Sam440 - first impressions

[RMK305]

What are you going to use the machine for? I'd buy one but I don't think there is enough in the way of software out there for it to be worth my money. If there was a couple of decent games ported over to it that would be different.

How are the web browsers on this setup?

Cheers,

Robert

[gazgod]

After a bit more playing I've get the screen modes sorted, the extra resolution are bracketed in the Radeon info file, so I now have workbench running in 1920 X 1200.  :-D

The only browser I've installed so far is OWB, the reason for installing it was so I could download installer 43.3 from the aminet. The browser looked good, but defaulted to amigans.net and i can't find a way to change it to A.org  :-? When i got into the aminet and found the file i wanted i clicked on it and all the browser did was display a text view of the lha file. I couldn't find a way to save the file so eventually gave up and downloaded it on another computer and passed it to the Sam with a USB stick.

Fat32 USB sticks are recognised without installing any additional software, I've successfully used an 8 gig stick.

As for what I'm going to use this machine for, its a toy like all my Amigas, I cannot in all honesty use an Amiga as a professional platform (I am a programmer but in 4GL database languages). Though I am currently trying to remember C and learn the specifics of coding for the Amiga.
Any advise on os4 development environments and tutorials will be gratefully received.

Gaz

[Matt_H]

but defaulted to amigans.net and i can't find a way to change it to A.org

Check the icon's ToolTypes.

[gazgod]

Matt_H wrote:
Check the icon's ToolTypes.

Thanks that sorted out the home page  :-)

(this post is from OWB running on a Sam440 with OS4.1)

[Framiga]

"The only browser I've installed so far is OWB, the reason for installing it was so I could download installer 43.3 from the aminet."

just curious! theres no Installer in AOS4.1?

In 4.0 is in SYS:Utilities/

[Flashlab]

OWB doesn't have downloads implemented yet.

[gazgod]

Framiga wrote:


just curious! theres no Installer in AOS4.1?

In 4.0 is in SYS:Utilities/

I've just checked and there is, why is it there and not c:installer which most 68k programs look for?

Should I copy it to c:installer instead of 43.3?

Sorry I'm a OS4 noob and making it up as I go along.

Gaz



Gaz

[Framiga]

is ok in SYS:Utilities.
Is in default path anyway. (delete the 68K one)

Usually the install scripts looks for it as "Installer" (without the C:) other times not.

In some cases, is enough to change the path from "C:Installer" to simply "Installer" in the icon default path

"Sorry I'm a OS4 noob and making it up as I go along."

ahh no problem, when it comes with OS4 and on, everyone become a noob! :-)

[AJS]

Thanks to Lecta
here's a little snippet from the Colmar multimedia Expo in France showing a touch screen on a Sam440ep with OS4.1
OS 4.1 Touch Screen   8-)

[paolone]

1. mhhh! where the fun then? would you prefer an "idiot proof" system ala windows? no thanks

2. We lack the thousands betatesters "other" systems have. Theres always (and it will for sure) something overlooked. Live with it and above all, enjoy it!

1. The fun should be in the programs you use ON the operating system, not trying to figure out how the OS iteself should be installed. Frankly spealking, when AmigaOS 2.x came out, standard on the PCs were Windows 3.1 ugly things, with stupid solutions like the "Program manager" (aaargh), the program groups and similar silliness. On the Amiga side we always enjoyed our OS and told PC owners that it was really easier to install, use and manage. So now, what are you doing exactly? Are you enjoying a silly complication that simply should not exist anymore? It never existed, it should not be here today.

2. Nope. Criticism is required in order to evolve. You'd never "live happy with it", whatever that 'it' is. I can use AmigaOS, Linux, Windows, AROS or whatsoever and be happy, but I must point out any issue I find, if I can.

[taunusand]

I would call it a little thing, but of course there are always room for improvements :-)

I look forward to ovn my own SAM, if this is the worst issue with the OS, then I can live with it!

"Criticism is required in order to evolve." Of course, I agree, you are right :bow: :-)

[paolone]

taunusand wrote:

1. I look forward to ovn my own SAM, if this is the worst issue with the OS, then I can live with it!

2. "Criticism is required in order to evolve." Of course, I agree, you are right :bow: :-)

1. It's not the worst issue with the OS, either. However I won't be more specific, because I'm known as an AROS user/evangelist among the community, and I don't want that someone would take my words as an exhibit of bad attitude with AmigaOS 4.x, that's not the case. I think the web will be plenty of good reviews (good reviews == they will say the truth regardless of fanboyism) that will depict pros and cons of AmigaOS 4.1.

2. Oh, well, thanks.

[Robert17]

@gazgod ooooooooooook  :-)  Did you get a backplate with the motherboard in the end?

Regards,

Robert "Footlong selftappers" 17  ;-)

[gazgod]

@robert17

If you'd read my first post you'd know, but then reading aint one of your strengths  ;-)

@all

Got a bit further into my explorations:-

Web browsers - OS4.1 comes with Ibrowse and OWB already installed, I didn't think to look in the utilities directory. DOH

Usb to PS2 - after playing with these some more I found that my old faithful adapter works as long as only the keyboard OR the mouse is installed. Never seen this behaviour before on any platform, so It looks like i can have the Sam on my KVM switch if I use 2 adapters, one for the mouse and one for the keyboard. I will try this when my wife is not around so I can steal my spare adapter off her mac. Not an ideal solution but if it works.

I've found the Sam a very stable system, on all day at the moment with no issues. No fans in the case and the lack of a back plate means I can put my hand in the back to test the temperature of the heat sinks, and they are warm but it no problems to hold my hand on them.

Gaz

[gazgod]

taunusand wrote:
"Criticism is required in order to evolve." Of course, I agree, you are right

As do I, that's why I thought I'd post my impressions here.
I am not one of the red camp zealots, if anything my tent is firmly pitched in the blue camp owning a peg II (2 until recently) and an efika, though I'm no zealot just slightly mad :crazy:. Until I bought the Sam I'd had very little exposure to OS4 apart from installing it a couple of times for the chairman of our user group. I did buy OS4 for classic but I had troubles booting it and didn't get round to playing too much with it as I've had kind of a hectic year. But I thought I'd give Sam a go and that anyone here who's undecided as whether to buy or not may benefit from my experiences.

Gaz  

[taunusand]

@paolone
If you are right, then I might as well admit it :-)

I look forward to buying SAM440 + AOS4.1, but I'll wait undtil the real version comes out. I want the real thing when I buy it, not a beta where I have to wait ;-)