Every  innovation  has  a beginning, a source.  So it is with the AmiVerse.
What  began  as  Amiga  and  is  now  Classic Amiga is that beginning, that
source.

It was fun to work for a startup computer company in the 1970's and 1980's.
Commodore, Atari, Coleco (later named Sega), Sinclair, and many others took
the  plunge.  People stayed up all night (and sometimes for days at a time)
to "win" the race to introduce before some other company did.

The  original  Amiga  team  and  its  history  is  detailed elsewhere.  The
importance  for  the  AmiVerse  is  that  this  team  produced a concept so
singular that it is still news today.  Much of the old equipment still runs
and performs tasks at a useable level today.  And the concept, the "spirit"
of Amiga, lives on.

We  owe  much as a continuing community to this source galaxy, the first of
its  kind.   We  refer  to  this  as the source, the "way it should be" for
continuing  development.   As  we  expand, extend and re-imagine Amiga, the
source "galaxy" is always in view.

And  at  AmiWest  2013,  we  will have much in support of the Amiga Classic
(source  galaxy)  platform.   Be sure to see our previous blog post on that
topic.   Come  to  AmiWest 2013 to start your glactic tour with the source,
the Amiga Classic Galaxy.

So  be  sure  to  watch  this  blog for the latest in AmiWest 2013 news and
details.   Every  year  gets better - but it won't be better for YOU unless
you  attend.   Reserve  October  16-20, 2013 on your calendar and make your
plans  to  attend the Second Programming Conference (16-18) and the AmiWest
2013  show  (18 PM - 20), the Amiverse show on the West coast of the USA at
the   Holiday   Inn   Express,  2224  Auburn  Blvd.,  Sacramento,  CA  Tel:
916.923.1100.  You don't want to miss it!

A universe is an expression of a vision. While many explanations have been advanced concerning the "vision" that originated the physical universe, those explanations center around a central thought. So, indeed, does the AmiVerse.

And what is that thought? Here is an explication of a vision by Amiga architect Carl Sassenrath, published some time ago but still cogent:

"Member: Carl-S Joined: 22-Oct-2006 Posts: 37 From: REBOLville In the "AmiWest 2006 - Any reports?" topic, I made this statement:

Quote: I know quite well what an Amiga is. To me, Amiga is well defined.

Saimo asked me to elaborate, and it would be my pleasure to do so.

Here is my definition of Amiga:

The Amiga is a computer system that enables millions of creative people at a low cost of ownership.

Are you surprised I define Amiga that way? Not in terms of CPU, MHz, bus, chips, or apps? Here's what I mean...

Computer System: Amiga is a complete system including both software and hardware. You want people to be able to buy the entire package, not just the "kit". For software, from what I've seen, I think OS4 does it quite well. For hardware, I don't care what CPU, as long as it can fully satisfy the rest of the definition below. (Remember that I was one of the main 68000 supporters, but I think the CPU topic is no longer relevant.)

Enables: This is the action verb. To me this word is more than just the opposite of disable (e.g. Windows), it means to empower. The computer should work for people, not the other way around. (As I've said before.)

Millions: Do we want just a few Amiga users or do we want millions? I still believe in what we started back in 1985. Millions of users gives us a true marketplace where hundreds of products can afford to be developed, supported, and thrive.

Creative People: Creative people solve problems. They think. They enhance. The legacy of Amiga is the amazing list of doers, thinkers, artists, musicians, programmers, and even CEOs who have owned and used Amiga over the last two decades. Those are the kind of people you want using your system - not droids. And also, I don't just mean creative users, I am also talking about creative developers and entrepreneurs who make it possible from the start.

Low Cost: This has always been an important component of the Amiga dream. We want schools, families, community orgs, hobbyests, and small businesses to buy into Amiga. We want the starving artists. We want the young genius or rebellious kid. So, the barrier to entry must be low. In fact, if it were possible to rejuvenate old PC boxes and laptops to make them decent Amigas, I would be for that. (Remember how Linux got started?) There is also more to low cost than just the purchase price... cost includes support.

Final Note: I know that many current users will not agree with all these points (perhaps mostly the last). But, it's important to start with the top level definition. That's how we made the original Amiga. We decided what was most important.

All goals are not equal. If you want to go for the big win, you sometimes have to give up a few lesser desires.

I would love to see the Amiga return someday as a force in the computing arena. I actually think it is possible, as insane as that may sound. But, it's going to require a clear vision and a grassroots unity of purpose."

Admittedly, this was a while ago and Carl's views may have changed. However, I believe that this is an important vision of the "spirit" of Amiga from the man who, with the help of many, brought Amiga to life.

We will continue to explore this statement of vision in future blog posts and at AmiWest 2013 in October. Thank you, Carl, for giving us a place to stand.

So be sure to watch this blog for the latest in AmiWest 2013 news and details.

Join us at the Amiwest 2013 banquet for our keynote presentation and panel discussion. Eldee Stephens, a microprocessor developer with IBM Corp., will begin by presenting an overview of the history of Power and the PowerPC, current trends within the Power Architecture community, an update on Power Architecture community members' product roadmaps, and why Power remains a vital part of the 'always-connected' era of computing. Mr. Stephens will then be joined by Steven Solie, AmigaOS Development Team Lead; Trevor Dickinson, Managing Director of A-EON Technology, Ltd.; and other panelists in a panel discussion on why the Amiga platform is and can remain relevant in the alternative computing space, what makes the Amiga unique among alternative computing platforms, and what the Amiga still has to offer to those outside our community. Strategies discussed by the panel for how to grow the Amiga community and why the Amiga is still a valuable member of the computing world in the 21st century will also provide food for thought.

Details for reserving and paying for your banquet tickets will appear shortly.

So be sure to watch this blog for the latest in AmiWest 2013 news and details. Every year gets better - but it won't be better for YOU unless you attend. Reserve October 16-20, 2013 on your calendar and make your plans to attend the Second Programming Conference (16-18) and the AmiWest 2013 show (18 PM - 20), the Amiverse show on the West coast of the USA at the Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA Tel: 916.923.1100. You don't want to miss it!

Steven Solie will represent Hyperion Entertainment at AmiWest 2013. The latest Hyperion developments will be on hand for show attendees. And, as always, there will likely be surprises in store for everyone. So be sure to come to AmiWest 2013! We said so much about our show site in the last post to this blog that we will let that stand as information for show attendees. Make your reservations - we will see you at AmiWest 2013 in less than 60 days!

After extensive testing, we have confirmed our room rates for AmiWest 2013.
Here is the link to use for Holiday Inn Express, Sacramento North East,
2224 Auburn Blvd., our AmiWest 2013 show location:

www.hiexpress.com/sacramentone

This  link  will  display the  individual  hotel  front page.  On the left
sidebar,  enter your dates between October 16 and October 20, 2013 with the
number  of  people  involved  per  room.   Rates are good through the 20th,
checking  out  on  October  21.  Under "Have a group code?", click the link
open  and  enter  AMI  (yes,  in  capital letters) in the box.  Then "Check
Availability."  Then  you'll  see  the group room rate of $76.00 per night,
including  a free hot breakfast, for a room with either one king bed or two
queen beds.  For $10 per night more, you can get a suite.

Here is the description of the room from the site:

ROOM DESCRIPTION:
KING EXECUTIVE NONSMOKING

THANKS  TO THE FREE HIGH SPEED WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS YOU CAN EASILY STAY
CONNECTED  TO  FRIENDS  AND  FAMILY AS YOU FINISH PAPERWORK AT THE SPACIOUS
DESK  WATCH  A  MOVIE  OR YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS ON THE 32 INCH LCD TV USE THE
MICROWAVE AND FRIDGE TO FIX A SNACK THEN SLIP INTO THE TRIPLE SHEETED BED

ANYONE CAN BOOK RESERVATIONS $ 76.00 USD  per room, per night
    Tax:   12%  per  night  not included in rate effective 16 October, 2013
thru 20 October, 2013
    2 PERSON(S) PER ROOM MAXIMUM
DESCRIPTION:
    ANYONE CAN BOOK RESERVATIONS
CANCELLATION POLICY:
    Canceling  your  reservation  before  6:00  PM  (local  hotel  time) on
Wednesday,  16  October,  2013  will  result  in no charge.  Canceling your
reservation  after  6:00  PM  (local  hotel  time)  on 16 October, 2013, or
failing to show, will result in a charge of 1 night per room to your credit
card.   Taxes  may  apply.   Failing  to call or show before check-out time
after  the  first night of a reservation will result in cancellation of the
remainder of your reservation."

The rest of the rooms can accomodate up to four people. So the suite (at
$86.00 per night) is a better deal if you have four people - or just want
more room!

These are great rooms in great condition. 

The  rates  are  active  as  of  today  (August 6, 2013) and are valid from
October 16-20, checking out on October 21.  Make your reservations today so
YOU can come to AmiWest 2013 and be part of the show.
 
So  be  sure  to  watch  this  blog for the latest in AmiWest 2013 news and
details.   Every  year  gets better - but it won't be better for YOU unless
you  attend.   Reserve  October  16-20, 2013 on your calendar and make your
plans  to  attend the Second Programming Conference (16-18) and the AmiWest
2013  show  (18 PM - 20), the Amiverse show on the West coast of the USA at
the   Holiday   Inn   Express,  2224  Auburn  Blvd.,  Sacramento,  CA  Tel:
916.923.1100.  You don't want to miss it!

What  is  the  AmiVerse?  In the beginning of Amigadom, there was the Amiga
computer.   No  number, with AmigaDOS as its operating system.  It just had
color  graphics,  sound,  and could run many visible, high-level tasks (not
just  processes) at once, right out of the box.  That capability was called
mutli-tasking.   It  amazed those who first experienced it's uses at a time
when  all  else  just  had  green-screen or black-and-white everything in silence.

Then came the A1000, the original Amiga with a number and more stuff, then
the A500, A2000 - and Amigadom was created.  These were computers complete with great packaging, printed manuals (remember?), software, hardware add-ons, magazines (officially, AmigaWorld, and many others), stores from which you could buy them, and user groups that expanded, extended and otherwise taught the users, turning them into a unique community.

That  community  persists today, 16 years after Commodore Amiga effectively
left  the  scene,  still  developing,  still bringing out new products, and still innovative beyond the ken of the usual desktop computer.

Today,  Amiga  continues as very much of a community effort.  We have these
options today (in alpha numeric order):

Amiga Classic 3.x
AmigaOS 4.x
AROS
MorphOS

Each  of  these has communities to support and realize different visions of
the  "spirit"  of  Amiga, from original Amiga Classic systems & software to
the  three  development  branches  (&  more  under  emulation!).  Thus, the
AmiVerse,  with  galaxies  of differing views but in the same "universe" of
approach.

What is that "spirit" of Amiga?  A future blog post will address that
enlivening "spirit" that makes our community unique and vibrant.

So  be  sure  to  watch  this  blog for the latest in AmiWest 2013 news and
details.   Every  year  gets better - but it won't be better for YOU unless
you  attend.   Reserve  October  16-20, 2013 on your calendar and make your
plans  to  attend the Second Programming Conference (16-18) and the AmiWest
2013  show  (18 PM - 20), the Amiverse show on the West coast of the USA at
the   Holiday   Inn   Express,  2224  Auburn  Blvd.,  Sacramento,  CA  Tel:
916.923.1100.  You don't want to miss it!

Those of us close to AmiWest are always excited about what will happen at
the show.  Of course, we're involved in planning it, contacting potential
vendors, exhibitors, presenters, and speakers, and the rest of the details
involved in presenting AmiWest to the Amiga community.

But why should you come to join us?  We believe there are compelling
reasons to be here in person at AmiWest 2013.  Here's  a countdown of our most compelling reasons to attend, from #10 down to #1. 

REASON # 10:  COME TO AMIWEST 2013 TO GET THAT SPECIAL CLASSIC AMIGA
MACHINE, PART, OR TWEAK FOR YOUR COMMODORE AMIGA.

The reason AmiWest was first organized was to provide a once yearly "store"
for  Amiga  users  in  Northern  California  after our two Sacramento Amiga
stores  had  closed.   That  first  year  was  dedicated to Commodore Amiga
machines  (including Escom and Amiga Technologies), since that was all that
was  then  available.   That support has been present every year since then
for the past 15 years.

In  fact, the support for what are now Classic Amiga machines is so much of
a  given  that  we've  recently  heard  sighs of nostalgia over the lack of
support  for  the  classic  platform.   The  following exhibitors and events
continue to offer support for the classic platform:

1)  Sacramento  Amiga  Computer  Club has a large exhibit every year
with  Amiga  classic hardware and software for sale.  Our 1,000 square foot
"warehouse"  is  still  full  of  hardware  and  software  for your classic
machine.  And we will have a lot of it available at AmiWest 2013.

2)  Amigakit  also  brings  many  items  that extend and enhance the
classic  platform for classic users.  Among these many items are the latest
from  Individual  Computers  in Germany, as well as other European hardware
and  software houses.  They will also likely bring many classic Amiga items
to AmiWest 2013 for your purchase.

3)  The  Classic  Clinic on Friday evening, October 18, 2013 is also
aimed  at  repairing and upgrading classic Amiga machines that you bring to
the  show.   We  have  technicians  who  volunteer  their  time  to replace
capicitors  that  are  dying  on  the  motherboard,  help  install upgraded
hardware, and otherwise troubleshoot and repair classic machines.

So don't despair; help is at AmiWest 2013 for classic Amiga users!  But it
won't help YOU at all unless you plan to be there.

So  be  sure  to  watch  this  blog for the latest in AmiWest 2013 news and
details.   Every  year  gets better - but it won't be better for YOU unless
you  attend.   Reserve  October  16-20, 2013 on your calendar and make your
plans  to  attend the Second Programming Conference (16-18) and the AmiWest
2013  show  (18 PM - 20), the Amiverse show on the West coast of the USA at
the   Holiday   Inn   Express,  2224  Auburn  Blvd.,  Sacramento,  CA  Tel:
916.923.1100.  You don't want to miss it!