MOS / OS4 FAQ

[System]

Some notes:

> 1.2 What we know about AmigaOS4

There's a very extensive feature list. (There currently isn't one available publicly for MorphOS though)

> 1.4 Who is behind AmigaOS4
> It is a Hyperion project comissioned by Amiga Inc.

Hyperion *lead* project, would be more correct.

> 1.7 What do you mean "certified AmigaONE"
> AmigaONEs in the current generation are stock PPC motherboards with an "anti-
> piracy" feature locking the board to a particular installation of
> AmigaOS4.0.

This is very misleading as the board is not locked to AmigaOS4, but instead AmigaOS4 is "locked" to the board. It can run any other OS.

> 1.8 What is this "legal stink" or "FUD" between Amiga INC and MorphOS
> No real facts are known, at this stage it is all conjecture apart from
> allegation and counter allegation made on public fora by people that should
> know better.

Although public available facts are real thin. (and in an ideal situation this should remain this way) Some facts are publicly known, such as Bill McEwen's statements. It is publicly known that the MorphOS team denies usage of AmigaOS source code, but does not want to make a statement with regard to access to AmigaOS source code.

> It is claimed by some that Haage&Partner will not let Amiga INC use the
> AmigaOS 3.5+ source. No details are available to the public on this either.

This is of course impossible as many other coders instead of only H&P coders were involved. (use of *some* source code would therefor be more accurate)

> 1.9 Why is there a FUD war?
> It is in the interest of each party that both sides have their extremist
> advocates that spread misinformation and innuendo to undermine the
> credibility of each solution. We ask you to judge the products by their
> merits on release and stay above such behaviour.

I do not agree, IMO it is in neither party's best interest.

[System]

Just one little question. Why didn't you take the time to mail the maintainer of the site?

There's a link to do that on the page, and if you think the text is wrong you really should use it.

Regards,
Zerohero

[System]

Actually there is no link on that page. But I have emailed the maintainer.

I only just read through that page and therefor I thought it would be a good idea to respond. I doubt everyone will go through that list everyday to see if the "facts" are still up-to-date.

[System]

No, I am not sour, but IMO it would have been best to let Ben Hermans and other leading (MorphOS/Amiga Inc) figures read this list and wait for their responses, at least before releasing this as *the* facts or "FUDBUSTER" list publicly.

This statement bothers me the most however:

"It is in the interest of each party that both sides have their extremist advocates that spread misinformation"

I could not disagree more. IMO such acts hurt the entire Amiga community.

[System]

> it is in Amiga Incs interest to have doubts over the
> legality of a competitor product ( true )

I do not agree, however IMO it is very important for the Amiga community to understand why legal action(s) may have to be taken.

But IMO it is NOT in Amiga Inc's interest for people to believe that  the Amiga market includes criminals.

[System]

IMO you are wrong, these issues will result in *less* AmigaOS4 and MorphOS sales. Because of these issues, Amiga Inc is viewed as incompetent and the Amiga market as a bunch of situation abusing criminals.

For the record, nobody of you know if legal action is being taken, or if some cases deserve priority, as they are easier to win and there are only limited resources available.

[System]

This list is being presented as a non-biased facts list. But actually it combines facts, with opinions and some misleading information I have pointed out. IMO there is enough available of that already.

I truly dislike the idea that people who spread misinformation around do somehow something positive for market or community.

[System]

"1.10 What can I do? "

http://aurora.merseine.nu/fudbuster/

"You can correct this FAQ by emailing the maintainer at: [ reflect at phreaker.net ] "

Funnily enough, that last part in the square brackets translates to a valid email address:  reflect @ freaker.net (obviously trying to avoid spambots..)

[System]

> investors would look on public forums ?

They do read OSNews.com for example.

[System]

It is named "fudbuster" which in itself implies that it brings facts. Only much later into the text it says that the list may also contain inaccurate information - that should stand at the top of it.

[System]

H&P = germany based company
Amiga Inc. = usa based company

different laws = lots of work for lawyers

also there are opinions involved, since bernie claims to have invoked a clause that would negate the contract while H&P claims that clause was not or could not be invoked.

[System]

Although personally I still would have liked to see some details changed. The current FAQ is much better, the two points that bothered me the most have changed.

1) No justfication is given anymore for spreading FUD or misinformation by extremists.

2) It doesn't state A1 boards are locked to AmigaOS4 anymore.

Goody work.