Jim G: Good evening everyone. Sorry, Im getting a little of a late start tonight. Just wanted to hear the Pres. We're starting with 14 guests and 5 questions tonight. Let the games begin….
QuestionThe other day I spoke with someone at Commodore-Amiga in PA., and he told me that you were no longer putting the half -bright chips in new Amiga's because there is a bug in the chip. He made mention of a Rev 6 chip and said that this was functionally the same as a 5.5, or the original Denise chip and that it was going in the new machines. I know several people who have the half- bright chip. What is the bug?? And, how will Amiga remedy this situation?
Jim G: There has been a lot of conversation about the Amiga because of the word BUG. Because the development of the amiga has been a little morre out in the open, this term appears more often. There are bugs in hardware and software that don't effect the product at all. A piece of business software that produces a red background when you ask for blue has a bug. It doesn't mean the software doesn't work. I'm not aware of a change in the Denise chip, and if there was what kinds og bugs it was suppose to fix.
QuestionAny plans to put Amiga opsys on rom?
Jim G: No. we are still maintaining that the OS will remain on disk.
QuestionWhat topics are we speaking on tonight?
Jim G: Whatever you'd like. Related to the Amiga hopefully. If things get boring, I have a couple of new things.
QuestionWho are you?
Jim G: I think that answers a previous question. My name is Jim Gracely and I'm the Technical Editor of Commodore's two magazines – Commodore Microcomputer and Power/play.
QuestionHow many programs can an Amiga actually run at one time (multi-tasking), and how many users (multi-users) can it support at one time? Please hurry.
Jim G: As quickly as I can. The limit of programs that can run at once is around 50. However, that is assuming unlimited memory. If you try it yourself, you won't get that far. (I've brought up 19 dots demos at once). The Amiga is NOT a multi-user computer. It can perform a number of tasks at once, but will only support 1 user (until someone develops some adapters)
QuestionHow do you use AMIGA basic with CHR$ pri ter commands? I have been told you can not do it with LPRINT. Anyway to do this ? I am using EPSON JX-80 color printer.
Jim G: Sending chr$ codes to the printer is a little tricky. The printer drivers control what is print on the printer. They intercept BASIC and looks for specific commands. It will simply remove most of the chr$ codes you try to print. You must use a set of standard codes (to the driver itself) to emulate chr$ codes. These codes are found in the back of one of the Amiga hardware manuals.
QuestionJIM: Since the 68000 processor doesn't have to compete with the custom chips for use of memory above the 512K chip memory, will an expanded memory Amiga run some applications faster than the unexpanded memory machines that most of us are using now?
Jim G: Yes. especially anything which is multi-tasking. I don't have any figures on benchmarks though.
QuestionDoes CBM plan a hard disk for the Amiga?
Jim G: We've been working on a hard drive project for quite a while now. I haven't heard anything yet about a "real" product.
QuestionA certain computer columnist has indicated that Ranger, the second generation of Amiga will begin to appear in limited numbers this Summer. However, my Amiga contact (A business rep) can't imagine Ranger release until 1987? Any hot tips on this issue?
Jim G: We've announced since the beginning that the amiga is the first in a line of computers. The information in infoworld was partial information on a possible future configuration. There is still a lot of other configurations possible. In any case, I wouldn't expect to see anything before 1987.
QuestionHow good is the ibm-emulator..can it run enable or symphony?
Jim G: The Transformer has finally been shipped (yay! one of my pieces of info). It is supposedly listed on the box which programs will run. If Transformer is still the same as the last I saw, it won't run Symphony, but I think it does run Enable.
QuestionI think you misunderstood my question on the Denise chip. I didn't mean that the chip would fix a bug…rather, the half- bright chip conatains a bug and is no longer being put in new machines. The reason I called originally was to find out how to obtain a half-bright chip. The person I spoke with said that once the bug was corrected, Amiga would be supporting this feature in the future. I would still like to know how this will be made available. Many thanks…
Jim G: Ok. The half-brite feature is considered an enhancement and not a fix of any kind, and that means that field upgrades won't be made automatically. They may be available for purchase once availability loosens up.
QuestionAny updated info on the next release of AmigaBASIC (Microsoft)? A couple of the Bugs are extremely annoying (XON/XOFF trapping and ON ERROR window closing).
Jim G: Last I heard, microsoft was hagling over contracts. They wouldn't provide updates until all was settled. Once that happens, I think most all the bugs will be corrected.
QuestionWe see the ads in the magazines. We read the promises and scan the numbers of developers reportedly working on Amiga software. But, still, the shelves at my local dealers gather more dust than new Amiga software. When are the highly touted software floodgates going to start sluicing programs down the channels?
Jim G: Soon hopefully. I'm getting pretty tired of seeing the same lists myself! The software is starting to leak through now. It seems stuff is just popping up rather than entering with a bang.
QuestionWhat kind of graphic/sound/amination com mands come in the amiga microsoft basic
Jim G: Graphic commands include all kinds of plots, objects and bobs with animation commands for them. There are even nifty things like setting an acceleration for a sprite! Sound commands include a wave command for defining a waveshape and then various play commands for using it. Of course, windows and pull down menus are also supported.
QuestionIs it possible for a developer to get th update Denise chip to keep current?
Jim G: I don't think its available to anyone as a separate chip.
QuestionI have a friend who is dying to buy an Amiga but absolutely HAS to have VT-100 terminal emulation. Is there currently an Amiga telecommunications program that has this feature?
Jim G: Yes. Online! from Brown-Waugh (sp?) by Micro Solutions, Inc out of florida. A very nice program. It also supports TTY, VT52 and VT102
QuestionCan the Amiga take a hayes moden unmodifuied?
Jim G: Yes. I'm using a Racal-Vadic on mine.
QuestionI, for one getting tired of accessing Q-Link with my C-64. I want to sell my C-64. How long before the AMIGA can access Q-Link? If it too long, I will Quit Q-Link.
Jim G: They (quantum) have been hedging on that. I think I've told people to leave suggestions enough. I think its just a question of installed base. What is the total number of possible subscribers?
QuestionIf the are new generations of 68000 plan ned will the software carry over as in t he 64 to 128?
Jim G: I assume you mean like from a 68000 to 68010 or 68020? If so, the Amiga already supports both of those version of the chips. (Kickstart1.1 checks to see which is there)
QuestionAny advice for users wanting to use… the Transformer without a 5 inch drive.. without bending software laws?
Jim G: No. Stick to public domain software?
QuestionHow can a buyer tell if the Amiga has th e new chip mentioned above incorporated?
Jim G: There are a number of public domain programs around which will attempt to display 64 colors. If works on yor machine, you've got a new chip. By "don't work" I mean you'll just see 32 colors. I believe the name is Hlfbrt or something like that.
QuestionI have found that my copy of transformer will run a few IBM prog's such as LOTUS 123, but hardly anything else. I here Amiga 5 1/4 disk has been reduced in price to $250.00(list) and transformer free with purchase, Is this the same or updated version of transformer?
Jim G: I don't know which version you have now!! The transformer version shipped was I believe 3.8
QuestionI think there is still a question on the half-bright version of Denise. Is it accurate that the enhanced Denise had a bug?
Jim G: I have no idea. I haven't heard a thing.
QuestionI got a chance to play with genlock a couple weeks ago and was able to genlock to a one inch video source. As far as I could see, it wa not broadcast quality, but, better than I was expecting for the price. Do you have any specifics on the 3rd party broadcast quality genlock? Manufacturer and relaeas date??
Jim G: The manufacturer is someone on the west coast. something like Sights and Sounds. Leave me Email if you need a number. The specs didn't mean anything to me, so I don't remember them. It was suppose to be available around now (mid-april)
QuestionWith MS BASIC being such a powerful version of the language (considering the bugs), is CBM trying to locate a company to develope a compiler?
Jim G: I thought I heard about someone working on one, but we're not working too hard on searching out developers. I think our list of products is basically complete for now.
QuestionWhen will Q-Link have Amiga terminal software?
Jim G: Again. I don't think they plan to. Send a complaint if you think they should!
QuestionTid bit. The Gizmo product also has a terminal program theat supports VT-100
QuestionIs anything on the 64 Amiga compatable?
Jim G: The monitor. The 1702 will work with the Amiga in composite separated output. As a matter of fact you can even use a standard 5-pin 64 video cable.
QuestionAny way of using the 15721 1571 with the transformer?
Jim G: No. The 5 1/4 drive for the Transformer is MS-Dos compatible and not intelligent.
QuestionWhen will the transformer support color graphics?
Jim G: The transformer itself will not. The Accelerator is a hardware add-on which may add color to the transformer (will also speed it up) COMMENT: Regarding IBM software w/o the 5.25-inch drive. I suppose you could buy a copy
Questionof the program and, using a null modem cable, port it over to the Amiga. I you buy the program I can't see why you can't use it on any machine you want just as long as you use it on one machine only. (Ohhh, the twists and turns of legality)
Jim G: I'm just passing that along as a suggestion.
QuestionCan you spill anything about the IBM emulation "black box" that Commodore- Amiga has ready to go in July?
Jim G: No.
QuestionI mean how can you tell at the time purc hase if the neew chip is there?
Jim G: (The new Denise chip). You can't.
QuestionCan you describe the Mindwalker for us? I hear it's great!!
Jim G: Mindwalker will hopefully be in the stores the first or second week of may. Just waiting for the Manuals. I don't think I can describe it though. I've played it some, but its VERY different.
QuestionI have a 3.5" external disk drive and a 5 1/4" drive. I purchased a 4 ft ex- tension cable to use with the drives. The problem is that the 3.5" drive does not work properly (it has trouble reading some disks) with the cable. Any way to fix this easily?
Jim G: First I've heard of this. I can't think of what might be causing it.
QuestionWhy not wait for the Ranger?
Jim G: You may be waiting a long time for a machine that is not what you anticipate.
QuestionWhen will Q-Link have it's next software update?
Jim G: Check with them. I thought they were working towards sometime this summer.
QuestionWhen can we get the acccelerator?
Jim G: I haven't heard anything on the status of the accelerator since transformer was released, but I know they've been saying a 60-90 minimum before Accelerator would appear (after trans) I don't know what they are proposing to do. Could probably work in either mode. Sorry, answer before the question!
QuestionAcording to byte Mag. a 5 1/4 quad stand ard drive can be interfaced to the amiga inplace of an external 3 1/2. Can you give any information on this and if it would it work in amiga mode or IBM or both.
QuestionHow good is the amiga documentation & wh at do you need to get a complete list of callable routines with comments
Jim G: THe documentation included with the Amiga is very basic and assumes that the purchaser needs to only know how to get software running (lots on the mouse and using pull-down menus). The Basic manual is good though. There is much else available though. THe AmigaDOS Manual is available at book stores. Its from Bantam for 24.95. The hardware manuals will be available soon from Addison- Wesley and include a hardware manual, intuition manual, Rom kernal manual and Rom listings manual They are $24.95-34.95 each.
QuestionWhat is the ranger supposed to be?
Jim G: No one knows yet.
QuestionHave you received any information on monitors that will work without the infamous "flicker"?
Jim G: I've heard about two. One is an Electrahome (i think the home part is correct). The other is a new model of a Sanyo (XD series I believe)
QuestionWhat kind of documentation comes with th e c-compiler or assembler?
Jim G: I believe you get a manual on C. Not a tutorial though.
QuestionI can't believe we've been here an hour and no one has asked this, SOoooo . . What hot new hardware and software have you seen since the last Amiga conference?
Jim G: There are now two databases available for the Amiga. One is from MiAmiga in florida and looks rather simple but very neat and clean. Records can be displayed in either a page or spreadsheet layout. The other database is called InfoBase and I can't think of the publisher. Its not apparently very powerful. Musicraft is being completed by Cherry-Lane and hopefully will be out middle to endof May. The Aegis Draw package is really hot. It uses a virtual screen page with a LOT of resolution. Zooms are available as are various fonts. VIP professional is a new Spreadsheet. It is a lotus look-alike. I was playing a Lotus benchtest (Templates of Doom) on it. The public domain software is completely out of control. I used to be able to keep up, but there is in excess of 50-75 different disks of PD stuff available. Commodore has a Textcraft-Plus comming but I don't know what's new. That's about all I can think of right now.
QuestionDoes the Amiga rules the computer market???
Jim G: We wish. No the amiga still occupies a teenie little corner of the personal computer market.
QuestionIs there ANY POSSIBLE WAY to do multi-tasking on the 64???
Jim G: Sure. I've seen a couple of write-ups on it. Put one program high in memory, one low, and use a machine language wedge to share clock cycles between them. Not very hard, but not very useful.
QuestionCan the 64 go 2400 baud??? Y/N?
Jim G: Yes.
QuestionAnything new on writing your own printer driver routines for preferences or a pro gram that will configure it for you.
Jim G: There is a program that will help you write a text driver, but nothing for grapihcs. There are drivers now available for the Apple Imagewriter.
QuestionAre the addison manuals the same as the manuals in the "software development pac kage"?
Jim G: That was how they started. Now they are updated and much bigger
QuestionIsn't there a library of c-routines for the amiga that comes with the compiler
Jim G: Yes.
QuestionWhy are most of your games wrong when i typed them in?
Jim G: I assume you mean in the magazines? They shouldn't be. They work all right when I run them before printing them out. Occasionally glitches appear between my printer and the magazine though.
QuestionHave Amiga sales picked up since the last amigaforum?
Jim G: Not that I'm aware of. The $500 off program should pick things up though. In case you haven't heard. We've started a promo of buy an amiga and Monitor and get $500 dollars off. Until may 17 I believe.
QuestionWhen will the Amiga 2000 be released and is the Amiga 1000 compatible?
Jim G: No such product as an Amiga 2000 yet.
QuestionCan the IBM emulator run sequencing soft ware on the Amiga?
Jim G: Do you mean musical sequencing software?
QuestionIs it true that the JET simulation is on hold?
Jim G: Last I heard from Sublogic, they hit a bug finishing the Mac version. The amiga version was to be a port-over of that. The Mac version has started shipping though, and they say the Amiga version in May.
QuestionCan the output from aegis & elec arts dr aw packages be used in buyers programs
Jim G: Sure. There are a couple of public domain programs that use IFF format, and can load in other program's files.
QuestionWhere do ypu get the pub domain stuff?
Jim G: User groups are the best source of Public domain programs. Other sources include bbs's and sometimes even friendly dealers.
QuestionIs Commodore working on an revision to to Textcraft that will allow files to be saved and loaded to another disk? Also is there a spellchecker planned for Textcraft?
Jim G: I know that Textcraft-Plus is comming but I don't know any details.
QuestionAre there any mouses for the C64?
Jim G: The mouse for the C128 will work with the 64.
QuestionOn the new AMIGA 2000 will the keyboard be different or will it be the same?
Jim G: There is no such product as an amiga 2000
QuestionAny problems with using 3rd party memory expansion cards that you know of?
Jim G: No. I've worked with the Starpoint expansions and haven't heard of any problems.
QuestionWill the transformer run ibm dbase III[ ???
Jim G: Yes.
QuestionI read in InfoWorld that WordPerfect is being written for the amiga. Anything you can add to this??
Jim G: I've heard the same thing recently. I assume that it is accurate.
QuestionHave you seen the Amiga Programmer's manual from Sybex. If so, any opinion?
Jim G: It looks ok. Its mostly the same as the AmigaDOS manual, but with new examles and explanations
QuestionIs there a Microsoft Basic compiler available for the amiga?
Jim G: Not yet. There are supposedly at least one being worked on
QuestionWhy is it that they dont have any better BBS'S?????
Jim G: Who!!!!!!
QuestionIBM is reported to be considering a 3 1/2 inch drive. LOTUS has indicated LOTUS 123 will be released on it. Does the emulator need the 5 1/4 inch drive?
Jim G: No. The emulator will work just fine with a 3.5 inch drive.
QuestionEven the Amiga magazine has put out any demonstration programs for the Amiga y et. Why not?
Jim G: Don't know. There is a magazine called Amazing Computing. It is filled with nifty info and good programs.
QuestionWhy do some programs only compile with c-3.2 and not c-3.3 isn't 3.3 compatable with c-3.2 I am getting frustrated with having to compile everything twice.
Jim G: I haven't found anyone that can answer that question correctly yet. I'm going through the same problems that you are!
QuestionWhen is the frame grabber going to be available, also the 'Amiga Live'?
Jim G: Amiga Live, Frame grabber, Amiga Eye, are all the same thing (Amiga Live is correct). They keep futzing around with it (A~2 that is). Latest I heard, hold-and-modify has been added. Release date? Sometime in June maybe
QuestionHas the Graphicraft v1.1 disk been sent to the dealers yet?
Jim G: I don't think so. all registered owners should be informed once it is available.
QuestionWe just formed an Amiga user group here in Central New York. Had about 30 people at our first meeting in April. do we get in touch with Amiga for sanctioning and to spread the word??
Jim G: If anyone is starting an amiga user group they should send the info to us at commodore. The User Group Support program that we are working with will also support amiga groups. Send the info to Pete Baczor Commodore Business Machines 1200 Wilson Drive West Chester, PA 19380
QuestionYes, I mean musical sequencing software.
Jim G: Again. The software that "officially" runs under the transformer is listed on the back of the box (its not that long a list9. There are many other programs though that will run. I suggest if you have a particular program to try it beforehand.
QuestionThe latest word from the The Manufacture Rep is the Amiga 2000 wil be shown to dealers at the June CES. This is from a very reliable sorce!!
Jim G: Last I heard, Commodore was not going attend the summer CES. We will be at Comdex the last weekend in April
QuestionAre you going to have any type in Amiga programs in either of your mag's?
Jim G: Yes. I have a number of programs that have been submitted for publication. We will hopefully start running at least one program a month.
QuestionHow good is the Electronic Arts Music sequencing program?
Jim G: The only EA music program I know of is Insta-Music. I don't think that qualifies as sequencing software though.
QuestionWhich manual covers the iff file format?
Jim G: I don't remember which one (sorry). One of them does have an entire chapter dedicated to IFF tho
QuestionDo you need the gen-lock with Amiga Live ???
Jim G: No. They are separate products. The amiga-live will digitize a video image. THe genlock interface allows two video sources to be displayed at the same time on the monitor. This doesn't sound like anything tremendous but it is actually normally very hard to do. (try connecting both the 64 and a VCR to your 1702. It just don't work!)
QuestionWe are still wainting for a reasonable priced 20Meg had disk. Are any in production? (not counting Tecmar)
Jim G: The newest I've heard of is from a company called Comspec. It is apparently a true DMA hard drive (DMA=fast). I haven't heard any pricing though.
QuestionWhy does someone keep mentioning the Amiga 2000 and isn't the Amiga going to hav e a life span at all?
Jim G: People are just anxious to find out what might be coming down the pike. The amiga 2000 is still just notes on paper though.
QuestionWill Textcraft Plus be offered to existing owners as an upgrade?
Jim G: no. Textcraft-plus is considered an enhanced version and not just an upgrade. Registered owners should be offered the software at a reduced rate though.
QuestionHow do I reach the Amiga Developers BBS?
Jim G: The amiga Developer's Forum has been moved to compuserve.
QuestionI'm sure you don't need any increase in work load but does Commodore have any plans for an Amiga-specific magazine?
Jim G: No. Basically for the same reason that quantumlink isn't available for the Amiga. If there are only 50-100K out there, you really don't have that big of a possible audience. The rule I've heard for magazines is a minimum of 100K installed base. Maybe someday.
QuestionAddress for Amazing Computing please.
Jim G: Don't have it on me. Send me an Email.
QuestionI hope this is not a repititious question, but if it is I will look it up later. I am wondering about the new Workbench 1.2, When will it be released. Can you describe any of the new features
Jim G: Workbench 1.2 is basically a rework of 1.1 for the PAL launch in Europe. There will be a 1.2 some time in the US but it will probably be at least a little different. Registered developers supposed to get beta-test copies of 1.2 sometime in may
QuestionAre there any IBM programs in the top 10 or 20 that the emulator will not work with?
Jim G: I don't think it works at all with Flight Simulator or Symphony. All others will run to some extent
QuestionJim, database manager INFOBASE is in basic and very week. It will only sort one field and not give seleted fields within the sort…. worst DB I have seen even on a 64…..
Jim G: Thats what I was afraid of. The other Database is much nicer than that. The company is MiAmiga but I can't recall the name.
QuestionWill you be able to the Amiga on this sy stem? I own one.
Jim G: Hopefully some day. Actualy, hopefully there will be completely separate system for the amiga
QuestionWhat is the status of the 1080 modem?
Jim G: Last I heard it was pushing thorugh FCC. The manuals are printed and the box is done. those are both favorable signs.
QuestionWhere the Amiga group in central NY?
Jim G: Free ad, free ad
QuestionIs it possible to access the ram disk as an icon under the workbench. Just like a disk icon, but it says ram instead?
Jim G: I haven't seen that done yet. That doesn't mean that it won't be done. Actually it sounds like a good idea.
QuestionWhich Mag will carry Amiga type in?
Jim G: Commodore is actually merging our two mags into one monthly mag.
QuestionI understand the new expansion specs have a 100 "pin" buss? How does this effect A1000 86 pin people? Ranger?
Jim G: I haven't heard anything about this revision of the expansion port.
Questioncan you port Amiga produced images to a vcr?
Jim G: The amiga produces RGB analog, RGB digital, Composite and RF all at the same time. You can hook a VCR directly to the Composite or RF output
QuestionWhy are the present memory expansion units so expensive? Is it that tough to tie into the expansion bus??
Jim G: The chips that are being used are simply expensive. The also add other features such as real-time clocks and battery-backed power. Most of all, there aren't many of them yet. Price competition hasn't really started on the amiga yet.
Jim G: Well that's it for tonight folks! Take care, bye!