My evening with Commodore USA, LLC

[dammy]

The Amiga line, not so much... There's just nothing Amiga about it. If they have the ability to make a computer look so much like the original c64, I'm wonder why they didn't go that route with the Amiga branded ones.

None of the pictures Red took were of the upcoming Amigas.  There were all C64x/Vic series.  Wait until there is a "Amiga" from C=USA and then judge would be my advice.

[dammy]

We don't need to wait.  Screw your "Amigas".

If you enjoy being closed minded, there isn't much I can say about that.

[dammy]

@redrumloa

Thanks for taking the time to write up your experience meeting up with the guy behind CUSA. It looks like y'all had a good time and It's nice to see some info about things going on behind the scenes. That c64 prototype looks pretty slick. It's good to see that someone with some real business experience is finally going to do some interesting things with the brand.

And best yet, he has the personal wealth to push this.

Out of curiosity, did the guy mention whether or not their custom linux distro will be freely downloadable for all, or just for customers of the future machines? Was there any mention of the app store concept? I remember reading something about that on commodore-amiga.org a while ago.

I asked Barry about the app store, he said as soon as possible.  

As far as source code, I'm sure C=USA will abide by the different license agreements requirements and make the code available.

[dammy]

Dunno sofar he take on someele's IP was more in line with Hyperion's take on such matter:

"open-source is good when you taking, but teh evil if you have to give"

Since C=USA has not released any code (object or binary), your talking nonsense.

"stealing is no crime if you get away with it"

Let he who has not have the IP ownership or license of their avatar art work used on AO to be the cast the first stone.

[dammy]

Ye dinnay hauf gibber some total keech, so ye day...

Mr. Pirate, could you translate that into English?

[dammy]

Thought it was you... sad git...

Thanks Mr. Pirate!

[dammy]

Ah well at least you admit to being a grass, now if you you'll just admit to being a paid lacky of CUSA that would clear thing up a treat...

No Mr. Pirate, I am not an employee of C=USA.  How about you admitting who you really are instead?  Some how I really don't believe someone who just found the Internet in June goes and uses an anonymous domain register's service in early August and then puts up a pretty nice web site.  I wouldn't doubt your using a anon service when posting as well. You are not going to tell us that N00bs do that all the time, right?

[dammy]

@dammy
And there I was thinking using a (slighly) funny avatar for personel use and blatantly ripping other peoples images and trademarks to support you buisness were somewhat different......

No, there is no difference.  But it's accepted by most and in the business world, because it's tolerated to a point.  It's not worth their effort to stomp out minor IP violations and it gives them free exposure on the Net.

NotC=USA have shown quite clearly how little regard they have for other peoples IP when it came to trademarks or pictures I see no reason why that would change if and when it comes to upholding the terms of the GPL (or similar licences).

That remains to be seen.

[dammy]

Doubt away, think what you want, it's nice to know that I at least give you something to think about all the time, well at least when you're not thinking about just how far you can stick your tongue up Barry's read end...

If that imaging floats your boat, go for it.

[dammy]

That is yet to be seen. The C64x is one product. Don't get me wrong, I am not declaring Commodore USA will be a major player in the near future as being a slam dunk. I do see potential based on what I was shown, but it comes down to final product, execution, co-branding success and maybe a little luck.

The other part is management capabilities.  Barry has never had a business failure, he has the basic instinct of what will work and what will fail.  Unlike a lot of business owners who trying to make it, Barry has already made it and could be retired for the rest of his life.  This is his passion, this has capture his interest and he can throw himself into it with out the worry of losing everything.  His pockets run that deep as his connections run extremely deep world wide.   Barry is a different animal then what we have seen since the days of Jack Tramiel.

[dammy]

But he could have been if they had a sane business model that didn't involve shafting those who had been keeping the Amiga name alive through the dark years.

How is he shafting "The Name"?  He's spending millions on the first TV advertising for the C64x, something I don't think C= did for an entire year worth of advertising budget.  So far he's shown off some possible cases for the Amiga series, is that enough for you to damn him and his company for showing off possible cases?  I don't get it, perhaps I shouldn't want to.

[dammy]

It probably has more to McEwan sticking it to Hyperion which either means he has his fingers in C-USA or sgafting Hyperiod was part of the deal.

That's what this boils down to, Hyperion.  That's your real worry, not about legacy, it's about Hyperion...

[dammy]

legally shaky ground though, don't you think? Licensing out IP for 'workbench5' when the court has told you you've lost the rights to 'Amiga OS4' and 'workbench 4', and Hyperion has the right to continue dev on that product (presumably to other version numbers).

Court said no such thing.

[dammy]

OK, I just spent some time reading the 43-page settlement between AI and Hyperion. It's clear to me that AI cannot market or allow a licensee to market an operating system with software architecture that is substantially similar to AmigaOS.

You missed the rest of the sentence that quote came from and it's extremely important since it a qualifier in nature.

[dammy]

Well, the BS resume he publishedd doesn't seem to reflect that.

Perhaps you should reread Red's post: http://www.amiga.org/forums/showpost.php?p=612887&postcount=1

 

As far as we can tell, he inherited a furniture store and tried to set up a couple satellite TV installer companies.  

No, if you did the research, you would see Homecraft was a recent company compared to Cabletech which he and his brother created an ran until they sold it with 180 stores nation wide. They produced their own equiptment, btw.

That doesn't make him a mover and a shaker in most peoples books.

I think once the TV commercials hit and you see whom C=USA is working with, you will see only a slice of the entire picture compared to what Barry spent hours explaining to us.