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Author Topic: Barry Altman and Commodore USA  (Read 60355 times)

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Offline Darrin

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #149 from previous page: February 20, 2012, 09:06:14 PM »
Quote from: commodorejohn;681139
You know, that would explain a lot. Fat chance of it actually going anywhere, though.


It doesn't need to go anywhere in the long run, just in the short run because the LLC can fold up and then the people behind it just start up another business.  Meanwhile, the people operating the actual dealerships are left with the expensive equipment and the financial woes.

Mind you, some do work.  It is no different to selling Tupperware, Avon or Mary Kay.  As long as there are people willing to invest some money then the business will continue.  The lure of becomming your own boss and "making millions working from home" is quite powerful and there are lots of people offering to help you achieve this as seen by the constant TV ads, magazine ads and even posters nailed to telegraph poles all over the USA.

Can I interest you in some osterich eggs?  ;)

http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Telemarketing/Outbound/Major/Investments/wacky.htm
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Offline commodorejohn

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #150 on: February 20, 2012, 09:33:47 PM »
Oh, I don't mean the model is flawed, just that I simply can't see anybody even bothering to sign up for such a thing in CUSA's case...
Computers: Amiga 1200, DEC VAXStation 4000/60, DEC MicroPDP-11/73
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Offline vox

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #151 on: February 20, 2012, 09:37:36 PM »
Quote from: CritAnime;681134
more on their stance with aros might be in this thread (http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/27-commodore-usa/12492-join-the-forces#12534) but I really can't be bothered to drag myself through all the balls in the thread.


Will not register at their forum just because they don`t care for the users opinion at all. Whatever their own fans and customers suggested, they always find excuse.

Point is they don`t really want to invest much as explained, they want to sell sell sell (barebones, systems, whatever). And I don`t even see promised massive media campaigns (on Internet, US Amiga owners would report TV commercials), even decent website took 6 months. There is not even FTP for OS download. Keep the costs low. No R&D. No products in stores as they promised, just direct online buy. Not even a new product after C64x (changin inner components doesn`t change anything, since as long as it fits inside, they can put someone elses products - they don`t make boards or any components).

And yes,multilevel and viral fakerism if possible.

This explains while any desire for software or HW development that is not case with slapped sticker is turned down. Using free Linux as emulation that there is OS they give for free. Killing iCoin because they produced
"Amiga" slapped tablets, phones, AIO, iMac style PeeCees demanding not so much higher price then hardware itself.

And Harkonnen way of PR putting down everything else.

New strain of LCCs.
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way! http://www.youtube.com/user/rasvoja and https://www.facebook.com/rasvoja
 

Offline kedawa

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #152 on: February 20, 2012, 10:28:09 PM »
It's been a gong show since day one.
That product line and pricing in this economy is a recipe for failure.
 

Offline Darrin

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #153 on: February 21, 2012, 12:00:23 AM »
Quote from: commodorejohn;681146
Oh, I don't mean the model is flawed, just that I simply can't see anybody even bothering to sign up for such a thing in CUSA's case...


#1:  Dammy
#2:  Ben
#3....

OK, you have a point.  ;)

That said, imagine you know nothing about C=USA's past antics and you receive this sales pitch:

"Hi, I'm the CEO of Commodore USA and I have a unique business plan for select people like you which is guaranteed to make you rich!  Interested?  You bet you are, and together we are going to make more money than you imagined.  Do you know what was the biggest selling personal computer in the world?  The Commodore 64!  It sold millions all over the world and hardware and software is still being produced for it today.  Well, we're back.  We've already launched a brand new model called the C64x with our partners Disney and sold out in just a few months.  Demand exceeded my wildest expectation so much that I had to put back plans to supply a major high street retail chain with hundreds of thousands of units!  So, you must be asking yourself "How does this affect me?".  Well, I've had a major rethink based on the success so far.  Why should we give these computers to a major retailer who avoids taxes, pays their staff minimum wage and who has no enthusiasm for the product?  Why don't I just harness the energy of a select few.  A select and highly motivated bunch of people like yourselves who are willing to work hard and achieve the American Dream!  Who here wants to be rich?  Show me your hands, who wants to be rich?  Yeah, we all do and together we're going to be.  Rich and successful!  You see, together as a team we can have a combined buying power as great as HP or Dell which lowers the purchasing cost of components.  Using my extensive network of contacts and factories in China and my established transportation network we could buy $1000 state-of-the-art machines and sell them easily for $2000 or more!  Yes, that's right, you can double your money instantly and then keep on doubling it!  I produce the computers and have them shipped to the USA where they are configured for the customer.  You gentlemen pay a small fee to become an elite Commodore authorised Dealer and then purchase a minimum stock from me each month or quarter in order to meet your demand.  I ship the units directly to you.  You sell them and you can make thousands of dollars each month!  Imagine you invest $5,000 to buy 5 machines.  You sell them for $10,000 and you have made a profit of $5000 for that month!  Now imagine you reinvest all of that $10,000 and buy 10 machines the next month and sell them for $20,000, you've made $15,000 in just two months!  Now do it again for the next month and then the next month... do you know how much you could make in 1 year?  Do you?  I'll tell you... over 20 MILLION DOLLARS!  20 MILLION!  Not bad for a $5000 investment, eh?  Imagine investing $10,000!  Anyone here making $20,000,000 a year?  No?  Anyone here want to make $20,000,000 a year?  Yeah, I thought so.  OK, who is ready to sign up?"



Honestly though, if Barry had actually come across a a nice, honest, reliable guy with a solid business plan, good PR and a reasonable product line then I might have been interested in selling Commodore PCs.  I used to have a computer/electronics sales business for a few years with physical shop in the center of town which I ran more as a hobby because my main line of work brings in a stead stream of cash.

I wouldn't touch this business venture however with a barge pole.  Niche systems, overpriced, lacking a market, horrible PR and no support.  I'd be better off sourcing my own parts and making my own line of hand-built machines.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2012, 12:56:40 AM by Darrin »
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline vox

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #154 on: February 21, 2012, 12:09:08 AM »
Quote from: Darrin;681159
#1:  Dammy
#2:  Ben
#3....

OK, you have a point.  ;)


Sad thing is almost every Amiga board has at least one of their trollish accounts, including some on You Tube too poisoning existing Amiga videos ... shame.

Damocles (Dammy), Wolf to The Moon & exec /AW.net

And yet they claim to be superior "x86 AmiganS" with big dreams of "IT world conquest" and new AmigaLinuxOS CUSA will make for them ...

What people managed to do in brainwashing with just 2 name licences and 1 new case  ...
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way! http://www.youtube.com/user/rasvoja and https://www.facebook.com/rasvoja
 

Offline vox

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #155 on: February 21, 2012, 12:17:46 AM »
Quote from: kedawa;681148
It's been a gong show since day one.
That product line and pricing in this economy is a recipe for failure.


As company, quality of products and responsibility for the support to users come first.

This is how CommodoreOS looks from outsiders user exp
http://www.commodore-amiga.org/en/forum/8-commodore-os-howto-and-help/12725-new-user-lots-of-questions#12733

As of democracy, just seen this on the forum
[moderated: No links to sites containing competing products are allowed]

As well as we know no comments on YouTube, instant deletition on FB of anyone that mentions AmigaOS etc.
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way! http://www.youtube.com/user/rasvoja and https://www.facebook.com/rasvoja
 

Offline kedawa

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #156 on: February 21, 2012, 09:47:30 AM »
Yeah, their ****ty attitude and poor support don't help either.
 

Offline paolone

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #157 on: February 21, 2012, 01:53:30 PM »
Quote from: Iggy;681114
I'm not going to ask for permission to offer my opinion about AROS.
And anyone that has used it (or tried to use it) knows its not ready for prime time.


Don't get me wrong, but Iggy was absolutely right. I also told Leo Nigro that while I was very excited at the idea of a Commodore branded product coming with Icaros Desktop (yes...), I also felt quite uncomfortable with the FACTS that 1) there were no more software than the one in the distro, and 2) even that software didn't behave exactly well, with 3) AROS having a bad attitude to crash. In a nutshell, selling 1000s or 100,000s computer that crashed 2 or 3 times a day wouldn't be a wise move for Commodore USA. Sad but true, time for bundling AROS with Commodore products should have been delayed to a wiser date, when all bugs were fixed, ABIv1 would be a reality, and most applications were ported to it.

Commodore should have behaved like an italian mecenate: if intentions were serious, it should have contributed to bounties and helped development of the operating system. Unluckily, at this point in time someone in Hyperion wrote (here or on AW.net, I don't remember) that a Commodore Amiga branded PC with AROS would have been a violation of the agreements with Amiga Inc, so Commodore USA had to choose wether paying money for development of a OS that couldn't even be used for the sake of others, and dropped its interest into AROS, in favour of a customized Linux distro. People can tell what they want here, but CUSA decision was the better (and the only) they could take, sad but true. Someone may argue everything is possible, even an agreement with Hyperion to port AmigaOS on x86... but please be serious, how many of the people in the ordinary world, accustomed to what Windows, Linux and MacOS X can do, would jump back on the 20-years-or-so-old wagon of AmigaOS 4? If there were many, they would have been using AROS today. Are they using AROS? I don't think so.

The situation has dramatically changed in the meanwhile, but legal issues are still here and after all Commodore USA is not here to please us, but just to make money. I wish their luck after all, because I still love the idea of Commodore computers being still around, even if they aren't the ones I loved in the teen age. On my side, I would really be happy if Icaros worked fine on their PCs.

Uh, just that we are here I can give a side news: next Icaros is almost ready. It will change some rules, and I can't tell you more today. Stay tuned.
p.bes

 

Offline IggyTopic starter

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #158 on: February 21, 2012, 02:06:42 PM »
Thanks paolone,
At least one fellow AROS user understands my position/post.

I too like the idea of a new Commodore.

And after talking to Barry, I'm convinced that he understands basic business principles and is sincere in his desire to resurrect the brand.

You're right. He's not doing this to please us, but rather to try to build a successful business.
"Not making any hard and fast rules means that the moderators can use their good judgment in moderation, and we think the results speak for themselves." - Amiga.org, terms of service

"You, got to stem the evil tide, and keep it on the the inside" - Rogers Waters

"God was never on your side" - Lemmy

Amiga! "Our appeal has become more selective"
 

Offline vox

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #159 on: June 29, 2012, 02:23:04 AM »
Quote from: Iggy;577251
After a few vitriolic message from me and couple sent back, I've agreed to call Mr. Altman tomorrow to discuss his company at its business plans.
Many of you know me and opinions about this company and its plans from postings I've made in response to the messages posted about Commodore USA.

So, to say the least, this may be a somewhat contentious conversation. However, Barry's of the opinion that if I give him a fair hearing I'll be swayed by what he has to say.

So, now is your chance, folks. If there's anything you think I ought to ask, post it now.
I'll try to have a concise outline of what I want to cover when I talk to him.

I'll post a summary of our conversation tomorrow.


I ve agreed to build blog on this famous company.
http://anticusa.wordpress.com/
Do I get Amiga Mini or C64x?
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way! http://www.youtube.com/user/rasvoja and https://www.facebook.com/rasvoja
 

Offline Kremlar

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Offline eliyahu

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Re: Barry Altman and Commodore USA
« Reply #161 on: January 16, 2013, 06:34:21 PM »
@thread

CUSA founder barry altman passed away in late 2012.  the discussion continues here.

-- eliyahu
« Last Edit: January 16, 2013, 09:33:35 PM by eliyahu »
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here."