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From: plouff@kali.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st,comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Toothless Byte
Message-ID: <15435@shlump.nac.dec.com>
Date: 18 Sep 90 17:02:42 GMT
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Followup-To: comp.sys.atari.st
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
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In article <82@maxx.UUCP>, tyager@maxx.UUCP (Tom Yager) writes...
>I don't think we've scheduled a 3000 review. We received our loaner about
>a month ago, and we're starting to get some software and accessories together
>for it. The rule is, if you can't say much more than what was said in the
>First Impression, don't bother. Right now, that's the case; there isn't much
>we can add until more 3000 (and 2.0)-specific software and add-ons start to 
>appear.
>[and several other insights into how Byte handles reviews.]
>-- 
>+--Tom Yager, Technical Editor, BYTE----Reviewer, UNIX World---------------+
>|  UUCP: decvax!maxx!tyager          NET: maxx!tyager@bytepb.byte.com      |
>| "I just bought...the Macintosh portable. And I took it back. Pain in the |
>+--butt." --Harry Connick, Jr.-------I speak only for myself.--------------+

3000- and 2.0-specific software?  In the best of all possible worlds 
there should be none.  Some compute-intensive packages are available in
two versions - one of which has floating-point coprocessor code inline -
included in the same box.  But one of Amiga' strengths is its
compatibility.  Up and down the line, forward through OS revisions,
things that work on one Amiga usually work on all others.  I would
expect that much software already works with AmigaDOS v2.0.  Software
tweaked to work with v2.0 should also still work with v1.3.  There is
much more "clean" stuff out there than Byte may realize. 

On another note, there are freely redistributable software tools 
available (Small C compiler, assembler, C function library) which permit 
porting the Byte benchmark suite to Amiga.  Since Amiga and Macintosh 
have the same CPUs, I look forward to seeing a head-to-head benchmark 
comparison in the Amiga 3000 review.  Anticipating Tom Yager's 
objection, the same has already been done with 386-based UNIX boxes vs. 
MS-DOS machines, no?
-- 
Wes Plouff, Digital Equipment Corp, Maynard, Mass.
plouff@kali.dec.com

Amiga -- over 460,800,000,000 pixels sold.