Crazy idea: a new Amiga withOUT Amiga Inc's blessing?

[ChrisH]

I posted this on AmigaWorld, but I think the people here would be more receptive:

I'm sure this crazy idea must have been suggested before, but we now have all the components needed to create a new Amiga:

- AROS, the open source clone of Amiga OS 3.1 + MUI + RTG & AHI.
- Minimig, the open source FPGA clone of an Amiga 500.

Why not combine both of these, by compiling AROS for 68k, to create a complete Amiga-like hardware/software system? There'd be no ties to Amiga Inc to hold us back

Now sure, OS3.1 running on an A500 isn't exactly cutting edge, but surely it can't be too complicated to add AGA functionality & a 68040 or better processor? Or screw AGA, and just have a custom "gfx-card" in the FPGA for a high-colour hi-res Workbench, to show AROS to it's full potential. With enough interest, more powerful systems could be created later...

And since AROS would be compiled for 68k, it should be possible to run many old Amiga programs, demos & games.

[ChrisH]

I also posted this follow-up:

My idea was that we can have (nearly) full chipset & 68k compatibility with the Amiga-like OS. Then we can run (nearly) all our old Amiga programs, games & demos.

Given it's a crazy idea, I'm not quite sure how it could work, but what about this: Small mobo with two FPGAs, one for the chipset (Minimig), and the other for an emulated 68k. The mobo would provide:
- two SATA ports for a HD & DVD-ROM drive, or go with two IDE ports if that's easier.
- one floppy drive port.
- one slot for memory (with enough lines connected to support 1024 MB of RAM, even if the emu 68k can't handle it yet).
- either some PCI-e ports, or else on-board ethernet. PCI-e ports would be more future proof, and would not need to be supported in software straight away.

That would be about the most basic system I can imagine, that would be good enough to play old Amiga games & demos right away, and eventually to do basic web browsing & email (etc). And without Amiga Inc to screw us again.

Bung it in a small-ish box, and you've got a modern A1200/A4000 equivalent, but without the crappy old unreliable hardware, and without the tons of sticky tape & string that usually holds them together.

[motorollin]

ChrisH wrote:
I'm sure this crazy idea must have been suggested before, but we now have all the components needed to create a new Amiga:

- AROS, the open source clone of Amiga OS 3.1 + MUI + RTG & AHI.
- Minimig, the open source FPGA clone of an Amiga 500.

Why not combine both of these, by compiling AROS for 68k, to create a complete Amiga-like hardware/software system? There'd be no ties to Amiga Inc to hold us back

Sorry but I don't see the point. AROS already runs on x86 hardware so there's no need to port it to anything. It has UAE for 68k compatibility, so if you're running AROS then there's no need for MiniMig.

I do like the idea of using MiniMig as the 68k compatibility though. Putting it on a PCI card and giving AROS direct access to the custom chips would mean we could use a modified version of UAE which uses MiniMig's chips instead of emulating them.

--
moto

[Fransexy_]

if you're running AROS then there's no need for MiniMig.

I do like the idea of using MiniMig as the 68k compatibility though. Putting it on a PCI card and giving AROS direct access to the custom chips

This two sentences are contradictions  :roll:

[amigean]

@fransexy

They are indeed contradictory but only when taken out of context, as you have done.

There is no semantic contradiction the way motorollin put it.

Then again your usage of English grammar is contradictory ("This two")  :roll:

[Flashlab]

IMHO putting MiniMig (which is UAE in hardware) on a PCI card is useless as raw CPU power on x86 would run UAE fast enough. Seamless UAE integration in AROS would make more sense. It would be cool to run WHDLoad that way or other hardware banging apps on AROS.

[ChrisH]

My post is made under the assumption that "Seamless UAE integration in AROS" is simply not possible, and the fact that the AROS developers refuse (for various reasons) to consider adding 68k emultion like OS4 has.

BTW, if I need to use UAE to run all my (68k) Amiga programs on AROS, then I might as well run WinUAE on Windows.

[MskoDestny]

ChrisH wrote:
My post is made under the assumption that "Seamless UAE integration in AROS" is simply not possible, and the fact that the AROS developers refuse (for various reasons) to consider adding 68k emultion like OS4 has.

I think it's probably more accurate to say that "Seamless UAE integration in AROS" is simply never going to happen.

Personally, I think 68K hardware is the only place AROS really makes sense. If you simply want the virtues of Amiga OS (quick boot times, simplicity and elegance, etc.) on a modern machine there are better alternatives (like Syllable). If you want to run your old Amiga software UAE is probably a better choice.

AROS on 68K would have several uses though:
1) Provide legal ROMs for projects like MiniMig or emulators
2) Teach an old dog new tricks. New features on existing classic Amigas
3) Turn cheaply available 68K Macs into "poor man's" Amigas. Obviously, hardware-hitting stuff wouldn't run, but "well-behaved" 68K applications for which source isn't available would be.

AROS 68K might make it easier to do something similar to the "Coherence" feature in Parallels in which windows in the emulated environment are treated as first class citizens in the host environment.

[whabang]

Turn cheaply available 68K Macs into "poor man's" Amigas.

Now THAT is an excellent idea!

[Ancalimon]

What we need are new custom chips that are socket mounted and upgradable. Because the "original" things you can do using these chips were what made Amiga better. And these chips are what makes the Amiga demos better than the rest, and also why we are still using amigas.

And if you consider how Jay Miner and his friends made their dreams come true by believing and dreaming about what they wanted, you don't have to be the multi milion company to invent these. And make these things compatible with a modern ati graphics card for 3d and you have the dream Amiga. Just believe and dream about it; all of you.

[Methuselas]

amigean wrote:

Then again your usage of English grammar is contradictory ("This two")  :roll:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


I wasn't going to say anything......  :-D  :lol: