Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!olivea!mintaka!geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu!rjc From: rjc@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Ray Cromwell) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: Few questions/observations about the A3000 Message-ID: <1991Apr22.211329.21097@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu> Date: 22 Apr 91 21:13:29 GMT References: <1991Apr22.184252.10274@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> Sender: news@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu Organization: The Internet Lines: 110 In article <1991Apr22.184252.10274@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> tagreen@lothario.ucs.indiana.edu (Todd Green) writes: >I've been meaning to take the time and write a thoughtfull article on >the A3000, but seems that it'll never get done. So here comes some >rambling/questions off the top of my head. > >I'm in the process of doing research about the A3000 since I intend to >purchase one in the next month or so. First of all the questions >since they are the most important > >1) Any final word on when KickStart 2.0 will be in ROM? Also as far >as I have gathered KickStart is roughly equivalent to the Toolbox on >the Mac (I come from a Mac background...at least that's what I get >paid for as a living ;) ). > 1a) What disadvantages would there be to getting a A3000 > before KS 2.0 is put in ROM? Upgrade costs, troubles, etc. I see none, upgrades are free from most dealers. > 1b) Once 2.0 is in ROM will you still be able to use 1.3 > to retain compatibility. I don't think so. C= is phasing out 1.3. You will still be able to run 1.3 on your A3000 provided you can find a copy of it, but I have heard C= will stop putting 1.3 on A3000s once 2.0 goes into ROM. > >2) Upon looking at the 1950 monitor I noticed an annoying flicker on the first >scan line of the monitor. Escpecially when you would pull down a "screen". >Any word on this? I think this was discussed before on this group...but oh well. > You should be able to adjust your screen size to mask off this scan line. >3) Any comments on the best development programs (C/C++/Objective-C) would be >welcome. Commercial only. SAS/C is the best C system. For C++ I guess you'd have to go with Comeau C++, however I think GNU's G++ is probably more complete. >3) Any difinitive word on the supposed problems with the SCSI controller with >multiple drives? I heard it's fixed now, but I think there used to be a problem with reselection being disabled by the OS. >4) This is not really for me, but a co-worker has asked me to ask for him >(guess he's too lazy to type it in himself). What kind of deals/opportunities >exist for an Amiga owner to develop for SEGA. Are there any packages/cross >compilers etc. (reply either to myself or mdchaney@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu) Dunno. >And now for my comments observations: > >Good: >1) Over all a really nice machine especially for the price. > >Bad: >1) The interface is the worst (graphically speaking) out of the three computers that >I hold worthwhile (Mac, NeXT, Amiga). First of all, the Amiga has rather nice >graphical abilities. USE them. The low-res clunky sprite of a cursor (even in >2.0) amazes me. I feel like I'm using MaxAppleZoom. Secondly not being able to >drag a window off the screen is unforgivable. Finally the use of color is poor, >IMHO, but of course this is customizable. The ability to use a CLI along with a >GUI tends to make up for some of the faults...but the "look and feel" could go a long, >long way. >2) Poor text quality. After using a NeXT and Mac for over a year looking at the >Amiga tends to make me think back to Apple II 40 column days. A sharper display >would certainly help out the machine. Again this comes from limited use, so no flames >please. These are just my initial observations from about 1 hour of playing with >a machine in a local store. > >A final comment which I'll probably get flamed for is that I cannot believe the number >of people posting that they bought an Amiga and have absolutely no clue about the >machine. I just cannot believe people will plunk down several thousand dollars without >having thoroughly studied the market/product. Wish I had that kind of money to blow. 1) Amiga sprites are Lo-res, sorry. I have no complaints about the pointer. Atleast it doesn't flicker when moved quickly during heavily I/O and CPU usage like the Mac. 2) Were you looking at 2.0? I think 2.0 looks much better than MacOS (haven't seen what system 7 looks like though.) 3) You can drag windows off the screen. Just make a large virtual screen. On the Amiga you can have multiple screens, with large virtual screens that are larger than can be displayed, that can be smooth scrolled around. With these screens, you can drag windows FAR off the screen. 4) Sharp display? How much sharper can you get? What monitor were you using? The Amiga has many resolutions, including 640x400 productivety/ deinterlaced that can be overscanned up to 704x440 or bigger. Put that on a 9 inch monitor like the Mac and you have 78 DPI. Remember, monochrome displays are always perceived sharper than color. 5) Most people who "plunk" down $2.5/3k for the A3000 know the capabilities of the machine. I suggest you go back and look at the A3000 again, but this time, spend a while playing around with the preferences changing the monitor/resolution settings. The Amiga environment can be highly customized and tailored for each user. > >Thanks in advance, > >Todd >-- >Internet: tagreen@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu >NeXTMail: tagreen@lothario.ucs.indiana.edu >BitNet: tagreen@iubacs.bitnet -- / INET:rjc@gnu.ai.mit.edu * // The opinions expressed here do not \ | INET:r_cromwe@upr2.clu.net | \X/ in any way reflect the views of my self.| \ UUCP:uunet!tnc!m0023 * /