Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!apple!fox!portal!cup.portal.com!Dalamar From: Dalamar@cup.portal.com (E H Mahler) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Monitor ?'s and Personal Views on Amiga (long, please read) Message-ID: <24240@cup.portal.com> Date: 19 Nov 89 21:00:04 GMT Organization: The Portal System (TM) Lines: 86 EAT MY SOCKS! (you have to be blunt with line eaters these days) I'm in search of information regarding monitors, costs, etc. First, however, let me give you a little background on the problem. A little over two (??) years ago we purchased an Amiga 500 with 1080 monitor (drives, etc) - life was simple and everyone was happy. Well, Amiga fever grew and eventually surfaced this summer in the form of an Amiga 2500. This, considering the initial $3300 dollars, was purchased without a monitor and the 1080 was moved over. We knew all along that we would purchase another monitor later and put the 500 back into the line of duty - someday. Well, the time has come and with it come the usual questions. The main goal is just to get the 500 back up and running, mainly for Dad to do word processing on (I want to experiment with networking using both machines) - therefore he isn't overly concerned with having color, just clarity. >>Question One: Will a normal PC (gag, choke, sputter) monochrome monitor work with the 500? The PC magazines are cluttered with about six thousand (give or take a few) different monitors - color and monochrome - for CGA, VGA, EGA, Super VGA, Dopey, Sneezy, Doc, Donder and Blitzen. Which of these misguided video formats is closest in format to our beloved machine of choice? (closest to the 1080/84 in other words) Ok, next area of discussion. We intend to do this eventually anyway, maybe sooner depending on the information I get here. I want to get a Multisync for the 2500 to take advantage of all the new resolutions, video boards, etc. What is the suggested model? I've seen the NEC Multisync IIA and 3D monitors hovering around the $450-$600 range as well as the Sony monitors. Are these OK? Should I get a Flicker Fixer board or will the new Agnus/Denise combination do that for me? Does anybody have a used Multisync they want to sell? Send responses either privately or on the net. In fact, posting them on the net might help others with the same questions. Thanks, E. Mahler Ok, here goes nothing: A (Personal) Word About The Amiga - One thing that sets the Amiga apart from other computers is its effect on the people who use them, as well as the people it attracts. Most of us don't look at the Amiga as a desktop tool for money, productivity, etc., but as a unique little world in a gray-toned box. Comp.sys.amiga is a good example of what I'm saying. Look at the activity level, the generosity people show by responding to questions, and the general level of involvement in the Amiga and seeing it grow. Did you stop to think how closely we are following this ad compaign? Not just with the attitude of "Commodore will make it or break it", but in seeing it finally recognized as a computer. As for pushing the growth of the Amiga, I know I have spent numerous hours demonstrating them to people, telling others about them, and getting people started with them after they buy one. I love doing it. I also know that there are hundreds of others out there doing the same thing for the same reasons. Maybe its just me, but I don't see this in other computer markets where it seems more cut and dried: business, speed, etc. I have spent plenty of time around IBM PC's, AS/400's, and "their people" (however rude that may sound) - it is a confused, insensitive world with no creativity and little or no foresight. >> NO FLAMES, PLEASE, THIS IS A PERSONAL OPINION << While we aren't on the top of the market and a little behind on certains types of hardware/software - we are rich in other areas. We will catch up in these areas, but the rest of the world has some catching up to do with us (Amiga users). Who has read the book "Hackers" by Steven Levy? Read it sometime - I think you'll find a lot of what I'm saying in there, only that was 15 years ago. In the meantime - MANY thanks to some of the Usenet names/groups that I see popping up all the time: CATS Team, Dave Haynie, Matt Dillon, Marco Papa, Peter Da Silva (not sure what all the confusion is about - but I say stay), and many others. Feel free to flame if you wish, but I had to say these things. Opinions anyone? I'd really like a little feedback on this one as I'll probably regret it tomorrow. Just kidding. :) -------- E. Mahler - Lynchburg, Va (Highschool Student, class of 92) Portal: Dalamar UseNet/UUCP: ...sun!portal!cup.portal.com!dalamar I'll set up UUCP/UseNet on my 2500 as soon as I get a feed.