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From: manes@vger.nsu.edu ((Mark D. Manes), Norfolk State University)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Re: A3000UX - Born to run UNIX SVR4
Message-ID: <660.27beeecd@vger.nsu.edu>
Date: 18 Feb 91 00:59:57 GMT
References: <43979@ut-emx.uucp> <1991Feb11.115551.1844@sugar.hackercorp.com> <637.27b9ca43@vger.nsu.edu> <1991Feb16.033940.25415@sugar.hackercorp.com>
Lines: 71

In article <1991Feb16.033940.25415@sugar.hackercorp.com>, peter@sugar.hackercorp.com (Peter da Silva) writes:
> In article <637.27b9ca43@vger.nsu.edu> manes@vger.nsu.edu ((Mark D. Manes), Norfolk State University) writes:
>> Why would you say AmigaVision suffers from lack of vision.
> 
> The iconic programming language is cute, but it's as full of frustrating
> limitations as COBOL. How come you can't wait on an arbitrary condition,
> instead of just keyboard/mouse? I want to wait on the completion of a
> spoken phrase while doing screen-flipping in the background, for example.
> I couldn't *believe* there was no way to do that.

Have you asked Commodore for that ability?  You probably want this to work
at full tilt while still using a 68000. :-) :-)

> 
> The only saving grace is the ability to call REXX so you can drop out of the
> icons and use a real programming language.

You call AmigaDOS / Workbench programs as well.  

> 
>> What vision is
>> it that you _think_ must be included in order for you to consider this a
>> good product.
> 
> How about a runtime-only module so it'll run in a stock 512K Amiga? So you
> can distribute "compiled" flows to people?

I would find it hard to believe that there is not work being done on such
a thing.  

> 
>> We are waiting for your final solution.  When can I expect to get this 
>> new wonder software?  I sure hope it will stand up to my idea of "vision".
> 
> I doubt it. I'm a UNIX freak. My idea of an ideal multimedia program is a
> bunch of separate modules hooked together with REXX and the MIDI library.
> The fancy front-end would be just that, a front-end. Hook the modules
> together with "pipes" that carry MIDI events, but it'd save it as a text
> script.

Well there you go.  Certainly your idea of "vision" would be a nightmare
to the artsy-craftsy folk who just want to take their artwork and sound
and put it together, and glue it together with some programming.

I guess different people have different visions eh?
 
You should not damn AmigaVision because it is not your idea of the perfect
"vision", instead you could provide positive support for what clearly is
a innovative product.  You might even consider writing down your ideas 
for product improvement and _why_ they would be an improvement and send
it to Commodore.  I find Cathy Godfrey at CATS to be a very responsive
individual.

I hope that you understand that I do understand your point.  AmigaVision
is far from the perfect solution, but golly it works better than any other
product that is out there.

Avoid sweeping generalizations, it will be your un-doing. :-)

> -- 
> Peter da Silva.   `-_-'
> <peter@sugar.hackercorp.com>.

 -mark=
     
 +--------+   ==================================================          
 | \/     |   Mark D. Manes                    "Mr. AmigaVision" 
 | /\  \/ |   manes@vger.nsu.edu                                        
 |     /  |   (804) 683-2532    "Make up your own mind! - AMIGA"
 +--------+   ==================================================