Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: J-Golden on November 14, 2009, 12:01:55 AM
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Hey guys this is most likely the oddest post you'll have ever read, but I just need to vent to a friend, an AMIGA friend...
Growing up, there was an Amiga store that introduced me to the miggy, then i was introduced to the local users group and made immediate friends.
Through my life I owned every major type of the Amiga but a 3000 variant with my highlights being a towered A1200, followed by (I think) 8 or 9 different systems, all setup and running, culminating in one A4000T fitted with a PPC and Mediator with all the fixings.
I had Amiga friends and I had Amiga computers. Now, I have none.
The store has been gone for years and the users group is little more then a web page and yahoo group. I still catch word from a member here and there but I've even moved to the other side of the US so getting together is not going to happen.
As for my A4000T, I sold it two years ago to fiance my wedding... I still think now and then if there might have been a way to do it all without selling that piece of my life. My wife tries to understand and even let me have money when times were tight to get Amiga Forever, but it just isn't the same!
And it sounds SO STUPID but it hurts! I still hang around the forums for no tangible reason but I can't let go!
I tried emulators, even custom made an Xbox to pay homage, but they were frustrating and not the real thing. An Amiga to me wasn't only an easily used and understood OS like some say OSX is or a Fun to hack/mod hardware box. IT WAS BOTH!
Frustrations upon frustrations as I see cool and new ideas made that I can't get my hands on to tinker!
GAH!
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I understand you, my father bought me an A500 back in 1987. I have a lot of of good memmories playing together with my dad, with my friends at that time. The years passed and i gradually upgraded and bought new Amigas until 1995, when i sold everything.
Time passed, but i could never get that feeling with PCs, no matter how good they were.
So for the last six years i have been slowly but steadily building my actual soupped-up A1200, just to feel that warm sensation i had back then.
Bottom line: Emulation is not the same feeling, it is so soul-less. There is a hidden emotional value in those Amiga computers that in my case, no system will replace!
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I understand you too! It's hard to explain I use computers every day that run rings around what an Amiga could do, but I find myself flicking on the old 3000 and remembering when doing things that were magic wasn't so much like work. I think it's a bit like when you are writing a paper, word processing has become so fancy that you have to get exactly the right font, paragraph style, every mechanical thing correct that you can't enjoy the writing anymore.
And I don't get impressed anymore, I remember the astonishment at the Amiga demos, nobody had been there before, they were pushing technology. Now technology has become so advanced that you might be able to nudge it a little bit once in a great while, but push? FOrget about it.
Computers today are nothing but tools. You can't really love them. And there's no way back.
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The only advice I can offer is to concentrate your life on other things that make you happy and you have some control over and hopefully you will succeed in your career, what ever that may be, so that you will have the money to spend on this very expensive hobby OS again and you can buy yourself a SAM440, or used Pegasos2, or if you like MorphOS (like I do) you can get a used G4 MacMini and begin enjoying the next generation Amiga systems and fellowship.
Also, with more success in your life and career, you can afford to travel to attend events like AmiWest 2010 next October and have fun with other people that feel the same way, or similar to yourself.
I cannot stress enough that computers are only tools and entertainment devices and more people should take a look at the example of the webmaster here, Wayne, who has come to the realization that life is more important than computers, or computer OSes. I do understand the comradarie of the Amiga community and how you can feel disconnected to that community now, but it can change if you make other changes to your life to allow it to happen.
Good luck and hang in there.
Edit: Try AmiKit with your AmigaForever and I think you will enjoy the emulation experience more. I am typing this into IBrowse2.4 on my PC using AmigaForever & AmiKit right now.
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D.i.v.o.r.c.e.
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@J-Golden
There are some FPGA-based Amiga cores and systems being designed. The Natami is my favorite. It may cost something similar to the A4000 new but it will be a PCI card-slot box with a Super-AGA set of cores in its 2 FPGAs. To get the details and even participate in the design, see http://www.natami.net/ . Another one is the MiniMig but it's not AGA compatible yet and it costs something too.
As for the next-generation systems it will be a little while yet before they get sufficient fragment shader capabilities in their graphics infrastructure to emulate the Copper coprocessor in a timely fashion without loading down the main processor.
I hope this gives you something to look forward to. Feel free to post more on this thread if you want more information and sympathy. FWIW, I've still got my A1200 from 1993 but I seldom use it. I'm still single and unemployed though so I may be able to use it again someday.
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I hear ya loud and clear and yes, nothing beats the real thing! maybe one day you can find a used classic for a great price in your local paper and I strongly suggest considering treating yourself to AmigaOS4.1 and a new Sam flex as it truly is the best, most modern, Amiga experience around :-)
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I had Amiga friends and I had Amiga computers. Now, I have none.
You can still have Amiga friends and Amiga computers. It may just take a little more work.
I've even moved to the other side of the US so getting together is not going to happen.
Whereabouts are you?
And it sounds SO STUPID but it hurts! I still hang around the forums for no tangible reason but I can't let go!
No problem. We're still here.
I tried emulators, even custom made an Xbox to pay homage, but they were frustrating and not the real thing.
The same for me... an emulator of a Commodore or of an Amiga is not the same. It's better to use the real hardware. :)
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
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Where are you located? It's pretty easy to find Amiga deals.. you can get a cheapy 1200 for maybe $50 or 60 bux, unexpanded of course.. but you can build from there!
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>And it sounds SO STUPID but it hurts! I still hang around the forums for no tangible reason but I can't let go!
Haha,, . so true :)
I am sure someone would be able to donate an A500/A1200 for free if you live close to them.
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Go download icaros distro of AROS and boot that.
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I just came back to the Amiga after having my A500 in the closet since '93! I ended up getting a "new" 1200 and have been loving every minute of it ever since. With the conveniences of networking, solid state storage and USB devices the Amiga is way better now than I left it back '93.
I tried the emulators and while they are very impressive it's still not the same feeling. I imagine it's the same for people who use old synthesizers. There's just something about using the real equipment that makes it a totally different experience. Plus it's fun fixing up and modding the real equipment.
I look at the Amiga the same as any other hobby. You have a certain amount of free time to spend and however you spend it is up to you. I'm very pleased that there's still a community here and as well as a thriving market place along with great hardware manufacturers like Indivision. That makes a world of difference.
So go grab yourself a new/used Amiga and start having fun with it ASAP!
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Growing up, there was an Amiga store that introduced me to the miggy...
The store has been gone for years...
Frustrations upon frustrations as I see cool and new ideas made that I can't get my hands on to tinker!
Here's the store now: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/index.php?currency=USD¤cy=USD ;)
x303 :D :D :D
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I'm with ya man, I miss the old days too. There used to be 5 Amiga stores near me or at least not that big a deal to drive to from where I live. 2 in PA 2 in DE and one in NJ. One of the ones in PA even had a small computer museum in it and one of the stores in DE held user group meetings and sponsored bus trips to World Of Amiga shows in NYC. I just recently bought a Samiga in hopes to rekindle my Amiga interest and I do like it very much but it's just not quite the same. I couldn't get it on the net and was unable to even find anyone to assist me with getting it online. Heck back in the old days there was all kinds of help. Being an Amiga user was exciting back then and the Amiga was a real thrill to use thanks to Jay Miners design. I must say that the Amiga is still a joy to use, just not quite the thrill ride it once was which I'm sure has to do with many things but mostly that I'm getting old. ;-)
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I can relate to the topic, I also had a similar thing recently with the C64, and also the Amiga , The C64 being an even tougher object to get specimens for any reliable extensive usage..
And about current Computers - PCs - they have simply become GODLESS, SOULLESS, cant be trusted .. "Trusted Computing" - yeah right ... Did PCs really ever have a soullike sensation ? And when did Apple lose it ?
And one thing, you pretty much knew what was going on in your Amiga or C64 at any one time, but with PCs you might have a trojan spying or you just dont know whats going on in the box , "WHY IS that drivelight flickering ALL the time ?! Im not really DOING anything .. " Paranoia , sure .. But it adds up to a feeling that , that computer isnt really your friend... Worse now with Win 7 ..
To get on topic. I did however starting in this May of 09 get a few machines used in ok condition, one in seemingly excellent condition (a C64G) and a couple of 1581 disk drives !!! I laid down quite some cash on them (I live in Norway). Could not believe my luck to get the 1581s, 3-4 times the storage of a 1541 floppy. And Ive even since then been able to find two routes to get software from the net over to the C64s .. !
I also have gotten more into my 4 Amigas, getting the old A500 i got in 1988 , my prescious I had back then, set up on a 20 inch TV with RGB to scart cable. My CDTV, A1200 and CD32 is also set up .. I have yet to find the time to play extensively with them though..
IF ONLY .. IF ONLY .. Commodore had, had proper management, there would not have been so many nostalgic Amigans ... Then we would have had Amigas still,, Maybe there would have been a triopoly instead of the Windows, MacOS duopoly, yeah I forgot Linux .. But thats a PC too .. :-) If slightly better ..
And what about the conspiracy theory Ive come to have, that Amiga DID NOT DIE, IT WAS KILLED !! Secret agreement between the powers that be, that there was no room for "Amiga" in the IT landscape ... ? Only Microsoft and Apple .. Ok Ok this is way offtopic :-)
Anyway, my solution to my nostalgia problem was to keep tinkering in the remainder of the Amiverse... The classics being my passion. With in my case also a big if not biggest portion in the C64 world .. !
But the hope is that the Natami happens before the flu kills us all, and that mayyybe Jens Schoenfeld has a a few Cloned A's up his sleeve .. ! And that Minimig gets a properly put together featureset, 030 CPU, enough ram, preassembled ARM expansion etc. In a nice case to buy. ReadyMade(tm). And for me that I can sustain my Amiga and C64 passion on used hardware and NewOld stock till then ... Old hardware cant last forever, and my repair skills are pretty bad..
What can I suggest ? Hang on to Amiga, if you want to, if only by a thread. Things will not be the same, but they never are ..
Remember fondly the good past while looking forward to the future. Maybe something will come along. While you tend to the daily business of Life After the heyday of the first Amiga age. And to be honest , I KNOW emulators arent the same, but WinUAE / Amigaforever is getting good - atleast for games, and particularily on a CRT. And a biggish update is on the way I read on winuae.net.
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I went to the Natami website but I see no option to purchase anthing. Is this Natami hardware on the market yet? How does one order from this website? Thanks.
Barney
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Hey having old Amigas is like old cars, it's an hobby of class;) But I agree that it can start getting too much of one's time so watch out for that cause it might not be so good, I myself been considering selling my A4000T for ages and just keep the 4000D and an desktop A1200, but I keep finding excuses!
One of the special things about this community is that you're contributing to an OS that's special, that you like, and that might at some point be accepted in some niche markets.
But for that we don't need to have a collection of classic Amigas, just one is enough, so I think I'll eventually sell the A4000T, for now I just keep upgrading it!!!
BTW, if you want to keep the hobby I suggest you learn programing on the Amiga, it will give you a different perspective of things, but very important, don't prioritize it over other more important things in your life!
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Wow, thanks guys, I needed to hear all that. even "funnier" was I was agreeing to things you all said that I didn't/forgot to say ;)
As for getting an Amiga to rekindle things, I'm stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until mid Dec. (If I pass) and then head back to Rexburg, ID. I came here a few months after college and have been under the gun since with tests and the like.
The move to Idaho was where most of my disconnect comes from as I only found one user who lived 1/2 an hour away from me :(
When I was in DC, there were several great people who I knew through Amiga but were excellent people on top of that... I even miss Paul Sadlik... go figure ;)
I look at the likes of the Natami and the Minimig with awe and wonder because they are more of what I always imagined what the Amiga would be like. Bucking the main stream, built off of what it needs, not what the big companies tell it to use.
In a word: Independent.
Well, you guys have kindda helped me straiten out my mind, thanks! I think I'll look on craigs list and see what I can find...
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I thought I remembered you from D.C.. Didn't you used to go to some NCAUG meetings? After our Annapolis MD user group dried up, I migrated to Washington (Actually started out at WAC - way back when!).
I, and most likely every Amiga user out there, knows exactly how you feel. What to do about it is another question. I keep meeting a few new people through this very site however. There are still some very active people in the greater Washington/Baltimore area.
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As for getting an Amiga to rekindle things, I'm stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until mid Dec. (If I pass) and then head back to Rexburg, ID. I came here a few months after college and have been under the gun since with tests and the like.
Lawton?? Ugh, I'm so sorry. Hope you brought plenty of missile wax. ;D
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@ Motrucker: YUP! I was the short redhead that was always challenging Paul Sadlik to street race his Mustang against my motorcycle :-D
I also ran the Hardware SIG way back when...
now THOSE memories bring a big smile to my face!
@ Methuselas: Heh, no need. I'm strictly a Paladin man! ;) but I stay on post/keep out of Lawton for reasons you most likly know...
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@ Motrucker: YUP! I was the short redhead that was always challenging Paul Sadlik to street race his Mustang against my motorcycle :-D
LOL! I love it when cars try to drag me when I'm on the bike. :D
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@ Methuselas: Heh, no need. I'm strictly a Paladin man! ;) but I stay on post/keep out of Lawton for reasons you most likly know...
That's a negative, Sir. I've only been to Lawton once, to visit a buddy of mine from High School that was stationed there. I was stationed at Bragg. I still laugh when I think of him running all over the base looking for missile wax. Then again, they sent us looking for rigging clips, canopy lights and grid squares. XD
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@J-Golden
We might have a solution for you.
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@ Motrucker: YUP! I was the short redhead that was always challenging Paul Sadlik to street race his Mustang against my motorcycle :-D
I also ran the Hardware SIG way back when...
now THOSE memories bring a big smile to my face!
I'm the guy with really long hair that used to come up from Annapolis. Man, how time flies by. I used to also attend the Pizza meetings, after the meetings too. Yep - interesting days.
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@barney,
The Super AGA is basicly done. The new mainboard prototype is is the process of "Bring up". Parts are already up and running. It's only a matter of time now.
Chris
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@ Motrucker: DUDE! I totally remember you! you'd show up in a "classic" pickup and brought a friend most of the time right? Wow, it's like someone is walking through my brian and turning on the lights over memories thought lost...
@ Pyromania: HI! What did you have in mind?
@ Methusela: HAHAHAHAHA!!! We got the "boom test" and grid squares for FA and man oh man does it never get old!
@ Quiksanz:... what?!?!?
As you can see, I'm feeling tons better. You guys really did a good deed. Thanks for helping a guy feeling blue. I hope Karma swings back in your favor for it ;)
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@J-Golden
I think what Pyromania has in mind is something like this (http://amigaworld.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5133).
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As for getting an Amiga to rekindle things, I'm stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until mid Dec.
There is a Commodore club in Kansas City, but I don't know if they are into Amiga.
(If I pass) and then head back to Rexburg, ID
There used to be a Commodore club in Boise. Again I don't know if they ever were into Amiga.
Glad to be of any help,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
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I haven't been here for nearly a year and this is the first thread I read and it reminds me what great people we are. I feel guilty for not being here now.
Short of a time machine, there is nothing to bring back a caring attitude towards computers for me in this decade. You buy a new PC/Mac...it's a little bit better....Apple/MS release more bloatware....your crap runs just as badly 12 months later. A vicious cycle.
When I went from a C64 to an Amiga I was digitising pictures with Digi-View, I was doing pictures and anims on Dpaint, I was sampling every damned CD I could find to make my own instruments. It was a revolution....and that's before we talk about how elegant and classy a machine the A1000 was even compared to that overpriced rubbish Mac by Apple a year before.....or that fantastic multitasking OS. They were pioneering days and in worldwide general purpose media the Amiga is all but forgotten, with people harping on about Windows 95 or the Mac coming straight after the 8bit days. It seems people forgot which computer showed us we wanted to watch moving images in full colour, hear great sound, do creative things and all in an elegant OS together. It's sad.....and the fact Amiga Inc couldn't arrange a piss up in a brewery makes it doubly slow.
I hate Apple products, I hate Windows products.....how can you have any love for computing in that situation now?
I can see now why most kids of today will have fond memories of 'retro' gaming on their Playstations and xboxs etc...the only place where there has been diverse and alien incompatible hardware is in the console market.
I was also a big SEGA fan...so double whammy for me oooops.
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@SamuraiCrow
Nope, that's not it.
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Amiga - great hardware, great games, great memories !
I feel just the same as you... When I was a kid I had to earn "lots" of money just to get A500, from then, over ten years passed me by, and i finally got my dream machine, upgraded A1200. I'm never going to give this one up, because I know if sell this one, the amiga itch comes back again soon :)
Good luck getting an fullfilling Amy experience.
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@SamuraiCrow
Nope, that's not it.
??? Wow. Now I'm really curious. What do you have brewing?
I also noticed your from Chicago. My lil. sister works there in theatre. Small world, eh?
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@ Methusela: HAHAHAHAHA!!! We got the "boom test" and grid squares for FA and man oh man does it never get old!
I take it you're a Mustang, El-Tee? I can't see an officer sending Non-Comms off on "supply runs" and since you've done FA, that tells me you were a Non-Comm at one point. My dick of a Top sent us to our Company Commander, asking for rigging clips. He just shook his head at us and told us to get the hell out of his office. That's when I realized it was a pigeon run.
A co-worker of mine used to be Cav and he told he and his buddies were sent to the motor pool to get labeled, exhaust emissions for testing. I laughed my ass off when he told me how they were sitting behind vehicles, with clear, plastic bags filling them up with exhaust and labeling them with a black, magic marker.
You're right, though. Hazing never does get old. XD Good times.
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Don't know what a Mustang is othe then the car and horse ;)
But yeah, I started as a 13-Fox (forward observer) with the intent to go ROTC. I didn't want ROTC only because I felt I was cheating myself w/o being enlisted first. that way I KNOW what I'm asking of my men. I've seen too many ignorant officers screw up perfectly good units to ignore the need of that knowledge.
I will always have fond memories of painting Paladin parking lines for 15-ish guns two feet at a time in July... :-D
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Againa, this community is like a something you only read about! Everyones replies have been awesome and just prove that there is something missing from todays computer scene that Amigans, C-64ers, Atari-ites, etc. have had from the begining.
On top of all that, and I don't want to say anything specific yet, but I can truly say that Pyromania has sugested/offered something that I thought would only happen on TV! And I don't mean info-mercial TV, I mean like "Home Make Over" level of excitment!
You all rock! Especially YOU, Pyro!
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@J-Golden
Congrats and enjoy you lucky man !
@ Discreet FX
kudos to you guys..you rock !! (where's those damn bananas when ya need em)
(btw: hows OS4.x version of Alladin coming along )
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I would be totally lost without my Amigas. Don`t even want to think about it. I do understand how you feel. Most that caught the Amiga bug realise just how potent it is. Those that were not infected will never truly understand why the community survives. Some walk away but probably at some time in their life reflect on just how much they miss the Amiga. One of the things I say on my website is that the one thing I never have to say is ' I use to have one of those '. Better you can say I still have an Amiga. There really is no substitute for the real thing. So do try and become ' A Survivor ' and ' Keep the Flag Flying '.
The Amiga. The greatest computer ever made.
scuzz
http://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com