I didn't write my post to offend any users of AmigaOS4.x, MorphOS, AROS, or AmigaOS3.x on Classic Amiga hardware, FPGA clones, or modern hardware running emulation.
I took no offense at all, and hope I didn't offend you either.
... can only be considered equal to mainstream systems that are at least a decade old,
I agree completely. Any comparison of an Amiga to a mainstream system will favor the mainstream by price, performance, availablility, support, and software available. On that we completely agree.
Unless we reach a market share that would support large batch manufacturing, and a user base big enough to attract manufacturers and programmers, this is not likely to change. I don't expect that to happen.
I, personally, am not terribly interested in programming nor using a Windows platform. A course I once took ended with an introduction to the Win32 API, and if I never see it again I'll be quite grateful.
I suppose the difference between our opinions might relate to the relative comparison. As long as we measure our success by comparing it to the Windows community, (or even the Linux community), we will pale by comparison.
But I meant to compare my current Amiga to any of my previous ones.
I have owned quite a few Amiga1000 machines, often with hand made hardware additions. I owned an A4000 Desktop, that had an 040 installed. And I own a micro-AmigaOne.
My first A1000 was bought used, because I could not afford a new one. It was amazing. The 4000D was a great upgrade in speed, and I loved it too.
The micro was a big change. It was tiny, not terribly stable, and the OS was still in early stages. It certainly had it's flaws, but after using it for six months I sold or gave away all my classic Amigas. After going to AmigaOS there just wasn't much fun in the classics for me.
Then the X1000 was delivered. Yes, it's expensive, but after adjusting for inflation it costs less than the original Amiga1000.
When I sit in front of the X1000, I get a better overall experience compared to any of the Amigas I have owned before. It is faster, it is more capable, the OS is very solid, and the hardware is.. well, it's not a micro.
There will always be "something more" to wait for. whether some driver or some feature in the OS, we will NEVER be complete. and that is a GOOD thing. Because once we are done we risk not growing any more. And that would be the worst possible news.
Just as there will always be something more, there will always be people waiting impatiently for it. Those of us that are still here are ALL passionate about our love for Amiga, either in one or many of its flavors. Without that passion the Amiga flame would have gone out long ago. THe down side of having such a passionate following is.. well. You're a moderator, I don't need to tell you what happens.
... My comment was not meant to offend, or disappoint.
Nor was mine, in any way. You and I have met, and I have a great respect for your work. which could probably be described as "community service". The more folks like you among us, the better off we will all be.
My wife is calling, and I may have exceeded the post length limit.
Goodnight, my friends
