• Alive Mediasoft announces "Frontier First Encounters" and "Elite 3 First Encounters" for Amiga.
• Marko Seppänen told us by e-mail that he was unable to fix the dead link to the offer page due to technical problems of the provider. Here is the correct link: offer.
  
  The Image Engineer PlugIn "Visual Border" now has an option (in the registered version) to create / save the border effect with single or all pictures in a directory. Orders can be placed here.
• Virus Help Denmark announces the new VirusExecutor version 1.83 of author Jan Erik Olausen being available. Download: virusexecutor.lha - 118,140 bytes
• Epic Marketing released two new game compilation CDs. The CD "Adventures Lair" is a CD with ten complete graphics adventures. The CD requires an Amiga with hard drive and 2 MByte RAM. Among the games are "Mad House", "Legends of Lothian", "Federation", "Blood Fest", "Seven Realms" and others.
  
  Ten complete games can also be found on the compilation CD "Mutantology", including the commercial Mutation games "Castle Kingdoms" (action adventure), "Tommy Gun" (shoot-em-up) and "Tin Toy Adventure" (jump&run).
• Stefan Werner told us in the ANF that Be offers BeOS R5 for free download. Download: BeOS download page.
• dEViL told us in the ANF that SecondSpin is now available in version 1.97beta. Download: SecondSpin_Install.lha
• AmiDog released DarcNES (multi-console-emulator) version 9a0115a. Download: dn9a0115a.lha.
• Hans-Werner Schober offers a new beta version 4419.03 of FastIPrefs, adjusted to OS 3.5. Download: FastIPrefs4419_03b.lha - 118 Kb
• You can find new screenshots of "The Last Seal" at Ancor as well as new informations on the game; e.g. a new sound program is being used, which sounds great, and new sounds have also been sampled already. Additionally, new rooms have been created, and the drawing of a new character has been begun.

Reply-To:      "John Porter" johnp@cadlink.co.uk
From:          "John Porter" johnp@cadlink.co.uk
To:            team@amiga-news.de
Subject:       News
Date: Mon,     17 Jan 2000 17:05:13 -0000
Organization:  CADlink UK

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know we have got a live chat with Tao Group and
hopefully fleecy to discuss the Amiga and what we feel should be done.

Tao dont have that much a roll in the development but they do have
some say and are very intrested to hear the views of the Amiga public
to help them take the correct road.

Francis Charig, Chairman and Chief Exec of Tao Group has confirmed
this with me and seems like a really down to earth guy and very sincere
in what he wants to do with the Amiga, he said he will ask Fleecy to
attend as well.

So got some ideas? questions? or just want to sit and watch? then
come to #AmigaGames on IRC Dalnet.  I will be confirming the live chat
with Francis a hour before we go ahead to make sure things are ok, if we
have to postpone it, there will be a new date given in the topic.

If you have a JAVA client you can come directly to

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/9376/irc/chat.html

If you are on a Amiga you will need to download Amirc from Aminet and
log onto a dalnet server.

amiirc.lha

The best server to use is irc.dal.net on port: 7000 group: 01

If you are on a PC you can get Mirc from http://www.mirc.com

The Live Chat will be on 19/01/00 at 16.00 GMT

The Chat will be moderated you need to msg a active op to be able to
ask a question No more than 2 questions per go

Usuall IRC rules apply, swearing, name calling, flooding will end in
a ban.

Hope to see you all there

Best Regards

John Porter
Amiga Oasis Online
http://bounce.to/amigaoasis
#AmigaGames IRC Dalnet

• AHXRipper v4.41
  Christian Rosentreter told us by e-mail:
  Kåre Johansen recently released version 4.21 of his popular AHXRipper (formerly THXRipper). v4.21, v4.41, I really don't know - probably you do... (mb)
  Moreover, other tools of him (several ABBS v2 tools, LazyFiles 1.01, CheckDrive 1.01, ...) are available for download from his homepage.
• Tumult releases the source code of the MUI class Xenbar. The archive can be very useful if you want to create alternative #?.image files. It is the original source code by Stefan Stuntz. Download: Xenbar.LHA
• At Duffs Homepage you can find a new version of his HTMLview version 12.6. Download: MCC_HTMLview_Update.LZX - 64 Kb
• For registered users of Photogenics there is a new update to version 4.4 beta 75. This update contains new modi like RubEmboss and BumpMap as well as an improved Emboss modus. Download: Update75.lha - 950 Kb

• Incremental site buildup. The parsing is done by a seperate process, so the MUI program can still react to user input while a HTML document is parsed.
• Progressive drawing of graphics. Currently GIF, GIFAnim, JPEG, and PNG are supported by modules.
• Text can be marked and copied to Clipboard.
• Full text search.
• Comprehensive HTML support. Tables with background graphics, frames, forms etc.
• Very fast.
• and more...

• Text outside of ... is not displayed.
• Entities (e.g. &) without trailing ; are not recognized.
• The Floyd-Steinberg algorithm for dithering pictures tends to handle pictures differently towards the borders. This can lead to patterned backgrounds looking like there are lines between patterns.
• The datatype wrapper for decoding pictures seems to work only with the P96 picture.datatype.

• 1982 (classic games)
• Babylon 5
• Esotherik
• Fantasy
• FOM (Faces of Mars)
• Games
• History
• Jokes
• Mathematics
• Misc
• Science
• Science Fiction
• Space
• Star Trek
• Star Wars

• They have to be adapted, so they really look like started from a game machine - so no advertising!
• If it requires AGA, it has to run on CyberGfx, too!
• They should be running on AGA, so no graphic errors!

* Forwarded from "Team Amiga" Mailinglist
* Originally from: fleecy moss (fleecy@earthlink.net)
* Original date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 11:19:45 -0500


In my trawling around the community hangouts,
I have come across several misconceptions, rumours,
and a lot of confusion. Whilst I can't hope to answer
everything, here are some things I want to set straight.


0. Amiga will build a digital content universe. Digital
   content means anything composed of 0 and1 -
   applications, video, audio, games, emails, whatever.
   We will focus on 2 markets, the pathfinder market,
   for digital adventurers, power users, gamers,
   content creators, DTPers, artists, video  ppl
   and those who refuse to define a computer as
   a digital appliance. Our second market will
   cocentrate on the Domestic Digital Habitat (DDH).

1. If you are a personal computer person, there will
   be a personal computer second wave Amiga.

2. We will support classic development in so much
   as we want to help users and developers transition
   to a new machine. That will be the total extent of our
   support for the classic machine. If this involves further
   AmigaOS releases, then so be it.

3. We are targetting x86 and PPC for the first consumer
   release of Pathfinder products (if you are a personal
   computer person, this means you).

4. We will do everything in our power (that doesnt bankrupt
   us or interfere with our primary goals) to ensure classic
   Amiga software runs on the new machine in some form or
   another.. The new Amiga product family (formerly called
   AQUA) will run natively and hosted. This is to create a large
   market fast  for Amiga developers to profit from. For the first
   pathfinder release it will run hosted to see this market grow
   fast. We see one of our core duties as serving the developers.

6. We are talking to the Phoenix Consortium about common
   interests.

7. We have been contacted by QNX but currently have no plans
   to work with them.

8. We will develop Amiga products for another market, the
   Domestic Digital Habitat (DDH) market. This markets will
   be kept separate but products will work together if the installer
   so desires it.

9. There will be a new website and it will be public shortly. It has
   been tested on all browsers, Amiga and non Amiga, and given
   the compatibility problems between the implementations of open
   standards, our best effort has been made. The site   will grow
   quickly and more information will be added. We want it to become a
   village where all Amigans can come to voice their opinions, chat,
   and travel off  to different parts of the Amiga universe.

a. A developer support manager has been selected and they are
   working  on implementing   the developer support program. This will
   be in  place before the developer boxes are released.

b. The developer boxes are specced out, we have contacted several
   whitebox manufacturers and we are building the distribution.

c. Amiga will not provide dates until we have a product. We will share
   timelines, but will not attach dates to them. Enough damage has
   already been done.

d. We have had acceptances from 75% of our development team and
   their names and roles will be announced once we get back from
   training (before the end of the month).

This mail can be redistributed without modification within the community.
As further questions and issues come up, we will attempt to answer them.

• At the Surround Page you can find Back Orifice in the new version 1.21.10. Download AddOns: MuiBOv.1.0.LHA and BoAmiga1.21.10.LHA.
• Paul Nolan's Photogenics 4.4 Beta is released for registered users. Aside from improved loader and saver modules, the new version offers an updated JPEG module and basic support for Adobe Photoshop(R). New effects, e.g. FireBlur, and seven new drawing modules make the update complete. Download: Update74.lha.
• Frank Wille offers a Quake version for AmigaOS/68k on his website.
• Christian "SuRgEoN" Michael reports about his Surgeon's Quake1 Goodies at the Czech Amiga News. This is a website offering links and help for Quake.
• ANN reports about a new Dreamcast VMU emulator. Available is a developer tool, the emulator and Tetris as shoot-em-up. The emulator runs on Amiga and needs AmigaOS 2.x or better.
• Trogladite Software plans an update to AmigaGuide in cooperation with OmegaResearch UK. New will be picture support, different font sizes and more.
  
  Moreover, Trogladite Software took over development of "The Legends of Triten". It is a high-quality role playing game by MantaSoft. The game will be distributed either commercially, or as shareware with option for online registering.
• The HiSOFT Systems website has been reworked. The pages for iBrowse2 are now available again, where you can register iBrowse2 online.
• Epic Marketing released the game Tales From Heaven from Darkage Software. The incredible 3D jump&run engine offers four different worlds with four levels each, great audio tracks and stereo sound effects. Seven programmers have worked on the game for two years. An older demo (April 99) is available for download: tfhdemo.lha - 890 Kb

• MUIbase, the database program, is now available in version 1.3. MUIbase is shareware, please don't forget to register yourself. Download: MUIbase-1.3.lha
• Frank Wille is offering the new version 0.7c of his ppc.library emulation for WarpOS for download: ppclibemu.lzx
• New Aminet uploads
• Registered users can download the Alpha2 version of ArtecScan 2.0 from Stefan Robl. Download: ArtecScan2alpha2.lha
• A new beta version 4.4 of Photogenics has been send out to the betatesters. Registered uses can get the new version from the website soon. The first public beta for Linux will also be available soon.
• Andreas Kleinert offers the new version 4.05 of the MPEG-player akMPEG4 (68k+PPC). Download: akMPEG4.lha - 137 Kb
• A new LAME beta version 3.60 of the MP3 encoder is available at the Audio Page. Download: LAMEbeta.lzx - 410 Kb

• Ron Goertz has updated his ARexx scripts for FinalWriter and PageStream. Included in the archive are FWCalendar version 3.78 and FWCAddEvent version 3.74. Additional required software like e.g. BGUI and other libraries are available in the download area. Download: FWCalendar.lha
• TotalVision: SoftCinema, QT/AVI Movie Player (PPC) version 0.8a - Download: SoftCinema
• PerSuaSiVe SoftWorX: akMPEG4 v4.04 - Download: akMPEG4.lha
• At Cyberdyne Systems, there is a new version of the HSMathLibs (v44.41 beta 1) for MC68060 available.
• Lambda: Aside from the latest status report, there are also new screenshots.
• Epic Marketing has recieved 309 of the 500 preorders needed for "Simon The Sorcerer II" for Amiga, and have gotten that much closer to their goal. You can order the adventure game "Simon The Sorcerer II", which will run on all AGA and graphic card systems with 030 and 8 MByte FastRAM, by e-mail to order@epic-marketing.de, by phone at +49-(0)7071/400492, by fax at +49-(0)7071/400493 or by snail mail to epic marketing, Hirschauer Strasse 9, 72070 Tübingen.
• Tales of Tamar - trouble with the demo installation
  Eternity writes:
  We probably hit a bug in OS 3.5. If you tried to install the demo from the Amiga Future CD-ROM with OS 3.5 (by draging&dropping the drawer), the protection flags of certain files have been changed. Those files are partially no longer readable, writeable or visible. What helps?
  
  Copy the drawer files to the hard disk by hand. No matter how. Only the complete drawer must stay intact. DOpus or any other filemanager can help you with it, you can of course also use the shell command copy.
  
  Another possibility is to copy all files, and subsequently set the protection flags of the whole directory to RWED. (DOpus)
  
  For the shell fans, try protect #? rwed all quiet. (mb)
• Read at the Czech Amiga News:
  Protracker Y2K updates for versions 3.15, 3.61, 3.62 and 4b2.
  
  DarcNES/Amiga update version 9a0109a (000110), download: dn9a0109a.lha
• Ragonsoft informs us that so far unreleased Amiga programs, including source codes, are available from their download area.
• Note editor wanted
  Martin Endres is looking for a C/C++ programmer wanting to code a CamX Project. Contact: endres@work.de. He will be trying to develop the Camouflage successor CamX (Linux) for AmigaOS 3.1/3.5 (68k+PPC) as well.
• Diavolo Backup
  Miky Wenngatz writes:
  Diavolo Backup will be updated in first quarter 2000. We are in final testing stage, and will hopefully be able to ship in February. Diavolo Backup will only be available in the Pro version. Price 71 Euro. Hard drives >4GB will be supported as well as WB 3.5.
  
  Interested people should register at Diavolo Department if you haven't already (website not yet available, but we work on it). We will contact you. The update will be 10-15 Euro for Pro versions and 25 Euro for the former Standard version. The update will only be distributed by e-mail until further notice.

======================================================================
   _    __      _     <>_   __      _    ||
  /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\   ||  A M I G A   U P D A T E
 /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\  ||     -News and Rumors-
/    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_||   (An Occasional e-mail
           WELCOME TO TOMORROW           ||        News Source)
======================================================================
        AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
000108

   T A O ,   B A B Y !   T H E   P A R T N E R   A N N O U N C E D

       A M I G A   I N C .   T O   B E   A T   A M I G A   2 K

           N E W S R O G   D E V E L O P M E N T   E N D S

Editor's Thoughts and Introduction:

 Below we have the second big announcement in recent days by the
reborn Amiga Inc. This one concerns the "content platform foundation
partner" for future development. Not sure yet what all is covered by
that mouth numbing phrase but I am sure it will be interesting and, I
hope, encouraging to watch this relationship.
 There seems to be much more a feeling of relief in the shrunken Amiga
Community at this ownership change than there was when Gateway took
over, and that's as it should be. If we don't make it this time, at
least we finally have some Amigans with vision giving it a try. If
only that had happened back in 1994 ...

 We don't have an actual story on it, but if you read the items below
carefully you'll see that Amino is now Amiga. The change took place on
January 6. They'll be at the Amiga 2000 computer show this spring in
St. Louis, USA, and I can hardly wait. I believe this will be the
first chance for the newest Amiga Inc. to address a large body of the
community. If you can get there, it should be well worth your time.
 If I have my Amiga history right, this is the third Amiga Inc. to be
set up. The original development company (or were they not an Inc.?),
Gateway's, and now the former Amino. Correct?
 Brad Webb,
 Editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail to the E-ditor:

5 Jan 2000

brad,

 just a quick note to say "keep up the good work" ! i enjoy receiving
this e-publication. also, let me add that i prefer this "e-mail style
" as opposed to the old "download style "!!!! makes it easier for me
to read.

best,
dave
~~~~~~
Dave,
 Thanks very much for the note and the vote of confidence. Not sure
who's old download style you mean as we've always been e-mail based,
but I think I know what you're getting at. It's always been one of our
goals to get the news out to people, rather than wait for someone to
come to a website. We think the Amiga community needs both, and our
method can help get the message to people who would never see the
websites.
 Brad

======
1 Jan 2000

On 31-Dec-99, Brad Webb wrote:

> The transaction, effective immediately, includes the transfer of
> all Internet domain names related to Amiga which Gateway had held.
> Gateway retains ownership of all patents acquired when it bought
> Amiga in 1997.

 In other words, they have the right to develop something and call it
an Amiga, but not to make or sell any of the old hardware, possibly
the OS either. Then again, that might not to be a bad thing. We all
know how far behind the current hardware and OS are.

 When Tom Schmidt announced that Amiga wasn't going to be a computer
platform anymore, I started looking at the alternatives. I figured
there were three; Linux, Mac and (GULP!) Windows.
 - Linux is a Unix variant at heart. Switching to it meant night
school courses just to learn to use it. (I still haven't entirely
ruled that out.)
 - My GF uses a Mac and she's happy with it. I looked at the new iMacs
and they're nice machines, reminiscent in some ways of my good ol'
A1200, and the price wasn't too bad, considering what it was. Then I
took a gander at the software and nearly had a coronary! $800 for a
paint program???
 - Then there's Windows. I tried to look it up on the 'net. At first
all I found were jokes pages. I surfed over a few of them. It was
educational; nobody likes Windows! At last I found MS's homepage. The
first thing I saw there was ol' Visa Bill Gate's editorial about
"freedom to innovate," (whinging over the Anti-Trust Court obviously.)
By this time I was wondering what had possessed me to even consider
doing this to myself!

 I hope to heck Amino makes a go of Amiga. There are no good
alternatives out there.

        Allan
~~~~~~
Allan,
 I certainly agree with the sentiment in your last paragraph. It's
very early to have a feel for how Amino - now officially Amiga Inc. -
will do, but they've got the community in mind and that's a real plus.
 You do have one misconception in your note. Amiga Inc. has a license
from Gateway to the old patents, so there's really nothing stopping
them from doing just about anything they want to, including building
"classic" type machines if they wish.
 With the new Amiga in place, I think there's at least a good
possibility we won't need an alternative.
 Brad
----------------------------------------------------------------------

   T A O ,   B A B Y !   T H E   P A R T N E R   A N N O U N C E D

 Las Vegas, January 8, 2000 - Amiga Incorporated, a privately held
company based in Maple Valley, WA, has entered into a strategic
relationship with the Tao Group as the new content platform foundation
partner for the new Amiga. Terms of the transaction were not
disclosed. Bill McEwen, Amiga President/CEO, said that the company
selected Tao as the foundation partner for the new Amiga after
reviewing numerous other potential partners. "After extensive research
trawling the markets we found that Tao had the greatest similarities
and strengths with our vision, and the capabilities to get the job
done". McEwen said. "Amiga with Tao together will bring a new level of
capabilities, portability and scalability never available before."
"Tao has its roots in the Amiga so this is particularly satisfying for
us" said Francis Charig, Chairman and CEO of Tao Group. "What makes
this relationship so exciting to Tao is the relationship we can enjoy
with Amiga and the Amiga Community. The world has changed radically in
the last few years and there is a vacuum in terms of content and
software environments that meets the needs of the mass market. The
skill sets of the Amiga community combined with the power and
flexibility of Tao's software infrastructure means that the New Amiga
can create the most compelling content for the emerging digital
services and content markets."


ABOUT AMIGA

 Amiga Incorporated is dedicated to the development, design, and
implementation of components, services, and models that support the
digital experience of tomorrow. Amiga lead the world into the
multi-media experience in the early 80's, and will lead it into the
Digital content universe of the future.

ABOUT TAO

 Tao Group is an intellectual property generator and software company
specializing in technologies for home and mobile networks.
Incorporated in 1992, the Company provides leading edge products for
the emerging markets of intelligent consumer devices. The company's
philosophy is based on providing powerful frameworks for use right
across the range of networked appliances from smart phones to digital
television into which Tao's clients can build in their own branding
and incorporate their own added value. Tao's clients include blue chip
technology corporations in the United States, Japan and Europe.
Motorola and Sony are investors in Tao Group. Tao is headquartered in
Reading, United Kingdom, with representation in Japan and the US, and
its staff includes more than fifty world-class software engineers. Tao
is a Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 Winner and has won a series of
innovation
----------------------------------------------------------------------

       A M I G A   I N C .   T O   B E   A T   A M I G A   2 K

January 6, 2000

 Amino Development Corporation, renamed Amiga Inc. on Jan. 6, will
exhibit at the Amiga 2K show.

 In a conversation today with Bill McEwen, President and CEO of Amino,
now Amiga Inc.,stated that they will definitely exhibit at the Gateway
Computer Show - Amiga 2K, April 1 & 2, 2000.

 Things are happening with Amiga 2K, just as we promised. Stay tuned
for more information on the largest and best Amiga show in the
Americas... Amiga 2K.

 Amiga 2K will be held on Saturday April 1st - Sunday April 2, 2000,
in St. Louis Missouri, U.S.A. at the Henry VIII Hotel.

Bob Scharp
Amigan-St. Louis
----------------------------------------------------------------------

          N E W S R O G   D E V E L O P M E N T   E N D S

04-Jan-2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 ShadowWorks Software regrets to announce the end of the NewsRog
project for the Amiga. NewsRog is an NNTP News client running on Amiga
personal computers.

 Unfortunately, due to a combination of factors which include the lack
of a market for Amiga software, obsolescent hardware, and a recent
increase in piracy and fraudulent credit card orders, it is no longer
financially possible to continue developing NewsRog. The last version
stands at 1.8b, and the update is available to all registered users
via the web page below:

     http://www.frii.com/~srk/ShadowWorks/Preview/NR.html

 ShadowWorks Software is proud to have pioneered a large number of
news client features that have yet to be duplicated in any other
software that we are aware of. We regret that it was not possible to
continue development of the software, since there was a great deal
more planned for the future.

 ShadowWorks Software wishes to thank all of our loyal customers who
have supported our attempt to bring the Amiga a world class NNTP news
client.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amiga Update on the net:
 All back issues available at:
    http://www.globaldialog.com/~amigaupdate/index.html

Stop by and check out our archive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2000 by Brad Webb.    Freely distributable, if not modified.
======================================================================
                 _    __      _     <>_   __      _
   A M I G A    /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\      A M I G A
  U P D A T E  /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\    U P D A T E
              /    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_
                    amigaupdate@globaldialog.com
======================================================================

• TWF: There is a new poll at the News area, and the pages about "E2260" and "Maim & Mangle" have been updated. Nathan Young now works on the user interface for M&M.
• There is a project status for Tales of Tamar at Eternity, where project head Martin Wolf makes some comments on the T.o.T. demo release on the "Amiga Future Cover CD" issue 22.
  
  Wolf is obviously disappointed that AF thankfully accepted the demo for the CD, but there is no report about the game inside of the magazine at all. And he is outright upset that the soundtracks have been cut short without permission.
• Printer Driver News: The drivers 600C and 400C, and all Olivetti drivers have been updated. Moreover, there are tips for WP (wordprocessor printing).
• Ulrich Hambuch tells us that the latest OS3.1 (Scalos) version of WBInfo (current version v2.9b) is immediately available as freeware/giftware from their homepage and Aminet. Right now V3 of WBInfo for AmigaOS 3.5 is in the works, which will be released as Shareware.
• Stuart Walker of Digital Images speaks to the users in an open letter. Wipeout 2097 sells well, and he sais thanks for this. The project Space Station 3000 is larger than expected, but Walker hopes to state a definite release date soon. Moreover, Walker says that DI is planning to port more PC games to the Amiga, and Wipeout 2097 to the Apple Mac.
  
  Since Stuart Walker is unavailable from January 10th to March 31st, he will not be able to answer e-mails in this time. At the link above, you will find alternative addresses for the seperate areas.
• Oliver Roberts: WarpJPEG.datatype version 44.5 - download: WarpJPEGdt.lha - 39 Kb
  WarpPNG.datatype 44.2 - download: WarpPNGdt.lha - 44 Kb
• Read at Czech Amiga News:
  Jim Drew posted to the Microcode Solutions mailinglist that they are working on the PowerPC version of Fusion, but due to several reasons it will not be finished before end of January / early February.
  
  Macromedia announced that the source code for the Flash player and the Flash file format is offered for free licensing. Read the announcement at BeNews.
  
  Trogladite Software has opened a discussion forum especially for the subject Amino.

======================================================================
   _    __      _     <>_   __      _    ||
  /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\   ||  A M I G A   U P D A T E
 /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\  ||     -News and Rumors-
/    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_||   (An Occasional e-mail
           WELCOME TO TOMORROW           ||       Newsmagazine)
======================================================================
        AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amino, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
000104

           T H E   W O R D   F R O M   A M I N O   A M I G A

                  C O S A   O N   T H E   B U Y O U T

        A M I G A   W E B   D I R E C T O R Y   G O N E   . . .

       . . .   A S   I S   " A M A Z I N G   C O M P U T I N G "

     E X H I B I T O R S   S I G N   U P   F O R   A M I G A   2 K

           M O R E   A B O U T   S T .   L O U I S   S H O W

              S T I L L   M O R E   O N   A M I G A   2 K

                  A M I R C   3 . 3   R E L E A S E D

           M O R P H O S   P R O J E C T   A N N O U N C E D

            V O Y A G E R   V 3   F I N A L   R E L E A S E

         C S & E   A   E U R O P E A N   D I S T R I B U T O R

Editor's Thoughts and Introduction:

 Wow...
 So much has happened recently, it's hard to know where to start.
 Allright, the bad news first. The first Amiga monthly magazine,
"Amazing Computing" is dead. It was also the last US Amiga magazine.
This is incredibly sad, especially as it just missed making it into
the new era of "Amiga by Amino", as announced in our recent special
edition. We don't know the details, and I'm not sure I want to. It
would be depressing. However, this is a real loss for North American
Amigans and the hurt will be felt for a very long time.
 Also sad, and this for the entire Amiga community, not just us North
Americans, is the death of CUCUG's Amiga Web Directory. The
cornerstone of the Amiga community on the web, it also just missed the
new era. Rumor has it other sites offered to take the Web Directory
over, and were turned down. If true, that's mind numbing. We really
don't know the details here either, but we will miss them.
 Now, the good news. There really is some, and it's quite good!
 The Amiga Community will survive, for some time to come. The computer
has a new owner, with a plan for the future (that's almost enough to
cause shock in old time Amigans) and a genuine, deep respect and love
for the Amiga and the Community. This is a bit hard to cope with after
recent events, but it's true.
 It's also true they have a rough road ahead of them. Success is by no
means guaranteed. But they'll be traveling the road with the best
computer community that ever existed. If that combination can't build
a meaningful future, then there's very little that can.
 The plan will be revealed to us in the next few months, and
apparently goes well beyond desktop machines. It's going to be an
interesting new era - we'll keep you posted.
 Finally, this new era seems to have room for Petro Tyschtschenko and
his work in Germany. In our opinion, while Jay Miner is the father of
the Amiga, Petro is the godfather or something similar. We're pleased
to see he's still involved. There's no one who's worked harder for the
Amiga's future over the years.
 While we're at it - for you gamers, the library of Quake related
games have been released for people to port, and work is well underway
for PPC Amigas. For those who love these games, the fun is just
beginning.
 Below, the first Executive Update from the Amiga web site, now under
the control of Amino Development.
 We love it!

 Brad Webb,
 Editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------

           T H E   W O R D   F R O M   A M I N O   A M I G A

January 3, 2000

YeeHaw and welcome to the year 2000;

 I want to make something very clear from the beginning we have been
told, that Amiga was purchased by Gateway because of the Patents, and
that there were not even aware of the Amiga installed base, or the
people.

 Gateway purchased Amiga because of Patents, we purchased Amiga
because of the People.

 Without the people standing behind, developing, creating, purchasing
and continuing to believe in the Amiga there never would have been
anything for Gateway to purchase. We recognize this, and it is because
of you, and what you have continued to accomplish with Amiga that we
have purchased the company.

 I want to make sure that everyone knows and understands what this all
means to you the true Amigans.

 Here is what was acquired from Gateway:

 1. All trademarks logos etc.

 2. All existing inventory of Amiga International

 3. All existing licenses.

 4. License to All Amiga patents (Gateway still owns the patents, but
we are able to use them).

 5. All web sites, and registered domain names.

 6. The Amiga OS and all that is associated with the OS.

 7. The Amiga operation as it exists today.

 Specific details of the developer system, the OS partners and how one
can begin developing will be released in the next couple of weeks.

 We will be making an announcement on January 8th, 2000 with one of
our partners at CES in Las Vegas, and more details will follow that
release.

 Fleecy, Myself, Petro, and the rest of the team are not going to make
promises and create presentations and demos. We are going to deliver
products, services, and the rest of the world will know what you have
already known.

 We will be officially changing the name of Amino Development
Corporation to the Amiga Corporation this week, and we will let
everyone know of this change shortly once it is officially completed.

 I want to thank all of you for your continued support we will make
Amiga what it should have been, and more importantly what it will be.

 Keeping the faith,

Bill McEwen President/CEO
Amino Development Corporation
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                 C O S A   O N   T H E   B U Y O U T

COSA Reaction to Amino Purchase of Amiga Rights

January 2, 2000

 Within the past few days, ownership of the Amiga rights, trademarks
and technology passed from Gateway to Amino Development. People have
asked for COSA's opinion on the sale, and for comments how this
affects the campaign to open-source the AmigaOS.

 We believe the sale of Amiga to Amino is a good, positive step
forward for the Amiga community, and that the new owners of the Amiga
technology rights are the right people to steer the Amiga technology
into the new millennium.

 COSA have known Fleecy Moss, co-founder of Amino, for quite some
time, and have been in e-mail discussions on a number of matters of
mutual interest, including Open Source, for quite some considerable
time. We have a good working relationship, and a mutual understanding
of what needs to be done to bring the Amiga into the new millennium.

 COSA is confident, based on our discussions with Fleecy, that Amino
has the vision and direction necessary, to take the Amiga into the new
millennium. The major difference to their predecessors being that
Amino truely understands the Amiga technology, and is receptive to the
needs, ideas and inspirations of the Amiga community. (The management
of Amino are, afterall, Amigans themselves.)

 We await the announcements from Amino in the weeks and months ahead
with much anticipation, and look forward to a hopefully long and
productive working relationship with them.

Congratulations, Guys!
Steve Crietzman, and the team at COSA
----------------------------------------------------------------------

       A M I G A   W E B   D I R E C T O R Y   G O N E   . . .

 January 1, 2000 - The Champaign- Urbana Computer Users Group (CUCUG)
announced today that it has retired its popular, award-winning Amiga
Web Directory (AWD) web site.

 Citing continuing declines in the Amiga marketplace and Gateway's
failure to deliver new Amiga computer systems, CUCUG reluctantly
decided to discontinue its popular web site link directory and news
service on January 1, 2000. It was felt that while CUCUG could
continue with the AWD for several months, it was better to retire now
rather than allow the site to slowly decline with the market. CUCUG is
hopeful that the latest owners of the Amiga can turn this market
around for the developers and users who have held on throughout all
the past ownership changes and other difficulties the Amiga has faced.

 For over five years, the Amiga Web Directory served as one of the
most-visited Amiga-oriented web sites on the Internet. Its carefully
cataloged listings of Amiga web sites was the most-respected
collection of its kind. Each site in the AWD's listings was reviewed
by the CUCUG webmaster to ensure quality and Amiga orientation. Site
descriptions were carefully prepared by hand, resulting in accuracy
not possible on other machine- driven sites or those which allow site
owners to write their own descriptions.

 The AWD's Amiga news pages became one of the most imitated features
in the Amiga web community. Dozens of Amiga news sites were inspired
by the success of the Amiga Web Directory's hugely popular news pages.

 A well-known offshoot of the Amiga Web Directory was "Agnes" the
Amiga web searching service. Agnes was also a cartoon character which
personalized the searching service. In addition to the over-2000 Amiga
sites cataloged in the Amiga Web Directory, Agnes could search the
general Internet for Amiga content, newsgroup messages, CUCUG Status
Register newsletters and other Amiga-oriented materials.

 The Amiga Web Directory was one of the first member-supported Amiga
web sites. Amiga enthusiasts joined the CUCUG organization to show
their support for the efforts of the group. These memberships covered
the costs associated with running the popular web service and other
CUCUG activities. CUCUG is very grateful to its members' support which
it has received over the years. The group also acknowledges the many
Amiga-oriented companies which have given assistance.

 CUCUG, which has been supporting local computer users in the
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois area since 1983 will now focus its efforts
on local user group activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

      . . .   A S   I S   " A M A Z I N G   C O M P U T I N G "

31 December, 1999
 "Amiga Update" has received confirmation from several sources that
PIM Publication's "Amazing Computing" has recently filed for
bankruptcy. "Amazing" was the first - and the last - monthly Amiga
magazine in the US and its presence will be sorely missed.
 While it is certainly possible for businesses to survive a bankruptcy
and continue into the future, we have no indications that such will be
the case with "Amazing". It is ironic that as Amiga itself is in the
process of a potential rebirth, we have lost both CUCUG and "Amazing
Computing"
----------------------------------------------------------------------

     E X H I B I T O R S   S I G N   U P   F O R   A M I G A   2 K

December 26, 1999


 Amigan-St. Louis announces it's first group of exhibitors for "Amiga
2K". These companies are listed on the Gateway Computer Show's - Amiga
2K© web site. You can view this site by typing in the following
address on your web browser.

 http://www.amiga-stl.com/show.html

 These companies are just the first in many that are signing up to
exhibit at this exciting event. Please check the show pages every week
to see the latest news.

 The Gateway Computer Shows are the largest and the most interesting
Amiga shows in the Americas. More products, updates, plans, ideas and
other exciting events have been released, announced and planned at
these shows than anywhere else.

 Amiga 2K will be hosted at the Henry VIII Hotel, on Lindbergh Ave.,
in St. Louis, MO. U.S.A. Show dates are Saturday April 1 through
Sunday April 2, 2000.

 Please check the web site for more information about the show and the
hotel. Come join Petro, myself and many other Amigans at Amiga 2K.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

          M O R E   A B O U T   S T .   L O U I S   S H O W

December 31, 1999


 Amigan-St. Louis is happy to announce the addition of Nova Design,
Inc. to it's growing list of exhibitors.

 The ever popular Gateway Computer Shows, including the new Amiga 2K
show in St. Louis on April1 & 2, 2000, have always been very popular
with Amiga Computer fans.

 This newest addition of Nova Design, Inc. and others is just one more
step in the growing list of companies that will exhibit at the largest
Amiga show in the Americas. Please see the "Show" page in the site
listed below.

 In additon, you can find the "Club Table Contest" described on the
"Contest" page of the Amiga 2K site. This is an excellent chance for
an Amiga Club to showcase it's abilities, and show off the Amiga,
while possibly winning a prize for their efforts.

Please check our site at: http://www.amiga-stl.com/show.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------

        S T I L L   M O R E   O N   A M I G A   2 K

January 3, 2000

 Amigan-St. Louis is pleased to announce a discount for clubs
exhibiting at the Gateway Computer Show - Amiga 2K©. The discount is
40% off of the normal price. This is a substantial discount, that is
only available to clubs, and only available when utilizing an eight
foot table. It is a limited time offer.

 The pricing can be determined by looking at the price guide for eight
foot tables under the "Exhibitors" button on the show page at:
http://www.amiga-stl.com/show.html Then simply multiply 60% times that
price to determine the price a club would pay.

 Example: An eight foot table space is 9' x 6' or 54 square feet. The
price per square foot is $6. So 54 x 6 = $324. That's the normal
price. Then multiply $324 x 60% to get $194.40. This is what the club
will pay for their table. Eight foot tables can be shared by two
groups if necessary. This would further reduce the cost to a club. The
cost of the table does not include any admissions to the show. All
persons in the club must purchase an admission.

 All in all, this is a substantial discount. It is being given due to
the tremendous support clubs have given to the Amiga. Without the
clubs, there would be no Amiga. So to reward them and their hard
working members, we are giving this discount so they will not deplete
their club treasury to exhibit at Amiga 2K

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                   A M I R C   3 . 3   R E L E A S E D

991227

 AmIRC was the first VaporWare application to be shown to the Amiga
world. Its author, Oliver Wagner, has worked too many late nights on
the program to count, and continues to update it to this day.

 AmIRC's main strengths lie in its interface - it's one of the easiest
IRC clients to use on any platform, yet it also keeps the power users
happy with advanced ARexx scripting and its plugin API, allowing
unique new features to be added. It also features a URL grabber to
capture any URLs mentioned in any channels or query windows, a
lag-o-meter to measure your system's lag from the server, and strong
builtin flood protection including a staggered output queue to stop
you flooding yourself off the server.

 For IRCing on the Amiga, AmIRC should be your number one choice.

 Please remember, AmIRC is shareware. If you use it, please register
the software and help support Amiga software development.

 Download AmIRC 3.3 and see why it's the best IRC client for the
Amiga. If you registered AmIRC 1.x or AmIRC 2.x, you can update to
version 3.3.

 There is an AmIRC Mailing List run by VaporWare for users to discuss
the software. Please feel free to sign up for it, your question may be
answered there.

Features

 o Advanced Low Level Plugin API.
 o Single Window Iconification.
 o Lag-o-meter shows lag from the server
 o Individual window logging.
 o Intuitive channel window with userlist and mode display.
 o Builtin high speed DCC drivers, incl. Secure Chat.
 o ARexx port includes event trapping.
 o IRCNet and UnderNet extensions.
 o Oper and clone announcement.

 o Builtin IdentD, disables itself if needed.
 o Bind sound effects, auto deiconify or ARexx to events.
 o Last nick history, TAB key cycles through.
 o URL grabber saves any URLs to send to your web browser.
 o Supports colored text for both input (WYSIWIG) and output.
 o CTCP/DCC flood protection.
 o Timestamping of lines and inline clickable URLs.

http://www.vapor.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------

         M O R P H O S   P R O J E C T   A N N O U N C E D

Thursday, 23rd December 1999

 Today we announce the availability of a new Amiga next generation
PowerPC OS project, called MorphOS, to the public.

 In its current state it provides a modern memory protection
microkernel which runs a virtual amiga emulation. This microkernel
will be the base for a new OS layer.

 Research for this project started in early 1998, while at the end of
1998 an early implementation was ready. In 1999, we started on the
virtual amiga emulation to make the current AmigaOS available without
requiring 68K hardware. The basic design goals behind MorphOS are

- memory protection
- resource tracking
- asynchronous message system
- low interrupt latency
- virtual memory (optional)
- distributed computing
- symmetrical multi processing (SMP)
- recursive memory management
- task/thread and clan/chief model
- clean design with an elegant API
- micro/pico kernel mixture

The developer release is planned for end of January.  Minimum system
requirements are
- A4000 with CyberStorm PPC/604e and Symbios 770 SCSI
- CyberVisionPPC
- at least 32MB memory installed
- Kickstart 3.1 (Version 40.68) and Workbench 3.1 or up
Hardware requirements might change as soon as more hardware setups are
tested and implemented.

 As the success of this project will also depend on your
feedback/support, we suggest that interested developers visit our
project webpage for a general MorphOS overview and information on how
to join us to help.

Feel free to enter the project webpage at

http://www.morphos.de or
http://www.morphos.ch
----------------------------------------------------------------------

         V O Y A G E R   V 3   F I N A L   R E L E A S E

28 Dec 99

V³ 3.0 final released

 Here it is: the final version of V³

 Core changes since pre5:

 o now remembers FORM contents on back and, erm, window resize

 o HTTP/1.1 Accept-Language: support

 o Support for URL-embedded password support in HTTP URLs

 o Image information summary added

 o New Search Central plugin

 o The usual load of bugfixes and minor enhancements.

 This release does not include a new VFlash plugin. It is currently
undergoing final testing, and will be released individually within the
next few days.

http://v3.vapor.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------

        C S & E   A   E U R O P E A N   D I S T R I B U T O R

CS&E to concentrate on Amiga Distribution 2000

04/01/00

 I am writing to you for the good of the Amiga in the UK and beyond.
We have many great publishers and retailers and now two dedicated
magazines, but no independent distributor. I can announce to you that
CS&E will step in to independently distribute. We will reach both mail
order and high street retail from our warehouse in Birmingham which is
shared with the likes of Eidos.
 All products are delivered next day across Europe with many
guarantees for both the publisher and retailer. We hope that this step
will prove to be a great benefit for the whole Amiga community and
urge everyone to come together on this issue. Retailers please let us
know your full contact details for regular updates with your fax
number and e-mail and postal address. Publishers please also get in
contact to maximise your sales. A starter pack outlining our aims is
being prepared which will be sent out to all known contacts worldwide.
UK Amiga users can already feel proud by supporting some of the most
innovative companies around, we hope that this link will prove
valuable to all and our aim is to assist this good work.

David Connolly
Kind Regards,

CS&E sales:
7 Glyme Close, Woodstock, Oxon, OX20 1LB, Great Britain
+44 (0) 1993 812685
visit our website at http://www.csande.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amiga Update on the net:
 All back issues available at:
    http://www.globaldialog.com/~amigaupdate/index.html

Stop by and check out our archive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2000 by Brad Webb.    Freely distributable, if not modified.
======================================================================
                 _    __      _     <>_   __      _
   A M I G A    /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\      A M I G A
  U P D A T E  /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\    U P D A T E
              /    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_
                    amigaupdate@globaldialog.com
======================================================================

• Peters Amiga Homepage: A serious bug has been fixed in the HP and Olivetti printer drivers. The HP drivers for the 670C and the 870C are already available for download, the Olivetti drivers will be uploaded by the author at a later time.
• Airsoft Softwair: A new TUP version has just been released. TUP v1.5 now finally works flawlessly with Visual Prefs. Moreover, there are new catalogs for Spanish and French users, and some other improvements. Download: TUP1_5.lha
• Aminet uploads 05.01.2000
• Oliver Roberts: WarpJPEG.datatype 44.5 - download: WarpJPEGdt.lha - 38 Kb
• Ralph Torchia: Spitfire (Palm Desktop) version 0.32 - download: Spitfire.lha
• Haage & Partner offer a patch for PageStream 4.0 revision 2 (4.0r2). - download: pgs40patch1.lha - 597 Kb
• Shadow Works today released a statement, which explains why NewsRog (a NNTP newsreader) is discontinued. In the end, several things like decreasing Amiga market, no hardware developments, software piracy and credit card fraud resulted in this descission. The last version 1.8b, from October 1999, is still available for registered users in the download area.
• Cyberdyne Systems: New alpha versions (v45.00 alpha 6) of the stormamiga.lib for AmigaOS/68k. Some functions have been added, some expanded and optimized, and all known bugs removed. This version is for registered users only.
• Photogenics: Paul Nolan has created three new tutorials. He is now completely reworking the manual, and would wellcome feedback.
• Read at the Czech Amiga News:
  Those who want to see Duke Nukem 3D and Strife ported to Amiga, an contact David Bereault by e-mail.
  
  szip for Amiga, compiled by Allan Odgaard - download: szip_112_amiga.lzx
• Javosoft: New FastATA4000 driver version 1.6 for Elbox FastATA 4000 - download: FastATA4000v16a27.lha
• At Amigart Amster v0.3 is available, the freeware port of Napster MP3. The long filename and "Chat mode" bug has been fixed. Download: amster.lha
• Andreas R. Kleinert by e-mail - aside from major optimizations of the PNG and TIFF datatypes, there are small improvements in the JFIF datatype, and PPC603-optimized versions especially for A1200/PPC users. Download:
  
  akJFIF-dt.lha
  akJFIF-PPC.lha
  akJFIF-WOS.lha
  akPNG-dt.lha
  akPNG-PPC.lha
  akPNG-WOS.lha
  akTIFF-dt.lha
  akTIFF-PPC.lha
  akTIFF-WOS.lha
  akMPEG4.lha - new URL!
• SecondSpin, the new MPEG Audio Player, has been released as version 1.87B.
  Download: SecondSpin_Install.lha - V.87B
  and SecondSpin_Encoder.lha - Lame v3.57
• Aminet uploads 07.01.2000
• Trogladite Software: Kalbos version 1.31 released, fixing the CGX bug. Download: ts-kalbos.lha
  
  Major UnInstaller update planned. The new UnInstaller will not only support scripts made for version 1.0, but also those made for 1.1+. Additionally, Commodore Installer logfiles, the new UnInstaller standard and a reworked UI will be implemented.
• Hyperion Software: A page for the game Freespace: The Great War has been added to the projects. The game is a space simulation by Volition/Interplay. System requirements: PPC-processor (maybe 68060), gfx card (maybe AGA), 3D-support by Warp3D, sound by AHI, 64 MB RAM and a 8-speed CD-ROM. Working on the Amiga port are Hans-Jörg Frieden and Chrisian Sauer.
  
  There is a new status report for Heretic II, where Hans-Jörg Frieden says that the four basic elements are finished.
• VWP: Update WaveTracer DS Mark V 5.1
  After the BETA version was already available some time, the final version 5.1 of WaveTracer DS Mark V is now available. Download is possible from the VWP homepage. The update is only possible for owners of the full version, the serial number is required (can be found in the WaveTracer menu "Special", item "User-Info").
• A technical preview of the Opera browser for Linux version 4.0a (Qt edition) has been released. Download of the alpha version: opera-19991224.tar.gz
• The Mushroom Software homepage (F1 Software and 5th Dimension licensee) now offers a "Real-Time Voice Chat", which requires Java, however.
• Innovative writes:
  Since our server is moving right now, there are no new informations e.g. for VLRec NG 4.0 available there. You can however order VLRec NG 4.0 already from our online shop. As soon as our presence has completed its move, we will wellcome you on a further improved and reworked website with many news. So far, please be patient.
• Atéo: The download area has been reworked, "cleaned up" and some files updated.
• Frank Wille: New ppc.library emulation for WarpOS version 0.7b - download: ppclibemu.lzx

From:         "Steve Crietzman" president@amigakernel.org
Date:         Tue, 4 Jan 2000 10:41:10 -0000
Organization: Campaign to Open Source AmigaOS
Subject:      [cosa] Some news from Petro

Hi all,

I've just got off the phone with Petro.  Thought I'd share
a little info with y'all.

First, he's alive and well and still functioning as Amiga
International, Inc. and will continue to operate under Amino.

Tom Schmidt is also alive, well and employed by Gateway,
and still around in some capacity - although I'm not sure
what his new title or position is yet.  He is to come over
to Germany and meet with Petro soon to finalise everything.

Petro sounded very optimistic about the future, and said
he looks forward to continue to do his job and to the future
with Amino.

He said to expect some announcements from Amino in the
days and weeks ahead.  Keep a close eye on the Amiga
website.  According to Petro, there's going to be a small
update later today.

He also in this phonecall repeated his continuing support
for COSA and Open Source and asked me to convey his
best wishes to Amigans everywhere, and to let everyone
know that for him, it's "business as usual."

It's reassuring (to me at least) to know that whatever
happens with the Amiga, the one thing we can always
count on is that Petro will always be around.  Whoever
said we don't have stability in the Amiga world? ;-)

Best regards,

Steve Crietzman (president@amigakernel.org)
Amiga 4000/040, 18MB RAM, 1.2GB Hard Disk, Picasso IV
President, Open Amiga Group (http://www.amigakernel.org

1. All trademarks logos etc.
2. All existing inventory of Amiga International
3. All existing licenses.
4. License to All Amiga patents (Gateway still owns the patents, but we are able to use them).
5. All web sites, and registered domain names.
6. The Amiga OS and all that is associated with the OS.
7. The Amiga operation as it exists today.

• GFX board and AGA support
• support for PIP (Picasso 96) and WB Window
• double and triple buffering
• sound
• CD audio support
• mouse, joypad and joystick support
• in-game video options
• network support
• QuakeWorld support (client and server)

• Soundprobe - due to too few requests, an Amiga version is still in doubt.
• Olivetti printer driver updated
  1. Olivetti JP Inkjet driver v40.2 - download: OlivettiJP.lha
  2. Olivetti JP790 driver v40.4 - download: OlivettiJP790.lha
• GoldED Service Pack 15, download only for registered users.
  Download demo: golded6.lha.
• AmiMasterGear v0.81 - download: AmiMasterGear.lha
• AmiComSys 1.30a - download: AmiComSysMUI1.30a.lzx - 260 Kb and AmiComSysMUI1.30a.readme.
• ASM-One update to version 1.42 RTG - download: asmonev1.42rtg.lha
• Barfly version 2.1 - download: Barfly2_1.lha - 624 Kb, readme.
• DarcNES/Amiga version 9a0101a - download: dn9a0101a.lha
• LAME beta version 3.58 3/4, asyncio.library now runs with PPC. Download: LAMEbeta.lzx - 460 Kb
• MetalWEB update, reworked version adjusted to OS 3.5, and with Vapor Auto Update System being integrated.
  Download: MetalWEB4_pre3.lzx - 824 Kb
• Darkage - Bippy version 1.01 and a review of ExtraLife
• Oliver Roberts
  WarpPNG.datatype version 44.1 - WarpPNGdt.lha
  WarpJPEG.datatype version 44.3 - WarpJPEGdt.lha
• CyberGraphX - note for AmigaOS 3.1 and 3.0 users:
  With the upcomming release CGX v4.2, there could be problems with the date in the version string if you still have the old version 40.1 of "Version" installed. To eliminate the problem, you should install Version_v40.3.lha. More notes on the Y2K-problem.
• AmigaOS 3.5 review, from Amiga.org
• Xteam-Software Solution - the game "Virtual Ball Fighters" is finished. Download the demo: vbfdemortg.lha.zip - 3.5 MB, source: Czech Amiga News
• Andreas R. Kleinert by e-mail - On my WWW page (see news_e.html), the latest version of the akDatatypes (v44.65 of the three most popular, and v44.8 of akNAIL) and the latest version of akMPEG2 (v4.01) are available. Download:
  
  akJFIF-dt.lha
  akJFIF-PPC.lha
  akJFIF-WOS.lha
  akPNG-dt.lha
  akPNG-PPC.lha
  akPNG-WOS.lha
  akTIFF-dt.lha
  akTIFF-PPC.lha
  akTIFF-WOS.lha
  akMPEG4.lha
  
  If you want to run comparing benchmarks with other datatypes, please make the correct adjustments for correct results - there are a minimum of three possibilities to run my PPC datatypes with "PPC" kernels, and additionally if you disable / enable 24bit output, this affects results, too.
  
  PicBench from Aminet, or PicBench.lha is a good choice for speed benchmarks.

• Sid4Amiga: Update version 3.28 - Download: Sid4AmigaV3_28.lha
• Aminet: Awin-Quake by Peter McGavin for PPC and 68k - Download: awinquake.lha
• Frank Mayer-Pfauder Software Support: YAM2AmIRC v2.2 - Download: YAM2AmIRC.lha - 23 kB
  The freshly styled Software Support Site, with NetStat2AmIRC, Online-O-Meter and the latest version of YAM2AmIRC is online since December 30th. Of course in OS3.5-look :)
• PPT: bugfix for picture manipulation program PPT (text.effect) - Download: text.lha
• V3-Portal: V³ 3.0a bugfix released - Download: v3_30a_update.lzx - 315 kB
• OsaMatic: The radio clock with Amiga software DCF77, update for version 3.x - Download: dcf77update.lha

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  /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\   ||  A M I G A   U P D A T E
 /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\  ||     -News and Rumors-
/    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_||   (An Occasional e-mail
        S P E C I A L   I S S U E        ||       Newsmagazine)
======================================================================
        AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
991231

            A M I G A   S O L D   T O   A M I N O ! !

Editor's Thoughts and Introduction:
 Happy New Year everyone! Some of you will see this on the last day of
1999, some on the first of 2000 - either way, you have another reason
to celebrate today! We've been waiting and practically twitching to
get this information to you.
 We still don't have a press release directly from Amino, but as the
following information is now available generally on the wire, we owe
it to our readers to get it to you as quickly as possible. If we do
get a press release from Amino/Amiga we'll also get that to you right
away.
 Looks to us like both Gateway and the Amiga Community win with this
deal.
 Big smiles around here today!

 Brad Webb,
 Editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------

            A M I G A   S O L D   T O   A M I N O ! !

Amino Development Buys Amiga Name, Inventory From Gateway

 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 31 -- Amino Development Corp., a privately held
company based in Maple Valley, Washington, has purchased from Gateway
its Amiga trademarks and Amiga computer systems. Terms of the
transaction have not been disclosed.

 According to Peter Ashkin, Gateway senior vice president, Gateway
chose to sell the name after deciding to fold Amiga's software
engineering function into Gateway's product development. This merger
of development activities is part of Gateway's overall strategy to
develop and market the coming generation of "Internet appliances".

 "Amiga, as a personal computer brand, has a loyal following of fans
around the world," Ashkin said. "Under Gateway's wing, Amiga morphed
into a software development company working on a new Internet
appliance operating environment software. Now that we're bringing that
development work into Gateway product development, it made sense to
find a buyer for Amiga."

 "Yee-haw " said Bill McEwen, president and CEO of Amino. "This is a
very exciting day, and now an even more exciting tomorrow. Now we can
finish the job that was started 15 years ago."

 The transaction, effective immediately, includes the transfer of all
Internet domain names related to Amiga which Gateway had held. Gateway
retains ownership of all patents acquired when it bought Amiga in
1997.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amiga Update on the net:
 All back issues available at:
    http://www.globaldialog.com/~amigaupdate/index.html
Stop by and check out our archive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1999 by Brad Webb.    Freely distributable, if not modified.
======================================================================
                 _    __      _     <>_   __      _
   A M I G A    /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\      A M I G A
  U P D A T E  /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\    U P D A T E
              /    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_
                    amigaupdate@globaldialog.com
======================================================================

======================================================================
   _    __      _     <>_   __      _    ||
  /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\   ||  A M I G A   U P D A T E
 /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\  ||     -News and Rumors-
/    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_||   (An Occasional e-mail
        S P E C I A L   I S S U E        ||       Newsmagazine)
======================================================================
        AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
991231

            A M I G A   S O L D   T O   A M I N O ! !

Editor's Thoughts and Introduction:
 Happy New Year everyone! Some of you will see this on the last day of
1999, some on the first of 2000 - either way, you have another reason
to celebrate today! We've been waiting and practically twitching to
get this information to you.
 We still don't have a press release directly from Amino, but as the
following information is now available generally on the wire, we owe
it to our readers to get it to you as quickly as possible. If we do
get a press release from Amino/Amiga we'll also get that to you right
away.
 Looks to us like both Gateway and the Amiga Community win with this
deal.
 Big smiles around here today!

 Brad Webb,
 Editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------

            A M I G A   S O L D   T O   A M I N O ! !

Amino Development Buys Amiga Name, Inventory From Gateway

 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 31 -- Amino Development Corp., a privately held
company based in Maple Valley, Washington, has purchased from Gateway
its Amiga trademarks and Amiga computer systems. Terms of the
transaction have not been disclosed.

 According to Peter Ashkin, Gateway senior vice president, Gateway
chose to sell the name after deciding to fold Amiga's software
engineering function into Gateway's product development. This merger
of development activities is part of Gateway's overall strategy to
develop and market the coming generation of "Internet appliances".

 "Amiga, as a personal computer brand, has a loyal following of fans
around the world," Ashkin said. "Under Gateway's wing, Amiga morphed
into a software development company working on a new Internet
appliance operating environment software. Now that we're bringing that
development work into Gateway product development, it made sense to
find a buyer for Amiga."

 "Yee-haw " said Bill McEwen, president and CEO of Amino. "This is a
very exciting day, and now an even more exciting tomorrow. Now we can
finish the job that was started 15 years ago."

 The transaction, effective immediately, includes the transfer of all
Internet domain names related to Amiga which Gateway had held. Gateway
retains ownership of all patents acquired when it bought Amiga in
1997.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amiga Update on the net:
 All back issues available at:
    http://www.globaldialog.com/~amigaupdate/index.html
Stop by and check out our archive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1999 by Brad Webb.    Freely distributable, if not modified.
======================================================================
                 _    __      _     <>_   __      _
   A M I G A    /\\    |\    /||    ||   /  `    /\\      A M I G A
  U P D A T E  /__\\   | \  / ||    ||  || ___  /__\\    U P D A T E
              /    \\_ |  \/  ||_  _||_  \__// /    \\_
                    amigaupdate@globaldialog.com
======================================================================

• Aurora Set Prerelease 4 - SJI-Aurora-Pre4.lzx
• Aurora Set Variant 'B' Prerelease 4 - SJI-AuroraB-Pre4.lzx (available starting January 5th)
• Aurora Set Variant 'C' Prerelease 4 - SJI-AuroraC-Pre4.lzx (available starting January 5th)
• Paola Set Prerelease 4 - SJI-Paola-Pre4.lzx (available starting January 6th)
• Ingrid Set Prerelease 1 - SJI-Ingrid-Pre1.lzx

• StrICQ version 0.1669 - download: STRICQ.lha - and beta version of the preferences window - download: ZodiacImages.lha
• Arcadia announces two new archives available in the download area. For one, there is a patch for all people who did not get a Bubble Hero demo from the Amiga Format CD to run. Then there is the third public demo of Bubble Heroes. The fourth and last (AGA) demo will be finished January 2000. Arcadia wishes a happy new year to everybody. Download: AFBHDemo-patch.lzx and BHDemo3.lzx

mpprosp.lha          comm/bbs    35K+V1.7 - File_ID.DIZ creator for Mods - ph
p_hc183.lha          comm/bbs    31K+V1.8.3 - Uploadchecker for PMBS - Update
GoFetch.lha          comm/net   331K+V1.0 Specialised FTP/HTTP Client designe
samba_2.0.6.lha      comm/tcp   3.1M+Port of the free SMB client and server
js_umsrfc.lha        comm/ums    21K+Umsrfc update (1.2)
MCD_DirList.lha      disk/cdrom  15K+Generates file lists for MakeCD
Pranger.lha          game/misc  106K+Cheap 1ply game- get 2 ships to collide
Zubspace-Psyco.mpg   mods/mpg   581K+Rno-label release no.19 by zubspace (psy
gothbench3.lha       pix/back   1.2M+Darker than ever.
mr_WBench.lha        pix/wb     862K+Workbench For Every Day
picsize.lha          util/dtype  15K+Shows picture dimensions using datatypes
calculator.lha       util/misc   14K+Fully functional calculator
TweakWB14.lha        util/wb     97K+Great WB 3.5 commodity, icon converter, 
yStart.lha           util/wb     17K+Start menu for standard WB icons

• Duff: ImageManager.library v1.1 - Download: ImageManager.LZX
  Mailinglist on the subject:
  Subscribe at IM_Lib-subscribe@onelist.com and
  unsubscribe at IM_Lib-unsubscribe@onelist.com.
• StrICQ version 0.1667 - Download: STRICQ.lha
• Atéo: AteoNet.device - Download: installateonet.lha - readme