From: yurick@vaxr.llnl.gov
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.introduction
Subject: Re: TOTAL novice questions
Date: 1 Sep 92 03:10:04 GMT
Distribution: comp
Organization: LLNL_LIS

In article <COLIN.92Aug31094124@caicos.Cayman.COM>, colin@Cayman.COM (Colin "Atilla" Steele) writes:
> 
> Well, I'm absolutely clueless about the whole amiga scene, so if
> there's a FAQ, I'll be happy to peruse it!  Anyhow, here are my
> questions:
> 1) What is an amiga 1000?

It was the 1st generation of Amigas. It has non-standard ports, and there are
more 3rd party support for the other Amigas.  Unless your going to get a real 
good deal on one, I'd recommend a 2000/3000.  I started off with a A1000, but
when the A2000 came out, I promptly traded it in.  The A1000 only came with 
256K of RAM, and I had to buy a 256K RAM module to upgrade it to a 1/2 Meg. 
Later I bought 2 more Megs of RAM.  This machine comes with a 68000 cpu,
running at 7.14 MHZ. 
 
> 2) What is an amiga 2000?

This machine is a lot easier to install add-ons to, than the A1000.  There's
several expansion slots inside the machine (some for Amiga use, and some for
I*M use).  There's room to install (2) 3 1/2" floppy or hard drives, and room
for (1) 5 1/4" floppy or hard drive.  My A2000 came with 1/2 MEG of Chip RAM,
and 1/2 MEG of Fast RAM.  It also came with the 68000 cpu  

There are a few off-springs to the A2000, such as:
  A2500......I believe it has a 68020 CPU.
  A2500 HD...Same as the A2500, and it comes with a Hard drive.
 
> 3) What is an amiga 3000?

This machine comes with the 68030 cpu.  It is also the only Amiga that you can
directly add 2 MEGS of chip RAM to, without the need of a special
circuit-board.  There is a 3000T, which is a tower version.  I almost upgraded
my A2000 to an A3000T, but there is rumor of a A4000...so I'm going to wait
for awhile.  

There is also an A500, A500 plus and an A600.  These are better than the A1000,
but not as easily expandable as the A2000, or the A3000.  Personally, between 
the Ax00 series, I like the A500 plus the best.

All in all, an Amiga is an Amiga.  The major differences between the various
models are...how much of a computer do I get directly out of the box.

 > 5) Which machine(s) can you run amiga's flavor of UNIX on?  Do you
> have to buy extra memory, etc. to do so?  How much does amiga UNIX
> cost?

I believe the A3000 is the machine for UNIX operation.
 
> 6) Are there C and/or C++ compilers available for amigas?

The Amiga and the C language go together like a swimming pool and water.  (In
other words, YES.)
 
> 7) What is amigados?  (Plz, beyond the obvious, "It's an operating
> system.")

Well, I'm not sure what kind of an answer you're looking for here, but AmigaDOS
is the OS set-up for the Amiga.  (Hence the name.)  With an Amiga, you can
click on icons, or pull-down menu like a M*C.  You can also type commands like:
DIR (directory), CD (change directory), RENAME OldFileName NewFileName, etc. 
Some people prefer icons, and some people prefer to type commands.  With the
Amiga, you can do either one.

Version 2.0 is a nice operating system for the Amiga.  I currently have a ROM
switcher that allows me to select either 1.3 or 2.0, because some programs 
won't run on 2.0.  (There wasn't anything between 1.3 and 2.0, in case you were
wondering.)  
 
> 8) Are there compelling reasons for wanting to own an amiga system?

Multitasking, versatility, 4 channel stereo sound, fantastic graphics/animation
abilities, easily upgradable, ability to emulate the I*M and/or the M*C, etc.  
(I'm sure other people will add onto this list).

> Will I get more bang for the buck than, say, buying a (now very cheap)
> 3- or 486 box with a whizzy monitor?

What do you want your computer to do?  That answer will depend on what type of
computer to buy.

This has only scratched the surface, so go to a local Amiga dealer and have
him show you what he's got.  If you know of anyone who owns an Amiga, check
there system out too.  
 
> Thanks in advance!
>  Colin Steele     | Cayman Systems, 26 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139

-- 
*****************************************************************************
*  Joe Yurick         California U.S.A.       E-Mail : yurick@vaxr.llnl.gov *
*** My thoughts & views are rarely my own, much less that of my employer! ***
*****************************************************************************
               I think, therefore I am...an Amiga owner!              
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