Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!torsqnt!geac!contact!ben
From: ben@contact.uucp (Ben Eng)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: Should CBM pre-announce? (WAS Re: Super Chip Set)
Message-ID: <1990Sep22.232056.21541@contact.uucp>
Date: 22 Sep 90 23:20:56 GMT
References: <4427@crash.cts.com> <1990Sep18.014227.381@darwin.ntu.edu.au> <1053@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au>
Organization: Jet Penguin Lavatories
Lines: 51

In <1053@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au> U3364521@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au
 (Lou Cavallo) writes:

>MC> It would seem that, if they are just keeping quite, that this issue is 
>MC> doing the amiga's image BAD.  People say - AMIGAs used to be the machines 
>MC> for graphics work, but now they don't compare to MACIIs ect.

>a) our negative talk in the Amiga groups _may_ spread (like doom saying can
>   have a tendency to do). I personally think this does as much damage.

>b) this problem of falling behind is an example of technologies march. This
>   will happen again even when CBM address the current shortcomings. This I
>   consider a "Leap Frogging" principle.

>A friend of mine (an Elec Engineer and IBM PC fan) pronounced the Amiga dead
>at the start of the year. CBM then came out with the Amiga 3000 :-).

By lowering oneself to the level where one makes direct comparisons
with IBM PCs and Macs, Amigas are placed in a position of weakness.
There is simply too large of an overwhelming following behind MS-DOS
(like a herd of sheep) and Macintosh (a yuppy trend) for a small
minority to stand up and be heard if this tiny band of Amiga rebels
persists in a battle of words.  To respond to their verbal attacks is
to reveal the Amigas vulnerabilities.

It is a much stronger statement for Commodore and Amiga third parties
to consistently and methodically release innovative technology that
pushes the Amiga into unique frontiers, rather than trying to conquer
occupied territory.  Why eat left-overs when there is plenty of pie to
go around?

The Amiga has always been a unique machine, where all the good things
have been quietly hidden inside a beautifully engineered design.  The
fact that the Amiga doesn't receive worldwide acclaim shouldn't taint
one's own opinions.

High quality items sold by small companies to a selective market, with
very little advertising... it sounds a lot like... Bang and Olufson,
Lambourghini, Rolls Royce...  Perhaps Amigans should consider
themselves in this manner rather than becoming so self-conscious and
defensive next time they are compared with an IBM PC or a Mac.  You
don't see Lambourghini owners getting upset because the newest
Corvette claims to have better acceleration and aerodynamics than the
Countach, do you?

Ben
-- 
Ben Eng                  | ben@contact.uucp  (416)-438-2855
150 Beverley St. Apt #1L | Bix: jetpen
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1Y6 | UofT Engineering Science: engb@ecf.toronto.edu
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