Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!cornell!uw-beaver!microsoft!glenns
From: glenns@microsoft.UUCP (Glenn Steffler)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Next Amiga system
Summary: Future Resolved In Two Pages
Keywords: FUTURE
Message-ID: <1023@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 13 Oct 88 08:17:11 GMT
References: <4392@louie.udel.EDU> <723@wsccs.UUCP>
Reply-To: glenns@microsoft.UUCP (Glenn Steffler)
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 51

Bonjour! Hello! Aloha! 

I am new the USENET, and I feel I have something of substance to add to the
current discussion on the next Amiga.

The Amiga is a wonderful machine, I know, I have one (A500 w/ 1Meg 2floppies)
and have enjoyed programming/gaming with it.  However, my feelings about 
this machine are prejudiced by my previous computer (C=64), and the fact
that I love the 68k, and deplore Intel architecture.

This fine work of architecture (:-) has many flaws, and doesn't stand a 
chance against impending machines.  These machines will undoubtedly leap
the standard of user interface/speed/graphics/memory/sound/multitasking
set by the Amiga, and do it with style!  (unlike C='s style).
 
The most important part of a computer (argue as you will) is it's ability 
to run software that the user wants. (i.e. "SOLUTIONS" :-)

Microsoft, WordPerfect, AshtonTate, Bor(ing)land, and LOTUS define THE
STANDARD (tm :-(  The Amiga is destined to ride the bench of has beens
if it doesn't either (1) surpass the standard, or (2) be compatable with
the standard.  Seeing as these companies will not support the Amiga 
until a large enough installed base is present (~ 5 million and growing),
the Amiga MUST gain access to a TARDIS (Dr. Who :-) and move agressively
into the unknown.

Laugh (Cry?) as you may, the Intel 386 will be the processor of choice 
for business in the future.  Business leads to home use, and thus Intel
will dominate.  The Amiga is not far enough ahead in hardware supremacy
to influence this outcome.  Sound with only four channels, and no major 
Digital Signal Processing, is very limited; MIDI is a requirement, not
a 79$ option, which uses desk space/board space.  The video resolution 
MUST be in the range of VGA (640x480) with minimum 8 bit planes for 
use in complex shading, and multiple plane animation.  You can bet the
machines yet to come will not be limited to 1 Meg of Graphics/Sound
or have a MEASLY processor speed of 7+ MHz (or even 14+ MHz with CMI 2x). 
Fixed disk storage, and possibly optical disks are a must for any 
serious computer user.  I should not have to pay the exhorb... mascive...
er... large (:-) amounts of green gold as is now the case.

The NEW AMIGA (tm) will HAVE to appeal to people as the RIGHT (?) 
computer for their needs.  Forget the IBM compatability, rather, 
think about MS-WINDOWS/PM compatability.  (Have you seen EXCEL, or
ALDUS PAGEMAKER?, they BLOW AWAY any programs of their type for the
Amiga, and they are STANDARDS!) Yea! Thats the ticket, Eh!

-- 
Microsoft (tm) (c) (etc) does not speak for me, so why should I speak for them?
Glenn Steffler   glenns@microsoft.UUCP  work phone: (206)-882-8080 x4171
gpsteffler@electrical.watstar.{waterloo.edu,UWaterloo.CA}
#define BRAIN_DEAD_RED_HEAD  (CANADA > USA) ? (TRUE) : (FALSE)