rcs91900@zach.fit.edu ( Charles Stockman /ADVISOR-Clutterham) (09/21/90)
When I brought my first Amiga 1000 back in the summer of 87 there were many
reasons why I brought it. Here are a few of them :
1) graphics included in word processing
2) An AI package
3) A good C-Compiler (unix compatible)
4) pictures stored in a data base
In the beginning I brought software packages (arexx,wshell,Manx-C and others)
simple because I was stupid enough to believe this ideas
If ( I support the Amiga Community )
then
the Amiga Software would become more and more diverse
and produce more products that I wanted.
However, due to the fact that the Amiga developers want to ignore the object
orientated langauges, science and mathmaticial areas, my if-then statement above
has been changed to
If ( I support the Amiga Community )
then
the Amiga software I want will never be built
This idea did not come over night , but it came after years of feeling that
Amiga developers wanted to ignore people interested in object orientated design
math and science.
Consider this, most users of the Amiga that I have met seem very intelligent
and want to do a lot of serious work for the Amiga, but a lot of them have
said that they did not have the right tools.
For example I am thinking of doing an object orientated simulation language
in C++ for a thesis next year and I wanted to do it on the Amiga. However,
I can not even started. Why can I not get started ? Simple there is not a
good C++ compiler for the Amiga (I heard about lattice and not going to spend
$300 dollars for it). However, I could do it on the mac or ibm very easily !!
By the way I do not consider the Amiga the leader in Multimedia because it has
the raw resources, but none of the stacks that the Macintosh does. For example
I could get about 1000 stacks and easily store them on cd-rom and create a
pretty good general knowledge database. Could you do this on the amiga. Yes
, but you would have to write 950 stacks at least.
Also Commodore is trying to get the Amiga in the collages and high schools of
Americia. If I was deciding which computer to buy, I would have to buy the
mac for everything, but programming circuits and geography and basic areas of
study. Why ?? Simple the mac has software that deals with genetics,physics,
history and health.
Amiga Developers if you want me to buy Amiga Software then build the software
I want. That all I ask, build the software and I will not mind buying it !!
if you do not build the software that I want then I will not buy it.
To end on a positive note I have seen some small improvements
Workbench 2.0 --> Excellent improvements, keeps upgrading the parts of it that
are good and tries to improve a lot of what is wrong. This
was an excellent upgrade which tries to upgrade the parts of
the system that were weak and keep updating the parts that
were strong.
Pert Chart --> Wow a software engineering software on the Amiga. Amiga
Developers are supposed to recreate the wheel a 1000 times
over, not go into new areas
Pro Write --> The use of subscripts and superscripts in word processing
software (other word processors may have this ability, but
I seen it there).
Small improvements, but a faint glimmer of hope !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!cpca@iceman.jcu.oz (C Adams) (09/28/90)
In article <1397@winnie.fit.edu>, rcs91900@zach.fit.edu ( Charles Stockman /ADVISOR-Clutterham) writes: > This idea did not come over night , but it came after years of feeling that > Amiga developers wanted to ignore people interested in object orientated design > math and science. > > Amiga Developers if you want me to buy Amiga Software then build the software > I want. That all I ask, build the software and I will not mind buying it !! > if you do not build the software that I want then I will not buy it. > A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed? Besides spreadsheets and mathematica what other packages do people on the net feel the Amiga needs and what features should they have? Perhaps there are enough developers on the net that something might appear.... ******************************************************************** Colin Adams Life's funny but I don't laugh ********************************************************************
stelmack@screamer.csee.usf.edu (Gregory M. Stelmack) (09/29/90)
I like the latest idea: tell us what you want, and maybe someone will write it for you. Along that vein, I'd like to solicit opinions from the net. I am in the process of writing a library of C routines for database code. It currently allows only one key for the data record, but allows variable length keys and records. I'd like to turn this into a decent database package, and include a workbenchable interface for creating/maintaining databases. Anyway, what would all of you like to see in such a package/would you support it (ShareWare, likely $25 registration)? Current plans: 1) Multiple keys. Obvious necessity, but will probably mean fixed-length keys. Don't think that's a problem. 2) Concurrency checking to allow multiple processes to access a data file. Should be easy to go to a networking system. 3) The workbench program to interface. I'll take any and all suggestions. BTW, if there is interest I'll send my current weak but workable library (good for small projects like telephone books) to abcfd20. -- Greg Stelmack -- Email: stelmack@sol.csee.usf.edu -- USmail: USF Box 1510, Tampa, FL 33620-1510 -- Amiga: the only way to compute!
WHE46@ccvax.iastate.edu (Marc Barrett) (09/29/90)
In article <985@iceman.jcu.oz> C Adams <cpca@iceman.jcu.oz> writes: >A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for >the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed? > >Besides spreadsheets and mathematica what other packages do people on >the net feel the Amiga needs and what features should they have? > >Perhaps there are enough developers on the net that something might >appear.... I guess I will contribute my $0.02 (U.S.). The first thing I would like to see is a MAC II emulator for the Amiga 3000, using the ULowell graphics board to emulate the MAC's 8-bit graphics. If such an emulation were used with an '040 board, this could emulate Apple's '040-based MAC at half the price. The next thing I would like to see is new Janus software (3.0?) that will provide total SVGA compatibility if the same ULowell board is used on a system, in addition to a Bridgecard. The ability to run UNIX SVR4 and Windows 3.0 software on a single SVGA-quality display could be enticing to some businesses. ARexx is now an official part of the Amiga's OS (as everybody has known for a long time). But ARexx is still only useable by experienced Amiga users. I would like to see third-party support for ARexx to make it much easier to use. Suport could include icon-driven programs which would allow the user to put together an ARexx script via menus and icons (a la AmigaVision). The program would then generate the actual scripts. This would push the Amiga's useability to new heights. This has been mentioned before, but I would like to echo it. Port Object C to the Amiga, and write a powerful NeXT-like interface builder. Port GNU C and GNU C++ to the Amiga! Finally, I would like to see some enhancements to AmigaVision. AV already supports a number of types of hardware, from touchscreen monitors to laserdisk players. I would like to see this hardware support expanded to include some of the new third-part Amiga graphics products, and possibly even the Video Toaster. This could be done with ARexx, but I feel that it would be better to provide this support from within the program. -MB-
mwm@raven.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) (10/03/90)
In article <985@iceman.jcu.oz> cpca@iceman.jcu.oz (C Adams) writes:
A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for
the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed?
Fair enough...
Besides spreadsheets and mathematica what other packages do people on
the net feel the Amiga needs and what features should they have?
How about a complete modern LISP system based on Common LISP or
Scheme? Complete means it has a compiler that can generate stand-alone
programs, intuitionized graphical debugging package, and OOP
extensions. Now, make it useful on the Amiga by adding the ability to
access arbitrary libraries, and a clean interface to intuition & the
graphics library.
Given that, the A3000 would make a killer low-end lisp workstation.
Such packages are marketed for the Mac, and there are people other
than me who'd be willing to shell out real bucks for it.
<mike
--
Tell me how d'you get to be Mike Meyer
As beautiful as that? mwm@relay.pa.dec.com
How did you get your mind decwrl!mwm
To tilt like your hat?beede@sctc.com (Mike Beede) (10/03/90)
> A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for > the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed? How about a real Smalltalk system? -- Mike Beede Secure Computing Technology Corp beede@sctc.com 1210 W. County Rd E, Suite 100 Arden Hills, MN 55112 (612) 482-7420
yorkw@stable.ecn.purdue.edu (Willis F York) (10/03/90)
mwm@raven.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) writes: >In article <985@iceman.jcu.oz> cpca@iceman.jcu.oz (C Adams) writes: > A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for > the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed? >Fair enough... I want CHEAP programs, say i need a spread sheet for homework, ect. the ones i've seen are at least $100, I know there are some for a LOT more, point is i just want a simple spread sheet to do simple things. I currently have MaxiPlan500 (got it Used) and it has more features then i'll ever need. and Some features i want that are missing. I feel a Small program with a REXX port is better then a Huge program with lots of "unneeded" (to me) features. I am looing for a Small data base program, Basicially i want to keep a "Filecard" type of database, MFF+ is what i have now and it is really not suited for my needs. (Tho it does have a REXX port,) Also I want a Program to do GRAPHS of data Points. I am looking at all the PD progs i can find to do this, but none do what i want. (Find the equation and "Best" fit line of a curve) C-ya. . :wq . : -- yorkw@stable.ecn.purdue.edu Willis F York ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sig? I dont' need No Stinking This Space For Rent.... Sig! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
kent@swrinde.nde.swri.edu (Kent D. Polk) (10/03/90)
In article <yorkw.654913230@stable.ecn.purdue.edu> yorkw@stable.ecn.purdue.edu (Willis F York) writes: > >Also I want a Program to do GRAPHS of data Points. I am looking at >all the PD progs i can find to do this, but none do what i want. >(Find the equation and "Best" fit line of a curve) >C-ya. >. >:wq Run your x/y pairs through a spline (or similar) fit before feeding them to the graph program. I believe I saw one on the Fish disks or posted here (or somewhere). Generates very nice curves for you. Might have to massage the endpoints with regular spline fits though. I don't know of any equation generators on the Amiga, but there are many sources of program listings to generate this type of thing. Might check your library. Kent Polk: Southwest Research Institute (512) 522-2882 Internet : kent@swrinde.nde.swri.edu UUCP : $ {cs.utexas.edu, gatech!petro, sun!texsun}!swrinde!kent
joseph@valnet.UUCP (Joseph P. Hillenburg) (10/04/90)
mwm@raven.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) writes: > In article <985@iceman.jcu.oz> cpca@iceman.jcu.oz (C Adams) writes: > A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for > the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed? > > Fair enough... > > Besides spreadsheets and mathematica what other packages do people on > the net feel the Amiga needs and what features should they have? > > How about a complete modern LISP system based on Common LISP or > Scheme? Complete means it has a compiler that can generate stand-alone > programs, intuitionized graphical debugging package, and OOP > extensions. Now, make it useful on the Amiga by adding the ability to > access arbitrary libraries, and a clean interface to intuition & the > graphics library. > > Given that, the A3000 would make a killer low-end lisp workstation. > Such packages are marketed for the Mac, and there are people other > than me who'd be willing to shell out real bucks for it. > > <mike > -- > Tell me how d'you get to be Mike Meyer > As beautiful as that? mwm@relay.pa.dec.com > How did you get your mind decwrl!mwm > To tilt like your hat? I don't know, but I saw a scheme program on abcfd20 (can remember where though) -Joseph Hillenburg UUCP: ...iuvax!valnet!joseph ARPA: valnet!joseph@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu INET: joseph@valnet.UUCP
joseph@valnet.UUCP (Joseph P. Hillenburg) (10/04/90)
joseph@valnet.UUCP (Joseph P. Hillenburg) writes: > mwm@raven.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) writes: > > > In article <985@iceman.jcu.oz> cpca@iceman.jcu.oz (C Adams) writes: > > A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of software for > > the Amiga. What EXACTLY is needed? > > > > Fair enough... > > > > Besides spreadsheets and mathematica what other packages do people on > > the net feel the Amiga needs and what features should they have? > > > > How about a complete modern LISP system based on Common LISP or > > Scheme? Complete means it has a compiler that can generate stand-alone > > programs, intuitionized graphical debugging package, and OOP > > extensions. Now, make it useful on the Amiga by adding the ability to > > access arbitrary libraries, and a clean interface to intuition & the > > graphics library. > > > > Given that, the A3000 would make a killer low-end lisp workstation. > > Such packages are marketed for the Mac, and there are people other > > than me who'd be willing to shell out real bucks for it. > > > > <mike > > -- > > Tell me how d'you get to be Mike Meyer > > As beautiful as that? mwm@relay.pa.dec.com > > How did you get your mind decwrl!mwm > > To tilt like your hat? > > I don't know, but I saw a scheme program on abcfd20 (can remember where > though) > > > -Joseph Hillenburg > > UUCP: ...iuvax!valnet!joseph > ARPA: valnet!joseph@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu > INET: joseph@valnet.UUCP Boy, am I making mistakes. That should read: "I can't remember where though." -Joseph Hillenburg UUCP: ...iuvax!valnet!joseph ARPA: valnet!joseph@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu INET: joseph@valnet.UUCP
mwm@raven.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) (10/09/90)
In article <31878@nigel.ee.udel.edu> WHE46@ccvax.iastate.edu (Marc Barrett) writes:
ARexx is now an official part of the Amiga's OS (as everybody has
known for a long time). But ARexx is still only useable by experienced
Amiga users. I would like to see third-party support for ARexx to
make it much easier to use. Suport could include icon-driven programs
which would allow the user to put together an ARexx script via menus
and icons (a la AmigaVision). The program would then generate the
actual scripts. This would push the Amiga's useability to new heights.
The description is ambiguous. You apparently want an application
generator, ala PowerWindows. I've seen one demo'd by the folks at
SLAC. It was written using itself as a tool. Watch for it.
However, most Rexx scripts don't open windows to talk to the user.
They talk to the application that started them to talk to the user. A
powerwindows style applications builder is pretty much useless for
that. Something like CanDo might be worthwhile, but it really needs to
be tailored to the application. Without that, what you've really got
is an intuitionized, syntax-directed editor. Which might be useful in
and of itself.
This has been mentioned before, but I would like to echo it. Port
Object C to the Amiga, and write a powerful NeXT-like interface
builder.
There is an object-oriented C system for the Amiga (other than C++,
that is). It's not got the interface builder, though. You just have to
know where to look (not being interested in such, I've forgotten where
it came from).
Port GNU C and GNU C++ to the Amiga!
Well, that's not the kind of thing you ask commercial developers to do
- they can't sell it through normal channels. On the other hand, it's
the perfect kind of thing to ask a consultant to do. But they'll
expect to be paid for their work. Send me email if you're interested
in putting your money where your mouth is.
<mike
--
Lather was thirty years old today, Mike Meyer
They took away all of his toys. mwm@relay.pa.dec.com
His mother sent newspaper clippings to him, decwrl!mwm
About his old friends who'd stopped being boys.