Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: Digiman on April 27, 2012, 06:03:00 AM
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Right I've had enough. C=USA are clearly just scammers raping the Amiga brand sticking logos on Wintel computers in a case that has sweet FA to do with Amiga case designs so help me do what they should have done!
1. I plan to have A1200 and other cases replicated too (600 1000 or 3000 also, you choose) and a bespoke "Amiga" keyboard later on.
2. I want to fit them with 100% AROS compatible x86 hardware. I want to configure them to have AROS BIOS too.
3. I want to configure them out of the box to run dual boot AROS + Windows XP & Amiga emulator (£20 Amiga Forever OCS & AGA)
4. Nostalgic homage box + poly inserts + spiral bound user manuals
5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)
If you are interested please voice your support in my thread now. If enough people are interested I can start this project rolling with contacts in the industry I have.
I am sorry it is x86 not PPC but I cannot finance OS4 compatible PPC motherboard development. But if you want an x86 system like this please show support. A few members talked about donations to help (100% of your donations would be subtracted from purchase price of course).
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5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)
Where can I get one of these? I'd love to use amiga joysticks on my peg2. tia
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I'd like an "Amiga" theme case for my FPGA Arcade. I don't mind if it is an all-in-one, or something that resembles an A1000.
If the X1000 didn't already come in a tower case then I'd be up for an A2000 or A4000 style case for that.
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Part 1 has already been done with the x500. But to be honest i hate the idea of using AROS. I think we should concentrate on FPGA. Or simply just a barebones case unit.
http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a_few_example_of_how_to_customis.htm
(http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a_few_example_of_how_to_customis.htm)
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I can't help with cash, but if you can get Jens to do you a Catweasel run, you can leave the drivers to me.Including the joystick driver.
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I can't help with cash, but if you can get Jens to do you a Catweasel run, you can leave the drivers to me.Including the joystick driver.
I don't understand this comment? Catweasel = FDD controller no?
Not asking for any cash at this stage btw, just gauging interest in my idea.
Even if nobody was interested I will commission 1 unit just to show C=USA what is possible with some effort :)
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I'd like an "Amiga" theme case for my FPGA Arcade. I don't mind if it is an all-in-one, or something that resembles an A1000.
If the X1000 didn't already come in a tower case then I'd be up for an A2000 or A4000 style case for that.
There is a very nice A1000ish case out there. I am working on that and will post my results for a much more off the shelf A1000ish system once I've built mine using a very cool mouse (sadly discontinued) and slim keyboard design.
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Part 1 has already been done with the x500. But to be honest i hate the idea of using AROS. I think we should concentrate on FPGA. Or simply just a barebones case unit.
http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a_few_example_of_how_to_customis.htm
(http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a_few_example_of_how_to_customis.htm)
You can butcher real Amiga keyboards via keyrah + replica cases and place Minimig/Natami in them if you wish.
For x86 we have 3 choices
1. AROS (with AROS BIOS)
2. Amithlon (legally a dead end as it is only illegally obtained now)
3. Windows XP (or 7 if you really want) with Amiga Forever.
I proposed a dual boot of the only 2/3 viable x86 solutions for Wintel x86. I am not selling my home to get into PPC and OS4 work sorry :) I said this honestly up front I can't be fairer than that really.
Think of it like the Amiga version of C64x ;)
I'm not a fan of A500's case design personally and those look more like the Sinclair PC-200 but working on something like those linked images for Atari ST community. Atari ST users are lucky because they will be able to use real floppy disks within emulated environment!
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The Catweasel MkIV(+) has two 9-pin joystick ports in it. Plus UAE supports the Catweasel so you can read Amiga disks from within the emulated environment... but you can't boot from them as it doesn't emulate Paula driving them.
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I'd be interested in what you come up with. However I would advise agiest trying to sell it with Amiga written on it, as they might come after you.
Plus I'm surprised I haven't seen more mod attempts at making a Amiga fantasy like case, specially if your just into aros or Amiga emulation scene and it just a pc your after, after all pc parts are fairly cheap and you can get some really small computers that would easily fit inside an A1200.
I wanted a htpc and decided been that it will never get made I would make myself the AmigaMcc case, turned out pretty good so glad I at least tried to have a go and it only cost me about £70 for the case and a few weekends to work on it.
http://www.vincentperkins.com/AmigaNG/build.php
More fun and more interesting project than I thought it would be.
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OK...I know I said I was burnt out and it's taken me years and years (7?)...anyway.
After announcing this:
http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=35607&forum=33
But I have received many emails of support (let me come up with a number wait.....running my random number generating software on my C64....result = 3000...no actually, 3001. :) )
Yes "3001 people" have asked me to carry on as it seems stupid to have spent all that money and time on a project so complex and so dear to me (us?).
Anyway, it's nearly complete, it needs a couple of adjustments here and there but it's ready for production.
Keep your eyes peeled this week end.
A minimum number of orders will be needed of course. Delivery from the end of May/mid June.
Coming as an A500 shape kind of thing or Sinclair PC-200, or whatever. It's really inspired by the computers of the '80s and '90s but to me it's the A500 (as it was my first machine and it's close to my heart).
Specs:
Allows the use of a mini-itx or flex-atx boards, space for a DVD-RW, space for a 3.5" drive (card reader really although a floppy disk drive fits but compromises space for other stuff) space for 2 to 3 SSDs or 2.5" HDDs.
Sorry more I can't offer! :)
Tested with:
Gigabyte motherboard with 8 and 16GB DDR3 (I had to try it, the force was too strong for "only" 8GB) with USB3 and 2.0, Intel i3 2.5GHz cpu (none of that crappy, slow, AMD and Atom stuff), I have got this feeling an i5/i7 might work too (NOT TESTED though). The board I am using has onboard HD Intel 2000/3000 graphics, HDMI eSATA etc... but me being a pedantic type I have also made space for a low profile graphics card expansion slot.
What does this mean?
Running an ATI Radeon HD 6570 2GB right now. :D
I am testing it win Win7 running from a 120GB SSD and for storage Western Digital 320GB HDD.
It's now on my desk running along my big tower box.
Keyboard is a nice one, a good compromise and generally available, it's not a cherry as I don't like them and those are expensive, so it makes sense to use "cheaper" stuff.
See it as a blank canvas, you get the kit (the case) and you make it what you want.
You can run AROS, you can fit a NATAMI, a FPGAArcade, put funky stickers on etc...etc...
Also tested with a SAM440ep (the mini), SAM440 and 460 (flex) with OS4.
You can even put a cluster of raspberries in there ;)
What does it look like? You'll see it this week end.
How big? Slightly thinner than the A500 (57.5 mm without rubber feet), same width and slightly shorter.
So a massive thanks to all, see you this week end.
:D
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@The daddy.
I liked the existing wedge cases except the fact they are made of cheap plastic. How hard would it be to make a wedge case using the same dimensions only swapping the plastic for aluminium? It shoudn't be too hard to find and use original keyboards should it? Maybe you are trying too hard to re-design the wheel?
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I'd be interested in what you come up with. However I would advise agiest trying to sell it with Amiga written on it, as they might come after you.
Plus I'm surprised I haven't seen more mod attempts at making a Amiga fantasy like case, specially if your just into aros or Amiga emulation scene and it just a pc your after, after all pc parts are fairly cheap and you can get some really small computers that would easily fit inside an A1200.
I wanted a htpc and decided been that it will never get made I would make myself the AmigaMcc case, turned out pretty good so glad I at least tried to have a go and it only cost me about £70 for the case and a few weekends to work on it.
http://www.vincentperkins.com/AmigaNG/build.php
More fun and more interesting project than I thought it would be.
I wouldn't be using the Amiga logo ;) The only way I could is if I sourced existing A1200 cases say (that avoids legal issue as they are legal) but this is bad for classic Amiga parts scene for repairing real Amigas.
Micro ATX is the way to for use with A500/600/1200 case + keyrah.
There is a very Mac Mini case for around €40.
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Hi Kesa,
The Commodore plastic was ok I thought (although every time I unscrewed it bits would fall off) :) but it's all down to cash. Seven years ago I had a tiny little bit of money to use...had I known how much it would have cost I wouldn't have done it or I would have saved enough to go straight into either using aluminium or injection moulding but I am happy with the result. It's good fun to assemble it and build your own retro looking but modern and powerful pc. I have it connected to my 24" gaming monitor and in white it looks good.
There will also be a version in black which is more menacing...
It feels good to use in the sense that I am happy when I look at it and use it (it must be a child thing) from the past, can't explain it or I am just talking b*llocks... :)
Original keyboards...to be honest I prefer the new ones but it's all down to taste of course. ;)
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The Catweasel MkIV(+) has two 9-pin joystick ports in it. Plus UAE supports the Catweasel so you can read Amiga disks from within the emulated environment... but you can't boot from them as it doesn't emulate Paula driving them.
I was reluctant to use Catweasel because you can't boot real Amiga games on the PC but didn't know it had Keyrah style built in joysticks.
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Original keyboards...to be honest I prefer the new ones but it's all down to taste of course. ;)
There are some very Amiga 2000 (the best keyboard IMO) like Cherry and Apple keyboards. A1200/600/500 keyboards were not as good as 1000/2000 keyboards IMO.
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@The daddy.
I liked the existing wedge cases except the fact they are made of cheap plastic. How hard would it be to make a wedge case using the same dimensions only swapping the plastic for aluminium? It shoudn't be too hard to find and use original keyboards should it? Maybe you are trying too hard to re-design the wheel?
A1200/600 case is quite similar to mk2 C64 case and I did some calculations for sheet steel. The vents/slats on top would be a pain but ports and underside vents could be CNC cut before bending/pressing the panels.
A sturdy plastic case in identical white would be my choice though.
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I was reluctant to use Catweasel because you can't boot real Amiga games on the PC but didn't know it had Keyrah style built in joysticks.
True, you can't boot real Amiga games.
But you can WHDload install them from the floppies. You just need a bit of software imagination and gratuitous use of NSDPatch.
If you can get a Catweasel in there, you can install your Amiga floppy originals and play them with real Amiga joysticks (and mice). You'll need a PCI slot though, that's going to be the problem.... but it wouldn't need to be externally accessible. You could just run a lead from the internal joystick ports to 9-pin ports mounted in the case, just like in the real Amigas.
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But to be honest i hate the idea of using AROS.
Why?
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i would like to see the amiga fantasy case to be finally build.... it still looks fantastic..
(http://ftp.uni-erlangen.de/pub/amiga/aminet/pix/trace/AMIGA-fantasy2.jpg)
bigger pic..
http://www.commodore-amiga-retro.com/amiga/a_scuzz_oct02/amiga-fantasyb.jpg
the amiga walker case... is awesome to...
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=48069
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@Digiman
the hardest part is amiga layouted keyboard. you will have hard time to beat cusa here, for the case himself you can use some sort of automated fabrication, say 3d printer. shouldnt be much of an issue.
@a1260
too much dents..
@daddy
sorry but without amiga keyboard layout and some more design characteristics, and especially if done of bent metal it resembles more just any 8-bit computer replica like many built in eastern block.
check for instance this out:
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritum_I
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritum_II
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritum_III
besides wedge computers were not only amigas, there were many other such case designs in the early 80s, many better, like -say- atari_st. why do you advertise your design an amiga replica? it should rather be treated as a wedge computer replica in general and meet the wider audience. although from this angle i still find the following cybernet design, (marketed currently by cusa afair) by lengths more elegant and likely more functional than anything you can build at home.
http://www.cybernetman.com/en/all-in-one-pc/Keyboard-pc/ZPC-GX31
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I must admit I love Amiga Fantasy case and the MCC case. I have zero interest in buying any X86 hardware unless it's a tablet, I just don't need it. Natami and SAM is all the interest I have. As for AROS, I'll run that when it fully supports my Toshiba NB100. It's not got far to go but I'm in no hurry.
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Right I've had enough. C=USA are clearly just scammers raping the Amiga brand sticking logos on Wintel computers in a case that has sweet FA to do with Amiga case designs so help me do what they should have done!
1. I plan to have A1200 and other cases replicated too (600 1000 or 3000 also, you choose) and a bespoke "Amiga" keyboard later on.
2. I want to fit them with 100% AROS compatible x86 hardware. I want to configure them to have AROS BIOS too.
3. I want to configure them out of the box to run dual boot AROS + Windows XP & Amiga emulator (£20 Amiga Forever OCS & AGA)
4. Nostalgic homage box + poly inserts + spiral bound user manuals
5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)
If you are interested please voice your support in my thread now. If enough people are interested I can start this project rolling with contacts in the industry I have.
I am sorry it is x86 not PPC but I cannot finance OS4 compatible PPC motherboard development. But if you want an x86 system like this please show support. A few members talked about donations to help (100% of your donations would be subtracted from purchase price of course).
How are you going to be supporting AROS?
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How are you going to be supporting AROS?
By increasing the user base! Why the perception that if you put out a free OS you can expect everyone that uses it to support it in other ways too? (even if it would be nice that they did). I would be more concerned that Digiman could be considered an OEM making a computer with an "Amiga-like OS" myself, that could be an issue.
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I must admit I love Amiga Fantasy case and the MCC case. I have zero interest in buying any X86 hardware unless it's a tablet, I just don't need it. Natami and SAM is all the interest I have. As for AROS, I'll run that when it fully supports my Toshiba NB100. It's not got far to go but I'm in no hurry.
you would be interested in the case if it had different mounting configurations set up for x86 and sam... i think thats the way to go here.
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you would be interested in the case if it had different mounting configurations set up for x86 and sam... i think thats the way to go here.
Yes, I think that's the way to go. It is a very nice case.
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@Digiman
the hardest part is amiga layouted keyboard. you will have hard time to beat cusa here, for the case himself you can use some sort of automated fabrication, say 3d printer. shouldnt be much of an issue.
@a1260
too much dents..
@daddy
sorry but without amiga keyboard layout and some more design characteristics, and especially if done of bent metal it resembles more just any 8-bit computer replica like many built in eastern block.
check for instance this out:
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritum_I
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritum_II
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritum_III
besides wedge computers were not only amigas, there were many other such case designs in the early 80s, many better, like -say- atari_st. why do you advertise your design an amiga replica? it should rather be treated as a wedge computer replica in general and meet the wider audience. although from this angle i still find the following cybernet design, (marketed currently by cusa afair) by lengths more elegant and likely more functional than anything you can build at home.
http://www.cybernetman.com/en/all-in-one-pc/Keyboard-pc/ZPC-GX31
You might want to put your glasses on and read my post again more carefully.
I am not making a replica...surely the words inspired and tribute mean something to you or not?
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By increasing the user base! Why the perception that if you put out a free OS you can expect everyone that uses it to support it in other ways too? (even if it would be nice that they did). I would be more concerned that Digiman could be considered an OEM making a computer with an "Amiga-like OS" myself, that could be an issue.
AROS has enough OEM's that actually support the development of AROS not just milking it. If we're going to hold one company to this standard we should hold everyone to it.
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Natami in that fantasy case would be a killer! :pint:
But there could be difficulties inserting PCI-cards into it...
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The main thing I want is a proper Amiga keyboard.
The facility to attache a digital joystick sure wouldn't hurt either.
Please, please do your thing. There will be more than enough customers to support you.
Even better - an 1200 style wedge that can house an Arcade Replay board ;-)
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Right I've had enough. C=USA are clearly just scammers raping the Amiga brand sticking logos on Wintel computers in a case that has sweet FA to do with Amiga case designs so help me do what they should have done!
If it takes Amithlon what is the max config?
What would be recommended for AROS?
AresOne "Amigo" or AmigaOne "Amigo" licenced name?
What would be the estimated overall price if it would be max single core or min dual core CPU with 1Gb and 2GB fast RAM, some suitable gfx card, AND Catweasel and case?
Promised triple boot: Amithlon, AROS and Linux or WinXP SP3 with AF and AmiKit, or AROS, XP with AF+Amikit, Linux with AF+Amikit.
Since strongest single core could be used could it be some cheap x86 chip like VIA?
Surely, some 20$ of machine should go to Amithlon, 20$ to AROS and at least 20$ to Amiga Forever, if that is not too complex and all 3 might prosper without much add on price, but with added value. That can still be creative machine and not too expensive.
Licence with Hyperion might grant e.g. OS 3.5 and ROMs supplied with Amikit or AmigaOne name and/or BoingBall logo. If they take some small revenue to fund PPC development, one day we might have OS 4 for it too. And it can sell well in today retro world. Having 9 pin connectors could be provided by some nice sound card OR by catweasel and an Amiga mouse and two Kempstons must be supplied. And if possible some driver for them to work under Linux and Windows.
Such machine might get slightly over 500 preorders if passess protype stage.
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AROS has enough OEM's that actually support the development of AROS not just milking it. If we're going to hold one company to this standard we should hold everyone to it.
I agree. It depends on how the license is worded as to whether or not they are required to however. I'm sure you are more aware of the wording of that license than I am. I've not read which restrictions are placed upon OEMs with the AROS license. If it says that OEMs must support AROS in order to distribute it, well, that's what it says and then that's what must be. My question was:
Why the perception that if you put out a free OS you can expect everyone that uses it to support it in other ways too?
Perhaps I should have said:
Are OEM distributors of AROS OS based systems required to support AROS in ways other than just increasing the user base?
...that's what I was trying to find out. My bad for not thinking through my question before typing it. :)
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I agree. It depends on how the license is worded as to whether or not they are required to however. I'm sure you are more aware of the wording of that license than I am. I've not read which restrictions are placed upon OEMs with the AROS license. If it says that OEMs must support AROS in order to distribute it, well, that's what it says and then that's what must be. My question was:
Why the perception that if you put out a free OS you can expect everyone that uses it to support it in other ways too?
Perhaps I should have said:
Are OEM distributors of AROS OS based systems required to support AROS in ways other than just increasing the user base?
...that's what I was trying to find out. My bad for not thinking through my question before typing it. :)
To be perfectly honest AROS has license issues. A few things need to be replaced in order for it to be used commercially.
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I will take an Amiga 600 replica case, thank you. Money is no object. Orginal keyboard, joystick ports on the side, room for a 3 1/2" hard drive and mini itx motherboard inside, no floppy drive or DVD-drive
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I see what you did there, but effectively all that's happened is now there's another thread about CUSA on AO. A thread which I just bumped.
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I am sorry it is x86 not PPC but I cannot finance OS4 compatible PPC motherboard development. But if you want an x86 system like this please show support. A few members talked about donations to help (100% of your donations would be subtracted from purchase price of course).
You don't need to make yet another motherboard, just consider the available PPC OS4 motherboards as you go. Make cases able to fit standard motherboard types such as the standards done in Sam, XE, Micro, Pegasos, and/or X1000, and we're good.
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I will take an Amiga 600 replica case, thank you. Money is no object. Orginal keyboard, joystick ports on the side, room for a 3 1/2" hard drive and mini itx motherboard inside, no floppy drive or DVD-drive
I might add a "proper" keyboard to my design at a later stage once I have recovered some of the costs... ;)
For now it comes with a modern/generic/standard one. :)
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You don't need to make yet another motherboard, just consider the available PPC OS4 motherboards as you go. Make cases able to fit standard motherboard types such as the standards done in Sam, XE, Micro, Pegasos, and/or X1000, and we're good.
But that is exactly what my case does... :) it's taken me years to make every single board fit....uh..oh apart from the pegasos but I believe that should fit too...
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3. Windows XP (or 7 if you really want) with Amiga Forever.
A few points:
You can't buy XP any more.
All XP support stops in 2012 - it will become a vulnerable sitting duck.
Toni Wilen, WinUAE author, pushes on to newer versions of Windows as soon as they come out.
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If I was going to buy a dedicated AROS box, I'd just buy my own mini-ITX and put it in a micro-tower dealie so it could sit unobtrusively on the desktop.
I don't like "wedge" computers and never have. I tolerated it in the Vic, '64, '128, 500 and 1200 because it's what I could afford. Once I had a PC I could expand, I never wanted to look back. Still don't. I think wedge PCs are shyte.
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just consider the available PPC OS4 motherboards
:lol:
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MorphOS is Amiga done right!
Can't really tell.
My 9600XT is not supported (my Quicksilver) (I want 3D)
My Powerbook 1.67 is not supported either
not to mention the whining about a broke hand and/or being in Antarctica...
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But that is exactly what my case does... :) it's taken me years to make every single board fit....uh..oh apart from the pegasos but I believe that should fit too...
.
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Damn...if I had some money left to make another prototype I would show you the black version...it looks even better than the white one...
I think the black would suit the Natami/AROS really well...argh! Damn money! :D
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AROS has enough OEM's that actually support the development of AROS not just milking it. If we're going to hold one company to this standard we should hold everyone to it.
As the person who started the first corporation for AROS via Black Troll Technology Corporation, I completely agree.
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Damn...if I had some money left to make another prototype I would show you the black version...it looks even better than the white one...
I think the black would suit the Natami/AROS really well...argh! Damn money! :D
So is there a black version? I look forward to you showing us your work and making an announcement this weekend.Also what about trying to get community support to help you with stuff.Financial , technical etc. I may well order one for the natami and keep it on ice till natami sees the light of day.
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Right I've had enough. C=USA are clearly just scammers raping the Amiga brand sticking logos on Wintel computers in a case that has sweet FA to do with Amiga case designs so help me do what they should have done!
1. I plan to have A1200 and other cases replicated too (600 1000 or 3000 also, you choose) and a bespoke "Amiga" keyboard later on.
2. I want to fit them with 100% AROS compatible x86 hardware. I want to configure them to have AROS BIOS too.
3. I want to configure them out of the box to run dual boot AROS + Windows XP & Amiga emulator (£20 Amiga Forever OCS & AGA)
4. Nostalgic homage box + poly inserts + spiral bound user manuals
5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)
If you are interested please voice your support in my thread now. If enough people are interested I can start this project rolling with contacts in the industry I have.
I am sorry it is x86 not PPC but I cannot finance OS4 compatible PPC motherboard development. But if you want an x86 system like this please show support. A few members talked about donations to help (100% of your donations would be subtracted from purchase price of course).
Your project intriques me at least partially.I would be interested in seeing what you could do in terms of cases etc.Would they be Injection moulded,aluminium or vacum moulded? Im mostly only interested in classic amigas though.Also im curious to see what you with perhaps some support from the amiga community could achieve.I will be following this project to see where it might go and I applaud and would support any effort to do something constructive for the amiga.
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I would like an A1000 replica please.
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I'd be interested in a A1000 or A3000 style case, mini itx form factor - barebones.
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So is there a black version? I look forward to you showing us your work and making an announcement this weekend.Also what about trying to get community support to help you with stuff.Financial , technical etc. I may well order one for the natami and keep it on ice till natami sees the light of day.
Hi,
Thanks a lot.
Yes there will be a black version (although slightly more expensive than the white one, this is the reason I made the final prototype in white as I ran out of cash, couldn't afford a black one let alone both). :D
For an idea of the colour look here:
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
Click on the Minimig cases I made and you'll have an idea of texture and colour.
Shiny white and shiny black with an aluminium core, this can be left "natural" looking or sprayed in black or white depending what the community decide.
I just want to underline one thing: this is a one man project over several years so don't expect Apple design...I bang things together in the garage :D
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First fix is to stop reading and commenting threads about CUSA.
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I'd love a replica Amiga 1200 case. Would buy one and put a FPGA Arcade or Natami (if it ever gets released) in it and call it a day.
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Well the case is finished. I need to adjust one or two things but it's completed.
Being dimensionally based on the A500 (although my case is slightly shorter and thinner) it allows things that the A1200 shape doesn't.
I have got two or three more design (a 1200, 600 and 1000) in the works and a possible collaboration with ACube but it all depends on this one selling well first.
Take into account that with this design you can do whatever you like;
Want a retro looking case but powerful hardware running Windows/Linux/AROS? You can.
Want a SAM460/440 with OS4? You can.
Want a FPGAArcade inside? You can.
Want a NATAMI inside? You can.
Mini-itx or flex factor (up to one slot supported).
It's all custom made with a few bits off the shelves to save on costs.
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Well the case is finished. I need to adjust one or two things but it's completed.
Being dimensionally based on the A500 (although my case is slightly shorter and thinner) it allows things that the A1200 shape doesn't.
I have got two or three more design (a 1200, 600 and 1000) in the works and a possible collaboration with ACube but it all depends on this one selling well first.
Take into account that with this design you can do whatever you like;
Want a retro looking case but powerful hardware running Windows/Linux/AROS? You can.
Want a SAM460/440 with OS4? You can.
Want a FPGAArcade inside? You can.
Want a NATAMI inside? You can.
Mini-itx or flex factor (up to one slot supported).
It's all custom made with a few bits off the shelves to save on costs.
Good news.Some pics and more info please.
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I'd like scale model clones that take XQD cards instead of floppy discs, and have modern AV output.
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I've just read this thread. I did my own C64"x" time ago, just before they released it, and I'm posting on it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGtxqgfRV6Q
If I would have money I would do the same in an A500.
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The community should band together and buy the Amiga name. We could all be shareholders. Perhaps using something like Kickstarter for a project would be an idea. I would happily donate something (I am poor so might not be much)
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Some interesting ideas so far so thanks to everyone for their comments.
A couple of points I would like to say for future posts, as this is already a very complex project already and even after 4 pages there are some major distractions in the discussion which confuses the relevant messages I need to consider. So please when posting ask yourself if your comments are directly related to my project or a completely unrelated product, in which case you should probably start a new thread about it :)
OK I will try to address everyone's individual concerns or suggestions.
1. If you think of it from the point of view of I am going to do a bespoke cased system for myself and if anybody else likes it I could supply suitable case parts or certain interfaces e.g. the joystick/mouse 9pin adaptors. I am not necessarily starting a business here as such. I just KNOW that C=USA's effort is so pathetic I could do better. How much it will cost me to make one for myself I don't know but I know it IS possible to do much better.
2. The cases - there is no particularly difficult case to replicate but each case requires a lot of work by me to give to another party to produce. So for this reason I thought of what I thought was the most difficult to replicate. End of the day if we had some replica cases made up it comes down to quantity of solid orders with non-refundable deposits. So if 50 people wanted an A500 case that's fine, it's not limited to which case designs I personally like or AIO/3 box design only.
3. A few people have commented on PPC or FPGA systems. I am not going to start getting involved in purchasing such esoteric hardware but if for example the PPC boards can be accommodated in the case as far as size goes I have no problem with this.
4. The AROS thing, there has been a comment inferring I am just going to freeload off the AROS team. Firstly you don't know me so why assume the worst? Secondly it was just an idea but I did state I wanted an AROS BIOS system so obviously if AROS was to be factored into the hardware parts list I would have to forge relationships with people working on AROS. Finally if this was a business and I was selling such machines with the system pre-installed I would happily donate to AROS bounties etc, although If I was donating 10% of profits to AROS I would expect a say in for example what order new drivers are written in.
5. Case materials - I want to make a plastic cases for the AIO designs for sure. The A1000 was plastic too so see no problem with that either. Things like the A2000 style would have to be metal with a plastic front end. I don't believe you can replicate a shape with various slats and creases well using metal personally. I don't know how it will be done, the experts in the field or prototyping cases would decide exactly which process to use and which materials. 3D printing however does not produce a case you can use without a lot of labour intensive finishing so it will not be a 3D printer used. I still need to discuss this with a few companies anyway and I am nowhere near being able to comment on how this should be done yet. As soon as I contact these people they will want some technical designs to quote on too so this is a slow burn project so please bare that in mind
6. It may be that I don't use AROS anyway and just stick to Windows. It would be nice to have AROS but I am no expert on that OS at all (or anything NOT Windows based to be honest) so we shall see. The main focus is to produce something that looks nothing like what is off the shelf now (like Cybernet ZPC range etc) and something close to an original Amiga. I said quite honestly up front if this is not what you are looking for you won't be interested in what I build. However you may well ask me how did I make that case and how much would it cost to produce say 10 more for some members here.
7. Keyboards, obviously the ideal is an actual Amiga keyboard with only 10 F keys and only two keys above the cursor T block of keys in the middle. This would be nice and certainly expected on a $1500 machine but to be fair it's not like it's massively different to PC keyboards today, the Atari ST had bespoke rhomboid F keys and that I could understand but from a distance you wouldn't even know. Who knows what the future holds but like I said I am building something unique but if others want parts reproduced from any aspect of what I have done I am happy to sort that out. I have not set out to start a big business with offices etc over this. It's still just a little hobby project at this stage I hope others will find interesting.
8. The joystick adaptors, right these are something I am either going to purchase (I remember seeing them for €40 for two ports and they interface via standard USB headers) OR I will make them myself using some specialist parts and a soldering iron :) They don't need any drivers at all as they are not mapped to keys on the keyboard as Keyrah does it. As far as Windows is concerned a new joystick just got plugged into the USB port.
9. I want to put i7 based motherboards inside the machine I am building, however there are a couple of issues. The boards will no have any kind of PCI cards on them so the onboard GPU must be Nvidia or ATI and it must be of a very reasonable speed. Maybe AMD Phenom II would work out better I don't know yet. But the form factor more than likely will be Micro ATX. I don't like the way the interfaces will work out there on the back of the machine, there would be a lot of blank solid plastic apart from the 6x2 inch block of connections on the motherboard.
I think I have covered everything relevant so far, prod me if I've missed your question :)
If you think of this project first and foremost as being on to investigate the viability of making A1200-a-like (or other Amiga) cases in plastic today and nothing else you won't go far wrong.
What I will add is yes this project would be massively more simple and faster if I just used existing parts, but this is simply not sustainable, how many empty A1200 or A500 cases are around etc. I might do something like that with Keyrah as well though just for myself but I know full well that only a handful of people would be able to do that after me as the cases are hard to come by so this is of little interest to everyone.
What I am trying to find out from Amigans is what they would choose given the specs/restrictions.
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...but it won't be neither Commodore, nor Amiga, and especially not both! :p :python:
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...but it won't be neither Commodore, nor Amiga, and especially not both! :p :python:
But then nothing else for sale today counts Commodore died in 1994 and real Amigas died with them :)
I would be happy with building myself an A1200 lookalike machine that allows me to play Amiga games with a Zipstick :lol: If nobody else would like one that's cool.
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I was given a contact for a company that could possibly reproduce a keyboard layout identical to both C64 and Amiga. Will be interesting to get quotes.
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For those who doesn't see NG Amigas (PPC) as a solution, best way to support hobby would be finance Natami and try to get it manufactured in right place (China) ;)
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For those who doesn't see NG Amigas (PPC) as a solution, best way to support hobby would be finance Natami and try to get it manufactured in right place (China) ;)
It wouldnt make this product any cheaper.
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But then nothing else for sale today counts Commodore died in 1994 and real Amigas died with them :)
True! :)
I merely notice how some people (not necessarily you of course ;)) are totally blind brand-name followers the one day, prepared to throw thousands of dollars at mindless and absolutely insane HW projects with a buggy and incomplete OS that seems to be forever in beta, while not even wanting to have a look at the technical merits and specifications of projects like AROS and MorphOS since they are not Amiga(TM) and is as relevant to them as Windows or Linux because of them lacking the trade mark (technical merits has nothing to do with it), only to the other day make a 180 degree U-turn in their view of the significance of the trade mark as soon as some products will use the trade marks without the technical merits! First the trade mark is the only thing that matters, not any technical merits. Then it's suddenly the technical merits that matters (as long as it isn't AROS or MorphOS of course ;)), *not* the trade mark (which of course *still* matters to them anyway in some weird way, it's... eh, "complicated" :p)!
CUSA has really shaken the ground the BAF's stand on, the massive reactions on Amiga.org and AmigaWorld.net are proof of that, and I think this is a *huge* "LOL"! :lol:
Anyway (to reconnect to the topic of this thread); the real accomplishment of CUSA is obviously *not* putting some random, rudimentary x86 motherboard in a case! As you say, anyone can do that! The real accomplishment comes down to the rights to use the trade marks. CUSA's rights to the Amiga brand is far better than Hyperion's for example, and the Commodore brand has only been in people's fantasies until CUSA made it happen. Putting these two together is *not* something trivial.
To me, the trade mark couldn't be less important though, it was a decade or more since the Amiga name completely lost its meaning to me, and even longer for the Commodore one. But I wouldn't belittle this accomplishment, and I think it can mean solid cash to CUSA for the right kind of product combination. But obviously not from the "Amiga community", but that's not important, nobody can make a living out of this bunch of people anyway. A much too small group, and to crazy/religious for any rational entity to get involved with. It's the Church of the Holy Amiga! And the Friedens are its God's, Ben Herman is its messiah, and ssolie & Co are preaching the truth to its followers, and everyone interfering or disturbing the peace with boring things as rationality, is quickly branded infidels and blasphemer's. I very much doubt that CUSA would want to get involved too much with that, there isn't anything for them to gain anyway, so all these "CUSA rage threads" are kind of pointless and is only spamming the boards.
I would be happy with building myself an A1200 lookalike machine that allows me to play Amiga games with a Zipstick :lol: If nobody else would like one that's cool.
I don't understand this fetish some people have for computers in a keyboard? :confused: Those things sucks! I can see how it made sense back in the early days of computing, and back then people didn't know better anyway. But today? No, give me a true Amiga 3000 *replica* case, or 4000, or even 4000T! :) And I mean *reaplica* as a true replication of the exterior (the internals should of course follow the ATX standards), minus the trade mark stickers of course (you wouldn't get the rights to use them anyway, unless you partner up with CUSA of course :D); I will put the blue butterfly stickers there myself! :)
But then again, I think you *vastly* underestimates the efforts and resources needed to make something like the C64x case, and I doubt very much you would succeed (and no, I'm not interested in a "Soviet Tank" style case made of bent sheet metal that looks like your 12 year old kid brought home from some crafting class at school :lol:)...
Heck, I think you even underestimate the effort and resources needed to put up a solid, sustainable business of simply "putting some random, rudimentary x86 motherboard in a case", but good luck...! :)
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I really don't get the computer in a keyboard fetish either. The first thing I did with my 1200s is put them in a proper tower. Great computers, dumb concept. I hate wires going to keyboards, I've had some form of wireless keyboard an my main computes for over a decade.
I also question the value of the commodore and amiga names to the average person. To a lot of people familiar with the original commodore think of it as cheap plastic crap. Ask the average person what computer means quality a Dell, an HP or a commodore and 99 out of a 100 will say either dell or hp....
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I think the Tandy name needs to come back, now those were real computers!
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The main problem is everybody wants a different kind of case, with different motherboards, divide that into the size of community and it is a recipe for financial disaster.
My gut feeling is the fantasy case made to take itx size motherboards, ie. Intel Atom/ion for Aros and Sam for AmigaOS would be the way to go if I had the cash to fund another project.
Personally as I am trying to get Aros onto Raspberry Pi the same case would be amazing to go with that card as well. But the only problem will be the keyboard.
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I would like an A1000 replica please.
Don't know what Daddy is planning, but getting the C= A1000X out this year is Leo's baby.
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I would be more concerned that Digiman could be considered an OEM making a computer with an "Amiga-like OS" myself, that could be an issue.
Is Digiman hired by or anyhow connected to Amiga Inc? Has I got a license from Amiga Inc? Is him going to sell Amiga branded computers?
The answer to all these questions is NO, so there is absolutely NO PROBLEM in being a OEM making a computer with an Amiga-like OS.
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I know a lot of people, generally speaking not just Amigans, who don't like the old A500/600/1200 style of computer.
I would go one further and say given regular computer buyers/first time computer buyers only have the option of purchasing LCD monitors and an LCD monitor on top of a desktop case doesn't work either.
It's not about getting HP or Lenovo etc to make AIO keyboards again it's about nostalgia. Having a machine that looks 99% like and you can play your favourite Amiga games on or write stuff in Blitz Basic with.
I always said this is all a fact finding exercise really, because what case you try and replicate and which OS you put on their is immaterial. The same company who would be able to make you an Amiga 1200 case would also be able to make you an Amiga 1000 or 3000 case too. I don't even own an A3000 case anyway at the moment and I would need to own at least an empty A3000 case to do technical specifications for any discussions with a case manufacturer.
Also, as it is more like a kit than a car driven away from a showroom the same ethos applies regarding the most optimistic outcome of what I may be able to offer people who share a common dream with me. I may start with an A1200 case in white with a white keyboard but there is no reason why it can not end in an A3000 case with an Amiga layout keyboard too. The skills are there it's a matter of investment over return. I can't justify building myself an Amiga 1000 alon
The cases are the first step, without this all we would have is a Mac Mini case rip-off with some free case engraving like *you know who* ;)
Just going to prove you don't have to be as rich as Mr BS to not cock up the Amiga project so badly and if they wanted to could have given the same effort as the C64x
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Is Digiman hired by or anyhow connected to Amiga Inc? Has I got a license from Amiga Inc? Is him going to sell Amiga branded computers?
The answer to all these questions is NO, so there is absolutely NO PROBLEM in being a OEM making a computer with an Amiga-like OS.
No I will be creating the "Amigar 1200" ;)
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I don't understand those who doesn't understand why some people want to spend their money to things they want to have and want to tell repeatedly how stupid an almost insane those people are . I belive those people have some kind of megalomaniac personality disorder, because they themself so much smarter and more intelligent than others, without any respect of them.
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True! :)
I merely notice how some people (not necessarily you of course ;)) are totally blind brand-name followers the one day, prepared to throw thousands of dollars at mindless and absolutely insane HW projects with a buggy and incomplete OS that seems to be forever in beta, while not even wanting to have a look at the technical merits and specifications of projects like AROS and MorphOS
Maybe some people are simply put off by the hostile attitudes of supporters such as yourself.
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I know a lot of people, generally speaking not just Amigans, who don't like the old A500/600/1200 style of computer.
I would go one further and say given regular computer buyers/first time computer buyers only have the option of purchasing LCD monitors and an LCD monitor on top of a desktop case doesn't work either.
It's not about getting HP or Lenovo etc to make AIO keyboards again it's about nostalgia. Having a machine that looks 99% like and you can play your favourite Amiga games on or write stuff in Blitz Basic with.
I always said this is all a fact finding exercise really, because what case you try and replicate and which OS you put on their is immaterial. The same company who would be able to make you an Amiga 1200 case would also be able to make you an Amiga 1000 or 3000 case too. I don't even own an A3000 case anyway at the moment and I would need to own at least an empty A3000 case to do technical specifications for any discussions with a case manufacturer.
Also, as it is more like a kit than a car driven away from a showroom the same ethos applies regarding the most optimistic outcome of what I may be able to offer people who share a common dream with me. I may start with an A1200 case in white with a white keyboard but there is no reason why it can not end in an A3000 case with an Amiga layout keyboard too. The skills are there it's a matter of investment over return. I can't justify building myself an Amiga 1000 alon
The cases are the first step, without this all we would have is a Mac Mini case rip-off with some free case engraving like *you know who* ;)
Just going to prove you don't have to be as rich as Mr BS to not cock up the Amiga project so badly and if they wanted to could have given the same effort as the C64x
Im more interested in an a500/a1200/a600 style case or the Amiga fantasy case which looks perfect.Ive heard making moulds for injection moulding is quite costly though.If you can accomplish making such a case from plastic would you consider contacting the Team Natami guys? Because this community is quite small synergy between different groups is i believe essential for many reasons.Many people are interested in Natami too so any product that could serve the needs of your project and say Natami would be mutually beneficial.A wider customer base would then be able to support your product financially and otherwise. Im more of a classic amiga fan so natami is my preferred system fingers crossed team natami succeed.
Your project interests me too and I will be following it closely I like the sound of an a1200 like case/system.
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Right I've had enough. C=USA are clearly just scammers raping the Amiga brand sticking logos on Wintel computers in a case that has sweet FA to do with Amiga case designs so help me do what they should have done!
1. I plan to have A1200 and other cases replicated too (600 1000 or 3000 also, you choose) and a bespoke "Amiga" keyboard later on.
2. I want to fit them with 100% AROS compatible x86 hardware. I want to configure them to have AROS BIOS too.
3. I want to configure them out of the box to run dual boot AROS + Windows XP & Amiga emulator (£20 Amiga Forever OCS & AGA)
4. Nostalgic homage box + poly inserts + spiral bound user manuals
5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)
If you are interested please voice your support in my thread now. If enough people are interested I can start this project rolling with contacts in the industry I have.
I am sorry it is x86 not PPC but I cannot finance OS4 compatible PPC motherboard development. But if you want an x86 system like this please show support. A few members talked about donations to help (100% of your donations would be subtracted from purchase price of course).
I'd love an AROS box in a A3000 replica case and keyboard. Just change the embossed Amiga to AROS.
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Just offer barebones cases is all I ask. I would have bought a X1000 had there been a mobo only option. Partner up with the various camps perhaps to provide fully built options for those that don't wish to build their own.
How cool would it be to be able to buy an A3000 repro case, with your choice of a OS4 PPC board in it, or a FPGA solution, or an AROS capable/certified board in it? The best of all worlds, an absolute dream.
In this day and age, anyone that can use a screwdriver can put a "PC" together inside a case. Though I am fully understanding in the fact that some people prefer to buy prebuilts, so no insult intended towards those folks.
I find prebuilt machines absolutely stifling, and haven't bought one for nearly 20 years.
That way, a Mini-ITX Amiga 1000 or A 3000 "like" case, a guy has a lot more options than just a set build. FPGA or minimig board? Sure! SAM? Sure! Mini-ITX intel/AMD/Atom powered board? Sure! Motherboards come with their own backplane/IO plates for a reason.
I own a lot of PC's, and change mobos between cases very, very often. The joy of standardized mobo dimensions means I could jam any Mini-ITX board into a Mini-ITX capable case, whether it be my SAM board, Minimig, or even a spare x86 Mini ITX board into it.
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Is Digiman hired by or anyhow connected to Amiga Inc? Has I got a license from Amiga Inc? Is him going to sell Amiga branded computers?
The answer to all these questions is NO, so there is absolutely NO PROBLEM in being a OEM making a computer with an Amiga-like OS.
Good. My concern was genuine, I would hate to see someone getting any legal grief just because of a genuine desire to help the community.
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Why?
No reason. Just personal taste. I have the FPGA bug at the moment :)
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Anything come of this?Any updates?