Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!b-tech!ais.org!jph
From: jph@ais.org (Joseph Hillenburg)
Subject: Re: Few questions/observations about the A3000
Message-ID: <_#3BWVB@irie.ais.org>
Sender: jph@ais.org
Organization: UMCC, Ann Arbor, MI
References: <1991Apr22.184252.10274@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1991 21:41:18 GMT

In article <1991Apr22.184252.10274@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> tagreen@lothario.ucs.indiana.edu (Todd Green) writes:

Hi, Todd.

>I've been meaning to take the time and write a thoughtfull article on
>the A3000, but seems that it'll never get done.  So here comes some
>rambling/questions off the top of my head.
>
>I'm in the process of doing research about the A3000 since I intend to
>purchase one in the next month or so.  First of all the questions
>since they are the most important
>
>1)  Any final word on when KickStart 2.0 will be in ROM?  Also as far
>as I have gathered KickStart is roughly equivalent to the Toolbox on
>the Mac (I come from a Mac background...at least that's what I get
>paid for as a living ;) ).

Commodore has a habit of not announcing things until the last minute. We're
expecting it any time now, of course, it could be a few weeks, etc.

>	1a) What disadvantages would there be to getting a A3000
>	before KS 2.0 is put in ROM? Upgrade costs, troubles, etc.

I believe the upgrade cost for the A3000 is nil.

>	1b) Once 2.0 is in ROM will you still be able to use 1.3
>	to retain compatibility.

Yep, be sure to have a copy of the A3000 version of the 1.3.2 kickstart and
use the 'cpu' program (aka setcpu in the public domain) to boot under 1.3.2.

>
>2)  Upon looking at the 1950 monitor I noticed an annoying flicker on the first
>scan line of the monitor.  Escpecially when you would pull down a "screen".
>Any word on this?  I think this was discussed before on this group...but oh well.
>

Bug in the Amber chip. Not sure what Commodore will do about it.

>3) Any comments on the best development programs (C/C++/Objective-C) would be
>welcome.  Commercial only.

C:
  SAS/C 5.10A and Manx V are the most popular. SAS is starting to become more
popular, and is an overall better product, especially with 5.10.

C++:
  SAS and Comeau. (Comeau for AmigaDOS and AmigaUNIX) Both written by the same
author. Comeau quit SAS (Known as Lattice at that time...) and made his own.
SAS is working on a new version of their C++. Comeau C++ requires SAS/C 5.10.

Objective: I haven't heard of any Objective C compiler for the Amiga, yet.

>3) Any difinitive word on the supposed problems with the SCSI controller with 
>multiple drives?

This is a problem with the Western Digital chip. It's supposed to be fixed, but
I'm not sure. To avoid this, you just need to turn off reselection, to use
multiple drives. (If your chip has the bug...)

>
>4)  This is not really for me, but a co-worker has asked me to ask for him
>(guess he's too lazy to type it in himself).  What kind of deals/opportunities
>exist for an Amiga owner to develop for SEGA.  Are there any packages/cross
>compilers etc.  (reply either to myself or mdchaney@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu)

Sega uses Amigas for development. Mail

  Sega of America Inc.
  573 Forbes Blvd.
  South San Francisco, CA 94080

or call (415) 742-9300.

BTW: You *could* redesign the pointer to look like the Mac pointer. It's set
up the way it is so that it's the same size in all resolutions.

>A final comment which I'll probably get flamed for is that I cannot believe the number
>of people posting that they bought an Amiga and have absolutely no clue about the
>machine.  I just cannot believe people will plunk down several thousand dollars without
>having thoroughly studied the market/product.  Wish I had that kind of money to blow.

Happens in all systems. (Example: You got a Mac... :)

>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Todd
>-- 
>Internet: tagreen@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu
>NeXTMail: tagreen@lothario.ucs.indiana.edu
>BitNet:	  tagreen@iubacs.bitnet



-- 
    // Joseph Hillenburg/Blackwinter, Secretary, Bloomington Amiga Users Group 
  \X/    jph@valnet.UUCP          jph@irie.ais.org        jph@gnu.ai.mit.edu
  "Project: Desert Storm is also known as ``The Mother of All Ass-Kickings.''"
