On Thursday 05 September 2002 04:16 am, Alastair Scott wrote: > Mark Weaver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > (09/05/2002 11:55) > > >James Sparenberg wrote: > >> Over 10 years on computers.... not always nix (I miss my Amiga > >> *grin*) > >> > >> James > > > >I've been hearing a lot about Amigas and invariably the people > > always say they miss them. What was so special about them that > > they're so sorely missed? I wouldn't know an Amiga computer if I > > fell over one. > > They were way ahead of their time and, in some ways, still are: > > - the entire OS fits on an 0.5MB ROM (so booting is instantaneous); > > - extensive use of custom chips to handle graphics, sound etc (no > kludges or compromises over time as the design was 'perfect' to begin > with, and no driver problems as the hardware is well defined); ---------------------snip-----------------------------
Excellent description, you neglected to mention that except for the very (very!) earliest of versions it was/is also a fully pre-emptive, multitasking OS. The first computer I owned that could draw me away from it as far as usability was a 700mhz athlon. (ppc, mac os7.5 was unusable in comparison, as far as I was concerned). It still works well today for email and light net stuff. I think I paid 150$ 2 1/2 years ago for a brand new Amiga 1200 w/ word processor, paint and spreadsheet programs as well as 4gb hard drive. The biggest limitation was expensive peripherals due to lack of manufacturer support (thanks to m$ and the sheepish behavior of society). -- dh
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