AmiWest 2012 welcomes Samuel Crow and Jason McMullan (from the UK) as AROS representatives. This is the first time that AROS has been represented at AmiWest.

AROS has grown from an experimental research project to a vibrant environment that gets stronger everyday with active development. As an Amiga alternative that combines meeting and improving upon the functionality of the 3.x API, AROS is able to expand the Amiga experience to a variety of platforms hitherto unavailable. Standalone hardware environments include ARM, X86, 68K Amiga, and PPC. Hosted environments are also in the works for Mac, Linux, Windows and Android.

From email communications from both Sam and Jason, we've gathered that they will be giving away AROS software at their AROS table. So you will have a chance to come away from AmiWest with AROS software to try on your setup, along with some expert explanation on the spot of how to install and run it.

We thank Sam and Jason for making the trip to AmiWest and educating our attendees regarding the possibilities of AROS. It's just one more way that AmiWest seeks to provide a forum for expanding and improving the Amiga community.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

Those of us close to AmiWest are always excited about what will happen at the show. But why should you come to join us? We believe there are compelling reasons to be here in person at AmiWest 2012. So we are going to make the case for your personal attendance and, hopefully, your persuasion of at least one other person to attend with you.

Here's a countdown of our most compelling reasons to attend, from #10 down to #1. Join us now as we countdown to AmiWest 2012, October (18)19-21, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., in Sacramento, CA.

REASON # 7: COME TO AMIWEST 2012 TO GET THE LATEST ON AMIGA ALTERNATIVES.

Many have been working for quite some time on alternatives to AmigaOS. The Amiga Research Operating System (AROS), various forms of emulation, and Morph OS are among these alternatives.

This year, Jason McMullen of AROS will be here in person to help us understand more about AROS: what it is, how it runs, and how it relates to other current projects in Amigadom. It will be very interesting to see and hear about the progress of AROS. AROS will also be included in the Saturday night banquet presentations and discussions. Thanks to all who are enabling this to happen so that AmiWest attendees can get a fresh look at AROS and how it fits into our community.

Emulation is also now part of AmigaOS (since update 4). This 68K Amiga emulator is geared toward running games and applications using the 3.x API on AmigaOS 4.x. I have tried it and it seems to be at least an easy way to see whether emulation is for you. The installation is seamless and doesn't take much more than choosing to install it when updating your AmigaOS 4.x software. Of course, the emulation field is much larger, encompassing E-UAE, Amithlon, and other implementations.

MorphOS, although not officially represented, will have a presence at AmiWest this year. Being able to see how MorphOS runs and what relationship it has to Amiga will also be useful information to those seeking alternatives to AmigaOS, i.e. the ability to run Amiga software on another OS.

By coming to AmiWest, you can experience the state of the art in Amiga alternatives as well. It's another aspect of the Amiga community that can open up more possibilities for you. If you're at AmiWest, you can talk to those who know and can shorten your learning and evaluation curve in just a few days time. And if you're not there, you'll be searching for a much longer time. Add to that the fun that talking to these guys generates, and you can see why attending AmiWest makes sense on several levels.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

Those of us close to AmiWest are always excited about what will happen at the show. But why should you come to join us? We believe there are compelling reasons to be here in person at AmiWest 2012. So we are going to make the case for your personal attendance and, hopefully, your persuasion of at least one other person to attend with you.

Here's a countdown of our most compelling reasons to attend, from #10 down to #1. Join us now as we countdown to AmiWest 2012, October (18)19-21, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., in Sacramento, CA.

REASON # 8: COME TO AMIWEST 2012 TO LEARN NEW AMIGA SKILLS THROUGH SEMINARS, THE PROGRAMMING CONFERENCE, AND TALKING TO EXHIBITORS.

AmiWest is one of the few places on the planet that hosts seminars, exhibitors, and, this year, a programmng conference specifically geared to Amiga. While other people host shows, we have been told by those who have attended those other gatherings that ours is unique in its technical focus. Not only do we want to provide a place for people to purchase Amiga hardware and software; we also want our attendees to come away having learned something new or taught something new to an eager student.

This year is a case in point. For the first time in our 15-year AmiWest history, we are hosting a "C" Programming Conference specifically geared to AmigaOS programming. We have the team lead developer for AmigaOS, Steven Solie, leading the two-day seminar. I'm sure that the participants in that group will certainly come away with new knowledge and, hopefully, wanting to code something for AmigaOS. See the AmigaOS Programming Seminar page for additional information on this ground-breaking event.

But you can't learn those new skills by staying home. IRC is good for some things, but it just doesn't give the personal impact that being there gives. You just can't share a personal conversation with all the context that the AmiWest environment gives any other way than by attending the show.

Personally, after 15 years of being there, I can say with authority that I have always learned a lot at the show. And that is one of the reasons that I am still heavily involved in organizing and presenting a place where people can come to discuss, learn and interact for the enhancement of the Amiga community.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

We realize that many of you are curious about when things are going to happen at AmiWest this year. We hold off on publishing a detailed schedule because those details are influenced by a surprisingly wide array of details that seem to have little to do with a specific schedule. However, an alteration in participant travel plans (for example) can result in a re-arranging of the specific event schedule. And that's only a single example. There are many.

On the other hand, everyone needs to know when the AmiWest events are going to start and end with an eye toward making their own plans to attend. So here is a broad schedule of dates and times for this year's AmiWest show.

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October 18 & 19 - 1st Annual AmiWest AmigaOS Programming Seminar

Location: Ramada Plaza Cal Expo in the Sycamore room, directly off the lobby on the left side as you walk in to the hotel.

Start time: THURSDAY, October 18 - participants are still voting, but the con sens us so far is either 10 AM or 11 AM. The seminar will continue until we all run out of energy. There is little possibility of running out of material. Please go to the seminar page for mor e information and to sign up for the seminar. The current fee to attend is $40.00 per person in advance.

FRIDAY, October 19 - Programming Seminar will convene in the morning and proc eed until we are done.

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AmiWest show events begin - FREE ADMISSION TO THE SHOW AND THE CLASSIC CLINIC is made possible by our sponsors and donors. To donate, go to our front page and click on the PayPal do nate button. Donations are not tax deductible.

AmiWest Show Event - the Classic Clinic

FRIDAY, October 19 - AmiWest opens at 5 PM with the Classic Clinic, a gath ering where available technicians are volunteering their expertise to repair and / or upgrade classic Amiga hardware. If you plan on coming to the Classic Clinic, please send email to us here with a subject line titled "2012 Classic Clinic" and what machine you are bringing, along with a description of desired repairs and / or upgrades. This will help us see how to help you. FREE FOOD is available to everyone until its gone at the Classic Clinic, courtesy of AmiWest.

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AmiWest Show Opens

SATURDAY, October 20 - AmiWest show floor opens between 9AM and 1 0AM, with exact time TBA. Exhibitors will be showing and seminars occurring during this time frame. Show floor closes at 5 PM to prepare for the AmiWest banquet at 7P M.

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AmiWest Show Event - AmiWest Banquet

October 20 - The doors to the banquet hall open at 7PM. The menu thi s ye ar features three different entrees and a menu to be announced when absolutely confirmed.

Banquet Features

Welcome from the show organizers, as well as messages from key developers and a panel discussion of the present Amiga scene and future will be features of the banquet. Look for more details and to reserve your banquet tickets online on the banquet page.

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SUNDAY, October 21 - AmiWest show floor opens between 9AM and 10A M, wi th exact time TBA. Exhibitors will be showing and seminars occurring during this time frame. Show floor closes for the last time at 5 PM.

After Party

There is typically an informal after party at a local restaurant arranged on Sunday afternoon at some point. We will announce where it is in the hopes that many of you will want to come and keep the party going.

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So there you have it - a basic schedule. Please keep amiwest.net bookmarked in your browser and visit often to see how things are shaping up with the schedule.

Those of us close to AmiWest are always excited about what will happen at the show. But why should you come to join us? We believe there are compelling reasons to be here in person at AmiWest 2012. So we are going to make the case for your personal attendance and, hopefully, your persuasion of at least one other person to attend with you.

Here's a countdown of our most compelling reasons to attend, from #10 down to #1. Join us now as we countdown to AmiWest 2012, October (18)19-21, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., in Sacramento, CA.

REASON # 9: COME TO AMIWEST 2012 TO MAKE YOUR PERSONAL AMIGA COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION.

Every community begins and ends with people. This is as true of nations, cities & towns as it is of broader communities like the Amiga community. And all of those people bring special talents and abilities to the community.

In the Amiga community, we have programmers, developers, hardware manufacturers, software manufacturers, retailers, distributors, many users, show organizers and support staff, presenters, and many others who make up our Amiga community. The after-hours discussions at AmiWest are fascinating, with many saying, "If only they would . . . " The biggest difference with us is that THEY are US. We are the community. Any individual is able to make a contribution to the Amiga community and be recognized for it. This is a direct contrast with most other groups gathered around a common operating system. We don't have to wait for a big company to make a move. We are the ones who can make it happen.

So come to AmiWest 2012 and make your personal contribution. I continue to be amazed at the many capable people involved in Amiga, most for a very long time. We have people who work for AT&T, Google, Stanford University, IBM, AMD and its subsidiaries, Intel, other major universities, other major companies, successful independent video producers, data recovery specialists, and so many others who are also very involved in Amiga. Be one of those people who make a difference by coding new software, opening a new website, implementing an Amiga-specific technology, even using your Amiga in new and different ways so that all can benefit from your experience.

Come to AmiWest to see what others are doing and carry some of that home with you. In the Amiga community, you can make a difference. Your idea may be just what someone else needs to make their lives easier. Come and share what you know instead of standing back and waiting for others to do it for you. If all of us contribute, all of us can benefit.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch our blog at blog.amiwest.net for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

Our next confirmed exhibitor has never exhibited at AmiWest before but has been an integral part of Amigadom for many years. IntuitionBase will exhibit at AmiWest 2012. Here is their announcement, from intuitionbase.com:

"The biggest Amiga show in the Americas is quickly approaching. The venue has been booked, exhibitors are lining up, and Amigans from all over the continent are planning to be there.

We'll be there on Sunday, too, with a table with an AmigaOS demonstrator system, plenty of software to try out, and much more. And we won't be the only ones:

* AmigaKit
* A-EON Technology
* Hyperion Entertainment
* the SACC classic software and hardware store
... and more to come!

This is the premier Amiga event of the year. Check out the latest at amiwest.net or the blog linked to below. See you there!"

Eldee Stephens will be representing IntuitionBase at AmiWest. We welcome Eldee and all of his assistants to AmiWest in this capacity. We hope that IntuionBase makes AmiWest a habit on their calendar.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch our blog at blog.amiwest.net for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

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 2012. So we are going to make the case for your personal attendance and, hopefully, your persuasion of at least one other person to attend with you.

Here's a countdown of our most compelling reasons to attend, from #10 down to #1. Join us now as we countdown to AmiWest 2012, October (18)19-21, 2012, at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., in Sacramento, CA.

REASON # 10: COME TO AMIWEST 2012 TO GET THAT SPECIAL CLASSIC AMIGA MACHINE, PART, OR TWEAK FOR YOUR COMMODORE AMIGA.


The reason AmiWest was first organized by members of SACC 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 2012.

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 2012 for your purchase.

3) The Classic Clinic on Friday evening, October 19, 2012 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 2012 for classic Amiga users! But it won't help YOU at all unless you plan to be here!

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch our blog at blog.amiwest.net for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

Room rates at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo have been confirmed. The rate quoted is for a room with 2 queen-size beds. Total rate (including 12% tax) for one night is $72.00, double occupancy. This means that, for those sharing a room, you are only paying $36.00 per person per night! This is well below the average cost of a room here in Sacramento.

As times have changed, so has the Ramada Plaza. The hotel has gone through yet another facelift and improvements abound, recent reminiscences to the contrary nothwithstanding. The day before the programming seminar begins, our staff will be walking through every room blocked off for our group along with hotel staff to ensure that every room you occupy is up to our standards of cleanliness and serviceability. This does not mean that you will be getting a room comparable to a Hilton Inn; it DOES mean that your room will be clean and ready for you to occupy.

Simply go to the hotel link here and open the Reservations/Online Reservations link. Choose your dates. On th e second screen, find the "Corporate/Military" rate to reserve your "2 queen double beds" room. Please include this phrase in the comments section of the reservation page: "This reservation is part of the AmiWest 2012 reservation group." You will receive a confirmation number at the end of that process. The total price will be somewhat higher than the $72.00 per night quoted here. Your AmiWest discount will then be given AT CHECKOUT, when your credit card is charged.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch our blog at blog.amiwest.net for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.

Here at AmiWest, we are grateful to our sponsors for helping us to lift our show to the "next level." It is our sponsors that made (and continue to make) free admission to the show possible. It is our sponsors that enable us to have the "latest and greatest" to present at AmiWest. And it is our sponsors that have become our friends as well.

We are pleased to announce that this year, Hyperion Entertainment is again sponsoring AmiWest. Hyperion has enabled us to extend the show by another day, adding the AmigaOS "C" Programming Seminar to our schedule. Hyperion Developer Team Lead Steven Solie is in the forefront of promoting this seminar and heading up the instructor team. Developer Lyle Hazelwood will make his first appearance at AmiWest with projects that he has been working on. While there is still space available for other participants at the seminar, an encouraging number of participants have signed up.

Hyperion also supports AmiWest financially, which we appreciate very much. It is just such a commitment of people and money that helps keep AmiWest in the forefront of the Amiga community. As always, more developments will be available at AmiWest. And you want to be there in person, first in the world to hear what is newest in Amiga progress.

So be sure to make your plans to attend AmiWest 2012, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It's all happening at the Ramada Plaza Cal Expo, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Local phone: 916-487-7606. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 19-21, 2012. Attend our first-ever AmiWest Programmers conference in conjunction with AmiWest October 18-19, 2012. And watch our blog at blog.amiwest.net for breaking news of AmiWest 2012 as it happens! You don't want to miss it! Organized by the AmiWest committee, Sacramento Amiga Computer Club.