[Sorry for the long length, but I couldn't stop typing.
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Commodore management was a joke. And the last president should be tried for embezzlement after stealing $2million. He was probably a part of Bin Laden's network, too.
The marketing department had their heads in the sand (or somewhere else). Management should have fired the entire marketing department, then the engineers should have fired the management. Maybe Commodore management was bribed by Microsoft, Intel, or similar competitors to kill the company.
I think that Commodore should have focused more on application development. This is also an issue I have with Amiga, Inc., which plans on no application development of its own for the AmigaDE--*very* bad business decision at this stage. Commodore did develop a few business applications for the Commodore 64, but I don't know if they ever developed software for the Amiga.
Developing applications or providing software bundles for a new system definitely helps in sales and marketing. The Magic Bundle that was made available for the A1200 was a great idea, but unfortunately, it came too late. When I bought my A1200 in 1993, I bought it without the HD. I expected it to come with at least some type of extra software for word processing and a couple of games, but it didn't. So all that I had was a machine and a basic operating system that didn't even have a decent word processor.
I've been thinking of the following ideas for some time now. This probably should be another thread, but I'll let the ring-bearer...err...um...moderator decide.
Unlike Commodore, Amiga, Inc. and the Pegasos must provide a software bundle with their new Systems. Windows and Mac systems come with bundled software, so Amiga systems must comply. The best thing that Hyperion could do is to include at least one of their games in with OS4 and demos of all their other games. Epic Entertainment and ClickBOOM should also think about including a full version of one of their games with OS4. I would even suggest that Hyperion, Epic, and ClickBOOM allow full versions of all their Amiga games be included as part of a software bundle for the new OS4 but without a save game feature or similar limitation. Converting some of the games into subscription based online games (similar to Everquest) is a good idea, especially for the new massive-multiplayer market. Utilizing a subscription method for updates and new versions could be utilized for long term financial benefits.
Amiga, Inc should develop software that is available only on the AmigaOS/DE systems. And it needs to be good software that's not available on other platforms. A good example is Final Cut Pro by Apple. IMO, you will never see Final Cut be ported to another platform. AppleWorks is another good example. Apple provides software that makes the system usable out of the box. Amiga needs to provide a similar solution.
What I'm about to say may be worthy of crucifixion and flame wars (bring it on
, but I think that the AmigaOS4+ would greatly benefit from it. Amiga, Inc. should consider partnering with Microsoft for a port of either MS-Office or MS-Works. I would favor MS-Works above MS-Office because Microsoft may be willing to accept less money for it than for MS-Office. In this partnership, Amiga, Inc. would be the exclusive marketing agent/distributor for MS-Office or MS-Works for the AmigaOS platform. This would (1) provide an industry accepted Office Suite on an AmigaPPC platform, (2) enable Amiga, Inc. to profit from the deal to secure its future financially so long as MS-Office/Works remains profitable itself. Should Amiga, Inc. become the exclusive distributor of MS-Office/Works for the Amiga platform, this provides Microsoft with access to a potential alternative to Linux. Apple now has MS-Office X on OS X; Amiga must follow suit. That's reality. If Commodore had had a better partnership with Microsoft in the 1980's, then Amiga probably would have MS-Office already, that is if Commodore wouldn't have messed up the deal.
Whatever the case, Amiga, Inc. needs to provide software that is AmigaOS/DE exclusive.
Here's an even more blasphemous idea. Allowing Microsoft to gain a partial share of Amiga, Inc. through a stock purchase (similar to Microsoft's stock share of Apple) would enable Microsoft and Amiga to benefit from the relationship long term. Like it or not, developing some type of relationship or partnership with Microsoft, I believe, is the only way for AmigaOS to make a serious comeback, especially in the business market. Encouraging Microsoft to invest in Amiga would probably provide a greater likelyhood for a port of MS-Office to AmigaOS. A Microsoft investment into Amiga may also help prevent Microsoft from becoming more of an enemy to Amiga than it currently is and help Microsoft from seeing AmigaOS as a major competitor. It could also help with Amiga PR and financing, though it could have a negative effect too among current users and MS-haters. Most businesses, however, want solutions; they are less concerned with the "Microsoft Rebellion."
My $0.02.