14.Aug.2018
Amigaworld.net (Forum)
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Sonnet.library: Network card as PowerPC accelerator board
The SonnetAmiga project makes it possible to use PowerPC-based PCI cards as accelerator board for WarpOS programs in the Amiga by means of a mediator board (amiga-news.de reported). The Sonnet Crescendo 7200 included, already five PCI cards are supported:
- Sonnet G3/G4 with max. 192 MB
- Rapture G4 7410@450 MHz with 256 MB
- Apocalypse G4 7410@450 MHz with 256 MB
- Ragnarok G3 750FX@800 MHz with 256 MB
- BigFoot Killer NIC M1 e300@400 MHz with 64 MB
Last mentioned card has few memory but with about 30 Euro should be the cheapest PowerPC extension for the Amiga. Actually it is a network card and its Network Processing Unit (NPU) is a PowerPC processor - a MPC8343E. It is said that the game Quake would run twice as fast as on a CyberStorm PPC.
Ragnarok is not officially supported but according to the SonnetAmiga-Wiki it already is running smoothly. Note that of each of the cards there are different versions and it is not clear if all of them work. Lists of compatible software can be found in the Wiki.
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 14. Aug. 2018, 22:54] [Comments: 0]
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14.Aug.2018
Radiosity (IRC)
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The AGA-A3000: Amiga fans equip boards of the Commodore prototype AA3000
The AA3000 and A3000+ have been further developments of the Amiga-3000 mainboard which for the first time should use the new AGA chipset. Additional to the AGA chipset, the revised board should contain a digital signal processor which was supposed to be used for 16-Bit audio and floating point operations. Altogether only few prototypes were produced before the project was abandoned in favour of the A4000.
In spring 2018 Matthias 'Matze' Heinrichs succeeded in getting five blank AA3000 boards. The boards looked pretty fine and the schematics were included as well. The source codes for the PALs can be found in the Dave Haynie archives - so the idea was born to equip the boards of their own. Both Heinrichs and Christian 'Scrat' Euler have succesfully equipped a board and thus have a working AA3000.
Euler - who points out that Heinrichs did the "pioneer work" and thus made his own project possible - has documented his work and took several pictures. He wrote:
"... so we invested time und used the soldering iron. Matze completed his board a little bit earlier therefore he could give me some hints. It took about two months for assembling and launching my board (including longer breaks), I had to reorder components three times and to steal the delayline of one of my two A3000 boards.
Unfortunately the DSP cannot be bought at reasonable prices any longer so we had to improvise. The Commodore guys used a different RTC component for this board which via I2C bus is connected to the DMAC chip. This feature is not available in any of the DMAC revisions so Matze made an adapter board for a common RTC.
Some pictures of the assembly...
The (almost) blank board:
...which is getting equipped...
The CPU I took from an old Apple Powerbook (which was a victim of the gravitation and beyond remedy...)
Soldering THT a lot is not that fun...
It is actually an AA3000!
Almost completed!
Testing...
Is it really working?
As I launched it for the first time nothing happened. After a lot of measuring it turned out that the CPU was active for a short time and then sank into a "long sleep". Clocks were active, the chipset produced SYNCs... then I recognised that an IC in the clock section was not properly equipped - instead of a F type, a LS type was installed.
I did exchange the IC, afterwards the CPU worked fine. Then I found out that the EPROMs with the Chucky-DiagROM were broken. New ROMs installed and then at least the Power-LED started flashing. Okay, the CPU lives!
But the screen kept dark...what else could be wrong? Eventually it turned out that the pins on the DAC did not properly got the tin...soldered again, first attempt:
Second attempt: Tadaaaa!
Kickstart-ROMs installed, switched on, worked. Party!
Now CS Mk2 installed, Picasso IV installed, Deneb installed...worked! Starstruck had to be.
What's next...?
Currently the experimental setup is still standing on the table. Some components of the board are still missing...the parallel port and the SCSI port as well. I also have to build the RTC adapter. Afterwards the board will be tested in detail and then integrated into my main A3000. Matze is going to build a new busboard. Currently the daughterboard of the A3000 is used (the one from the A4000 does not fit). Therefore the video output only has 12 Bit RGB. So the AGA looks a little bit strange via the PIV-FliFi."
Downloads:
Schematics: AA3000_Rev2_Schematics.pdf
System specifications: AA3000_System_Specs.pdf
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 14. Aug. 2018, 01:25] [Comments: 0]
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14.Aug.2018
Andreas Magerl (ANF)
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Print magazine: Amiga Future 134 - preview and extracts
A preview and extracts of issue 134 (September/October 2018) of the Amiga Future have been released today. Among other things, this issue features reviews on Worthy and Bomb Jack Beer as well as a preview to the Gold3 AGA Apollo core ("AGA on the Amiga 600").
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 14. Aug. 2018, 00:28] [Comments: 0]
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14.Aug.2018
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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Interview with Andreas Magerl (Amiga Future)
On occation of the 20th anniversary of the Amiga Future, AMIcast has interviewed its chief editor Andreas Magerl.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 14. Aug. 2018, 00:28] [Comments: 0]
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13.Aug.2018
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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Kids Jump'n Run: Elfie the Unicorn as purchase version on disk
"Elfie - The Unicon" (trailer) is a classic jump'n run for kids which is available for free on Aminet. In order to fulfil an old dream, the author now offers a "commercial" version of the game on disk:
This issue is limited to 20 copies. If you are going to purchase a disk for 10 Euro (including shipping in a cushioned envelope) then please write a mail to the author.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 13. Aug. 2018, 23:05] [Comments: 0]
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13.Aug.2018
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Free hardware: RS232-WLAN adapter "Virtual Modem for ESP8266"
By using the RS232-WLAN adapters computers which do not have an Ethernet or WLAN controller can be connected to modern networks. Mainly the adapters are used as telnet servers or clients for old computers, e.g. for mailboxes.
Additionally, Daniel Jameson's "Virtual Modem" also can send HTTP requests and is the first adapter which consists of free, open source hardware ands software. An Arduino microcontroller with two modules (for RS-232 and WLAN) as well as the Arduino development environment.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 13. Aug. 2018, 00:46] [Comments: 1 - 20. Aug. 2018, 13:10]
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13.Aug.2018
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Harddrive images under windows: HstWB Installer
By using Henrik Nørfjand Stengaard's "HstWB Installer" under Windows you can build bootable harddrive images which then can be used with an emulator or written on an Amiga harddrive. AmigaOS 3.1 or 3.9 and Worbench distributions like BetterWB or ClassicWB are supported. Extension packages can add e.g. graphical game menus for choosing WHDLoad games.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 13. Aug. 2018, 00:21] [Comments: 0]
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13.Aug.2018
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Documentation: The Commodore Story at Amazon (Update)
After The Commodore Wars, From Bedrooms to Billions: The Amiga Years and Viva Amiga, "The Commodore Story" is the fourth documentation about Commodore. For some time the crowdfunded film (trailer) can be watched at Amazon, iTunes and Netflix.
Update: (15.08.2018, 15:30, cg)
Feedback from our readers shows that despite the film maker's announcements, the documentation is not available on Netflix or iTunes. It can be purchased on amazon.com though. (cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 13. Aug. 2018, 00:20] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
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Amiga Future: Issue 109 can be read online
Issue 109 (July/August 2014) of the printed magazine Amiga Future is sold out, you can read the German and English edition of the magazine online (picture files). You also can buy a PDF-version.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 19:33] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
Amigaworld.net (Webseite)
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3D-Print services: Replacement parts for the Amigas
The Dutchman Dennis Brink offers his "3D-Print-Services" for producing replacement parts for the Amiga case. You can choose parts for the Amiga models 500, 600, 1000, 1200, 4000 and CDTV, the monitor 1084S and the drive Chinon FZ-354 as well as the Raspberry Pi.
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:34] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
Amigaworld.net (Webseite)
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Workbench distribution: AmiKit 9 Reloaded for Mac available for free
One and a half year ago, AmiKit also introduced the "Rabbit Hole" for Macs, that means the possibility to start Mac programs out of AmiKit and to access Amiga files from the Mac (amiga-news.de reported).
This version "AmiKit 9 Reloaded for Mac" is now available for free.
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:34] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
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Aminet-Uploads until 11.08.2018
The following archives have been added to the Aminet until August 11th, 2018:
OWB_de.lha comm/www 6K Unofficial German catalog for...
git.lha dev/misc 4.2M MOS Version Control System
WormWars.lha game/actio 829K 68k Advanced snake game
WormWars-OS4.lha game/actio 1.1M OS4 Advanced snake game
AmiVms.lha misc/emu 2.9M 68k Simulates OpenVMS commands
amath.i386-aros.lha misc/math 432K x86 Simple command line calculator
amath.lha misc/math 796K 68k Simple command line calculator
amath.src.lha misc/math 640K Simple command line calculato...
arosamp_alpha.i386-ar... mus/play 136K x86 AROSAmp Alpha
AmiTimeKeeper.i386-ar... util/cdity 230K x86 Keep your time right
AmiTimeKeeper.lha util/cdity 192K 68k Keep your time right
GetExtIP.lha util/cli 21K 68k Get your external IP
IconLib_46.4.lha util/libs 753K 68k free icon.library in optimize...
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:32] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
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OS4Depot-Uploads bis 11.08.2018
The following archives have been added to the OS4Depot until August 11th, 2018:
arabic_console_device... dri/inp 3Mb 4.1
wormwars.lha gam/act 1Mb 4.0
rtelnet.lha net/mis 70kb 4.1
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:32] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
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AROS-Archives-Uploads until 11.08.2018
The following archives have been added to the AROS-Archives until August 11th, 2018:
timidity.lha aud/mis 30Mb Plays MIDI files without additio...
arosamp_alpha.i386-aros.t... aud/pla 136kb AROSAmp Alpha
ht16.i386-aros.lha aud/tra 949kb Hively Tracker
milkytutorial.zip aud/tra 419kb Basic Tuttorial for milky tracke...
fig_datatype.i386-aros.zip dat/ima 299kb Picture datatype for FIG format
koala_datatype.i386-aros.lha dat/ima 215kb C64 KoalaPainter DataType
spu_datatype.i386-aros.zip dat/ima 6kb Spectrum 512 datatype
svg_datatype.i386-aros.zip dat/ima 73kb Picture datatype for SVG format ...
xbm_datatype.i386-aros.zip dat/ima 6kb XBM datatype
xpm_datatype.i386-aros.zip dat/ima 11kb XPM Datatype
zxscr_datatype.i386-aros.lha dat/ima 27kb ZX Spectrum screen DataType
amath.src.lha dev/exa 640kb Simple command line calculator (...
finalfightse.i386-aros.lha gam/act 35Mb openbor game final fight remake ...
romirtlights.i386-aros.lha gam/fps 335kb file for quake with darkplaces e...
im-puzzle.i386-aros.zip gam/puz 127kb Combine shapes to fill blocks.
amath.i386-aros.lha uti/sci 432kb Simple command line calculator
vim_8.0.i386-aros.lha uti/tex 9Mb The ubiquitous text editor
amitimekeeper.i386-aros.lha uti/wor 230kb Keep your time right
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:32] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
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MorphOS-Storage-Uploads until 11.08.2018
The following archive has been added to the MorphOS Storage until August 11th, 2018:
GIT_2.16.2.lha Development/Management A free and open source ...
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:32] [Comments: 0]
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12.Aug.2018
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WHDLoad: New installers until 11.08.2018
Using WHDLoad, you can install games, scene demos and intros from cracking groups to your harddisk that were only working from floppy disks previously. The following installer has been added until August 11th, 2018:
- 2018-08-08 fixed: Fright Night (Microdeal) sample played entirely in title screen, trainer added, RawDIC used, boxicons included (Info)
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 12. Aug. 2018, 08:31] [Comments: 0]
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11.Aug.2018
Scene World Magazine (ANF)
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Diskmag: Scene World #28 (Update)
Since 2001, 28 issues of the Commodore- and retro magazine "Scene World" have been published as well as 49 issues of the corresponding podcast. So far the magazine itself was only available as diskmag for the C64, but with issue 28 for the first time an Amiga port is available as well.
Scene World #28 provides information about meetings and parties, the fourth part of a "Let's Make a Game" tutorial including a game, an interview with Dennis Pauler (Amiga games developer) and David Pleasance (Commodore UK).
Direct download: SWO_28_Amiga.lha (1,6 MB) ('nfo'-Datei)
Update: (15.08.2018, 23:30, cg)
The magazine editors tell us that by now they can confirm the magazine engine also works on Amiga computers with an ECS chipset.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 11. Aug. 2018, 15:36] [Comments: 0]
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10.Aug.2018
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File manager: DosControl as free download
The file manager DosControl, which was developed until 1996, now is available as free download. DosControl offers two directory windows and a requires Kickstart 2.04, graphic boards are supported.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 10. Aug. 2018, 01:29] [Comments: 0]
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08.Aug.2018
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Hyperion added back to Belgium's company register
In October 2017 Hyperion was forcibly removed from Belgium's official company register (KBO, Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen) for failing to file annual reports for each fiscal year with the 'Central Balance Sheet Office' of the Belgian National Bank. Hyperion has now filed these missing reports, which means they're listed as a regular company again.
According to the reports now filed (PDF: 2015, 2016, 2017), Hyperion's main assets are unidentified "intangible assets" listed with a value of about 110.000 Euro in 2015. Due to write-downs of about 36.000 Euros in every fiscal year, this property will be valued slightly above 1000 Euros at the end of 2018.
The other side of the balance lists debts of nearly 600.000 Euro, of which about 90% are short term loans - "op ten hoogste één jaar", which translates to: "payable within a year". All three reports since Hyperion's temporary bankruptcy in February 2015 show a negative income.
Note from the staff:
The original versions of the PDF files linked above can be found at the Central Balance Sheet of the National Bank of Belgium by searching for company number 0466.380.552. As far as we can tell, these reports do not have to be verified by an independent entity.
(cg) (Translation: cg)
[News message: 08. Aug. 2018, 22:39] [Comments: 0]
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06.Aug.2018
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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AROS: Icaros Desktop 2.2.3 available for patrons
Just like the previous version, Icaros Desktop 2.2.3 also is only available for financial patrons of this AROS distribution. A public version was released about one-and-a-half months later.
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 06. Aug. 2018, 20:53] [Comments: 0]
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06.Aug.2018
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Trevor Dickinson accusing Ben Hermans of criminal behaviour (Update)
In April 2009, a company called A-EON Technology was established in Belgium, to develop PPC hardware for AmigaOS 4. Trevor Dickinson, Anthony Moorley and Ben Hermans were named directors for the new entity. This incarnation of A-EON didn't last long though - a new company called A-EON Technology Ltd. located in Wales took over in Spring 2012 and has been responsible for the "AmigaOne X1000" and other A-EON products ever since. This change was never communicated or explained to the public.
Behind the scenes, rumours started circulating years ago that the Belgium based A-EON was dismantled because one of the partners stole large parts of the company's funds and tried to hide that fact from the other directors by sending them faked bank statements.
An audio recording that has now been released on Youtube, allegedly featuring Trevor Dickinson, seems to confirm at least parts of this rumour: In what sounds like a private conversation, the narrator - his voice is the only one recorded - relates the following:
"[…] Money dissappearing to Hyperion and to Ben Hermans […] I mean, at the very least, you could put him out of business – I mean, with his law firm – cause I got the copies of the stuff he sent… faxed to me […] He was denying, denying, denying – and then it turned on a meeting where we were saying: 'This is it – you either sign this. Or we‘re going to the police'. So, I mean… and so we went through a whole bunch of things: free license, free this, free that, access to this, use of that, no royalties... so we got all out of it."
Parts of the recording have been obviously cut out, these cuts are marked with "[…]" in the above transscript. People who want to verify if the recorded voice really is that of Trevor Dicksinson can find quite some Youtube videos featuring the A-EON investor - like this 2017 speech.
The recording was released to the public by Generation Amiga, a site that has a tendency to publish badly researched, exaggerated or plain wrong news items. But amiga-news.de can confirm that this is not the original source, apparently the site's administrator was less concerned about keeping this under wraps than other parties we know about that also had access to the file.
Notes from the staff:
Assuming the person making these statements is indeed Trevor Dickinson, he's clearly accusing Ben Hermans of criminal behaviour. While the actual details of Hermans' actions are not explained in the part of the recording that has now been made public, Dickinson's wording about "calling the police" or the notion that Hermans could lose his job or his licence for practicing law make this quite clear.
But at the same time, Dickinson is incriminating himself: The statement that Ben Hermans was forced to sign a contract that gives Dickinson and his partners free access to a lot of Hyperion's property and licenses basically equals an admission of blackmailing Mr. Hermans. Not to mention that this contract presumably would mostly hurt the company Hyperion - by obliterating most of their sources of income, for example - while Dickinson's description suggests that only the person Ben Hermans seems to be responsible for A-EON's problems.
Update: (11.08.2018, 14:00, cg)
Amiga Future has approached both Trevor Dickinson und Ben Hermans for statements. Both parties stress that A-EON is paying the full price for each copy of AmigaOS 4 it ships:
Trevor Dickinson: "A-EON Technology does have a worldwide sub-license granted by Hyperion Entertainment to use the AmigaOne name, AmigaOS name and Boing Ball on products it develops for AmigaOS4. However, A-EON Technology has to make significant payments to Hyperion Entertainment to port AmigaOS4 to the AmigaOne hardware it produces.
This includes payments for porting the kernel, writing any necessary drivers and/or other special utilities that may be required to make OS4 run on A-EON's AmigaOne hardware. As Matthew Leaman wrote on AmigaWorld net, A-EON Technology also pre-pays (in batches) the significant cost of full software licence to Hyperion Entertainment for its AmigaOne machines (X1000, X5000 and the A1222 beta).
Every AmigaOne machine A-EON ships has an AmigaOS4 software license pre-paid to Hyperion Entertainment at the full license price, not the special reduced sales price which Hyperion charged customers for the AmigaOS4 Final Edition release. A-EON is prevented from disclosing the full license price by the terms of its Agreements with Hyperion Entertainment but suffice to say it is far greater that the special one-off AmigaOS4 Final Edition sales price."
Ben Hermans: "That is true, A-EON does pay for licenses which we negotiated." (cg) (Translation: cg)
[News message: 06. Aug. 2018, 12:34] [Comments: 5 - 11. Apr. 2021, 07:35]
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