From: smneyln@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov (Michael Neylon)
Subject: Re: @$#^@$%# 2.04!
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Date: 28 Jul 1992 07:55 EST  

In article <1992Jul28.030730.8467@ultb.isc.rit.edu>, mjp3783@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes...
>In article <27JUL199212420371@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov>, smneyln@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov (Michael Neylon) writes:
>>In my case, I still got a 500 with 1.3, and I've extensively used 2.0 on 
>>a friend's 3000, but I'm still very wary about switching to 2.0 
>>Besides the money, I really dont think a nonaccerlated 500 w/o a multisync
>>is a good platform to run 2.0 on.  I'm  conforatable with 1.3, and except
>>for a few programs (ie maple), I still can run everything...
>>(yes, I understand that 2.0 is better.  But it is just too slow for
>>types of activities that I do).
> 
>Actually, 2.0 is alot faster than 1.3 - many routines were optimized - esp.
>serial.device.
>
I havent clocked anything, but 2.0 on an unaccel. 500 *seems* slower.  I
may be incorrect. Now on a 3000, *drool*....

>>Until the Amigas are all released with the 2.0 ROMs for at least a year,
>>software developers should release products for both systems.  Since many
>>of the large packages are developed in C, all that these programmers need
>>to do is to redefine troublesome commands.  For example, if I need
>>to make a library, but the call is different under both systems, I create
>>a dummy function, and use intelligent switching in order to determine
>>which call to make...this shouldnt be more than a few extra lines of code
> 
>2.04 is (I believe) over 1 year old. There is a good bit more to programming 
>different revisions than that.

But 500's are still being released with 1.3 stuff (and 600's? not sure).
Since this is their more popular computer, It would be stupid to force
2.0 on people like this.  The other problem is the Euro market.  Has 2.0
been accepted as well as it has over here?  If America goes to 2.0, and Euro
stays at 1.3, Americans will miss out on great games until the OS's are 
the same.
> 
>>As for making only 2.0 specific software, that is insane.  Take a look at
>>Windows and its products.  Companies like WordPerfect, Lotus, and Excel
>>start making their products for Windows only (and the current releases at that).
>>This forces people into buying software/hardware they may not have
>>wanted, only to run a program they need.  I've met some IBM folk
>>who HATE Windows with a venegence, and will now refuse to purchase
>>software from these companies, but they dont feeling like wasting their money
>>on such like that.  But most IBM users dont care, as long as they have
>>the most uptodate features, so they purchase all the extra software, and keep
>>on feeding Microsoft.  Microsoft improves Windows, companies upgrade,
>>and the cycle keeps on going.
> 
>I don't think that it is insane. Anymore than releasing software that will not
>work under 1.2. I don't know of ANYONE that doesn't like 2.0. Some people may
>not like dishing out $100, and some may not feel like bothering to upgrade, but
>I don't think anyone doesn't like it as an OS. Now as for Windows...
> 
I mentioned this only because money-loving companies such as the above will
release frequent, NON-COMPATABLE upgrades for OS and applications ~3-4 times
a year.  Now, assume that each upgrade costs about $100 (US), and you
have 4 applications to keep 'up-to-date'.  Thats means you spend $1600 a year
just to keep up with the companies.  (hmmm...the cost of a 500+monitor+HD :)
Commodore and Amiga developers dont seem to be those type of companies, but
rather rely on customer service and satisfaction.  I heard that 2.1 is in the
works, but is not ready for release yet.  Amiga stuff doesnt seem to change
as fast, upgrades are less frequent, and people can save their money...

>>Now if you give ~ a year after complete availability of the new OS, this
>>will give folks a chance to think about their purchase. Those who want
>>the software will probably upgrade, and will have sufficient time to 
>>do so before the ware's availability.  Those that dont not need to
>>upgrade will be happy.  Those that want the upgrade but not the new OS...
>>well they're still stuck in the middle.  However, they are assured that
>>for at least a year, all software will still be available to them, and
>>maybe in that time they will adjust and want the new OS.
> 
>The OS is completely available. I walked into MicroWorks in Buffalo, NY and
>picked up 2.0 ROM chips. That easy - no waiting list. I can't speak for all
>dealers, but I can't believe that between the mail order co.s and local dealers
>anyone can't get the chips. As for waiting, I think that is the producers
>perogative. I will/would not write for <2.04. I might lose business, but I will
>maintain sanity. ;-D

After extensive review of my software at home, I relized that I have only one
(commerical) program that is 1.3 only.  So......
I will probably go buy the upgrade end of the summer, but I have to plan ahead...
the closest amiga dealer is 1 hr away (probably has a waiting list) and
goes thru a 'bad' part of town...

Incidentally, is the upgrade just chips and software/manuals?  and can this
be done at home (i know that almost all the chips on the board are socketed,
so switching and relplacement are easy)?
> 
>>Besides, I wouldnt be surprised if producers like Soft-Logik wont still
>>release stuff under 1.3 after others have gone system dependant.  As said
>>before, this is very hard to do, and only lazy group will avoid it, and
>>claim that the software only works under one system....
> 
>I wouldn't either. I would be sorry if they did, but that is their decision. I
>personally think that SoftLogik is gearing up for a 2.0 only version of 
>PageStream (3.0?). 

Im not surprised at that.  Im sure several other producers are planning 
versions of their wares in 2.0 only format.  However,they should not
neglect older versions (ie still have bug fixes/updates if necessary, provide
techical support) for at least 3 years.

Mike Neylon          aka Masem the Great and Almighty Thermo GOD
  // Only the | Univ. of Toledo - Chemical Engineering - Senior
\X/   AMIGA!  |   NASA Lewis Research Center - Summer Intern
\_____________|_____smneyln@ariel.lerc.nasa.gov________________/
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