Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!lll-crg!lll-lcc!pyramid!decwrl!sun!cmcmanis From: cmcmanis@sun.uucp (Chuck McManis) Newsgroups: net.micro.amiga Subject: Re: Sasquatch Print (sidecar flames) Message-ID: <6802@sun.uucp> Date: Tue, 2-Sep-86 20:54:37 EDT Article-I.D.: sun.6802 Posted: Tue Sep 2 20:54:37 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 3-Sep-86 18:39:13 EDT References: <225@plx.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc. Lines: 82 I am going to address your message in a pretty much linear fashion : Note that I do not work for commodore and don't have any financial stake in seeing them suceed, I just like the machine... >As I sit here at my desk I wonder what will happen when December >comes around and I *Finally* get the IBM compatability I was promised >when I purchased my little gem. I take it you did not buy the "transformer" software? I realize that it is slow, however it does provide IBM PC compatibility to a greater or lesser degree. I would rate it somewhat worse than an imported clone and somewhat better than the Epson QX-10. I kind of have to ask why if PC compatibility is/was such an issue why you didn't buy a clone with an EGA card ? >By that I mean where will my mouse >go? I've heard that the "Sidecar" will take another SQUARE FOOT of >tabletop!! combine that with the 3.5 and 5.25 drives I already own >and we're talking parking lot city!!! The mouse fits comfortably in front of the sidecar. The sidecars "front" is in the same plane as the Amiga's "front". If you were hoping to put the mouse behind this plane then you will encounter some difficulty. There is a 5.25" drive built into the sidecar that doesn't take up any more space and you can plug an existing 5.25" drive into the back of the sidecar and rest it on top. You can also rest the 3.5" drive on top too. Granted though it will require more deskspace. >I realize that it may be a little late in the game to suggest >packaging formats for the sidecar but when I read things like >the AMIGO's description of the amiga 2000 or 2500 or whatever: > 'sidecar circuitry & expansion slots built in' >(see the latest Amazing computing) I GET *REALLY* PISSED! So what pisses you off? That the later version of the Amiga will have built in PC compatibility and slots, or that the sidecar for the A1000 is this "add to the side" kind of thing? If it is the first I feel sorry that you feel that way but I can guaruntee you that *any* machine you buy will have a faster/cheaper/more capable follow on if it is successful. (IBM's might be excepted from this since IBM is so slow in adopting new technology, however they to get around to it eventually) As for the second possibility there really was no other way to do it. >Meanwhile, my yuppie friends with MAC's can carry their toy >anywhere in a fancy little nylon case. What's more, every upgrade >APPLE has made has fit INSIDE the MAC case! Several points here, first do your yuppie friends have "MAcCharlie" to run PC programs and does that fit in the case? Second, do your yuppie friends where glasses from squinting at a 9" screen? Do your yuppie friends have color, or extra keys on the keyboard to make their life interesting? Have they ever had the strap break and imploded their monitor? With very little effort you can carry an amiga around in a zero-haliburton case with a small monochrome monitor. Do you want to? Did you know you could get easy portibility and PC compatibility by buying a Zenith laptop and microsoft windows? >PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make the sidecar sit ON TOP of the amiga CPU!!! >Is there any reason to do otherwise?? >Engineering problems? >Financial problems? >What possible reasons are there to make the sidecar sit beside the amiga?? Three problems with putting the sidecar on top of the Amiga : o Noise (from the buss cable) o Timing ( every nanosecond counts on this bus) o FCC (unless you put the thing in a faraday box you would blast recption for miles) Now for a more personal note, the people who made the sidecar possible did it because they thought it would be a neat project. As I understand it it took some effort to even get Commodore to attempt to market it. I for one am glad that they did and will get one because I think it is neat and because I don't think loderunner will ever be ported to the Amiga. It also makes it possible to run a lot of peripheral cards that might not otherwise make it into the Amiga world. When the Amiga 2000 comes out I may upgrade and I may not, I am having a hell of a time hacking on the original! -- --Chuck McManis uucp: {anywhere}!sun!cmcmanis BIX: cmcmanis ARPAnet: cmcmanis@sun.com These opinions are my own and no one elses, but you knew that didn't you.