Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tektronix!sequent!cseaman From: cseaman@sequent.UUCP (Chris "The Bartman" Seaman) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy Subject: Re: Amiga vs. Mac -- convince me... Message-ID: <55065@sequent.UUCP> Date: 12 Mar 91 19:30:15 GMT References: <1991Mar11.161412.14449@math.lsa.umich.edu> Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Beaverton, OR Lines: 124 jeremy@math.lsa.umich.edu (Jeremy Teitelbaum) writes: < I have extensive UNIX experience (I am typing this on a Sun IPC running < X11 in my office) and I am finally looking to buy a computer for home. < I would like to get something which I can use for my main applications, < while at the same time allowing my kids to have some fun (and maybe < learn something about computers.) I essentially rely on TeX, < Maple, and Emacs at work. I would also like to be able < to do some financial stuff on my home system -- like print checks, < do my taxes, etc. As others have already pointed out, TeX, Maple, and Emacs are all available on the Amiga. I couldn't give an objective opinion of the quality of the Emacs versions available (I am a die-hard vi user), but the Amiga versions of TeX and Maple compare very favorably to versions available for other platforms. < Apple [Mac] IIsi/5M RAM/80M hard drive + HP laserjet IIP < with appletalk/postscript (or Apple "Personal Laserwriter NT") < < Amiga 3000/5M RAM/100M drive + HP laserjet IIP with postscript + < VGA (or better) monitor (I really don't like the way the 1950 looks.) If you do choose an Amiga, I would be very cautious about which monitor you select. You may not like the 1950, but other monitors have a tendency to leave a black border around the displayed area of the screen. < Since I'm talking to Amiga fanatics here, let me tell you my reservations < about the Amiga (since the amiga system is probably cheaper...) We are an impassioned bunch, aren't we? < 1. Will Commodore survive in the US? While it would be nice to be able to give this a definitive 'yes', no one can be entirely certain whether any company will survive in any given market. However, I feel confident that Commodore will survive, though, as someone else said, they may not 'flourish'. < 2. If the system breaks, can I get it fixed? Yes, you should be able to get your system repaired in a reasonable manner, provided you work with a knowledgeable and reputable dealer. Fortunately, my vintage A1000 (5 1/2 years young), and my more recent A2500/20 have both been spared the need for a trip to the repair bench. < 3. Is my selection of "canned" software too limited? I've < followed the recent discussion about Amiga wordprocessors, for < example, with some concern; Although I use TeX, my wife and kids < are happy with something like Microsoft Word for letters and school < papers. The list of canned software packages is growing daily, and the quality has dramatically improved over the last couple of years. For word processing, my wife is quite pleased with ProWrite, and when I need higher quality output, I filter the document through ProScript, then print it to a PostScript printer (or to my DeskJet, using Post, a distributable PostScript interpreter for the Amiga). < 4. Is the Amiga a hacker's machine, which needs a lot of fiddling < to get it to do stuff? I spend many hours at work administering a < substantial UNIX network; I don't need a computer at home that has < to be tinkered with endlessly. To some extent, the Amiga is still a hacker's machine, but there are many non-hackers (now numbering, I suppose, in the millions) who are able to use their Amigas quite efficiently. Although I can appreciate your sentiments, I must admit that I find the tinkering on my Amiga to be quite enjoyable, and a refreshing break at times. As an aside, you mentioned that one of the uses for a computer in your home would be to allow your children to learn about them. If, by this, you mean to learn about a particular software program, then this need can be served equally well by a Mac or an Amiga. If, however, you want them to learn a little about how computers function, they can, in my opinion, learn more, and more quickly, by using an Amiga. Most of the Mac users I know still don't know much beyond pointing and clicking, although some have been 'using' the machine for years. < 5. What is the overall hardware quality like? Do the keyboards, < mice, etc. hold up over time? Occasionally, you will find a bad mouse, or a problematic keyboard, but no more than in any other platform, at least from my personal experience. My 5+ year old A1000 mouse is still working quite well, but I did have to replace one of the button switches on my 2500 mouse. There are SEVERAL third party mice available, however, as well as the plethora of IBM compatible BUS mice, which should work well, but do require an adapter cable. < And of course anything else you might want to tell me. I would heartily recommend an Amiga, but I would also forewarn you that there will be a learning curve, albeit a brief one. True, I can get things done on a Mac (or an MS-DOS machine, for that matter), but I can get things done with my Amiga, AND have fun in the process. < Just to prevent my own flame destruction, let me make the following < stipulations about the Amiga: < < 1. In terms of hardware specifications, it is a better buy than the Mac. < 2. I agree that it has a very sophisticated architecture for a PC and that, < particularly for color graphics, it has better performance than the Mac. < 3. Most importantly to me, it is a relatively open system in comparison < with the Mac. < 4. Apple Computer is a parasite which should be boycotted because of < its anti-competitive lawsuits and its secrecy about its system design < (actually, this point means a lot to me as I have a lot of sympathy with < the FSF, and if you can convince me that Amiga is the way to go you will < help my conscience considerably...) You are obviously a very astute individual. :-) Regards, Chris -- Chris (Insert phrase here) Seaman | /// cseaman@sequent.com | /// Make up your own ...!uunet!sequent!cseaman | \\\/// mind. The Home of the Killer Smiley | \XX/