Awareness by classic Amiga users about modern Amiga's?

[Astral]

I occasionally trade items via eBay.

It is very surprising to me, that when a buyer comes to pickup their "classic Amiga" item, and we get to having a little bit of a chat, there seems to be one very common similarity. The similarity is when I mention that I have recently purchased and am enjoying the latest Amiga, the SAM440, EVERY single person so far has not even heard of it. I am not talking 2 people, and am talking of at least half a dozen people.

This doesn't really surpise me though. I suppose the more advertising, word of mouth, and so on that occurs, the more people learn about new things, including Amiga's.

Whilst I believe the steps that have been taken recently by Hyperion/ACube have been in the forward direction, I am not for a minute going to suggest how they should promote the Amiga, if at all. I am sure they have a goal, they have made a plan, and are taking steps to achieve this. Whether this includes promoting the Amiga through advertising, using methods they seem fit, is purely their choice.

In regards to having the Amiga *GROW* as a whole, company, user base, practical uses and so on, maybe it is best that the software base is improved before getting the word out there? Maybe it is best to improve the hardware before getting the word out there?

What steps do you think should be taken, including advertising, and at what point?

[Astral]

@eyeam

Other people share you opinion. It will be interesting to see if this is the next step that is taken. I suppose it all depends on the ultimate goal that Hyperion/ACube have.

With consideration to the fact we do not know Hyperion/ACube's ultimate goal, why do you suggest that AmigaOS on x86 hardware should be the next step to be taken? Price value? Pre-existing hardware base?

[Astral]

Please, whilst I appreciate this is a forum, and hence a place of public opinion, the aim of this thread isn't to debate what is, and what isn't "Amiga".

The aim of this thread is to get an idea of the steps people believe need to be taken to go forward, not stay in the past, or stay in the present.

[Astral]

bloodline wrote:
Tell these same people that these "modern Amigas" don't run any of their old games, are provided as little more than an old Motherboard, but costs more than a modern Laptop...  and they lose interest.

Lose interest? Maybe yes, but this is not gauranteeed. This is where marketing may help.

Anything can be sold with the right marketing. Check Nintedo technology out - is that up to date technology? Gameboy's? Wii? Are they/were they worth their asking price with respect to production costs? Probably not - a large percentage of users probably have never given a thought to the underlying technology, and don't care a bit. The end result is what matters - sales, a user base, and hence potential growth for the future. Something doesn't have to be ground breaking to be successful.

Can you come up with anything you could tell old Amiga users, and potential new Amiga users, that would get them interested in "new Amiga's", that would contribute to the growth of the "Amiga"?

[Astral]

Like stated previously...

"The aim of this thread is to get an idea of the steps people believe need to be taken to go forward, not stay in the past, or stay in the present."

If you don't believe the "Amiga" can go forward, or want to discuss other specifics, please take it elsewhere.

[Astral]

bloodline wrote:

Astral wrote:
Like stated previously...

"The aim of this thread is to get an idea of the steps people believe need to be taken to go forward, not stay in the past, or stay in the present."

If you don't believe the "Amiga" can go forward, or want to discuss other specifics, please take it elsewhere.

It is a public forum, if you don't agree with my views, then provide a clear argument against me. I refuse to take part in an ego stroking contest...

As I stated..."The aim of this thread is to get an idea of the steps people believe need to be taken to go forward, not stay in the past, or stay in the present."

If you don't believe the "Amiga" can go forward, or want to discuss other specifics, please take it elsewhere."

[Astral]

bloodline wrote:

I refuse to take part in an ego stroking contest...

And so do I. So let's take this thread in a forward direction, hey?

[Astral]

DiskDoctor wrote:

I think marketing is the only way to hit any numbers easily.

Personally I think that when MorphOS (Or AmigaOS) is released on Macs Minis, that's a big chance to attack the huge potential user base - for the very first time.

I don't mean paid ads or something - that's pretty much silly.  I mean forums mostly, that's all.

I agree in principal with the marketing. Without exposure, people don't recieve knowledge of anything.

The exact method of the marketing and the timing is hopefully part of Hyperion/ACube's plan. Premature marketing, with consideration to the companies' economics, hardware base, software base, user base, and so on, may lead to failure to go forward.

I agree with your suggestion that MorphOS or AmigaOS being released for the MacMini will provide a "big chance to attack the huge potential user base". Whether this path is taken, I am sure we will see.

I also agree that forums are a good place to market new Amiga items to Amiga enthusiasts - it is cost effective, and you are marketing directly to an already established user base. Currently, this seems to be the main marketing avenue by Hyperion and ACube, and also supporting companies such as AmigaKit and Vesalia. But if the Amiga is to grow, there will be a point where different methods of marketing will probably need to be used so that growth doesn't stagnate.

It will be interesting to see the next move by Hyperion and ACube is, and at what point this is done.