Review of AmigaOS 4.1.1 / Interview with Simon Archer

[Daff]

The magazine Obligement published today the review of AmigaOS 4.1 Update 1, the latest version of the Amiga operating system for AmigaOne (XE, SE, MicroA1), Sam440ep/Flex and Pegasos II.

This review come with an interview with Simon Archer, one of the AmigaOS 4.x developers.

- Review of AmigaOS 4.1 Update 1 (french) :
http://obligement.free.fr/articles/amigaos41_update1.php
- Interview with Simon Archer (french) :
 http://obligement.free.fr/articles/itwarcher.php
- Interview with Simon Archer (english) :
http://obligement.free.fr/articles_traduction/itwarcher_en.php

[cv643d]

Huh, what a negative vibe I got from that interview...

This is the kind of stuff that made me think twice if I should keep my 4.1 system last year. Sold it because I want Amiga to be a positive thing, not a negative vibration of blame.

[AndyFC]

Interesting interview. To be honest, I agree with his view of the response about the new AmigaOneX1000. I'm really excited and given my recent pay rise, I may be looking out for some new hardware in the near future and this is definately on the list.

[yakumo9275]

I wonder if he could make any of his answers any shorter. I wouldn't call that an interview by any stretch of the imagination.

[Gulliver]

He is really negative in that interview. I was expecting to read about a guy enthusiastic with his work on OS4.x and talking good things about OS4.x future.
He even seems rude at times. Well Hyperion is lucky not to have him as P.R.

[yssing]

Personally i am very excited about the new X1K.
I do understand why he is not to overwhelmed with happy and fuzzy feelings, regarding the respone the announcement had.

All I can say is, its only a handfull of ppl who yell the loudest.

[Hans_]

He is really negative in that interview. I was expecting to read about a guy enthusiastic with his work on OS4.x and talking good things about OS4.x future.
He even seems rude at times. Well Hyperion is lucky not to have him as P.R.

I can understand where he's coming from though. If you put a huge amount of effort into something, and no matter what you do, elements of the community that it's for rip it to shreds for no good reason, you'd find it hard to remain enthusiastic, nice and polite too. He was right when he said that some people here need to grow up. The constant bitching, moaning and mud slinging is unnecessary and tiring, particularly if you're one of the developers.

Some say that OS4 devs just need to accept that they are targets; but no, they didn't sign up for that. Being a customer (or potential customer) never justifies treating someone like dirt and you shouldn't expect someone to just sit there and take it.

So while his responses may not be pretty, I'm glad that someone was blunt enough to say what others are thinking.

Hans

[Gulliver]

I see your point, but then it would have been more reasonable not to give such an interview at all.

[EDanaII]

"But, Mr. Salesman! I don't want to buy a Porsche! Just give me a nice car I can afford and maintain!"

"Honestly? Grow up!, it's like a nursery school in these car lots most days."


"But, Mr. McEwen! I don't want an AmigaDE! I want to see an upgrade to a system that I loved!"

"Honestly? Grow up!, it's like a nursery school in the community most days."


"But, Mr. Hyperion! I don't want an expensive computer with stuff I can't makes sense out of! I want something I can afford and use!"

"Honestly? Grow up!, it's like a nursery school in those forums most days."


Now THAT'S what I call "customer service!"


The Amiga curse strikes again.

[Matt_H]

There are far more diplomatic ways to express (arguably justified) frustration with the community.

[Hans_]

"But, Mr. Salesman! I don't want to buy a Porsche! Just give me a nice car I can afford and maintain!"

"Honestly? Grow up!, it's like a nursery school in these car lots most days."


"But, Mr. McEwen! I don't want an AmigaDE! I want to see an upgrade to a system that I loved!"

"Honestly? Grow up!, it's like a nursery school in the community most days."


"But, Mr. Hyperion! I don't want an expensive computer with stuff I can't makes sense out of! I want something I can afford and use!"

"Honestly? Grow up!, it's like a nursery school in those forums most days."


Now THAT'S what I call "customer service!"


The Amiga curse strikes again.

Firstly, this is an interview of an individual developer, not an official Hyperion statement or anything that qualifies as customer service. Secondly, none of the statements that you are making come close to what triggered the blunt statements in the interview, so your comparisons are meaningless. This goes far beyond people saying that they're not interested in what's on offer.

There may be more diplomatic ways to say "grow up," but in this case, at least bluntness has people's attention. I don't feel offended in the slightest because those statements aren't directed at me. If you're not one of the people who need to grow up, then there's no need for you to be offended either.

Hans

[tasmanian guy]

If that guy was working for me and gave an interview like that, well he wouldn't be working for me.
 
Worse interview ever.  Perhaps I need to grow up!

[orb85750]

Not the most personable of people, so he nicely fits the computer programmer stereotype.  He is frustrated with how absurdly critical most of us are on this board.  Half the people on this board won't be happy with anything that doesn't surpass the latest PC and Mac technology, even though it needs to be done with almost no budget or personel!

[HammerD]

Firstly, this is an interview of an individual developer, not an official Hyperion statement or anything that qualifies as customer service. Secondly, none of the statements that you are making come close to what triggered the blunt statements in the interview, so your comparisons are meaningless. This goes far beyond people saying that they're not interested in what's on offer.

There may be more diplomatic ways to say "grow up," but in this case, at least bluntness has people's attention. I don't feel offended in the slightest because those statements aren't directed at me. If you're not one of the people who need to grow up, then there's no need for you to be offended either.

Hans

Hi Hans, in my long experience in the Amiga world, I can understand how it's easy to get upset over people's comments.  It is very easy for people to hide behind the safety of their nicknames and type whatever they want.   You just have to ignore the crap and not bother responding or reading it.

When you actually go out to Amiga events and meet people, even talk to some of the same people, you get a totally different and mostly positive experience.

I honestly can't understand the negative attitudes around the forums on various sites.  This is the most positive time post-Commodore!!  Look at all the available options - Emulation, Classic, AROS, MorphOS, OS4....new hardware is available...everything still getting updated...  I mean really, it's the best time in years.

[EDanaII]

@ Hans

Sorry, Hans, but it doesn't matter if he represents Hyperion or not. What he does represent is the current problem with the Amiga community. Amigan's would like a product they can get there hands on, but Gateway, McEwen Inc. and now Hyperion have all delivered something they don't want, can't afford or feel is the wrong direction... and they're immature for complaining?

I'm not offended. I'm amused, and my post was a bit of satire. You want Amigan's to stop complaining? Then give them something they can get their hands on, but to mischaracterize it as "immaturity" completely misses the point.

"You must be at least 6 foot 10 inches to enjoy this ride."

"But that eliminates most of us! How are you gonna pay for its upkeep?"

"What? Bah! Get out of here you immature fool!"

If you build it, they will only come if they want it... McEwen Inc. proved that. When is Hyperion going to "get it?"

Ed.