How to use my Sam440ep AmigaOS 4.1 machine

[blakespot]

So, first, I got my first Amiga in 1985 and have 3 in the house now, not counting my SAM440ep Flex, which is an Amiga more or less.

I've been keeping it updated and fiddling with apps.

The thing is, when I fire it up, I never find a compelling reason to keep using it daily. It is sitting beside my quad-core 3.4GHz Core i7 iMac w/ 3 screens and I _want_ to use it but I think I just don't have the apps to keep my interest.

I've got the WebKit browser, and WookieChat (I am an IRC guy). What else is there that might keep me day to day on it? Is there a way to control it remotely from the office via VNC? MilkyTracker is fun. I like Quake on it as it has the software rendered and is fast. Generally, tho, games are not my interest on the machine.

Ideas? I am unlikely to shut the Mac off for a month and only use the SAM, so what can I do to keep it nifty? Asking for help and ideas here.

Thanks.



bp

FWIW I posted the for #Amiga30
http://www.bytecellar.com/2015/07/23/the-amiga-turns-30/

[blakespot]

Eliyahu,

Incredibly thoroughg response. I thank you. Inspiring.

What is your hardware?

I wonder if I would have an easier time of it if I had an X_000 modern machine... So pricey, but I understand why. My wife, on the other hand, does not.


bp

[blakespot]

Thanks for the suggestions, perspectives.

I've decided to bring my OS 4.1 machine in to the office. That way I can use it as my IRC machine daily, and for other things as well, after some trying out.

It's joining my Apple //c.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blakespot/14667516367/in/album-72157604704708180/




bp

[blakespot]

Ok, I've got the machine setup with OS4.1FE and it's in my office. Having fun loading it up properly.

I've got player and DvPlayer installed. Someone mentioned that the Radeon 9250 in my 440ep-Flex assists with video playback. Is there some binding I must work to get this happening. Video looks pretty studdery in mplayer, and DvPlayer seems to play nothing I throw at it. (There is mention of .AVI files not playing in the OS 4.1 bundled version of DvPlayer -- is there a better, pay version?)

I've got mpega.library (libmad clone) installed and working. Also installed a52 and dca codecs. What other core things do I want to setup? Is mplayer and DvPlayer it for video playback? There's no VLC port, right?

Other "core" suggestions?

Thanks.



bp

[blakespot]

Update.

I've been installing lots of utils, apps, demos, games on the 440se in my office. It's fleshed out far beyond what it was sitting at home in my basement comp room. I use it a great deal each day at the office. I am hoping to find new ways to use it, still. I need to find a good code editor that has integrated FTP to edit and save remote files. That's my job (web dev).

Nice listening to streams on TuneNet. Will be nicer when it gets back in sync with Shoutcast, as I hear it will before too long.

I've got reg'ed Wordsworth on my A2000 '020 - need to find somehow get that installed on the SAM.

Any other recommendations? Anything you have to offer is appreciated!




bp