Mac port PLEASE!!!
This has always been a possibility. There didn't need to be a breakdown with Genesi for it to happen. Neko has talked about a MorphOS+game on a live CD for MacOS, for example, as a way to break into that market. But the Pegasos version has had priority. I imagine the reason a native port didn't happen so far is due more to an analysis of the prospects for viability than anything else. Why are the Hyperion guys also down on the idea of a Mac port of AmigaOS?
your FREE!!!
Uh, yeah. Free to give up coding time and energy to also do promotion and sales. And we all know what a public group those core MOS coders are, right? They'll love the opportunity to be out there making the flights, pressing the flesh and making the deals, for sure. ;-) Seriously, Genesi has spent a lot of time and energy getting MorphOS, along with the Pegasos, into the hands of big companies, getting industry exposure, attending Amiga shows in Europe and America (at least back when there was a sense that the market offered some opportunities), getting free and subsidized hardware and the OS to developers, and so on. I could be wrong but I believe I saw the figure of US$500,000 put into MOS development and promotion over the years (I imagine this includes Pegasos promotion where the two coincided). That the MOS developers are "free" now to take on this job on their own is a mixed blessing at best, I'd say.
Of course if there are opportunities that were formerly denied (though I don't know what they'd be) and now they can be grabbed, that's great. I'm really interested to see where they go from here. Keep in mind, though, that the BBRV "announcement" was titled "Brainstorming." I think it was more in the line of getting ideas rolling than an actual business proposal (which should be made directly to those involved).
did they ever bother to pay them for there work?
Partially, from what people have said. But it isn't clear what the payment arrangement was for MorphOS. Genesi says they have paid for what has been released, but won't pay for what has not been completed. I don't know if that's just an excuse not to pay for 1.5 'cause there's no money, or if there was an agreement that the payment would come when 1.5 was completed and released. AFAIK, nothing has been made public about the work agreements of the MOS developers or payment schedule, etc. for MorphOS.
-- gary_c