From: mjp3783@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Subject: Re: @$#^@$%# 2.04!
Reply-To: mjp3783@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 03:07:30 GMT

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.

>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.

>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...

>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

>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?). 

>Mike Neylon          aka Masem the Great and Almighty Thermo GOD
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| Michael Phipps == mjp3783@ritvax.isc.rit.edu (R.I.T.)            |
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