From: gwalborn@flash.cs.pitt.edu (Gary Walborn)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Death Becomes Amiga
Summary: I do NOT agree
Date: 19 Aug 92 20:25:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: pitt.16141
Organization: Computer Science Dept., University of Pittsburgh


        I must take a moment to respond to the individual who cannot recommend
the Amiga to friends.  I have two Amigas at home (a 2000 and a 3000) and I am
in charge of a number (> 6) of PCs at work.  Most of the machines at work are
286, 386, or 486 based.  We are running several versions of DOS, but most of
the machines are running DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1.  I am also quite familiar
with Macs and have used every Mac from the original 128K Mac to a Quadra 950.
        I cannot agree that the Amiga is not a suitable platform for an office.
As a matter of fact, I have been required to do work at home on my Amiga
when the PCs at work did not fulfill the requirements of a complex task.
I am constantly running into situations where we have encountered limitations
in the PC hardware or software and I find myself saying, "Boy, this would be
really easy on my Amiga."  There are VERY few areas which cannot be adequately
addressed with the Amiga and existing hardware.  And for these few instances,
the Amiga provides either hardware or software emulation of an IBM.  For
example, if I need Lotus 1-2-3 at home there is no problem.  If I need
Pagestream at work, I am out of luck!
        As for WP, I am running ProWrite and Excellence! at home.  Either
package would satisfy my WP needs at work, and then some.  We are running
a variety of WP packages at work (each user seems to have his/her favorite)
and I could just as easily use ProWrite on an Amiga as, for example, Leading
Edge WP on a PC.  Each package has strengths and weaknesses (even Word
Perfect).  I wish I could find a Windows-based word processor that would
allow my 386-16 at work to keep up with my 2000 running ProWrite at home!
        When it comes to spreadsheets, the Amiga does not have the "high-
powered" packages that are available on the PC.  HOWEVER, I think you
overestimate the needs of MOST (not all) users.  Our chief financial
officer cannot write a simple macro!  Neither can our president!  Even
humble Analyze! would suit either of these "typical users".  As a matter
of fact, I have used Analyze! to find an out-of-balance error by loading
a report (over 5000 lines) into Analyze! and using complex macros.
Lotus wouldn't start to LOAD the file, much less allow the user to
manipulate the data!
        For school work, I find the Amiga an EXCELLENT choice.  I have done
elaborate papers and presentations using the Amiga with ProWrite, Pagestream,
Maple, and/or ProDraw.  It is quite possible to write mathematical formulas
and expressions using these packages and the "SYMBOL" font which is widely
available.
        When I need to program, I can choose C, Icon, LISP, Prolog, Modula
II, Pascal, Rexx, or BASIC (to name a few).  Most of these languages are
available in the public domain (an important feature for a student).
Program development is a delight on the Amiga as I can simultaneously
run one or more text editors, the compiler, an debugger, and multiple
versions of the program being developed!  I often do this WHILE I am
online to the university on another screen!  I have yet to achieve this
level of multitasking and integration with Windows.
        The Amiga operating system is small, but powerful. It is complex,
but efficient.  It allows me to perform incredible feats and seldom gets
in the way.  It feels similar to Unix, but lacks the excessive overhead.
It manages windows and screens in a uniform and simple manner.  It combines
the ease of use of a "point and click" interface with the power of a text-
based shell (actually any one of a number of shells).  In short, the Amiga
OS approaches MY concept of "optimal"!
        I am not ashamed that I own an Amiga and I heartily recommend the
Amiga to anyone sufficiently intelligent to appreciate it!  I never did
subscribe to the theory that "60 million users can't be wrong".  The only
rational for the purchase of an IBM compatible is the extremely low price
or an extreme need to have one because "that's what everyone else has".
I outgrew THAT in junior high.

Gary Walborn <gwalborn@cs.pitt.edu>