Roadshow for 68K -Needs your support!

[ognix]

Hi!

If the price (at least for the dowloadable version)  stays between 10 and 15 EUR, I think it would be ok almost for everybody (hoping that price is "resonable" for Olaf as well  ).

I think it's very good to offer plain 68k support, even if with some limitations: I remember when I configured AmiTCP on my Amiga 500 with hard disk go to on the Internet in 1995!
It was great somehow!  
Many people will appreciate! (A600 users especially)

The only complain is, of course, the lack of GUI: but if config files are plain ASCII or in a documented format, I think someone will provide a free option in the future.

Thanks for your work, Olaf!

[ognix]

Hello!
I read about the "evolution" of this thread and Roadshow, but I missed (or wasn't stated) something about the limitations of the plain 68k version: it's written it's going to be, but there are no details about.
Could you tell us something Olaf?
I own many Amigas, but I like my A500 in particular (even if at the moment I have no ethernet option on it).
Thanks!

[ognix]

Limitations? Hm... there are not going to be any functional limitations, compared to the version of Roadshow available as part of OS4.

That's good news: I've read something just in the first messages on this thread...

Given the age of the code Roadshow is based upon, you won't see TCP/IP stack features which were added after 1994. This means that features such as path MTU discovery, T/TCP or IPv6 support will not be available. But they are not available in the OS4 version of Roadshow either.

I just have the basics of networking, and I don't know how much MTU path discovery could help in communications, but it's ok; IPv6 would be nice just to be "ready for the future" (if this "future" will come  ).

I am determined not to put any DRM or anti-piracy measures into the 68k version, if this is what's mainly on your mind.

The current plan is that you will be able to legally use each copy of Roadshow on up to two computers at the same time, provided you paid for your copy. If you intend to use that copy on more than two computers at the same time, you will have to buy another copy. But (read the bit about DRM and anti-piracy measure above), I will not try to stop you from using your copy on more than two machines at the same time. It's your responsibility to comply with the usage requirements.

Thanks for trusting in the community!  

Due to how Roadshow works, it requires Kickstart 2.04 or higher. AmigaOS 1.x is thoroughly unsupported.

The devices, libraries and tools that come with Roadshow will all work on a plain 68000 machine. A special 68020-060 version of "bsdsocket.library", which implements the TCP/IP stack, will be included.

That's about as many "limitations" as I can think of right now.

My A500 is equipped with KS2.04 at the moment, so no problem, and doesn't matter to have it under 1.x.

Not sure how the A500 will be supported, if it doesn't have a dedicated networking interface. You could probably rig something up with "plip.device", "slip.device", "liana.device" or "ppp-serial.device" and the necessary cabling, but it probably won't be quite so much fun

Yes, I know!  
I'm thinking about setting up a net with a serial cable and proper device to another Amiga, and using this last one as gateway.
Hope that a rumored ethernet interface for A500 will come to light as well (otherwise I'll use on my A600 with a proper PCMCIA adapter).

Thanks for the precise info!  

[ognix]

Actually, I haven't thought that far ahead. It's just that the work I put into the documentation, the installer script, etc. finally came together this weekend.

As far as I'm concerned the result is ready to ship right now. I likely won't be selling Roadshow 68k by myself, and there's a standing offer from one publisher to take care of it for me, on short notice. There's another offer from a different publisher to integrate Roadshow 68k with a GUI and sell this integrated product, but I haven't heard back from him yet.

Likely I'll wait until next week before I make a decision on how things will move ahead. It's possible that Roadshow 68k will indeed be available for sale before Christmas this year

Nice!
And regarding the GUI side, maybe someone will come up with a third party option for free on Aminet!    (since you documented how to control the stack well, right? It's all done by modifying some ASCII text files...)

One side note about future releases: do you plan to make them free for registered users?
Just little updates?
I know it sounds a bit ahead, but just to know your ideas...

BY!  

[ognix]

I'm fairly new to Amiga (and brand new to this board), but I for one would also purchase this if it ever comes out. I just switched from MiamiDX to AmiTCP (thankfully someone found the mirror of the guide that shows you how to edit what needs to be edited). It's a huge perfomance boost for my 2000.  I for one would love a non-gui new stack that could do dhcp, and any resource improvements. I read through most of the thread, and am kind of disappointed in the nay-sayers. I think anyone who has the skills to make something for old hardware is awesome. I mean, they are making Commodore PET storage devices now. I don't think anyone should depress anyone else for being creative, even if it only helps one person.

You can put me on the "will buy" list, you know, as long as it's not too expensive.

whdload was expensive to me since I'm poor, but I am all for supporting people who have the knowledge to support the hardware I love. Besides, shouldn't we let the market decide? If nobody buys it, then he has the answer, if a ton of people buy it, then even better. The price can also be adjusted!

More power to you Olaf!

More thumbs up with this positive thinking!  

[ognix]

Thanks for letting us know.
Don't let your piece of software die before got born.