Best book to better learn/understand Amiga OS 4.1

[amigasociety]

So I have been into Amiga OS 4.1 since 2010 or so.  Owned an X1K but after 3.5 years sold it.  Had other needs and life got in the way as they say.  Was sad when I sold it but figured in time I would get another Amiga NG system.

Now fast forward a little while and the X5K has come and my order is in.  This time around I would like to get better at using and understanding Amiga OS 4.1 and above.  

I was not an Amigan before 4.1 as I come from other backgrounds so looking for any books, even if for older Amiga OS, that can be used to better understand and use the X5K to its fullest, when the time comes.

So what do you all read?  I know of no Amiga OS 4.1 book other than some wiki material.  Am I just best off finding some used 3.1/3.5/3.9 books, if there are any?

Would have loved an Amiga Bible style book like you see for other OSes, pages upon pages of in-depth, but I don't forsee that happening.

Thanks

TJ

[slygon]

I am looking forward to the answer on this one!  I have never owned an Amiga... just used various emulators and the AmigaForever package.

Great question!

[amigasociety]

I am looking forward to the answer on this one!  I have never owned an Amiga... just used various emulators and the AmigaForever package.

Great question!

I learned some good things but asked questions all the time. Prefer to read-up on it if I can.  I never found anything back then when I purchased the X1K and although learned a lot, I forget a lot too in my older age.  :roflmao:

I have a Amiga DOS book given to my by a member of the Sacramento Amiga Club and it is good but for me, I would love something more in dept for every-day Amiga OS 4.1, the ins-out of all the prefs, apps, etc....  

Well, you know... a Bible.  

Not gonna happen that I know but one can dream.

Until then, I will read wiki when I can find good ones and tinker.

TJ

[Matt_H]

Post-AmigaOS3 documentation, let alone a formal publication, is nearly nonexistent. The 3.0 or 3.1 manuals (Workbench, AmigaDOS, ARexx) are probably your best source for detailed user-level information, with the caveat that anything introduced in 4.x won't be covered.

Also consider "AmigaDOS Reference Guide, Fourth Edition" by Sheldon Leemon and "Denny Atkin's Best Amiga Tips and Secrets" which were both published by Compute Books.

A good amount of stuff was published in the AmigaOS2.x era, and most of it will still be valid.

4.x does have the Documentation drawer on the SYS: partition, but the quality, style, and completeness of the info in there varies greatly (and some of it hasn't been updated since the 4.0 pre-release!).

[Jeff]

@amigasociety

I have several of the huge Amiga OS 2.x binders that were shipped with systems years ago. I could send one to you if that would help. Send PM

[radzik]

I have written book about AmigaOS 4.1 Emulation http://amiga.net.pl/index.php?lng=eng&kwt=2.
Now I'm thinking about something new, connected with X5000. Soon I should have this computer. My plan is to write book abou "AmigaOS 4 everyday". Is it good idea?

[amigasociety]

@amigasociety

I have several of the huge Amiga OS 2.x binders that were shipped with systems years ago. I could send one to you if that would help. Send PM

Hi Jeff, thank you.  

Are you in the USA?  Might not be too bad shipping media rate via USPS.

I am in California myself.

If the info during 2.x days will be of value, I may just take you up on the offer.

TJ

[amigasociety]

Post-AmigaOS3 documentation, let alone a formal publication, is nearly nonexistent. The 3.0 or 3.1 manuals (Workbench, AmigaDOS, ARexx) are probably your best source for detailed user-level information, with the caveat that anything introduced in 4.x won't be covered.

Also consider "AmigaDOS Reference Guide, Fourth Edition" by Sheldon Leemon and "Denny Atkin's Best Amiga Tips and Secrets" which were both published by Compute Books.

A good amount of stuff was published in the AmigaOS2.x era, and most of it will still be valid.

4.x does have the Documentation drawer on the SYS: partition, but the quality, style, and completeness of the info in there varies greatly (and some of it hasn't been updated since the 4.0 pre-release!).

Thank you Matt.  I will look into them.

I should have kept my 3.1 guides I had owned at one time but thought they were better owned by someone that owned an older 4000 series system.  Hindsight that I could have used them but... felt it best at the time to move them on I guess.

TJ

[amigasociety]

I have written book about AmigaOS 4.1 Emulation http://amiga.net.pl/index.php?lng=eng&kwt=2.
Now I'm thinking about something new, connected with X5000. Soon I should have this computer. My plan is to write book abou "AmigaOS 4 everyday". Is it good idea?

Personally, I think a OS 4.1 User Manual for every day stuff, tricks and tips, what all the apps that come with the OS can do and the hows, would be stellar.  Would be a lot of work of course.

TJ

[apsturk]

@radzik

Yes that is a GREAT idea. Something like "the AmigaOS missing manual 4.1FE" That would be great I have talked to many people about this, but no one has the time or energy. If you want some help and or ideas PM me  goo thinking radzik!!!!

-Aaron

[Rotzloeffel]

maybe the Wiki helps ?

http://wiki.amigaos.net/wiki/Main_Page

[Rob]

So what do you all read?  I know of no Amiga OS 4.1 book other than some wiki material.  Am I just best off finding some used 3.1/3.5/3.9 books, if there are any?
TJ

I don't think there's anything much in hardback beyond the First Steps book you had before, I noticed your Amibay sale when searching earlier.

A lot of the features of of newer version were added over time by third party programs that either got rolled into or had their functionality replicated in 3.5 and beyond so many of us simply learned as we went along.

If you need a refresher the 3.1 manuals are the best place to start again.

Also I found this Amiga Format video guide to the basics of Personal Paint.  It might be useful since I think your getting the latest PPaint with your X1000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmrG3ij8_pI

[Rob]

I have written book about AmigaOS 4.1 Emulation http://amiga.net.pl/index.php?lng=eng&kwt=2.
Now I'm thinking about something new, connected with X5000. Soon I should have this computer. My plan is to write book abou "AmigaOS 4 everyday". Is it good idea?

I didn't notice that you had a 3.9 manual for sale until today.  Maybe that's a bit closer to what TJ requires and much easier to get hold of than old books.

[slygon]

@radzik

I bought your emulation book!  I love it!  Yes, a general OS 4.1 book would be great!

Slygon

[radzik]

@radzik

Yes that is a GREAT idea. Something like "the AmigaOS missing manual 4.1FE" That would be great I have talked to many people about this, but no one has the time or energy. If you want some help and or ideas PM me  goo thinking radzik!!!!

-Aaron

Good. This is just idea. But we can talk. Can you send PM with ideas and then we will think or talk.