Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: eliyahu on January 16, 2013, 05:51:39 PM
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@thread
this thread is to discuss the passing of CUSA founder barry altman in december 2012. this came as a bit of a surprise to us earlier today. this is my first post on the subject in a related thread (http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=62463&page=5): @Darrin
the latest theory at the CUSA forums (http://forums.commodore.net/showthread.php?1332-no-c64s-available-in-store&p=2768#post2768) seems to be that barry died back in december. yikes.
please keep your discussion respectful at all times. strict moderation will be imposed in this thread if necessary.
-- eliyahu
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@Darrin
the latest theory at the CUSA forums (http://forums.commodore.net/showthread.php?1332-no-c64s-available-in-store&p=2768#post2768) seems to be that barry died back in december. yikes.
-- eliyahu
Well as much as I locked horns with him in the past, I'd hate that to be true.
I often wondered whether he was trying to leave Commodore USA behind as his legacy. I have to think that Dammy or Big Ben would have mentioned this if it had happened.
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Oh bugger! It could be true:
Altman, Barry, 63, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, passed away on December 8, 2012. Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, Boynton Beach.
.Published in Sun-Sentinel on December 10, 2012
As they say, there's more than one Barry Altman in Florida, but a Google search showed that this was a Barry S Altman.
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Well as much as I locked horns with him in the past, I'd hate that to be true.
I often wondered whether he was trying to leave Commodore USA behind as his legacy. I have to think that Dammy or Big Ben would have mentioned this if it had happened.
dammy wouldn't be in the loop and ben would probably be trying to put company assets in his name. i should also point out that there is only one barry altman in ft. lauderdale according to the phonebook. i still hope it isn't true.
-- eliyahu
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Say $1000 a month for the office, next to nothing for staff as they don't have any worth mentioning, a low six figure salary for Ben...
FYI I doubt that salary is accurate. Unless Barry has/had a lot of money kicking around, and wanted to spend it, it's more likely Ben was receiving some kind of payment via shares, perhaps with some $ kicked in to pay the bills. The payoff would have been if the company eventually took off, became valuable, went public, etc...
I've been involved with a few startups and in most cases someone like Ben was in it for shares, not pure $. He probably was still working a full time job, just burning the midnight oil with C= USA hoping to strike it rich.
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FYI I doubt that salary is accurate. Unless Barry has/had a lot of money kicking around, and wanted to spend it, it's more likely Ben was receiving some kind of payment via shares, perhaps with some $ kicked in to pay the bills. The payoff would have been if the company eventually took off, became valuable, went public, etc...
I've been involved with a few startups and in most cases someone like Ben was in it for shares, not pure $. He probably was still working a full time job, just burning the midnight oil with C= USA hoping to strike it rich.
True. From a personal point of view I like cash rather than stock options and if I was the only one that appeared to do any work then I'd want a chunk of cash. :)
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Agreed. Good for Ben if he did get that $$$.
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dammy wouldn't be in the loop and ben would probably be trying to put company assets in his name. i should also point out that there is only one barry altman in ft. lauderdale according to the phonebook. i still hope it isn't true.
-- eliyahu
If this is indeed the case, it will be interesting to see what happens to C-USA. I'd assume the company would pass to the next of kin who might have zero interest in it and then want to pass it on to any interested party. Ben has invested a lot of time and effort into this project, so he would certainly be a likely candidate to take it over (if the price is right). The question then will be whether we just have more of the same or a complete reboot.
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Agreed. Good for Ben if he did get that $$$.
I hope he did too. Wasn't he resident in Australia before this? If I had to move to the USA and take a risk with a startup then I'd want to come out at least even if the project failed.
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I've only been following this half-heartedly, but I feel like Ben was still in Australia - I don't think he moved.
I feel like Barry was doing most of what I would consider the real work, wheeling and dealing with his contacts in China regarding hardware and getting it built, probably traveling back and forth anyway for his furniture business.
Ben was probably the dreamer, spending his time on skinning Linux and googling for different cases and ideas to differentiate and somehow attract the nostalgic crowd, perhaps picking and choosing specs (CPU, RAM, etc.), but probably butting heads with Barry on most of the stuff he wanted.
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I've just been told by "someone" that Barry was active on his Twitter account after the date of this reported "death".
https://twitter.com/CEOatCUSA
Those last Tweets seem rather strange. Food stuff in NYC, Global Warming, new years resolutions.... they seem to be reTweets to links. I don't use Twitter, so can you automatically set your account to reTweet stuff?
@Kremlar: That sounds very likely.
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Nope, it's him:
In Celebration of a life well lived
Barry S. Altman
November 6, 1949 -
December 8, 2012
Passed Away At : Weston, Florida
Survived By : Edith Altman, Mother
Renee Altman, Spouse
Jeremy Altman, Son
Erika (Justin) Lane, Daughter
Lawrence Altman, Brother
Graveside Service : Monday December 10, 2012, 10:00AM at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens.
Erika Lane is his lawyer daughter who appears on the Corporate website.
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Rest in peace Barry ...
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This thread should be visible from the front page now, I feel... or at least a related thread created. But yes - change the title first please!
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@spirantho @Blizz1220
thread detached from earlier discussion and moved to general amiga forum.
-- eliyahu
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Maybe you could change the name of this thread now or move it somewhere as it is making you all look like a pack of bloody vultures ...
Vultures? For wondering if it is true?
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Wow, unexpected if true. And if true, surprising the news has been so slow to arrive.
Plaz
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This is very supprising news. Regardless it is very sad news when someone dies. No matter what went on in the past no one deserves to lose thir life in any way, shape or form. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
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Pity he spent so much of the last years of his life on such a crap company. My condolences to his family.
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Thread name and some of the posts could be misinterpreted earlier.
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Thread name and some of the posts could be misinterpreted earlier.
That was something entirely different. As much as some of us disliked the man (and for good reason), I'm sure none of us would wish this on him and our thoughts are with his family.
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@Darrin
Misinterpreted by someone who came to see it from a search engine not by me.
I edited my post.
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Not nice that he's passed on, but now maybe someone will buy the CUSA rights etc and do something good with the brand etc.
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@Darrin
Misinterpreted by someone who came to see it from a search engine not by me.
I edited my post.
No problem. Thanks.
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Thread name and some of the posts could be misinterpreted earlier.
Oh understood what you were thinking. At the time we obviously didn't know what was going on. And given zero info was coming out we had to wonder if things were happening with the buisness. When this news arrived it did look a bit dodgy and could be misunderstood.
Again I wish his family my condolences.
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R.I.P:angel:
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Assuming this is true (I haven't seen the OP, I assume it's not just some rumour), sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Please lock this thread.
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Please lock this thread.
Why?
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Why?
I can't be the only one finding some peoples poorly hidden "interest" in the subject slightly repulsive (especially given their posting history on closely related subjects here and on other sites), and since the message is already out now, I'd say the thread has served its purpose and should be closed.
That's why.
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I can't be the only one finding some peoples poorly hidden "interest" in the subject slightly repulsive (especially given their posting history on closely related subjects here and on other sites), and since the message is already out now, I'd say the thread has served its purpose and should be closed.
That's why.
Ah, so you're trolling. I guess you'll use any excuse to do that.
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So, what is the verdict?
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Ah, so you're trolling. I guess you'll use any excuse to do that.
:rolleyes:
(Should one laugh or cry at a post like that?)
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:rolleyes:
(Should one laugh or cry at a post like that?)
What makes you think anyone cares what you do? Take this to PM unless you're hell bent on polluting this thread with your personal agenda.
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@TMHG
i understand your concern, but for the moment, i think it would be reasonable to allow folks to offer their condolences, or discuss what the future of CUSA might be now that barry has left us, etc. so far no one has objected besides yourself, but, if things get out of hand, i won't hesitate to moderate the thread.
@everyone else
guys: let's remember the subject here. i know some members have a history with one another, but surely this isn't the thread for it. if you feel someone is trolling or getting personal, the best thing is not to feed into it. you can always PM me or one of the mods, and we'd be happy to take up the issue. thanks!
-- eliyahu
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Well, if Barry really has passed on, things could get worse.
What if the Amiga trademark reverts to Bill?
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Well, if Barry really has passed on, things could get worse.
What if the Amiga trademark reverts to Bill?
i guess it depends on if CUSA continues as a going concern. i don't know how ownership for CUSA was set up, but assuming it was wholly owned by barry, and his estate wished to continue operating the business, then i assume everything remains status quo.
on the other hand if this means CUSA is to close in the near term, then presumably the agreement would have the trademark(s) return to amiga, inc., upon dissolution of CUSA. it really depends on whether CUSA stays open and what is in the license agreement between the parties. i guess no one can answer that except the family and/or leo.
-- eliyahu
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i guess it depends on if CUSA continues as a going concern. i don't know how ownership for CUSA was set up, but assuming it was wholly owned by barry, and his estate wished to continue operating the business, then i assume everything remains status quo.
on the other hand if this means CUSA is to close in the near term, then presumably the agreement would have the trademark(s) return to amiga, inc., upon dissolution of CUSA. it really depends on whether CUSA stays open and what is in the license agreement between the parties. i guess no one can answer that except the family and/or leo.
-- eliyahu
Which probably explains why Leo hasn't announced anything so far. He's probably wondering the same things and I'm sure Barry's family wan't some time to themselves before they start looking through the books to see what's what.
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Barry s. Altman (1949 - 2012)
We are saddened by the loss of Barry S. Altman (founder of Commodore USA and designer of the C64x), who died on December 8, 2012 after a courageous, year long, battle with cancer. His passion for Commodore, his optimism and can-do attitude were infectious. He will be remembered as a man of depth, warmth and intelligence and we are privileged to have known him. Our condolences and best wishes go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
At the request of his family, the news of his death was not announced to our internet following at the time.
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This post has been removed for violating site TOS, specifically:
- No trolling.
Don't make posts that are inflammatory just to get people angry. Substance is the key to not being labeled a troll.
- Blatant personal attacks are not permitted.
Criticize ideas, not people. Excessive flaming will not be tolerated. Users who verbally assault the character or person of other posters on a regular basis will be banned. Name calling is best left to grade school. Moderator's judgment applies here. "You are wrong" is not a personal attack; "You are an idiot" is. "You do not have all of the facts" is not a personal attack; "you are obviously clueless" is. These are generalized examples, but you get the idea.
Please make certain to review the site's posting guidelines (http://www.amiga.org/index.php?pageid=posting_guidelines) and moderation policy (http://www.amiga.org/index.php?pageid=moderation_policy). Thank you.
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@takemehomegrandma
Moderators response was swift and adequate.Thread name was changed and comments that could be taken the wrong way were removed.
I also think that thread should be used for offering condolences and then closed.
Future of CUSA and trademarks can be discussed in another thread.
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@takemehomegrandma
Moderators response was swift and adequate.Thread name was changed and comments that could be taken the wrong way were removed.
I also think that thread should be used for offering condolences and then closed.
Future of CUSA and trademarks can be discussed in another thread.
Moderators response is non-existent (other than removing a post from *me* that can now be read on moobunny instead). The thread is still open, the sad things are allowed to continue, and by this Amiga.org has lowered its moral standard and decency to a new record low.
:(
I'm sure Darrin has much more to say, so go ahead...
(Signing off)
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and by this Amiga.org has lowered its moral standard and decency to a new record low.
Are you kidding me? By Aorg standards this thread is comically respectful. If you don't like that not everybody is pretending that they never had any differences with the man just because he died (sad as it was,) well, we can either be honest but respectful, or engage in faked fawning. Which would you prefer, really?
(Besides, this thread hasn't even touched the inappropriacy of some of the things Barry himself said to people on this forum.)
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Moderators response is non-existent (other than removing a post from *me* that can now be read on moobunny instead). The thread is still open, the sad things are allowed to continue, and by this Amiga.org has lowered its moral standard and decency to a new record low.
I may not have agreed with his views on how things should be done. I might not have liked the way certain things played out across various threads on this and other forums. However that doesn't mean that I should not give my condolences when someone dies. At the end of the day a person has died of an horrific illness and the respectful thing to do is to offer condolences and leave it at that.
I think this thread shows that most of us are able to put our differences to one side and give our respect to Barry.
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I can't be the only one finding some peoples poorly hidden "interest" in the subject slightly repulsive (especially given their posting history on closely related subjects here and on other sites), and since the message is already out now, I'd say the thread has served its purpose and should be closed.
That's why.
You are absolutely right. Some of the behavoir of people here and elsewhere in the amiga world has been down right embarassing in regards to commodore and Barry. Imagine this poor guy trying to do something he though was cool or fun, and to get abused and ridiculed by losers on the internet doing nothing. I mean the poor guy was probably sick with cancer and still getting abused at every turn. The rabid fanboyism has to stop. Alot of posters here need a REAL LIFE OFF OF THE INTERNET.
Rest in peace Barry I never knew you but I respected your vision.
Even in this thread it seems people care more about trademarks and business than wishing the man a peaceful rest. Amazing.
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You are absolutely right. Some of the behavoir of people here and elsewhere in the amiga world has been down right embarassing in regards to commodore and Barry. Imagine this poor guy trying to do something he though was cool or fun, and to get abused and ridiculed by losers on the internet doing nothing. I mean the poor guy was probably sick with cancer and still getting abused at every turn. The rabid fanboyism has to stop. Alot of posters here need a REAL LIFE OFF OF THE INTERNET.
I agree.
Even in this thread it seems people care more about trademarks and business than wishing the man a peaceful rest. Amazing.
I don't agree. I could post "my condolences to his family", but I think it would be meaningless and stupid. I didn't know him or his family, nor did he or his family know me. They don't care if I post "my condolences" on some obscure message board that they'll never read.
It's horrible when someone dies, especially for those around them who need to continue on afterwards.
On this message board, however, I'd rather discuss the business aspect in relation to the Commodore and Amiga names, and what his death might mean to his business's future.
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Rest in Peace, Barry. Condolences and prayers to all family and friends.