The OpenAmiga Standard

[bloodline]

Dagon wrote:

We all want a standard, we know that we need a standard, developers want standards, users need stardards...

= More apps for everyone :-) You will not have to make specific versions (only when it is very necessary) for each OS.

AmigaOS 4.x, MorphOS and Aros will be mutually benefited. For example a game that makes i.e. Epic will run or will be very easily ported in all of them. ;-)

That's the key, easy portability. If all a developer has to do is change the compiler includes directory or the CPU type and then just recompile his app/game. No modifications to his source needed, then he is more inclined to port it!  :-)

[downix]

I'd note, POSIX doesn't allow apps to just run from platform to platform, it just gives a basic set of rules to allow the easy porting from one to the other.

[zudobug]

I'd just like to say I think this is an excellent initiative, and as a hopeful amiga developer to be I will be paying attention to what you guys come up with. I wish everyone involved lots of luck working out a good model for programmers to work to.

Now to business...

You guys have got to have a mascot right? :-)

I was particularly bored earlier and in the mood for some digital doodling. I'm no artist, but I thought about the concept of open amiga and the open boing and came up with this chap...



Now I know what you are thinking... But maybe a raytraced version of this, or similar, could look pretty cool :-)

Anyway, it's just a bit of fun. Hope it at least makes you laugh. Or worry about my sanity. np ;-)

Ta peeps,

-zudo

[greenboy]

bloodline : InDeed, it's just a specification... I'm thinking that the Phoenix Greenboy might want to join us?

How nice of you to think of me. I saw this thread late last night but by the time I was caught up with last week's email I was too tired to post here.

But waking, I find myself still thinking as devil's advocate. I was pushing for something like this even before 1999 when Phoenix was born, having watched de facto standards that were freely offered up continue to be stepped around, not for technical inferiority in particular - but because competitors seemed unable to work with a cooperative attitude. And then there are new areas and APIs that we need to have a more complete platform for both users and developers...

What has changed? Is there now a will to make something like this happen, is it practical now to think beyond AOS 3.1 backwards compatibility - and how will that impact time spent on innovation by respective efforts? Is there enough energy available without sidetracking crucial developments? Will time spent on this be rewarded? ... Or will it degenerate for all involved as time goes by, and leave an all-too-familiar sour taste?

I'm sure I sound like a cynic, but the fact that I woke up thinking about this issue should tell you I don't let the cynicism of my observations completely close my mind. As caffiene begins to revive my system, I'd honestly like to feel that discussion here and elsewhere indicates that it is possible to go forward in such a fashion.

I'll read further into the thread and see what THAT does ; }

[uncharted]

Matt, that's absolutely supurb!

If the momentum can be kept up, then things might just turn around.  As you know if there's anything I can do, I'll help any way I can.

This has brightend up what was a dull day :-)

[greenboy]

mdma : POSIX anyone?

I wish! POSIX compliance has been wonderful for QNX because it opens the door for developers who are already working with it. They can bring projects over to QNX, do ports, be quickly able to work with it.

At the same time, QNX actually has areas it has better ways of doing some things, and POSIX is actually a step backwards from the native API. Lots of the POSIX ports actually seem like shovelware compared to the native programs.

Amiga actually has a major problem or three at the dinner table of POSIX compliance. I mean, where's that fork? ; }

zudobug wrote:
I'd just like to say I think this is an excellent initiative, and as a hopeful amiga developer to be I will be paying attention to what you guys come up with. I wish everyone involved lots of luck working out a good model for programmers to work to.

Now to business...

You guys have got to have a mascot right? :-)

I was particularly bored earlier and in the mood for some digital doodling. I'm no artist, but I thought about the concept of open amiga and the open boing and came up with this chap...



Now I know what you are thinking... But maybe a raytraced version of this, or similar, could look pretty cool :-)

Anyway, it's just a bit of fun. Hope it at least makes you laugh. Or worry about my sanity. np ;-)

Ta peeps,

-zudo

nice work!

greenboy wrote:

bloodline : InDeed, it's just a specification... I'm thinking that the Phoenix Greenboy might want to join us?

How nice of you to think of me. I saw this thread late last night but by the time I was caught up with last week's email I was too tired to post here.

But waking, I find myself still thinking as devil's advocate. I was pushing for something like this even before 1999 when Phoenix was born, having watched de facto standards that were freely offered up continue to be stepped around, not for technical inferiority in particular - but because competitors seemed unable to work with a cooperative attitude. And then there are new areas and APIs that we need to have a more complete platform for both users and developers...

What has changed? Is there now a will to make something like this happen, is it practical now to think beyond AOS 3.1 backwards compatibility - and how will that impact time spent on innovation by respective efforts? Is there enough energy available without sidetracking crucial developments? Will time spent on this be rewarded? ... Or will it degenerate for all involved as time goes by, and leave an all-too-familiar sour taste?

I'm sure I sound like a cynic, but the fact that I woke up thinking about this issue should tell you I don't let the cynicism of my observations completely close my mind. As caffiene begins to revive my system, I'd honestly like to feel that discussion here and elsewhere indicates that it is possible to go forward in such a fashion.

I'll read further into the thread and see what THAT does ; }

I've already had the president of a games company offer help Greenboy.  Things are definately looking up I think.

RE:POSIX

I meant OpenAmiga as a standard to Amiga like POSIX is to UNIX.  Although  POSIX compliance in OpenAmiga would be brilliant! :-D

[downix]

For the mascot, ya forgot the butterfly wings and fur!

[bloodline]

downix wrote:
For the mascot, ya forgot the butterfly wings and fur!

And the pussy cat!!!! :-D


-Edit- Well, this has certainly come quite a way since Mdma and myself started this little "rant" :-D

The website actually looks cool, and people are sitting up and taking notice!?!?! All in the space of a few hours...

I think many people can see the advantages to more users, more developers and more software :-D

I've submitted a news item with the OpenAmiga details to Eugenia at osnews.com.

Hopefully we'll get some good feedback.

[filson]

Was the POSIX and MUI definite additions to the standard or just suggestions?

[zudobug]

bloodline wrote:

downix wrote:
For the mascot, ya forgot the butterfly wings and fur!

And the pussy cat!!!! :-D

Like I can draw those things... hehehe.

Cheers :-)

bloodline wrote:

downix wrote:
For the mascot, ya forgot the butterfly wings and fur!

And the pussy cat!!!! :-D

A furry pussy with wings?

Sounds like rag week! ;-)

[bloodline]

Well POSIX needs to be thought out... as to the best solution so not yet...


But MUI is definately yes :-)

[greenboy]

downix : For the mascot, ya forgot the butterfly wings and fur!

There's a little example for ya! Is the Boing ball going to be found acceptable by owners of all platforms? I'm already wondering this as I look at Eric Schwartz's mascot for Amizilla, which Genesi and Phoenix are considering donating to. Nobdy likes to feel they are second-class citizens but making a symbol that is inclusive can be rather tricky ; }