Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!ccwf.cc.utexas.edu From: greg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Greg Harp) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: FACTS ABOUT WB2.0 (Was: Re:WB2.0 for non-A3000) Message-ID: <44055@ut-emx.uucp> Date: 12 Feb 91 08:24:25 GMT References: <43860@ut-emx.uucp> <5547@baird.cs.strath.ac.uk> <43921@ut-emx.uucp> <5569@baird.cs.strath.ac.uk> Sender: news@ut-emx.uucp Reply-To: greg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Greg Harp) Organization: The University of Texas at Austin Lines: 94 In article <5569@baird.cs.strath.ac.uk> bsyme@cs.strath.ac.uk (Brian J Syme IE88) writes: >In article <43921@ut-emx.uucp> greg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Greg Harp) writes: >> >>Most people have >>not even _heard_ of updates to 1.3. How many of you have _heard_ about >>version 1.3.3? Do you realize that you've had a program around called >>Setpatch to patch the bugs in the 1.3 ROM? > > Games users are unlikely to be affected or really notice OS bugs > for the simple reason that almost all big name games kill the OS, > the rest of us would be better served by a SERIOUS OS patch service > (i.e. register and get sent disks). Yes I do know about setpatch! > There are PD fixes for the interlace bug (which I've never been > bitten by, though I dont doubt it exists.) But game users have no need for 2.0, either. As for Commodore sending disks to the users for patches, that creates a headache for and money drain that Commodore doesn't need. Besides, there would be mistakes and customers would be omitted. Commodore would just gain a repuation as a poor supplier of customer service. PD fixes for OS bugs don't go over well with businesses, either. >>I look forward to the day that I can pop a 2.0 ROM into my Amiga, but I don't >>want to have to replace that ROM because some major bug slipped through. Bug >>patches make the OS look flawed and unprofessional. > > They also make it look actively supported - I`m quite sure that > there will be plenty of bugs in 2.0 when it is released, and the > patches will surely follow.. Compared to 1.3, I think you will be surprised. >>You can't use Windows 3.0 for 4 hours straight without a crash. > > Want a bet? 'fraid that's what I've been doing for months now. > Oh, if only Intuition was a patch on Windows 3! Even the 2.0 > intuition looks (can't speak for the internals) poorer than W3 > (to me anyway.) How much money do you want to put on it? (Actually, I don't gamble.) I was severely unimpressed with the solidity of Windows 3.0. (Also, and this is only MHO, it looks a bit trite after extended time with AmigaOS 2.0.) >>MSDOS 5.0? Don't make me laugh... > > Not much more than a program loader anyway, it's what you run > on top that counts. However we stray from the point, I would > run Unix/X11 and I *KNOW* there are bugs and problems with both > but the pace of development is good. Well, once you get into Unix you have to learn to accept bugs. Some things are just sloppily done, unfortunately, even with by the best s/w developers. Personal computers have to be a bit more reliable, since they aren't nearly as crash-proof. >>_Every_ little detail is being checked and double-checked. >>2.0, when released, will be one of the most solid OSes around. > > And triple, and quadruple, and, and,.... all well and good, I > want it checked, but the point of diminishing returns rushes > towards us.. Well, none of us can make decisions for Commodore such as when the point of diminishing returns has been reached, but I feel they are still doing the right thing. Most single users interested in the Amiga will continue to wait for 2.0, and the businesses interested are mostly buying 3000s anyway. >>Honestly, if you think you can get better results with DOS machines or >>whatever else, feel free to give them a try. You're in for a _big_ >>disappointment. > > The simple fact is that "DOS" machines are improving at a > superb rate. They are CHEAP and FAST. There is a MASSIVE > market. Two years ago I wouldn't have touched a PC with a > barge pole, the relative pace of development has changed > that. The Amiga stagnated, the PC's surged... Well, I don't know how you're measuring improvement, but I do agree that they are cheap and somewhat fast. Windows is certainly a boon to their market, but it's still doesn't supply the power of the new Amiga or even the new Mac OS. In addition, you have to be _pretty_ committed to Windows in order to develop for it, considering the cost. Any Joe off the street is welcome to develop for the Amiga, so s/w prices are very nice. Greg -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I don't know what it is I like about you, but I like it a lot." -- Led Zeppelin, Communication Breakdown -------Greg-Harp-------greg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu-------s609@cs.utexas.edu-------