Yes, it's still alive because unlike the Amiga market, new hardware to expand the capabilities of the Gamecube is still being developed. Same goes for software.
Low level AROS drivers are being ported and soon native PPC AROS will run on the Gamecube.
Revolution will be able to run AROS through it's GC compatibility via SDLoader using Action Replay (
http://www.consolejunky.com/sdload-tutorial/) and if Nintendo's Wi-Fi emulates the BBA, the PSO method of executing homebrew code will also work.
Dave Haynie's remarks about not spending alot of money to run a hobby echo alot of what I've been saying about just using a simple cheap GC.
So it's $800-$1600 invested before you boot to Workbench. Once there, you don't have applications yet. So it's just a toy.
So return Amiga to it's roots as a console with a "cool" desktop. Bring back the games.
I was playing the 'Cube version of SNE9X 1.43. It's amazing when you compare it to the Windows version. It's just perfect. And there are Sega emulators as well...
When I launch Linux I get to a linux login in 5 seconds...and that's after it detects the hard ware and connects to a filesystem running on my PC over ethernet. So it's not exactly a stripped down bare-bones kernal. It also can be patched over the internet.
Homebrew shareware version of Doom for the 'Cube is 6.2MB and is running from my SD card in about 7-8 seconds...so much for SD memory being "slow"...(I am using a 1GB card, by the way).
Before the trolling resumes, here are my goals:
I am going to build a custom dashboard for my car with a stereo like this
Kenwood Exelon DDX7017.
I am going to mount my spare modded 'Cube in the car with the audio and video channelled to that stereo. I will use a wireless ethernet bridge to give the GC wireless internet access when I am near wi-fi hot zones. I need an OS such as AROS that will let me run a simple email application to keep up with my email. I will use a
miniature keyboard to type. Mouse emulation will be provided by the GC's analog stick. All information will be stored on an SD card, including the OS. I can use Action Replay and my SD Gecko to boot my OS on any "un-modded" GC so I can take my files(and messages) indoors just by pulling out a card and bring them up on anybody's GC or just stick the SD card into a PC... It's all doable and the GC would still be useable for GC and homebrew games in the car.
That's a neat and cool thing that you don't need a full blown PC for and adds a certain "cool" factor like Amiga "used to have". I know people will say why not just use a laptop. Well, a laptop is easily stolen if left in a car. It can be expensive. It can break easily. And laptops don't have that "cool" factor anymore. Also, all I'd have to carry around is an SD memory card. A 3" Action Replay disc and memory card adapter if I want to run it on someone else's GC.
...troll away...
