AmigaOne clones?

[Warface]

Eyetech and special treatment? Not that it proves anything, but this and maybe this makes an interesting reading.

Especially these two quotes:

"The AmigaOne process involves close co-operation between Amiga and our partners' hardware groups, the running of the AmigaDE on the hardware, and a thorough quality certification of the final product. Only then can the product be called an AmigaOne."

and this:

"he first zico compliant device, the Eyetech AmigaOne - the first, new Amiga certified hardware in over five years"

Getting a certification means the certification of the final product... Now, the statement Eyetech AmigaONE is the first _certified_ hardware in over five years is dated back to 12 April 2001.

Not that they shouldn't do that, or it's forbidden. I even go further, I have absolutely no objection against it, as Eyetech is their only partner (we can suppress Elbox IMO). I only used to mention "interesting business practice". Oh yes, for the nitpickers, all the above is my opinion, and only the statement "I don't know if Eyetech have gotten special treatment by Amiga Inc, but you should feel free to prove it." inspired it.

It's all acceptable IMO, just it's presentation bothers me (acting like if it were something open), and the zealots... Neither AInc nor Eyetech has the resources not to be affected by company interests, yet they chosen to communicate it the way they did. Sorry for disturbing and don't take me serious :-)

[Warface]

Or is there proove that the cheaper boards existed before the contacts between Eyetech and MAI ?

Don't know the details, but prior to Teron being AmigaONE the pricing was depending on volume at MAI's site. The (very high) price was for one unit, and if you order in volume you get discount. It's usual business practice, however exact prices were not disclosed, just "call us" or something instead. I really have no idea how deep Eyetech was involved (if any) in Teron/Articia evolution.

[Warface]

@Rogue:

"Of course it is aways easier to bash." Exactly, as you bash the community. What's happening, "I think this is again an indication of one of the fundamential issues in the amiga "community"": they will support you as long as you sided with Amiga Inc, and piss you off when you are not. Wishing you will not have the same fate as Haage und Partner.

This community is a rather interesting one. But anyway, these ppl are the market. Looking at it, the only potential purchasers of AmigaOS4 and the AmigaONE. Convince them, instead of bashing them. Sure, there will remain plenty who will support you whatever you do, but the rest will go away. And those supporting you whatever you do will support you just because you act in name of the Holy Office. May easily became your enemies next day.

Look at where Haage und Partner is now, with their anti piracy measures, OS development, applications. They managed to knock out competition, gain control, they were the backbone of Amiga. They are now public enemy.

[Warface]

My opinion on this AmigaONE clones dispute...

It seems (as the original plan of an Eyetech/Escena designed AmigaONE have failed) that only OS4 determines if something is an AmigaONE or not. Yet I doubt (opinion, for the two nitpickers) that if someone purchases a few hundred Teron boards from MAI and applies for a license to Amiga Inc will ever get a licence.

Eyetech invested a serious amount in developing an AmigaONE, even if fruitlessly. They are now little more than distributors of a dongleised Teron, and clearly at the mercy of Hyperion.

The strange thing is, there is no OS4 yet, but AmigaONEs are out. In the moment Hyperion announces OS4 for either the Teron or the Pegasos, AmigaONE buyers are shot in the back.

Another issue, that it's Amiga Inc granting the licenses, not Hyperion. Three different companies, three different interests. Hyperion holds the cards though, Amiga Inc only has veto - they can withdraw the permission of IP usage from Hyperion.

The question is - which company of the three is interested having this OS available on other platforms than Eyetech boards?

Eyetech is absolutely not. The question is, how much influence Eyetech has on Amiga Inc and Hyperion.

Amiga Inc? They play no role in the game. Even if they want OS4 on a board on which Hyperion doesn't, they cannot force Hyperion to port OS4.

Hyperion? Hyperion has become the key factor with an unfinished product. (Not unusual in the Amiga market, sad to say) The question is, what their contract's contain - something we will never know.

That's it. The contracts, licenses, permissions and vetos make up nothing more than about 10% of the issue. These lay out the possible movements, but we don't know the matrix of possible moves, so it's a waste of time speaking of it. We may guess however, and get a rough picture where we can place our three companies. The rest is dirty marketing crap and even dirtier politics.

Speaking of clones running AmigaOS 4 when it is not available is really a good topic to chew on. Sigh.

[Warface]

@Kurt

I think this time you have gone too far. What was this if not "spreading dissention and mistrust"?

(Expecting Samface to step forth and protect you as usual.)

[Warface]

@Skyraker

That's why I always said that OS4 will be superior. Noone has ever seen it, but the Amiga sticker gives it such a degree of positive discrimination, that it will win once released, even if it will be technically inferior. If it will sport the same features, or will be better than MorphOS, then there's nothing to stop it. It's a boost not to be underestimated.

[Warface]

It seems everyone has his private souvenir from some parties. Mine is from a Hyperion employee telling a rather specific thing will never happen to MOS as he (they) will prevent it, and a few more hints on OS4's merits over MorphOS. All this because I made my email address available when once posting on ann. I never asked for that letter, but yes, it was among the many decisive factors to purchase the Pegasos/MOS over AmigaONE/OS4.

Hey! Now I see it crystal clear. PPL bothered by MOS fanatics buy AmigaONEs, PPL bothered by OS4 fanatics go the other way. I get it now. :-)

[Warface]

@Skyraker

Your position is easy to understand. And yes, these impressions last long. Bill Buck is a rather interesting fellow. Infantile at times. I personally will never step forth to protect his own actions :-)

[Warface]

@Alkemyst:

Oh my, what a disaster, then maybe they are not fanatics. Maybe they'd like to have OS4 exclusively or along with MOS on their machine, be it a Pegasos, a Macintosh, whatever.

Guess that there is no enemy lurking in every post, and MOS fanatics on every corner is not an option to you. Sure, normal people don't buy Pegasos/MOS, every single purchaser must be a MOS/PEG zealot. Pathetic.

[Warface]

If you want it, ask Genesi to licence it.

I know that in the light of the current licencing scheme it may sound naive, but...

Why don't you distribute AmigaOS4 as a standalone product? In different versions, onboard rom protection for the AmigaONE (at a discount maybe) and USB dongled version for Teron and Pegasos.

What good comes from forcing hardware manufacturers (with a competing product, not to mention) licence OS4? (Which they most obviously won't, thus limiting OS4 to AmigaONE and CPPC, less income for Hyperion)

Yes, I honestly confess, I have little clue about the contracts made, as most probably only a few know their content, so in light of something I don't know about it all may sound silly. But I see the current licencing scheme as limiting (users have to pay for OS4 anyway) for OS4. (on the other hand grants the income for Eyetech as a return for their vast investments, but a discount on the AmigaONE version may be sufficient in my eyes)

[Warface]

@Paul Gadd:

Disagree this time - not everyone, and most importatly not on every occasion defending Amiga Inc or Eyetech or Hyperion or whatever is a worshipper action or a zealot behaviour. Rogue has a point on the easily misinterpretable exact amount, however insignificant the exact number is. Many will remember the 50$ and think it's the sum, but we don't know for sure, as the contracts are not public. (And there is no need for that. Point.)

A bit more careful selection of the words, and the argument will be valid, tho. IMO

Try to be positive, see the bright side of life  :-)