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Amiga.org specific forums => New User Introductions => Topic started by: icepyk on June 19, 2007, 01:26:28 AM

Title: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: icepyk on June 19, 2007, 01:26:28 AM
Hi Everyone,

I thought I would say hi to everyone, as I have been lurking around these posts for about the last 6 months....

I'm an older computer support guy, whose been to management and  came back after a severe bout of retrenchment.....

I've had PCs and computers generally back to the days of the Vic20, and had several C64s and an Amiga 500 after that time, (I never did get a chance to get into it) ....These days, I have lots of PCs, and I get my buzz from trying to understand all sorts of operating systems, both network and desktop...

A couple of years ago, I bought a Desktop A3000, and have had a lot of fun, trying to understand it again,  (My DOS and AmigaDos skills are well atrophied...) Its bog standard at the moment, with OS 3.5, a couple of HDDs, and a CD...

So hi, to everyone, when I get a chance, I would like to update the A3000 to make it more todays machine, but have no idea where to start, so will probably need a lot of help then.....but that's for the future.....

Glad to meet you all....

Icepyk
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: Boot_WB on June 19, 2007, 01:38:18 AM
Welcome to Amiga.org!

The A3000 is an excellent machine - expansion possibilities are broad, and - as ever with Amiga hardware - generally expensive, but a lot of fun anyway.
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: SamuraiCrow on June 19, 2007, 02:12:44 AM
Welcome Icepyk!

You didn't say where you were posting from but there are a number of dealers all around the world that sell old and "new old stock" Amiga parts and accessories.

If you are fortunate enough to find a CyberStorm PPC accelerator then you might be able to run AmigaOS 4 on it as soon as the A3000/4000 classic version of AmigaOS 4 is released.  It will take better advantage of the PowerPC accelerator than 3.x does and have some considerably improved graphics card support (which you'll want if you are going to be using the A3000 extensively).

If you're not interested in shelling out much money for it there's little point in upgrading to version 3.9 since the OS hasn't changed that much between 3.5 and 3.9 .

If you have any questions, feel free to post here!
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: sandpiper on June 19, 2007, 02:39:54 AM
Quote
I'm an older computer support guy, whose been to management and came back after a severe bout of retrenchment.....


I think many of us 'Amigans' are getting up there in age. Those, like myself, who started with Amigas in the mid to late '80s must be 40+ by now.
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: rdolores on June 19, 2007, 03:15:26 AM
I find myself in the same boat. I am 46 now. I first got into Amigas around 1986 with the A1000. I got later got an A2000 which I upgraded with a hard drive and extra RAM. Then finally an A2630 accelerator. I left in the mid-nineties as my career focus was supporting WinTel technologies as a computer technical support professional.

Then about a year and a half ago, I returned. First it was through the purchase of Amiga Forever 2005 on my PC. Then I found an old copy of Amithlon which I successfully installed on an old PIII-1000 PC. I was hooked again. I took out my classic Amiga's and got them working again. I purchased an A1200 and A500 as well.

I am closely following the OS4/new hardware saga and hoping for the best. My most enjoyable time with computers has always been with Amigas, even though I have had much experience with PC's, Macs and Linux machines as well.
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: paranha on June 19, 2007, 03:44:40 AM
@icepyk

They said something about a bounty for porting the A R O S for the sam440 (for the amiga). Maybe you can build something.... and wait....and maybe get something resembling something upated....

*A stupid question is a question nobody dares to ask*

-Finally spelling it right-
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: icepyk on June 19, 2007, 06:48:37 AM
Thanks,

I'm from Australia, specifically Katoomba in the Blue Mountains - west of Sydney, though I work further west in Orange..I've looked at several websites for people who sell in Aus, and will keep looking....

Thanks for your advice re the expansion...I'm a babe in the woods (disgusting sight @ my age) with regards to expansion...There seems to be so much gear out there, and no place to start...

Cheers
Icepyk  
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: amigakid on June 19, 2007, 08:07:38 AM
Welcome dude.  An A3000 is unfortunately the only Amiga along with the 600 I have not had the pleasure to own yet, but im trying to rectify that situation:)
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: amigakid on June 19, 2007, 08:07:58 AM
Welcome dude.  An A3000 is unfortunately the only Amiga along with the 600 I have not had the pleasure to own yet, but im trying to rectify that situation:)
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: Zero on June 19, 2007, 09:00:54 AM
Hey! welcome, to Amiga.org, from another "older" guy!

:)
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: Astral on June 19, 2007, 12:00:45 PM
Welcome icepyk. A few years (and a few more :-)) I lived at Lawson, as you know, not far from Katoomba.

Keep the 3000 and enjoy it by all means-  but, you won't regret getting a C64 as well. Not to cause any flame wars, but, the C64 is way more active and friendly these days than the Amiga scene - that way you can enjoy both...

Good luck, and rug up - so you don't freeze your nuts off in the freezing bloody cold Blue Mountains!!!
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: gertsy on June 19, 2007, 12:23:19 PM
Hi, Icepyk.
I'm suffering a severe bout of Management myself at the moment.  "Hands on" is getting less and less these days.  At least I have my Amigas and PeeCees at home.
All the best and welcome to Amiga Org.

 :-)
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: icepyk on June 20, 2007, 12:08:29 AM
Hi rdolores,

I feel with you, I was looking for something to put interest back into computing, (the fun side has definitely gone from work) and I keep coming back to the Amiga. Having started so far back (I'm in my 50's now) I'm reliving some of the enjoyable experiences I used to have.....

I too, look with hope to OS/4 plus new hardware, and hope for the best, but fear the worst..

Hi SamuraiCrow,
Thanks for the Cyberstorm PPC hint, I'll see what I can find, does it connect straight into the A3000, or do I need to have a daughter board first???
Thanks for your help.....

Hi Astral,
Thanks for your advice...I have run the C64 in emulation for along time...I particularly enjoyed a game called "Koronis Rift" I still have a C64, but unfortunately, no space to set it up... Re the cold, its snowing today, highway closed from Wentworth Falls to Mt Lambey, I'm in Orange but I'm loving it!!!!

To Everyone,
I'm overwhelmed by your repsonses, thanks for your time and your interest
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: rednova on June 20, 2007, 01:32:37 AM
Dear Friend:

I love amigas...I ve been using my a1200 for 10+ years.
I love it more than ever.Even though I heavily use the pc for 3d/lightwave..I still use and love my amiga....for many things including amos programming.
If you could get a copy of amospro (usually on ebay for $20)
is really easy to learn and then you can make your own amiga games. Good Luck!!!

rednova
-mobilis in mobile-
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: SamuraiCrow on June 20, 2007, 02:27:42 AM
Hello again Icepyk,

The Cyberstorm PPC is an accelerator card that plugs into the CPU slot on the A3000 motherboard.  It also has either an '040 or '060 to run the pre-os4 versions of AmigaOS.  Hopefully, OS 4 will make it unnecessary to use the '040 or '060 part of the accelerator card as context switching is slow.
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: koaftder on June 20, 2007, 02:34:05 AM
Welcome to Amiga.org!

Good luck to you, reviving ancient platforms and boldly going where everybody else has gone before. You can take that old classic amiga and c64 and toss 'em in the trash. ACK Controls is going to release a brand new amiga model here in a few weeks.
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: TjLaZer on June 20, 2007, 03:39:21 AM
I never understood lurkers, how can you lurk for so long and never chime in?  Just curious not trying to be mean.  I always love to chime in.  :banana:

The A3000 is an awesome Amiga!  It has that great VGA port built in which is nice.  Has a really sleek case I think, and can be upgraded to a 040/060 with lots of RAM.  Just make sure the battery has been removed/replaced!  See my picture album on what happened to mine...
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: adz on June 20, 2007, 04:23:11 AM
G'day from another Aussie :pint:
Title: Re: An older geek returned (after some considerable lurking)
Post by: Retromania on June 20, 2007, 01:38:21 PM
Welcome to the Forum Icepyk!

I am impressed that you had an A1000 in 1986 - this was still way beyond my means at the time and I had to be satisfied with my C64 and 1541 disk drive (which I have still got:-)).

I hope you enjoy your return to Amiga!

All the best

Retromania