What's the Deal With CommodoreUSA?

[runequester]

I think they really underestimated the level of demand too. Happens to a lot of kickstarter projects too.

[MiAmigo]

No it isn't. It's an ARM SoC-based system, look it up. It is running Linux, but there is at least a RISC OS port underway, efforts to get AROS running are in progress (though last I checked it's still running it from a Linux base,) and who knows what else will happen in the future...

I actually have a couple sitting underneath my 'Next Project' pile. I was one of the first to sign up for pre-shipping at the beginning of the year. Who knows? If I ever get done repairing and tweaking my various PCs, notebooks, A2000s, A500s and 64s, I may even get to it. :hammer:

ON THE OTHER HAND, I still think that its possible to do a completely new roll-out of an alternative system, based on new hardware and software. Its going to happen, whether its an Amiga reboot, or not.

For every 10 people who say 'It can't be done', there are always a few who somehow make the impossible possible and they make it work. Most successful companies start out that way - by creating their own niche and then creating the demand.

[commodorejohn]

ON THE OTHER HAND, I still think that its possible to do a completely new roll-out of an alternative system, based on new hardware and software.

I'm not arguing that - I'm just saying that calling the Pi a "small PC" is doing a disservice to the scope, direction, and goals of the whole project.

[MiAmigo]

I'm not arguing that - I'm just saying that calling the Pi a "small PC" is doing a disservice to the scope, direction, and goals of the whole project.

Point taken.

[ChuckT]

What you'd need is:
 
A hardware platform (this means chips, processors, video, audio, all the junk that goes into it)
(made by who ? What chips? What manufacturers?)

There are a number of chip manufactuers.  All you really need to design a chip is some cad software.  Parallax uses a program called Laker and the license for it is something like $45K or so but the program has its limits and needs to be upgraded.

Here are a list of chip makers:

http://www.edn-europe.com/microdirectory.asp

Western Design Center is still in business but Amiga users can't really prove they're interested because you don't have dedicated users towards building a new machine, you don't have a forum or forum resources devoted to building a new machine, etc.

There are a lot of foundries overseas where companies like Microchip and Ti make their chips.  You all just don't know off the top of your heads because you haven't spent enough time looking for them.  Cars have 23 computers in them or more so someone overseas is making them and if you found out who they are, they could make your chips for you.

Any mods want to have a discussion?

[MiAmigo]

There are a number of chip manufactuers.  All you really need to design a chip is some cad software.  Parallax uses a program called Laker and the license for it is something like $45K or so but the program has its limits and needs to be upgraded.

Here are a list of chip makers:

http://www.edn-europe.com/microdirectory.asp

Western Design Center is still in business but Amiga users can't really prove they're interested because you don't have dedicated users towards building a new machine, you don't have a forum or forum resources devoted to building a new machine, etc.

There are a lot of foundries overseas where companies like Microchip and Ti make their chips.  You all just don't know off the top of your heads because you haven't spent enough time looking for them.  Cars have 23 computers in them or more so someone overseas is making them and if you found out who they are, they could make your chips for you.

Any mods want to have a discussion?

That's very interesting! I've often wanted to design my own chips - in software of course - and run simulations of executions. I've also toyed with the idea of designing my own motherboards in the same fashion. I even came up with what I thought was a viable dual-motherboard system. I'd like to know more about this software, for sure!

[kedawa]

Correct me if I'm wrong, someone, but yes it did. The original version of AmigaDOS was based on TripOS

Exactly.
I never said the OS wasn't developed for Amiga, just that it didn't start out that way.
The whole argument is ridiculous though, as the machine itself was originally supposed to be a game console.
It was never some idealistic crusade to create the perfect computer.
It's a footnote in the history of computing, and it will never be anything more than a hobby for the nostalgic.

[commodorejohn]

Exactly.
I never said the OS wasn't developed for Amiga, just that it didn't start out that way.

Except that every part of it other than the filesystem/CLI most certainly did...

[kedawa]

Sure, but it all had to start somewhere.  Are you saying that the stuff that was brought in from outside the project came after they developed the components you mentioned?
I thought it was the other way around, but of course my memory of these things is fuzzy.

If someone wanted to make an Amiga-inspired system today, what would they have to do to be true to the 'spirit' of the platform?

The hardware obviously has to be a combination of a capable and cheap off-the-shelf CPU and a custom chipset that is a multimedia powerhouse.
The OS has to be built from the ground up for that specific hardware and be very efficient and responsive, giving the UI the highest priority.
But how much would it resemble the original Amiga?  Would the same design choices that made sense in the early 80s be appropriate today?

[Iggy]

Chuck had a good point.
And not only is WDC still around, but they promoting FPGA use (they have a design based on one that supercedes the 65C816).
 
I don't know that FPGAs are fast enough for the main processor (they could aid in an accurate emulation of the 68K), but FPGAs and other programmable logic could be used for video, I/O, and glue circuitry.
 
Its quite possible for an individual (or a group) to design a powerful new system without custom chips.
 
We could set up a forum right here for proposals, interaction, and cooperative development. If its not a commercial product, no one claiming IP property rights could stop us from developing it.

[CritAnime]

What makes me laugh is people think the Great Wall original, which is rebranded as Vic Slim, is been ripped-off in other places and by Ubuntu.

http://forums.commodore.net/showthread.php?780-vic-slim-rippoff-on-omg-ubuntu

                                                                      vic slim rippoff on omg ubuntu                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       I was going throught my daily linux reads and I found this http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/09/m...tu-keyboard-pc I almost fell off the couch                                            
                                       
             

Made me laugh that they buy into the crap so much that they are willing to beleive that CUSA are the only one's able to sell this.

[ChuckT]

Its quite possible for an individual (or a group) to design a powerful new system without custom chips.
 
We could set up a forum right here for proposals, interaction, and cooperative development. If its not a commercial product, no one claiming IP property rights could stop us from developing it.

The other option that occurred to me was to ask Great Valley Products.  Just look at the board in that photo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Valley_Products

Anyone with the talent to build a 40 MHZ accelerator certainly has the ability to build a computer that is worth our time.  Amiga users should have the moxy to sign a petition and ask them!!!

They are still in business, they make an impressive product and here is their website:
http://www.gvp-m.com/

[MiAmigo]

I'm all for new custom chips and boards, and technologies. Opens up an entire new world of capabilities.

On another note: Didn't know that GVP was still around! Glad to hear it! I wonder what other third-party hardware providers for the Amiga are still kicking? I know Newtek is still in existence, but who else?

And what of the Amiga's original developers and system programmers?

[Iggy]

The other option that occurred to me was to ask Great Valley Products. Just look at the board in that photo:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Valley_Products
 
Anyone with the talent to build a 40 MHZ accelerator certainly has the ability to build a computer that is worth our time. Amiga users should have the moxy to sign a petition and ask them!!!
 
They are still in business, they make an impressive product and here is their website:
http://www.gvp-m.com/

GVP-M is not the same company.
They just hold the right to the hardware.