Amiga OS 4 should be ported over to the xx86.

[coldfish]

A couple of years ago I wouldve agreed with this thread, now I no longer care what happens to OS4.  Ive got Windows for WinUAE and Ubuntu for learning something new and different. Both have massive software support, which is what I want.

Once AROS offers a browser, that'll do me for an Amiga OS on x86 to toy with.

If by some chance OS4 does turn up on x86, what would be the point beyond giving present Amiga users something to go on with?

[coldfish]

neon32, you need to update your opinions.

-The Mhz war -is- over, its about multi-core now.
 
-There are passive x86 CPUs, (try Via mini/nanoITX for a start).  I think we'll start to see more in this area in 6-12 months.

I agree it's no good having just one type of CPU out there, but the x86 is fortunate in that is has two major developers who constantly try to out-do one another on price and performance.  Keeping innovation and value to the consumer extremely high.

What does PPC architecture offer, apart from some vague "spiritual" heredity to the 680x0 of yore?  No really "real" (ie, Built and sold by Commodore) Amiga was built with that CPU.  Yet they used x86 based CPUs in several machines...

[coldfish]

@Varthall;

You say custom like its a good thing.  

How so?

[coldfish]

Varthall wrote:

Of course everyone has their own tastes and preferences. I have always liked the idea of "custom" (i.e. with a high, or total degree of compatibility, not reached only by software drivers) computers as they make me, as an owner, fell more part of a community (same hardware, easier to get advice on hardware problems), hardware banging becomes a possibility, and last but not least I become much easier attached to them. Also, a custom machine with AmigaOs is more similar to the concept of the original Amigas. I have found the A1 (and the Pegasos even more) to be an acceptable balance between a custom machine and one using off-the-shelf components, required by economies of scale. Others disagree, saying that's too much similar to a PC, it depends to what you'd find acceptable and what not.

Varthall

You dont need "custom" hardware to get those things.  You can join any computer club and get a sense of community.  I think what you want is a sense of exclusivity, which is a selfish motive?  
This kind of thinking wont get Amiga anywhere other than remaining as a tiny niche, "not commercially viable" and henceforth lead to eventual extinction.

It really is a shame A-inc listened to the vocal nutters in the community when planning the A1 and OS4, (though I understand why they did) because if the OS was available right now for x86, we'd all be posting here using OS4, and have a sense of community and even some sense of exclusivity, complete with affordable, upgradeable hardware.  And the "PPC-only! - x86 is Satan" nutters would be silenced (or would they?) and we could get on building the OS's popularity.  

I guess this is where AROS comes in... :-D

[coldfish]

Methuselas wrote:
Still beating this dead cow???



It's *NOT* going to happen.

...its horse.

 :-P