Why do you stick with the Amiga?

[MskoDestny]

This is a question aimed at those who use a classic Amiga or a derivative OS(OS4, MorphOS, AROS, etc.) on a regular basis.

What is it that sets AmigaOS (or the Amiga experience as a whole for classic users) that makes it worth using on a regular basis for you? Is it fast boot times? Responsiveness? Simplicity? Something else?

I don't intend to start any big arguments over the merits of Amiga OS with this question. I'm just honestly curious what people perceive as the benefits over alternative solutions.

[Roj]

Familiarity. A sense that the system is trying to help more than it's trying to keep secrets.

Aside from games, other platforms don't really do anything for me that my Amiga won't. Usually when I'm in font of a platform of a different type, it's because I'm either at work or playing games.

I just never liked the way other systems do things. I could go into specifics, but that's a good enough summation.

[TjLaZer]

For me it is stress relief from troubleshooting and getting annoyed with Windows XP for 8 hours each day at work.  :banana:

[Boot_WB]

Compulsive addiction.

[MskoDestny]

Roj wrote:
I just never liked the way other systems do things. I could go into specifics, but that's a good enough summation.

I'd personally be interested in specifics if you're willing to provide them.

[JosephC]

I am forced to stick with Amiga because the best strategy game of the entire universe is only made for AGA Amigas.  Total Chaos.  My Magic: The Gathering cards cost me $2000.00 but my A1200T 060 with loads of add-ons cost me $1100.00 + I made a $50.00 contrib to the Team Chaos people.  So Amiga saved me $850.00 right there.  Amiga is awesome and Amiga developers are even awesomer.

[reddwarfer]

It does exactaly what I tell it to do when I want and everything works or doesn't work due to a specfic reason. None of this "it might work again in a minute" or "restart it and it should work".
I can easily understand the OS due to past experience and theres nothing hiding away.
I feel that the OS still looks modern.

[JosephC]

I agree with the Red Dwarf.

[zyphoid]

option! got to have options! hated the Bill Gates monopolizing era. Amiga offered me simplicity, fun, and was friendly.  Now its like an old car(classic or muscle) that you work on and it keeps going.  I'm always amazed at the new programs which are developed for this system, which work great on a so called dinosaur.  This makes me want to be a programmer.  some are ctorrent, wookiechat, jabberwocky, poseidon, makecd, mame, amster,pctask,finalwriter, ibrowse, genesis,aweb,st-fax, prayer2,mui....and many more! we just love the system.  No fiddling with absolite programs which will require updates or they wont work.  problem free updates and drivers,

it just works!

[BinoX]

I agree with the majority of people that have already posted...

It's like the OS isn't trying to "hide" things from the user. And generally if something is working it stays working (unless there's a real reason for it not to, like one of the chips has dies of old age). There's none of this occasionally booting up and finding that my graphics driver has removed itself... (Ah, the joys of XP)

Also.. It's simple, it's quick and it does what it's supposed to well... (Manage system resources and give easy user interaction) unlike Vista (Which uses all your system resources and gives klunky user interaction)

And of course.. I like it

[rednova]

Fellow Amigans:

I love my amiga because I can use amospro and is easy to use and I can make amiga games. Amospro is very powerful and easy to code on. My classic amiga is all I need for that.
I do have winUAE/pc and can use it for many things...but classic amiga is good enough for my programming needs.

rednova
www.feryogi.com
-mobilis in mobile-

[da9000]

Best bang for the byte (not the buck): other than embedded systems (including some phones), no other common "system" does more in less space (and time)!

OK, mostly joking, as that's not the sole reason, however valid it may be. I agree with many of the reasons others (murple: agreed) have given. A few more for me (in no order):

* fantastic games (gameplay, graphics, music, MOOD)

* best demos

* !best! freagging music "library" ever (games & demos)

* out of huge respect for the phenomenal technological leaps that made the computer (hardware & OS) and from amazing people, such as Miner, Haynie, Sassenrath, etc. I will run Amigas as long as I can out of my respect for these people and their creation. The world ought to know, and keeping them alive and working is one way.

* out of hope, the hope that one day the spirit that embodied the creation of the Amiga and its creators, will rise up again (through perhaps new, youthful geniuses) and change the technical/computing world from the uncreative, bloated, short-sighted, contriving and manipulative Microsoft-enslaved cestpool that it is.

Honestly guys, I've *not* had as much fun with a modern computer since those early Amiga days. One exception to this: Macbook from Apple. Got one of those and started playing around with Photobooth (for those that don't know, it's a very *simple* program that takes photos, but words can't describe how much better than any other such software it is - it's all int he details folks...) and my girl. We were laughing and cracking up for an hour!!! Add to that the excitement of opening the "perfect" box, the smell of the plastic, the finesse of everything inside and included. (The only things really missing were the programming manuals with the chip registers, memory map, etc, hahahaha!) Anyawys, I almost cried when the fun feeling of those old days came back out from the dark crevices of my mind!

Computing should be *fun* and most of the world (bar Apple, and that's why they're getting my buck) has forgotten that!

Amiga Forever!!!

[murple]

I use my Amiga because I have fond memories of Commodore machines and vintage games. I am a software developer who uses powerful Linux/Unix systems at work and at home for most "real" stuff, and I appreciate the simplicity (and yet amazing power) of the old machines. I also enjoy the challenge of keeping aging hardware functional, so, its probably the same attitude that makes people maintain antique cars. I also use my Commodore 128 heavily for the same reasons. I don't use these things for my serious computing because for things like internet use, word processing, watching videos, playing music, and sending email, there are Linux applications that are way better. I've used the Amiga to do those things, just because its amazing that such old hardware CAN do them... but for every day use, the Amiga has fallen too far due to Commodore and Escom's stupidity. I know some people do use Amigas for all their stuff, but I suspect that has more to do with a philosophical reason than any technical advantage. I think people who just dont like Microsoft and Apple would be better served by Linux, but thats my opinion. And for some people who dont NEED all the latest technologies, Amigas may be enough to fill their needs. I think they're probably a small minority though.

Modern games on computers and consoles don't do much for me. There may be some good ones, but I gave up looking because most seem to focus on whizbang graphics flash rather than concept and fun. I always loved the old games on C64 and Amiga, where even all text games like Zork were enthralling.

And of course, demos. Amigas have the best demos, and while the C64 demos are kind of crude in comparison, they pretty much started the whole idea of demos.

Two exceptions to my statement that I dont use vintage machines for serious stuff, though so far I haven't done much with either... I'd like to explore using Genlock stuff to do some video editting. I'd also like to explore music making on the C64 and Amiga. This applies to the C64 more because the SID chip has a very distinct cool sound.

[Ancalimon]

I like the smell that comes out of the power adapter of amigas.

I like the familiarity.

I like to be the special person that is having the better experience.

[amiga92570]

I have had an amiga since 1986, it just wouldn't feel right without one. :-) Its also really fun. :-D