What is the future of Amiga?

[fishy_fiz]

Im not too sure things will change drastically, some people will continue to enjoy the amiga in whatever form(s) they have an interest, while others will continue to talk to themselves in the open about how dead it is, or question choices and/or efforts made by people that develop for the machine theyve been deeming dead for years. I've never understood these people, do they really think telling those that do enjoy thier "amigas" (in whatever form) things theyre not aware of ?

I enjoy my amiga hobby, but Im well aware that it has some shortcomings in regards to mainstream standards and expectations, but it gives me other things I cant get elsewhere as well.

As for those doubting a persons ability to make do soley with an Amiga, how is this so hard to believe ? Sure, the browsing leaves something to be desired on OS3.x, but there's not a lot of bases that cant be covered with some effort.

[fishy_fiz]

I for one am glad and indeed feel privileged to have been around at the start of true home computing and really wish that some of the younger folk who don't understand this would open their minds to the simple fact that the need for speed and more lifelike graphics just to play a silly 3D game is not all that computing is about, but sadly for some of them I don't think they will ever see it that way. Oh well it's their loss not mine...

While I can appreciate the fact that latest/greatest computer hardware isnt necessary it is hard to go backwards in raw speed when used to something else, even on the Amiga. Movies (viewing and encoding), emulators (for amiga, not *of* amiga), compiling, 2d and 3d graphics, audio processing and many other things will be quicker with more powerful resources under the hood. Not to say theyre essential, but some people actually want faster gear for a practical reason. Would you prefer to render a scene in 4 days, while at the same time severely crippling your amiga, or 7 minutes and still have enough resources to continue using it ?

Dont misunderstand me, I enjoy the classic amiga, it's both my favorite computer and my most absorbing hobby and I too have been around since it's inception, but just because someone wants as much power as they can afford doesnt necessarily mean that they cant appreciate a machine with fewer resources, nor does it make them a mindless drone just trying to keep up with the Joneses. The computer landscape has changed today. Those that do want the latest and greatest in gaming hardware are, ironically, the same type of person that would have gone after an a500 in it's heyday.

[fishy_fiz]

It's interesting to see peoples thoughts here. Most people project thier own opinions of amiga in thier response to how they view computing, which is a make up of tastes and knowledge on the subject. If the amiga is retro or not is reflected in a persons use. People who use it as a main system tend to (by necessity) be a lot more aware of the system, it's software, and how to do things that a more casual/retro person would be.
All this taken into account and it appears amiga.org is mostly full of the casual/retro crowd.