Aros has no software ???

[Iggy]

Makes me wish I hadn't sold my 7600GT video card (or given my 9600GS to a friend's son).
I've got an Athlon64 3200+ (Socket754 single core) processor sitting around w/o an application.

[Iggy]

The thing that annoys me about AROS users:

1) Whenever you say "AmigaOS should go x86" they say "AmigaOS has gone x86 and it's called AROS"

2) Then you say "Can I run OctaMED SoundStudio on it then?" and they say "Yes but you need to run UAE"

That just does not compute for me.

An Amiga has to be able to run Amiga software or else it is not an Amiga.

Am I missing something here??

Yes, you're missing the point that the benchmark you've set (for being considered an Amiga) is impossible on anything other than an original Amiga.
Without a 68k processor and compatibility with the original chipsets, every otherOS relies on emulation of some kind.

That's one of the reasons I don't worry about MorphOS not being considered a true Amiga system. It isn't and it wasn't meant to be. It was designed to work with newer hardware and improve on AOS. That couldn't be done w/o sacrificing register level compatibility.

AROS actually may (in the long run) prove to be more compatible with AOS3.x than AOS4.x or MOS (due to its better integration of UAE).

However, with OS compatibility with 3.1, MorphOS and AROS share a common positive you're not considering. Porting software from AOS to these NG systems is relatively easy because the OS' supports the same functions (in fact in the case of MOS even 68K code will work as long as it isn't hardware dependant).

So while many (like you) point to the fact that an NG OS will not run a specific app you're using (w/o emulation) you're overlooking that these software packages (if they were still being developed and supported ) could be easily moved to an NG OS.

I'm not familar with Octamed, but I have seen Audio Evolution (another Amiga music program). Currently, AE is available on AOS, MOS, AROS, Windows and OSX and the non-Amiga versions are more advanced and continue to be developed.

I can't think of too many old software packages (that are no longer supported or continue to be developed) that I have to rely on. So, I'm satisfied with my OS choice (as, I'm sure, are many AROS users).

The only new hardware that would meet your requirements is something like the Natami. That system sounds interesting, but I can't see using one as my primary computer (any more than I could imagine using an original Amiga as my sole computer).

[Iggy]

Yes my ideal Amiga would be a 1 GHz 3.9 setup to be honest.  I just think that if i'm going to be breaking compatibility with my Amiga by using AROS, then I might as well just use Windows instead.

Unless Thomas and Gunnar secure a LOT more money, you're not going to see a 1 Ghz 68K (although that WOULD be pretty cool).

As much as I hate to admit it, Windows is a valid option (remember that unoffical motto - Windows X, it suck much less now!). Personally, I'd choose it over OSX. Plus, if you're going to rely on emulation, Amiga Forever is a surprisingly good package.

So why am I using a MorphOS system (when I have two copies of WinXP Media Center and one copy of Vista)?

First, really fast boot times.
Second, efficiency. MOS performs much better than OSX on PPC machines.
Third, it provides an advanced Amiga like development platform.
Fourth, its different (and I'm not supporting Gates or Jobs).
Fifth, it is a practical platform for every day use that carries forward an OS I'm very fond of.

So, the question I always like to propose to people in your position is this - have you tried an NG OS?
AROS is free and if you're going to move to Windows, well you're already getting an X86 systems - why not try it?
MorphOS can be downloaded. The Amiga/PPC accelerated version is free and the later versions can be used as a trial version (that works for 30 minutes before slowing down). I put together my original Quicksilver based system for under $75 (so when MOS 2.6 was introduced I didn't have much invested).
I was skeptical at first, but since I adopted it, I haven't used Windows (at all, for about the last two months).

To everyone, before you decide, you ought to give an NG OS a try.

[Iggy]

Yeah but i'm trying to put it off as long as possible because OSS is the only "killer app" I have on the Amiga.  All my mates have been trying to convert me to Ableton/Reason/Logic for years now, and I must admit it does look very tempting.

I fear that once I stop using OSS, that will be the end of my Amiga journey forever.

That's an interesting insight in your logic. Perhaps the reason I had no problem moving on into NG is that there were no compelling software packages I had to keep.
This kind of explains some of the fragmentation in our community. Some of us are devoted to the original hardware or software. Others are focused on the OS and its later derivitives. Looking at this from your viewpoint (the former position), its easier to understand your arguement over what is (or is not) an Amiga.

We're not even on the same page when we discuss this question.

[Iggy]

The definition of 'amiga system' is a personal opinion, not a law.
Staf.

Correction, 'Amiga' is a trademark (covered by US laws). Our personal opinions as to what is or is not an 'Amiga System' are just that, opinions.

Thanks to CUSA and AInc. that definition is going to get seriously muddied.

[Iggy]

A question that I'd love to know the answer to is: Why does OctaMED Sound Studio work perfectly on OS4.1 running on a Pegasos II but not on MorphOS running on the exact same machine?

Well, I would guess that AOS4.1 has better legacy compatibility. MorphOS
really only supports software that doen't access hardware directly.

The posters worried about AmigaOS' with the capability to run this package should find your post enlightening.

[Iggy]

Before we assume the sky has fallen on it, has anybody actually tested OctaMED SS on MorphOS with "The Maestrix" utility installed?

I wasn't even aware of that utility till you mention it Karlos. Looks interesting.
Hopefully Nichols sees your post as I don't have Octamed to check.

It might work. Frequently AOS packages can run (under MorphOS) with tweaks like this.