Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wasatch!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!ingr!phil From: phil@ingr.com (Phil Johnson) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Ami Fantasy Wishlist Message-ID: <6203@ingr.com> Date: 22 Aug 89 00:02:00 GMT Reply-To: phil@ingr.UUCP (Phil Johnson) Organization: Intergraph Corp. Huntsville, Al Lines: 115 Keywords: Ami future fantasy (long) I have been reading the wishlist for ADOS 1.4, Amiga 3000- through 10,000 etc 8-), and the UNIX, MINIX, and ADOS discussions and decided to add my three cents worth. 8-) 8-) 8-) 1. Operating system - VM look-alike with close adherence to JCL standard. 2. Editor - What else - TSO ( why give up now). 3. Communication - RJE and Bisync ( full steam ahead). Oh yeah, a 300 bps asynchronous line for connecting to OTHERs. 4. Graphics - PLOT10, an established standard. 5. User Interface - In this environment, We're tough, We don't need no stinking user interface. THIS IS NO FANTASY! where's FREDDY? He must be around in this dream somewhere. I am turning very blue now so I will advance to the future and enter my Ami fantasy. What I would like to see enter our (read as REAL) world. 8-) 1. A 16-bit, multitasking, graphics-based personel computer that is inexpensive. Dreams do come true it's an Amiga 1000. 2. An upgrade version of item 1 with expansion slots. Not a 1500, but a 2000. 3. A 32-bit, 68040-based Amiga with 8 megabytes of CHIP ram, 32 megbytes of main memory, 1280 x 1024 screen resolution, 16 million colors with a 16 million color palette, built-in SCSI-2 interface, 2 serial and 2 parallel ports, a Digital signal processor-based audio subsystem, enhanced graphics and a hardwired unit ID that can be queried by ID encoded software (This should eliminated the majority of the piracy issues). It has worked elsewhere. Dorthy, oh Dorthy bring Toto and come along. Aaaaaah such a nice dream A true fantasy. 4. Operating system - Amiga DOS with every thing fixed and the FFS faster than ever. This is for upward compatibility. UNIX System V release (whatever) with an emphasis toward POSIX compliance. This is needed to expand into the federal market. MINIX, simply because it has been done. If you don't want it - don't get it. The MINIX development hasn't taken anything away from the Amiga, but has added another nice piece of software to the Amiga library. 5. General Software - Development tools: Why does Lattice and Manx offer cross-development tools for the PC and not the Amiga. It is about time they provided the same engineering tools to us that they provide to others. We need cross-assemblers, C and Modula-2 cross-compilers, along with simulators. Don't they understand how much easier it is to develop on the Amiga's multi- tasking, multi-window system { edit in one window, download and run in another }. I know because I do this now with AVOCET's Quelo 68k cross-assembler. How about Structured Design software? Am I the only poor soul that produces design documents? Why doesn't SAS Institute offer their statistical analysis system on the Amiga. It is available on the PC. Talk about legitimizing the Amiga in the business world - this would help. Maybe we're only good enough for their compilers? How about Adobe illustrator? There is one DTP package that approaches the OTHER systems, but nothing to legitimize the Amiga as a world-class DTP system. Also, how about supporting a page-size monitor? How about a world class 2D/3D drafting package like Microstation, AutoCAD, or GenericCAD. Again this would legitimize the Amiga as a CAD system. SOAP BOX: WordProcessor: Excuse me if I don't feel sorry for Wordperfect, but they brought it on themselves. They brought out the Amiga version, then shortly announced the graphics-based 5.0 for the PC. When they were asked about availability of 5.0 for the Amiga; WE (WordPerfect owners) were told NOT NOW! NOT EVER! We understood the economics of the PC and Mac versions first, but a total rejection was a slap in the face. I own WordPerfect and Library, so I don't want to hear their whining about poor sales. A bit more introspection about their screwups and less finger pointing at the Amiga is called for. I do not under- stand why everyone is apologizing to WP. They owe US the apology AND an Amiga version of 5.0. Try to find much in the WP books or in WP's own newsletter for 4.1 and 4.2 version. Their big user meeting had nothing but 5.0 lectures. GIVE ME 5.0 then I will feel legitimate. As the subject line reads this was a fantasy (for now). I hope Gould allows the new management a free hand to take the Amiga forward. The base machine has provided one heck of a machine, but rather than progressing at pace Gould and management has allowed a machine that was 5 years ahead of it's competition to fall behind. The new management seems ready, willing, and more than able to drive the Amiga back to the head of the class. LET THEM DO IT! If every Amiga owner bought one or two shares of Commodore stock what a voting block we would make. Think of the impression it would make at a stock holders meeting. As the song goes: I want it all, I want it all and I want It NOW. I'm a little more reasonable than that; next month will be fine. -- Philip E. Johnson UUCP: usenet!ingr!b3!sys_7a!phil MY words, VOICE: (205) 772-2497 MY opinion!