga OS will
come out in the near future?
A: Next Generation Amiga OS, whilst available to all, will begin as a developer product. It will
contain an incomplete and changing set
of APIs that will be refined over time. There will be no user
support for these machines, only developer
support. Even at current predictions, Next Generation developer machines will not come
out until 4Q99, and the software
market for Next Generation Amiga OS will take time to grow. This provides a 12-24
month transition period during which
new classic SW and HW will continue to come out. A full OS3.5
emulator will ship with Next Generation Amiga OS,
allowing new classic SW to run on the new box so your investment
will be secure. As for HW, your
upgraded classic Amiga will continue to function after the Next
Generation Amiga
machines come out and will
continue to do its job. Not to upgrade is to miss out on all the
extra features that SW developers will
build into their new 3.5 ready games and applications.
Q. Will OS 3.5 run on my machine?
A. OS 3.5 is designed to run on all three chipset variants, OCS, ECS, and
AGA, as well as RTG cards. It does require a CD drive as we will only ship
the OS on CD-ROM format. Due to the enhanced nature of OS 3.5, there are a
minimum set of requirements, a recommended set, and a rocket-powered set.
Please check the system requirements
section for further details.
Q : How do I become a beta tester for OS3.5?
A : To ensure that we have the best possible beta phase for OS3.5, which
covers such issues as machine type coverage, experience, and
security,
we will be exclusively using the ICOA beta test Working Group. This
group
is open to any person BUT progression in it is based strictly on
experience
and good conduct over a number of years. Starting position in it is
determined
on the references that can be provided from commercial developers
who have
already used a person for beta purposes. For more details, please
contact
the WG manager, John Lowery
(jlowery@uswest.net).
