@AndyFC
I believe infrastructure components that you would expect, like networking, should be included in the operating system, and possibly very basic apps provided, but I contend that Hyperion shouldn't go further than that.
And now without further ado.... my obligatory treatise on spurring a viable Amiga software market.
I believe the eventual goal should be a viable and sustainable software market, which entices developers to take part for financial reward(even if only for sustenance), and with competition to drive the quality and features of that software to new heights. There is a danger that if you include software with the OS that is too good from the outset you let the air out of the balloon and potentially undercut developers and curtail software development.
A viable software market is important because it is clear that competition results in software of higher quality. There is a reason for the term "Commercial Quality" and that is what I believe we must strive for.
Ultimately, free applications are a false economy which only hurts the platform in the long run. It is often commented, that like anything, if software is given away for free, it is typically considered of little or no value. Regardless of whether it is true or not, of course, it is the general perception that unfortunately pervades in the general public. The mentality that everything must come for free is also anathema to a sustainable software market. It might sound aggressively capitalistic, but without people willing to pay for software, there will be little impetus to further software development, such is the case at the moment. Of course, piracy is an issue that arguably hurt the classic platform in the long run and we should be vigilant of the return of such a mentality.
I understand that the AmigaOS is on life support, and that to some extent, free software is a necessity right now. However, love of the platform can only get you so far, if it wont put food on the table. As the userbase (hopefully) grows and applications mature a software landscape overrun with free software will hurt progress. I am supportive of bounties and ports that enhance software development for every developer or create integral operating system features for every user, but contend that actual applications and games should be paid for. Bounty amounts are but charity and are not the main motivation for the task. However, free early beta downloads and shareware are most acceptable.
Microsoft is a master of providing just enough in their solutions to allow software developers to flourish. They provide all manner of tools but they are careful to never plug up all the holes in their tech.... and they do that on purpose. I can't tell you how many Microsoft technologies I have come across that provide little more than scaffolding. They know that it is in their best interests to nourish third party software and third party service providers to increase their technology's market share. The feedback loop of vested interests promote that technology further.
Hyperion should take aspects of Microsoft's approach with Windows, as AmigaOS is also commercial proprietary OS, and the most successful one at that. AmigaOS is not Linux, which pretty much throws everything in bar the kitchen stink(not a typo). Linux typically only succeeds when businesses pay for it in a service capacity(such as is the case with RedHat and Novell for instance), and I believe the services sector is most unlikely to be a viable form of revenue for the Amiga. There is no denying that the approach I am advocating has helped Apple's iPhone software market, while in contrast, their Mac software market with, what appears to me, to be the alternative approach of providing so much software up front with the OS, is often criticised for the sparsity of its software market. When you provide iLife with each new Mac I believe you get significantly fewer companies bothering to raise the bar in those areas and I contend that this could be the case with any application software bundled with AmigaOS.
Imagine how much great software the Amiga platform would have if developers could make a living from it. United in cause, all Amiga users and developers have the power to make this a reality.
