«Query Section begins»
«A» what is the optimum for a developer box?
«fleecy» For OS5Dev, any x86 box will serve as a base (233+) but since
we intend to be on it for as short a time as possible, we will
only write drivers for one or two cards so that will be your
problem if you don't go with the AInc solution.
«fleecy» We hope to offer a low end and a high end solution
«phoe» will Joe Torre's departure affect development of the new machine ?
and when can we expect to see the new machine (or proper specs)
«fleecy» Joe's departure will affect it in as much as we'll miss the little
bugger. He was working closely with the GW2K staff to get the dev
box done but I think most of the design work was done. I work from
the home and not the office so I don't know. The specs should be
out by or at Cologne.
«fleecy» As for seeing it, as I explained in csa.misc, the bits are coming
together but we are not sure whether ALL the bits will be ready by
Cologne. We will show it but it might not be available for sale by
then. GW2K are getting 3000 orders a day more than they can fill
so we may have to look elsewhere.
«Yoshi» Fleecy: Why all this paranoia with having to sign up for news at
the Amiga Inc. site? Is it just a clever plot to collect email
addresses? :)
«fleecy» Yoshi : damm, there goes our QVC contract ;-)
«fleecy» As Bill explained at Sacremento, we want to stay under the Radar
for as long as possible, not just for us but also for our
partners, who are MS partners and have no desire to be EX MS
partners before we have proved ourselves.
«fleecy» I know it seems paranoid, but many of them have been bitten once
too often by MS and their henchmen.
«SlamDunk» What language are we going to be using. I assume 'C' but will it
be Gcc ? We need to spend this time before the release of the Dev
system learning the language NOW
«fleecy» Languages : C++ first and foremost, then Java. We are talking and
the ICOA is working on a model to bring more languages as quickly
as possible. I hope so because I HATE C++
«DrJekyl» How close are you working with the "third party" h/w developers ?
and how many 3rd ptys are there ?
«fleecy» HW developers - I have spoken to Pios, DKB, P5, Index and A.C.T.
They are all very keen BUT they want to see specs...since the MMC
company is more shy than a virgin at a bachelor party, this is
pissing them off.
«fleecy» As soon as the MMC company opens up, we will get them in there for
a first look but I don't see this being until next year... another
reason for the OS5Dev step
«Cryto» Are the new MMC chips coming along on time? Also, any new info
on them? Also, what will be the new CPU? Or has that not been
decided yet? Also, any preliminary OS features that are gonna be
in the new OS?(Resource tracking, Multi-processing/Threading, etc)
«fleecy» ok, the last time we spoke to the company, they were on time -
however, that was THEIR word - we are supposed to be going up
there to check on this but we have to be our chopsticks first ;-)
«fleecy» Info on them will only become available when they let us, I'm
afraid. Intel would crucify them if they found out.
«fleecy» OS features - SMP, MP, MT, VM - all the advanced OS features you
would expect a kernal to have.
«phoe» How many major developers have actually indicated an interest in
the platform - enough to make the platform viable once more ?
Any 'killer apps' on the horizon ?
«fleecy» the 'pumpkins rock ;-)
«fleecy» Developers- I have spoken to as many of the commercial developers
as I can and they are a) looking forwards to developing for OS5
b) wondering how they are going to stay alive long enough to get
there. We have plans to help them on both accounts
«fleecy» non Amiga developers ;-) Oh yes, there are plenty of them. Bill
leaves up in Seattle and he has more lunch invites than you can
shake a hairy stick at
«Kyle» What is AI's opinion and "stance" regarding the closure of CU
Amiga?
«fleecy» I am very distressed. I talked to Tony and Andy over the past two
day (Bruce as well). Both wished us their best. I have bought CU
for 4 years and I shall miss it. We are planning something
special for CU's final issue, so make sure you buy it.
«Locutus» Fleecy: exactly how many software/os people work at AInc? afaik,
there's only Havemose atm? ga
«fleecy» Well I am a project manager/system architect of no mean repute
myself. However, you are correct. Until we get all our ducks in
a row then we have most of our staff as contractors. No one wants
to live in South Dakota (ask Joe!!!), including me.
«Yoshi» Fleecy: Gary said you'd also ask question to us. I'd be
interested to hear those :)
«Yoshi» Fleecy: Besides, I don't really understand how the AmigaOS5dev
machine can be out before the MMC is revealed, I always thought
the OS5dev machine would already emulate it? ga
«Dave_C» IRC is a two way street and he MAY have some for us.
«fleecy» When you design a chip, you do it in SW first and create
emulations for it. This is WHY we have to use x86, despite P5
wanting us to use PPC.
«fleecy» Plus you can design an OS on another platform first and then port
it - remember the Amiga was designed on Suns first.
«NdK» This may sound a bit negative, but I am an seeing-is-believing
kinda person.
«NdK» You just told that the team that is designing OS5 is pretty small.
«NdK» Why do you think you (and your team) can create a complete new OS
in so little time?
«NdK» I mean, BeOS for example had a lot more developers for a longer
time.....
«NdK» And even if it could be done, why do you think it will be better
than other OS's
«fleecy» As a PM of some ten years experience, I can tell you that small
teams ARE the best - always. They maintain focus and consistency
in a design. Once the design is completed, then you can bring
more programmers in on the job.
«fleecy» Why do I think it will be better? Because of Allan, and the ppl
he is bringing into this? These ppl are top in their fields and
once we take them on board and announce them, you will see that.
These are ppl who want to be the next great thing and who feel
stymied in existing companies. They have found a home with us.
«Barnes» What do you see as the main selling point of OS5 over rival os's
of the future, I mean, Linux will be awesome by the time it is
released (with the support which is growing for it at the moment),
so what will it offer to make it better? ga
«fleecy» Linux is a lovely OS but that is all it is - it is for techies
for love editing with VI. The Digital Convergence market is much,
much bigger than anything that exist so far but it requires an OS
that ALL ppl can use
«fleecy» The same way Be started from scratch with its assumptions, so we
started with us - luckily for us, the Amiga OS was already half
way there. We are just taking the next step, and moving onto
faster HW.
«Eyesy» yeah, er, well, what's the plan with PPC? a lot of people are
not buying PPCs not only because of their hackish nature but also
because of the announcement. What do you plan on doing with it?
AltiVec sounds like it will be excellent, are you going to give a
firm announcement on what you plan on doing with it?
«fleecy» PPC is a very nice processor family. Altivec will show the world,
yet again, how something should be done. However, it is a
standalone CPU. Add all the extras you need to turn it into a
computer (a la iMac) and you still have a price. The MMC delivers
what we need, high price/performance all across the spectrum.
«Agima» How aggressively has the OS5Dev machine been marketed, and how
aggressively do you plan to market both OS5Dev and the OS5 machine
in the near / far future?
«fleecy» OS5Dev is and will be marketed back channel. Our PC inflicted
partners and the Amiga community will be in on the secret so that
when we go public, we will give the world one hell of a surprise.
Ppl thing the Year2000 problem refers to time, it is going to
refer to a new Amiga that kicks PCs all over the face of the new
millenium
«DrJekyl» fleecy: How far is the OS4 dev s/w and when is it estimated to go
to beta ?
«fleecy» OK, first, we boobed with OS4 - stupid name, stupid idea. What we
are doing is skipping OS4 alltogether, since many ppl associate it
with a PPC classic OS. Instead we are calling it OS5Dev and
OS5Prod.
«phoe» Should we be worried about GW2K's stockmarket problems ? What
would stop Bill Gates buying GW2K out, and shelving all
opposition to his 'evil empire' ? ga (thanx and goodnight)
«fleecy» phoe: errr, nothing at the moment 8-( That is one reason for
looking for partners. Many partners holding minority interests
would give us much better protection.
«Multiview» The only question I have is the same one I put to everyone....
"If Amiga chooses another CPU (ppc or other), why can't they
just port the OS and make a new 68k-Datatype that would enable
complete backward compatibility with all exisiting software?
«fleecy» Multiview : not sure I understand here. Why would you want
a 68K datatype? For backwards compatibility with OS3.1?
«Multiview» Well the big Q is ...will my software work with the new OS...
Ihear it allthe time.
«fleecy» Ahh, Ok. For OS5Dev there will be a classic card - it will be
an Amiga on a PCI card and will give you complete
»TA« How long is this going on?
«fleecy» compatibility - it is an Amiga after all. For OS5Prod, we are
not producing the machines. I presume the third parties, if
they see a market advantage will provide compatibility, perhaps
through siamese, perhaps through the OS5Dev cards, perhaps
through AROS or UAE
«Yoshi» Fleecy: Are there any plans to update the Amiga.com website more
regularly? A site that changes every two months doesn't make
a very good impression on future (1999) customers, IMHO. GA
«fleecy» I know - it is an eyesore and we are working on doing something
that will provide a great deal more information. It will take
a month or so to get it up and running. I do apologise for this.
If everything had panned out the way we expected
at WoA, there would be a lot more news on it by now.
«Harv_» (a) what's up with the 4060t situation and (b) give us ONE news
"headline" - something NEW we can take away from this. GA.
«fleecy» The 4000 situation is gunged up with lawyers, screwy contracts
and a lot of other stuff. We are doing all we can BUT it is out
of our hands at the moment. WE can't even get machines......
«fleecy» something new???
«Harv_» something we haven't heard over and over.
«Harv_» spill one (1) bean.
«fleecy» Clinton is innocent ;-) I'm afraid there isn't anything - we are
trying to give CU Amiga an exclusive BUT that depends on another
partner...sorry Harv, have to disappoint you (again)
«Jamesc» My question is similar to Multiview's. If I spend money purchasing
a second hand A4000/060 with PPC card now. Will I be able to make
use of it still when the new OS5Prod comes out?
«fleecy» Sure, it will still run all the apps that are there now, and which
are coming out over the next 12 months, without tying up your new
machine, and as with the C64 and Amiga 1000, it will be 6 months
to a year before there is a decent amount of SW out. I know I am
going to get a Boxer when it comes out.
«fleecy» We are also planning something for the classic Amiga that should
make all those accelerators, cards and whatnot worth their money
- how about that, Harv?
«Harv_» I am still reeling from your plan to give a dead magazine an
exclusive.
«fleecy» OS5Dev is in progress - that's all I can say.
«hesido» What does Gateway expect with amiga, will they see her as an
important portion of their business and advertise on CNN media
report etc.or do business on a smaller scale, much less ambitious.
«fleecy» GW2k has a tightrope to walk. It NEEDS a very close relationship
with MS or it is screwed so it will keep us at arms
«Eyesy» Maybe a silly question, but: I have read that you hope to have
Amigas out for $500. How would you be able to manage to sell
a product like this at such a low low price? (and do you mean just
the motherboard for $500 or HD, CD, Monitor etc..). How can GW be
willing to fund such a high risk project at such low profit
margins, are they planning on dumping the PC for the SuperAmiga?
«fleecy» length (hence the "under the radar" bit) - but we can leverage off
of it in private in ways that Commodore could only dream of
«fleecy» Have you looked at the Dreamcast specs and price, the Project X?
HW technology is coming together, and the MMC adds several new
twists to it. Will GW2k abandon PCs - not until we have prooved
we make them redundant ;-)
«fleecy» 2 more and then I must go - sorry 8-(
«Agima» The iMac has sold (I believe) 150,000+ since it's launch. How
confident are you of similar early sales figures for
OS5Dev/OS5Prod? GA
«fleecy» OS5Dev is a developer machine - we will be delighted if users buy
it but we see it as a seed. OS5Prod is a different matter. It will
be sold hidden in products and out in the open. The launch and
marketing strategy is still being worked out with the partners,
but is should make the iMac one look like a christmas party at an
old ppl's home
«Darwinz» any plans for a laptop Amiga? and will ARexx still be part of
future AmigaOS's? (updated maybe?) GA
«fleecy» As I said before, the MMC can work perfectly well in a laptop if
Pios or P5 or someone wants to make one then it will be fine with
us. Arexx? Allan likes it, I like it.
* Dave_C thanks all who submitted questions and thanks fleecy for
giving us his time.
«Query Session ends»
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