-=========================================================================- _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || Amiga Update -News and Rumors /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || (An Occasional Newsletter) / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ || BACK FOR THE FUTURE || -=========================================================================- AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga Technologies, GmbH --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 961125 S A S S E N R A T H P A R T T W O V I S C O R P R E P O R T S U P R A M O D E M U P G R A D E Editor's introduction: This has been a busy November - we've had to issue an unusual number of Amiga Updates to keep up with developments. And yet, nothing much has really happened. There's been a lot of talk which we don't think we should ignore, but very little meaningful action on the core question for us all - what's really happening with the Amiga? There have been a couple of statements made in the last few days which we think we should bring to you. First, a follow-up message from former Commodoran and former VISCorp consultant Carl Sassenrath. Mr. Sassenrath shocked the Amiga community recently with his defection from and flaming of, VISCorp. He's now posted an interesting note of follow-up thoughts. We're not really certain how to interpret all this. At bottom, we may be dealing with nothing more than a philosophy difference between strong personalities. Time will tell. The second item today, a report by VISCorp's Jason Compton, is almost more interesting for what you can read from between the lines than it is for what it actually says. First, it is apparent that VISCorp doesn't wish to get in a "flaming" war or other public argument with Mr. Sassenrath. That's good professional conduct, something not always seen with Amiga companies. Second, there's still no resolution to the ownership crisis for Amiga. Given what was being said about a resolution Real Soon Now by VISCorp months ago, it's pretty clear something unexpected has come up. Mr. Compton's article indicates it has to do with messiness left over from the original Escom buyout of Commodore. Most startling is the hint that VISCorp has gone from considering itself the soon to be new owner of the Amiga to now thinking of itself as the front runner in some sort of bidding scenario. We find this very interesting. Regular readers will recall that some time ago we presented information that Eagle Computers might be a rival for the rights to the Amiga. There seems to be a lot happening in the background. As we find information we can send your way, you may be assured we will. Finally today, a note on upgrading various Supra modems with "flash" ROMs to the new high speeds now becoming usable. We include this item as Supra is one of the most popular modem brands in use with Amiga systems. Please keep in mind that the firmware being discussed is beta; that is, it's not really ready for production and you use it at your own risk. As always, we hope you enjoy this issue. Brad Webb, Editor --------------------------------------------------------------------------- C A R L S A S S E N R A T H H A S M O R E T O S A Y Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 07:56:11 CST6CDT Follow Up Message From Carl Sassenrath I have received a large volume of email asking what will now happen to the Amiga. Even as one of its designers, I cannot offer you a solid, positive answer. There are many paths from here. We are again back at the crossroads. To me personally, I think the road must be toward a rebirth of those core concepts that made the Amiga what it was, and I encourage all of you to hold on, regardless of how desperate the situation may seem. Please, my friends, remain the "rebels" that you are. It is up to each of us to see to it that there always remains a choice, else I fear for our future... and the future of all personal computing. -=- A lot of people have asked what I will do next. In general, I can say that I am NOT pleased with the direction personal computers have taken over the last decade. These systems are now hundreds of times faster, with hundreds of times more memory. Yet, are we better off? Are we more productive? Have they made life easier? No. Not in the least. In some areas they've made the situation worse. It reminds me of our federal government: requiring ever more money and resources, but becoming bigger, slower, and dumber. This is not a hardware problem. The software is to blame. We have become enslaved by overly complex and twisted software. I'm talking here about systems like MS Windows, C++, TCP/IP, HTML, etc. They are all junk-the work of designers who really don't understand how our minds work or relate to our personal human condition. SIMPLE THINGS SHOULD BE SIMPLE TO DO! Yet, complex things should still be possible. That is the kind of system I want to use, and that is what I am going to build next. After creating the Amiga multitasking kernel, I didn't stop thinking about operating systems, I just figured that someone else was going to move us forward to the next best thing. It has not happened. So now it has come time to start afresh. However, this time, I'm going to create it for you and for me, not for some company whose CEO just wants to get rich. It will be wonderfully elegant, pure, efficient, and simple. I have already begun. The system will develop in two phases. The first is a better means of expression, the second, a better means of operation. If you want more info in the months ahead, link www.sassenrath.com into your web browser site list and visit often. So that is my journey, my future. I expect it to be a rough road at times, but this is the path I must take. It is my sincere hope that many of you Amigans will join me in the years ahead... with a system for the next century. Stay in touch and all the best to you in the years ahead. Carl Sassenrath 21-Nov-96 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- U P D A T E F R O M T H E V I S C O R P N E T S I T E From: jcompton@xnet.com (Jason Compton) Subject: VIScorp: Nov. 22 Cologne I'm glad to be back home, but I very much enjoyed my trip to Cologne, Germany and the Computer '96 show. The two days spent there flew by very quickly, but I was glad to meet with hundreds of Amiga users, journalists, and professionals to discuss the Amiga. The Amiga Acquisition The topic on everyone's mind, of course. At present, there is no publicly consumable news to report. However, these things are true. 1. VIScorp remains dedicated to the acquisition of the Amiga technology from the bankrupt Escom AG, and our representatives continue discussions with Escom trustee Dr. Hembach over this issue. 2. VIScorp remains dedicated to the productive application of the Amiga technology in the event it is successful in the acquisition--namely, the fulfillment of the interactive technology goals the company was founded on, and the support and further development of the Amiga technology as a desktop computer. The interactive technology goals will explicitly involve technology partners, and we anticipate forging strong partnerships for the Amiga desktop computer technology as well. VIScorp has dedicated a great deal of corporate energy and effort to the acquisition. It is not VIScorp's intention to deprive, abuse, or alienate the Amiga market. Rather, VIScorp wants to complete the Amiga acquisition as soon as possible and be freed to pursue its technology goals. It is not in our interests nor our intention to mislead the Amiga market, nor to misrepresent the current state of affairs. Also, it is explicitly not in our interests to in any way damage or endanger our efforts in the Amiga acquisition. In order to satisfy all of these requirements, VIScorp is obliged to abide by certain rules of conduct which preclude a "blow-by-blow" report of the proceedings of the Amiga acquisition. This would be improper and beyond our ability to provide.We remain committed to the acquisition of the technology and as such are attempting to act in everyone's best interest. We cannot make commitments to property we do not yet own in the form of purchase orders, contracts, and the like. It IS within our purview to conduct preliminary discussions with companies regarding the ultimate goals for the Amiga technology, and as such discussions have been conducted worldwide, with such companies as Motorola, PIOS, Phase5, and Schatztruhe. However, it would be premature and improper to make any commitments, nor rule out any other discussions, at this time. Acquiring the rights from a bankruptcy to properties obtained, from a bankruptcy a short while ago, which represent the intellectual property of a decades-old computer giant, with the two sales conducted under different codes of law, is not a straightforward affair, as some might suggest.VIScorp has done its best to learn and understand the full implications of the purchase of the Amiga technology and is working to successfully complete the acquisition. As a general policy, VIScorp does not engage in online flame wars. It is a negative-sum enterprise and not in the best interests of a company and the individuals in it who are dedicated to a goal and wish to conduct business towards that goal. The bottom line Yes, VIScorp continues to work with all diligence towards the completion of the Amiga deal, but don't let anyone fool you into thinking that it should be an "easier" process. As has been mentioned before, this sort of process is not merely closed to VIScorp. VIScorp believes it is the front-runner in this acquisition. If it were any "easier" to purchase the Amiga, by now we or someone else would have made it so. The fact that it is November 22, 1996 and we do not have control of the Amiga assets as of yet is a consequence of the way business is and must be conducted in an international sale of technology with major implications. Due to my trip, there is some e-mail that has gone unanswered, and I'll be working to rectify that situation. While VIScorp has been open from the start to accepting and considering comments and input from all comers, please try to keep in mind that you and you alone determine through your language how you wish it to be received. Jason Compton jcompton@xnet.com Communications Manager - Amiga, VIScorp --------------------------------------------------------------------------- S U P R A H I G H S P E E D B E T A S O F T W A R E {Editor's note - we suggest you also read the information on the disclaimer page which can be reached at the supra site. Further, there are links that can get you to the 1.1440-12 software mentioned from the beta page. Brad} Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 11:32:12 CST6CDT For those of you who use a supra modem with the ability to change the flash rom in your modem: Models supported: SupraSonic 336V+ SupraFAXModem 288e SupraFAXModem 288i SupraFAXModem 288 German BZT approved SupraFAXModem 288i PnP TeleCommander 3500XL TeleCommander 2500XL You can upgrade your modem to 33.6kbps if not already done... first install version 1.1440-12 of the ROM. If you already have version 1.1440-12 and have problems with your modem: - hanging up - it never connects at 33.6kbps - has trouble negotiating V34.. Install the beta version of the ROM (version 1.440-25), I personally had no problems at all with it and it solved all problems listed above...(P.S: you have to install the version 1.440-12 before installing the 1.440-25 says supra... don't know if it's true, never try it...don't take a chance and by the way, if you stop an upgrade of the modem in progress, all you have to do is shut it off/on and it will wait for you to restart downloading the in 9600bps...) To get the ROM go to: http://beta.supra.com/download-25.html Have fun! -- François Pominville mailto:pom@mlink.net http://www.mlink.net/~pom --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amiga Update on the net: some issues available in html format at: http://www.sharbor.com/amiga/news/ All back issues available (in ASCII text) at: http://www.globaldialog.com/AdventureCentral/AU.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1996 by Brad Webb. Freely distributable, if not modified. -=========================================================================- _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || Brad Webb/AmigaUpdate /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || webb@malamute.med.ge.com /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || bandr@globaldialog.com / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ || -=========================================================================-