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Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga News and Community Announcements => Topic started by: RobertB on January 18, 2013, 02:20:07 AM

Title: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: RobertB on January 18, 2013, 02:20:07 AM
Barry Altman, CEO of Commodore USA, passed away in December, but news of this was not announced until now. For the official announcement, see

http://forums.commodore.net/showthread.php?1339-Barry-s-Altman-(1949-2012)

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: gertsy on January 18, 2013, 11:08:04 PM
Sad to hear.  RIP.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: kedawa on January 19, 2013, 04:40:23 AM
Meh.  I'm sure the Barry Altman X will make a fine substitute.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Duce on January 19, 2013, 07:00:29 AM
My sincere condolences to his friends and family.  A little odd seeing Twitter activity from a man who has passed on though, heh.  

https://twitter.com/CEOatCUSA
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Lurch on January 19, 2013, 09:41:04 AM
Strange the last tweet was the 16th of Jan? :-/ Spooky.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: mrmoonlight on January 19, 2013, 10:47:29 AM
Hi what a sad loss a great man ,i liked this story of Moochie ,his dog ,it seems he was on the board of Directors
(http://www.commodoreusa.net/j/pixel.gif)(http://www.commodoreusa.net/j/pixel.gif)Moochie, an English Boxhead Golden Retriever, is Barry' s constant companion and closest advisor. At the age of 4 months, Moochie began his formal education at the International Canine Center for Clandestine Operations. The ICCCO is sanctioned and funded as a joint effort of the CIA, Homeland Security, Mossad, NCIS and MI5 in the UK.
 
After one year, Moochie completed his training and received his Security Level 5 Certification. His international accreditations includes terrorist and "Black Op's" interdictions, counter espionage infiltration and weapons/lethal force combat control. Moochie proudly served our country until his duty assignment successfully terminated in June, 2009 after having completed tours in the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.
 
Upon his retirement, Moochie took up his first love, acting....and is now spending his days auditioning for TV commercials everywhere. His role model and mentor is the sausage craving manic canine in the Pupperoni ads, and hopes to one day to be nominated for a "Best Thumbless Actor in a four legged role". In fact, if he did have thumbs...he'd be typing his own profile right now.....on a Commodore computer
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Duce on January 19, 2013, 02:14:46 PM
Neat, I always thought the "Moochie" name was a reference or delusions of grandeur towards the late, great Jay Miner (Mitchie).
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: qwerty40001 on January 19, 2013, 02:16:53 PM
Barry Altman died.

Hurray!  

This is very good news for our community.  

This man was a pathetic idiot, all and his ideas what to do with Amiga brand is to sell off the shelf pc in overpiced cases.

He lived like a dog die like a dog.  

Maybe next time, the brand will go into the hands of someone who will be smart enough  to do something with it.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Sutty100 on January 19, 2013, 02:22:13 PM
Quote from: qwerty40001;723184
Barry Altman died.

Hurray!  

This is very good news for our community.  

This man was a pathetic idiot, all and his ideas what to do with Amiga brand is to sell off the shelf pc in overpiced cases.

He lived like a dog die like a dog.  

Maybe next time, the brand will go into the hands of someone who will be smart enough  to do something with it.


Wow...bit over the top and crazy sounding...
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Rob on January 19, 2013, 02:58:19 PM
Quote from: qwerty40001;723184
Barry Altman died.

Hurray!  

This is very good news for our community.  

This man was a pathetic idiot, all and his ideas what to do with Amiga brand is to sell off the shelf pc in overpiced cases.

He lived like a dog die like a dog.  

Maybe next time, the brand will go into the hands of someone who will be smart enough  to do something with it.


What a disrespectful tw@t.  However you felt about Barry you should in no way be celebrating  his death, it's not like he was some mass murderer or child abuser.  You almost make some of the appalling behaviour over at moobunny seem justified.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: mrmoonlight on January 19, 2013, 03:35:05 PM
Quote from: qwerty40001;723184
Barry Altman died.
 
Hurray!
 
This is very good news for our community.
 
This man was a pathetic idiot, all and his ideas what to do with Amiga brand is to sell off the shelf pc in overpiced cases.
 
He lived like a dog die like a dog.
 
Maybe next time, the brand will go into the hands of someone who will be smart enough to do something with it.

Hey thats not nice my friend ,show a little bit of respect .
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: gertsy on January 19, 2013, 03:45:46 PM
I've never understood what makes people think that twitter hash tags are in anyway authenticated to an individual. All you need is an email address and you can be whoever you want. #naïve
Admins: qwerty4001's post contravenes posting rules and should be removed. Not worth replying to. It's beyond not nice, He talks of dogs yet acts worse than dogs.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Markus_Bieler on January 19, 2013, 04:28:57 PM
Quote from: qwerty40001;723184
barry altman died.

Hurray!


:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: crawff on January 19, 2013, 05:13:57 PM
@qwerty40001

If your in the UK, PM me your address and i will come round and knock some sense into ya.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: CritAnime on January 19, 2013, 05:16:38 PM
Qwerty posted this over on moo too. Regardless agreed with how the man  did certain things you don't post something as utterly disgraceful as that. Especially given the horrendous way he passed away.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: spirantho on January 19, 2013, 05:35:37 PM
Quote from: crawff;723204
@qwerty40001

If your in the UK, PM me your address and i will come round and knock some sense into ya.


Hey, why limit yourself to the UK? We could have a whip round and buy you flight tickets. Would be in a good cause!


Seriously, Barry's ideas I rarely agreed with. In fact, I don't agree with just about anything he did with C=USA, except maybe the C64x which was a reasonable idea poorly implemented.

However, whatever the guy did, whether he was doing a cynical marketing ploy or really believing in what he did, one thing remains...
He was still a husband, father and family member. Just because you don't agree with someone's plans is no cause for the kind of behaviour exhibited above.

RIP Barry Altman - I didn't agree with what you did, but I'd never wish what happened to you on anyone.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: haywirepc on January 19, 2013, 06:48:38 PM
I agree, even if you didn't like the guy (and I think most here didn't) at least have some sympathy for his friends and family...

But lets also not rewrite history... Calling him a "celebrity" ? Really?


And the even worse news...

Now the commodore name rights, which I believe were already in legal limbo hell have yet another layer of mess to prevent someone else from using the name...

And now silly billy and amiga inc won't make tens of thousands of cents from the amiga stickers.... He may have to break down and get a real job.

And what will Leo do now? Getting a job as a chief technical officer for a computer company when you can't even write a script file right is not easy.
Not many jobs out there for guys who make commodore wallpapers.

And what about all the cool aid drinkers? As predicted, the second coming fails... What will all the cusa cheer leaders do now?

The commodore curse continues...
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: klx300r on January 19, 2013, 07:00:12 PM
R.I.P Barry

@ mods

please delete the ignorant and disrespectful post no.8 on this thread as it reflects poorly on this site and our community.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: commodorejohn on January 19, 2013, 07:06:21 PM
Quote from: haywirepc;723215
I agree, even if you didn't like the guy (and I think most here didn't) at least have some sympathy for his friends and family...

But lets also not rewrite history... Calling him a "celebrity" ? Really?
Exactly. There's no call for being an ásshole about the fact that he died, but if people are gonna start fawning over his memory and calling him a "celebrity" and a "great man" just to avoid looking like qwerty, I'm gonna have to start dredging up old Barry quotes for perspective.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: cicero790 on January 19, 2013, 08:21:03 PM
Condolences to family and friends.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: dammy on January 19, 2013, 08:28:59 PM
Quote from: commodorejohn;723218
but if people are gonna start fawning over his memory and calling him a "celebrity" and a "great man" just to avoid looking like qwerty, I'm gonna have to start dredging up old Barry quotes for perspective.


Wow, that would be such a classy act!  Oh wait, a classy act would to be ignore threads about dead people you don't like instead of posting digs at the dead.  My bad!
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: commodorejohn on January 19, 2013, 08:57:30 PM
Quote from: dammy;723224
Wow, that would be such a classy act!  Oh wait, a classy act would to be ignore threads about dead people you don't like instead of posting digs at the dead.  My bad!
Well, if people will keep their own posts in perspective, then I won't have to do it for them.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Kesa on January 19, 2013, 09:09:50 PM
I think all these "condolences" are a little over the top. With all the abuse some of you guys here gave him and all the ill will you gave his CUSA the condolences you are giving him seem a little hypocritical. One minute he is much hated then you find out he is dead and suddenly he turns into a much loved celebrity? Seriously?

Fine, you all made it clear a long time ago that you really hate the guy. Say your condolences or even better say nothing. Just stop pretending you liked the guy.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Blizz1220 on January 19, 2013, 09:33:28 PM
So even when your "enemy" is dead your hate burns eternal.
I can only guess you get in a lot of fights and wonder why is this so ...
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: commodorejohn on January 19, 2013, 09:41:57 PM
Quote from: Blizz1220;723231
So even when your "enemy" is dead your hate burns eternal.
I can only guess you get in a lot of fights and wonder why is this so ...
I don't know why I'm dignifying this with a response, but no. I don't hate Barry, and I never have. I did, however, find his online behavior thoroughly rude and childish and his business practices questionable at best, as did many other people here, which is why I'm stunned that this has turned into such a boot-licking competition the minute we found out that he died (which is sad in any case, and especially for his family.) Respect for the dead does not and should not mean pretending that they were flawless saints, but that's exactly what's happening here.

(And no. I don't get in fights, and I never have. When will you people learn that I don't give a tinker's damn about your pathetic attempts at armchair psychology?)
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: persia on January 19, 2013, 09:58:00 PM
So are there any C64s to be liquidated with the company?  I'd like one as a novelty.  I want to put Windows 8 on it.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: spirantho on January 19, 2013, 10:20:26 PM
Quote from: Kesa;723229
I think all these "condolences" are a little over the top. With all the abuse some of you guys here gave him and all the ill will you gave his CUSA the condolences you are giving him seem a little hypocritical. One minute he is much hated then you find out he is dead and suddenly he turns into a much loved celebrity? Seriously?

Fine, you all made it clear a long time ago that you really hate the guy. Say your condolences or even better say nothing. Just stop pretending you liked the guy.


There's a huge difference between hating someone and hating their actions.
Personally, I hate what C=USA did with the Amiga name - but never in a million years would I or any other sane(ish) person on here wish him to get cancer like this, no matter what he did. No computer is worth a human life.

I don't see the hypocrisy in slating his actions when he was alive, and yet offering condolences now - quite the opposite in fact. It shows that when it comes right down to it, we're all human, and in situations like this we're all the same whatever camp we're in.

I don't think any of the people so critical of C=USA would ever wish this on him.

That said, neither should we rewrite history and make him something he wasn't. He was a businessman, pure and simple. But more importantly, he was someone's family... and that's why we can all offer condolences, no matter how much we jumped up and down about his business practices.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: eliyahu on January 19, 2013, 10:36:48 PM
@thread

wow. i take my normal saturday break and this happens. this was the third thread on the subject of barry's passing, and i'm sorry to see that conduct hasn't improved. i'd like to thank @Argo for moderating this thread and would like to remind people that this forum is designed to be a friendly place to discuss our hobby and the amiga platform in general.

it is not a place to insult, degrade, or threaten people, and that goes double for people who have passed away. for heavens' sake no one should have to remind anyone around here to behave like adults. so, you know, please play nicely.

-- eliyahu
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Duce on January 19, 2013, 11:08:11 PM
I detested everything C-USA did with the Commodore name.  I found the way C-USA, and Barry in particular - treated the community to be abhorrent.  But at the end of the day, it's a computer hobby.  Not war crimes or mass genocide.

That being said, I never harbored any ill will towards the man, or any ill will towards C-USA - not even when the C-USA minions were harassing me and making goofy vague threats via pm's.

A man lost his life under the worst of the worst situations.  I've lost many people to cancer, and it is never remotely even understandable or tolerable to deal with for the bystanders, much less the victims of this foul bloody disease.  Children of this man lost their Father.  Love or hate the guy during his time on earth, don't be a damned turd now.  Have some civility and show some respect.

Getting snarky and saying things like that other fellow did in the thread earlier is extremely bad karma.

Rest In Peace.  'Nuff said, no?
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Plaz on January 20, 2013, 01:28:14 AM
Quote from: commodorejohn;723233
I'm stunned that this has turned into such a boot-licking competition the minute we found out that he died


"Stop saying nice things about the deceased because I didn't like him"

Please give it a rest John. If you don't like the wake, don't participate.

Plaz
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: ChaosLord on January 20, 2013, 06:57:58 AM
I wasn't aware that Barry Altman created any Amiga-related products.

Please list all Amiga-related products that Barry Altman created.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: rewlako on January 20, 2013, 09:37:15 AM
I hate CUSA with every inch of my body, and disagree with basically everything I've read from mr.Altman.

I'm his enemy, but also a gentleman and more importantly human. I wish nobody dead. As another poster said, he was a husband, father, probably uncle and brother, colleague, boss, friend and much more. They have all lost someone important and dear.

My condolances.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: swoslover on January 20, 2013, 01:50:44 PM
Some of the petty sniping at a dead man is pathetic and reflects badly on these people as individuals.

As for Barry he excited and infuriated me in equal measure.

While he was around things were certainly interesting to say the least.

I offer my condolences to his friends and family.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: kedawa on January 21, 2013, 04:18:48 AM
We may as well rename this place WhiteKnight.org
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Bamiga2002 on January 21, 2013, 06:52:52 AM
Why can you criticize a person when he's alive but not after he's dead? Are those things mutually exclusive or something?
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: HenryCase on January 21, 2013, 02:15:03 PM
Quote from: Bamiga2002;723398
Why can you criticize a person when he's alive but not after he's dead? Are those things mutually exclusive or something?


When a person dies, it is a reminder that despite our differences we are all human. It's a time to let go of past grievances. Death will come to us all, and is probably the most difficult thing we have to face, let people go through it with some dignity.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: psxphill on January 21, 2013, 02:23:56 PM
Quote from: commodorejohn;723233
When will you people learn that I don't give a tinker's damn about your pathetic attempts at armchair psychology?)

When you start acting like you don't care.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: trekiej on January 22, 2013, 05:38:48 PM
Rest in peace.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Bamiga2002 on January 23, 2013, 07:16:56 AM
Quote from: HenryCase;723426
When a person dies, it is a reminder that despite our differences we are all human. It's a time to let go of past grievances. Death will come to us all, and is probably the most difficult thing we have to face, let people go through it with some dignity.

A persons death doesn't automatically wipe off any ill-doings of this person (this is generally speaking!). RIP Barry, but things must still be open for discussion. It doesn't take away any respect for a dead person. This is IMHO.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: brenry on January 23, 2013, 04:39:40 PM
Quote from: Bamiga2002;723650
A persons death doesn't automatically wipe off any ill-doings of this person (this is generally speaking!). RIP Barry, but things must still be open for discussion. It doesn't take away any respect for a dead person. This is IMHO.

everyone seems to love and respect michael jackson now.  i'd imagine if obama kicked the bucket, a week later everyone would be praising how great of a person he was.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: partycentralpartygirl on January 23, 2013, 09:43:36 PM
Quote from: brenry;723690
everyone seems to love and respect michael jackson now.  i'd imagine if obama kicked the bucket, a week later everyone would be praising how great of a person he was.


I loved Michael Jackson the whole time. Anyone who didn't like him wouldn't be any fun at a party. :lol:
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Iggy on January 23, 2013, 10:44:58 PM
Quote from: brenry;723690
everyone seems to love and respect michael jackson now.  i'd imagine if obama kicked the bucket, a week later everyone would be praising how great of a person he was.

I love the guy.
And he doesn't have to die for me and a lot of other person to feel that way.

Wouldn't say I necessarily loved Barry, but after talking to him he had my grudging respect (Jobs is still a knob though).
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: EDanaII on January 24, 2013, 12:53:19 AM
Quote from: brenry;723690
everyone seems to love and respect michael jackson now.  i'd imagine if obama kicked the bucket, a week later everyone would be praising how great of a person he was.


You're analogy is apt, but the answer to your question is in the degree of difference between your examples.

Barry threatened the Amiga brand in the minds of some -- I certainly would have preferred he leave it alone -- but what was hurt, really? He was selling the name of a dead brand, that is all. Micheal Jackson was a mixed up goofball. If you accept that he was a child-molester, then he hurt a handful of people. President Obama, OTOH, if he continues down his current path and ends up bankrupting the USA -- and as a consequence, hurting the World's economy as well -- will hurt a WHOLE bunch of people.

The swiftness by which people forgive any of them is always proportional to the damage they caused. In the grand scheme of things, Barry's "damage" was nothing.

My two cents.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: eliyahu on January 24, 2013, 12:57:03 AM
@EDanall

let's keep politics out of this thread, please. it's off-topic and we have a whole separate forum on here for that. ;)

-- eliyahu
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: persia on January 24, 2013, 02:13:27 AM
Quote from: brenry;723690
everyone seems to love and respect michael jackson now.  i'd imagine if obama kicked the bucket, a week later everyone would be praising how great of a person he was.


Ummm, I would say getting 65 million votes means people like you, even against a forgettable generic opponent.  Sounds like you've been drinking Fox News Koolaid....
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Iggy on January 24, 2013, 02:47:38 AM
Quote from: persia;723747
Ummm, I would say getting 65 million votes means people like you, even against a forgettable generic opponent.  Sounds like you've been drinking Fox News Koolaid....

:p Love it!

But, "let's keep politics out of this thread..".
We might want to get back on topic before we're moderated.

When does anyone think we'll know if C-USA is moving forward?
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Kesa on January 24, 2013, 05:12:02 AM
I wonder what his family will do with CUSA that they have inherited?
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Amiga_Nut on February 06, 2013, 11:54:18 PM
The C64x was on balance a better idea than it not having appeared, after speaking to bespoke keyboard and case manufacturers I did have a better opinion of it as a business idea and it's ultimate failure to hit a low enough price point.

Sure I didn't like any of the other ideas they come up with but still as someone who has no religious beliefs of any kind I wouldn't wish death on anybody. The products don't matter, the interest in C64s with all the media garnered from the C64x was still positive on balance even if the product needed a little tweaking.

However, you don't have to be buddies with someone to give the human courtesy of offering condolences to the family and friends of Barry of course, and it is also not hypocritical to give them.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: Amiga_Nut on February 06, 2013, 11:56:27 PM
Quote from: Kesa;723757
I wonder what his family will do with CUSA that they have inherited?


I suspect outside the C64x case and keyboard package the rest of the inventory would not hold a huge value IMO. Whether a stock dump and closure of the business occurs or whether it continues as is I can't really say but am also interested.
Title: Re: Commodore USA's C64x Creator & Celebrity Barry Altman dies
Post by: persia on February 07, 2013, 12:53:15 AM
It likely depends on Big Ben Aussie, if he has walked away the company might as well close.  Poor guy, he has a family he needs to support, he does need to walk away.