Paul, I usually like your no-nonsense approach, but I disagree with you this time.
If the theory doesn't fit with reality, then its time for a new theory.
The fact is, we are here. This is a community of Amigans. Despite the fact that the perfectly sound theory exists for why we aren't here...we are here.
If they sold 1000 boards last year, assuming they didn't do a perfect job, they can improve the job they are doing and sell 1500 this year. Then you have growth. You continue growth long enough, you have a platform.
The problem I have, is that everyone is following into the same trap Wayne has fallen into, comparing the Amiga to past glories or to windows.
It seems too bitter a pill to recognize the market at 1000 and create a realistic plan to grow the real market.
I saw this in the Libertarian party too, for 10 years they were stuck at 10,000 members. For 10 years they kept trying to launch themselves into political wins, with the 'wisdom' of their arguments with the knowlege they had 'right' on their side. Then one day they realized, money wins elections...then they realized they didn't have enough, but what money they did have, was coming from their membership.
Then they realized they needed to grow their membership. That they couldn't even think about winning an election until they had 250,000 members, that was the amount of membership they would need, before they could raise the $$$ it takes to win.
Now, its been another decade, they still haven't won an election, but they have grown from 10,000 members to over 50,000. They have grown 5 times, and they will have to grow 5 times again before winning their first election.
We are here. There is a market. But currently amiga leadership wants to use this market simply as a springboard to success in the wider market...as they would call it 'the real market'
Only problem is, realistically speaking this market isn't big enough to do that. If that is the plan, great. But be realists...you have to grow this market first.
They need to swallow a real bitter pill: this market has 2000 people. And this is their market.
They need to find out why we are here, and then address our real interests. Grow this market from year to year, and maybe someday it will springboard you out.
Anyway I think this whole talk is a trap. It gets people back into the 'glory days' mode.
We'll never get anywhere until we realize what the Amiga is today...and realizing that we have to go for incremental growth.
Its a real bitter bill to think that, we have only 2000 people today, and that 3000 people is real growth for next year. But that just may be, the only realistic way of getting to the 100,000 strong community that is really needed before this community is enough to launch genesi or kmos to greater success.