AmiWest Blog Moving to AmiWest.net!

After four years of blogging at WordPress, we have found a new (and we believe, better) blog platform at apps.amiwest.net/blog. This blog has already moved to this new facility.

Thanks to WordPress for providing their facilities during this time. The continuing “heaviness” of the WordPress interface is the main reason for the move, coupled with consolidating all AmiWest information through one site.

So go to apps.amiwest.net/blog for AmiWest 2011 reports and AmiWest 2012 information, as it happens! See you there soon!

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On the Morning of October 21. . .

This message is coming to you from the secret headquarters of AmiWest 2011. The post is being done on the AmigaOne X1000 in “our” posession. If you are coming to the show, you will be able to see (and try!) it tomorrow.

Of course, if you aren’t coming, you won’t be able to see or try it. No one else in the world has this opportunity. We’re sorry if you haven’t planned to come.

Yes, it is here, operational, and awesome! For those of you who are coming, you will see it shortly.

Over and out from the AmiWest secret HQ! (We now return your control over your computer.)

AmigaOne X1000 to Be At AmiWest 2011!

This is the latest from Trevor Dickinson of A-EON, manufacturers of the AmigaOne X1000 dual-core PPC hardware platform for Amiga OS4.1.

Here is the text of the announcement. We hope to have the .pdf complete with imagery posted later.

“First Contact : AmigaOne X1000 Limited Edition

AmiWest 2011, Sacramento, 21st October 2011

AmigaKit and A-EON Technology are pleased to announce that AmigaKit is now taking pre-orders for a First Contact Limited Edition version of the AmigaOne X1000 System.

The First Contact system comprises a fully equipped AmigaOne X1000 complete with the official Boing Ball case and AmigaOS4.1 Update 5 pre-installed. It is also supplied with a license for AmigaOS4.2 which can be downloaded when it is released by Hyperion Entertainment. Matthew Leaman of AmigaKit said “As part of our ongoing commitment to the Amiga community we are delighted to be able to offer the AmigaOne X1000 to our customers. Based on current manufacturing schedules we hope to have the first systems ready for Christmas & New Year delivery. A-EON Technology director Trevor Dickinson added “Its been a long and, at times, difficult journey but we are pleased that the Amiga community will finally have access to this exciting new hardware for the AmigaOS4.

The First Contact system includes the official AmigaOne X1000 Boing Ball case in either black or white and includes the Nemo rev 2.1 motherboard complete with 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a Radeon HD4650 graphics card, 500GB HDD,
DVR R/W optical drive, Audio & Ethernet cards.

Prices start from: £1699, USD $2682.56 (excluding AmigaOS4 license, shipping, handling and sales tax).

Optional extras include the Boing Ball keyboard & mouse, Ram, HDD & Optical drive upgrade options plus Debian Squeeze pre-installed in a dual booting configuration with AmigaOS4. Please refer to the special A1-X1000 system configurator on the AmigaKit website for pricing and upgrade options.

All orders will be processed on a first come first served basis.

About AmigaKit.

AmigaKit is a trading division of Leaman Computing Ltd based in Cardiff, UK. It acquired the stock of Eyetech Group Ltd in 2006 and quickly established itself as a worldwide market leader in the retail and distribution of Amiga hardware and software.

A-EON Technology appointed AmigaKit as its primary distributor for the AmigaOne X1000 computer.

About A-EON Technology.

A-EON Technology was founded in 2009 to fund the
development of next generation hardware for the Amiga community working in close cooperation with Hyperion Entertainment, the developers of the AmigaOS.

About the AmigaOne X1000.

The AmigaOne X1000 is not like other computers. It is a culmination of efforts by real Amiga enthusiasts and developers to create powerful, modern desktop hardware for the Amiga Operating System. It is the natural evolution of the Amiga’s PowerPC lineage and is based on the PA-Semi Dual-core PA6T-1682M CPU and includes Xena, a “Software Defined Silicon” co-processor. Above all, it runs the latest version of the AmigaOS.

Varisys commits to AmigaOne platform

AmiWest 2011, Sacramento, 21st October 2011

A-EON Technology is pleased to announce Varisys, the official developer and manufacturer of the Nemo motherboard for AmigaOne X1000, has strengthened its commitment to the AmigaOne platform.

Throughout the Nemo development phase Varisys has proved an extremely knowledgeable and highly responsive partner. A-EON Technology director Trevor Dickinson said, “We have been very satisfied with Varisys commitment, dedication and quality. When it comes to leading edge PowerPC hardware their level of technical expertise is possibly unrivalled. As a result Varisys has contracted to work on several new development projects to improve and extend the AmigaOne product line.

Adam Barnes, Varisys Technical Director said, There is some exciting cutting edge PowerPC technology on the horizon and we are delighted to have the opportunity of
bringing this to the AmigaOne platform.

Varisys Managing Director Paul Gentle added, “We enjoyed working on the Nemo development which provided our first experience of the global Amiga community. We look forward to extending our relationship with the new projects and will do our best to.

Please refer to the Varisys and A-EON Technology website for future updates.

About Varisys.

Varisys is a producer of Commercial Off The Shelf and provider of bespoke hardware design and manufacturing services for industrial and embedded computing applications. The High Wycombe, UK based company was founded in 2000 by Paul Gentle and Adam Barnes and has earned a reputation for delivering high quality products with a specialisation in PowerPC and FPGA hardware. Varisys have customers in a wide range of industries, in manufacturing, military applications and telecommunications, and are perhaps best known for their development of the PowerPC G4 motherboard used in the immensely popular WholeHog III lighting control console.

About A-EON Technology.

A-EON Technology was founded in 2009 to fund the development of next generation hardware for the Amiga community working in close cooperation with Hyperion Entertainment, the developers of the AmigaOS.

About the AmigaOne X1000.

The AmigaOne X1000 is not like other computers. It is a culmination of efforts by real Amiga enthusiasts and developers to create powerful, modern desktop hardware for the Amiga Operating System. It is the natural evolution of the Amiga’s PowerPC lineage and is based on the PA-Semi Dual-core PA6T-1682M CPU and includes Xena, a “Software Defined Silicon” co-processor. Above all, it runs the latest version of the AmigaOS.

A-EON & AmigaKit form strategic alliance

AmiWest 2011, Sacramento, 21st October 2011

A-EON Technology is pleased to announce it has formed a new strategic alliance with AmigaKit, the official distributor of the AmigaOne X1000.

As part of this alliance, AmigaKit will jointly fund new AmigaOne hardware developments and will market all future products. Matthew Leaman of AmigaKit said, “This move is in line with our desire to bring exciting new products to the Amiga market, such as our ZorRAM memory card and funding the AmigaOS4.1 Classic update. We welcome this new opportunity to support our Amiga customers.

Trevor Dickinson added, “A-EON Technology has a very close working relationship with AmigaKit. We appointed them as our lead distributor and they have played a crucial role in helping to deliver the AmigaOne X1000 to market. He also added, I am also delighted that what originally began as my support for AmigaOS software developers in 2005, through my Hardware Donation programme, has resulted in the release of the AmigaOne X1000 in 2011. With AmigaKit taking care of customer contact and support I can now refocus my efforts on funding new hardware and software initiatives for the benefit of the whole Amiga community. Please refer to the AmigaKit and A-EON Technology website for future updates.

About AmigaKit

AmigaKit is a trading division of Leaman Computing Ltd based in Cardiff, UK. It acquired the stock of Eyetech Group Ltd in 2006 and quickly established itself as a worldwide market leader in the retail and distribution of Amiga hardware and software. A-EON Technology appointed AmigaKit as its primary distributor for the AmigaOne X1000 computer.

About A-EON Technology A-EON Technology was founded in 2009 to fund the development of next generation hardware for the Amiga community working in close cooperation with Hyperion Entertainment, the developers of the AmigaOS.

About the AmigaOne X1000

The AmigaOne X1000 is not like other computers. It is a culmination of efforts by real Amiga enthusiasts and developers to create powerful, modern desktop hardware for the Amiga Operating System. It is the natural evolution of the Amiga’s PowerPC lineage and is based on the PA-Semi Dual-core PA6T-1682M CPU and includes Xena, a “Software Defined Silicon” co-processor. Above all, it runs the latest version of the AmigaOS.

AmiWest 2011 opens tomorrow evening at 5 PM with the classic clinic and a free cold-cuts buffet, courtesy of AmiWest. The rest of the show schedule will be posted this evening.

Three Days Until AmiWest 2011!

In just three days, people from all over the world will be coming to Sacramento, California for AmiWest 2011! Our attendees this year are coming from Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, many of the continental US states, Alaska, and others I have surely forgotten (my apologies!). We are truly an international gathering place for the Amiga community.

TRAVELERS WEATHER ADVISORY: Weather here in Sacramento promises to be better than last year’s rain. Here is the forecast from the US National Weather Service (data from which all other meteorological forecasts are derived):

October 18: Sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind around 7 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south southeast.
October 19: Sunny, with a high near 75. South wind between 5 and 9 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Light southwest wind.
October 20: Sunny, with a high near 77. South southeast wind at 5 mph becoming west southwest.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
October 21: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
October 22: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
October 23: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
October 24: Sunny, with a high near 78.

It’s still summer in California! We will see you soon!

We are ready to greet you at AmiWest 2011, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!

Infocessories to Launch at AmiWest 2011!

A new software company, infocessories, specializing in REBOL software, will launch at AmiWest 2011! After observing REBOL development for over 10 years and experimenting with REBOL View, infocessories proprietor Infoman has decided to go public.

If you’re not familiar with REBOL, it is the R(elative) E(xpression) B(ased) O(bject) L(anguage), pronounced as in “rebel with a cause” (which is certainly true with REBOL). REBOL is the creation of Carl Sassenrath, inventor of the multi-tasking Amiga and friend of Amigans everywhere. The infocessories launch will be accompanied by a couple of freebies and a distribtion CD (for sale) of REBOL scripts, tutorials, and versions that include an Amiga version. REBOL delivers on the “write once, run most everywhere” concept, with versions that run on 28 different platforms.

Of course, our focus is on the Amiga version that runs on Amiga OS 3.x and 4.x. We will be testing it on the AmigaOne X1000 at AmiWest and hope for great results there as well. AmiREBOL 1.2 is only the first in a series of distros aimed at enabling Amiga users (and users of other platforms) to have it your way when it comes to your computer. “Your computer your way”(SM) is our take on “fighting software complexity” and “doing simple things, simply” (both Sassenrath quotes). You are invited to visit rebol.com for more information on REBOL, and to visit infocessories.com, -.net and (future) -.org for more info on infocessories. Be sure to see our blog at apps.infocessories.net/blog for our launch blog post and more information on AmiREBOL 1.2.

Infoman will also be doing a REBOL demo at AmiWest 2011 with a focus on AmiREBOL 1.2. The hope is that more people will get involved in customizing their Amigas (aka “programming”) using a language that is much like spoken language and very simple in its form. Don’t let the simplicity fool you. REBOL is also very powerful. Come and see!

New company launches are always fun! So be sure to COMPLETE your plans to attend AmiWest 2011, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!

BANQUET TICKET ALERT – RESERVATIONS DUE TOMORROW!

As we have blogged before, we need to know how many of you are intending to attend the banquet this year so we can turn in the count to the caterer. The day for the count is tomorrow, October 14, by 5 PM Pacific Daylight Time. A special thanks to all of you who have already submitted your reservations.

We will be having a prime rib dinner this year with all the trimmings and dessert! We will also have Steven Solie as our speaker on the topic “Amiga OS4 – the way forward” as well as some surprise announcements by our other vendors. You really don’t want to miss this program, and the meal is great! All together, it’s a win-win for Amigans.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE ATTENDING THE BANQUET! TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR AT ANY PRICE. Don’t be disappointed. Be there for this historic event!

So be sure to finish your plans to attend the AmiWest 2011 banquet and show, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!

10 Days Until AmiWest 2011!

We all have 10 days until AmiWest 2011 commences. I’m sure that many of you are completing travel arrangements, sending in your banquet ticket reservations by October 14 so we can give a final count to the caterer, ordering exhibitor materials for last-minute delivery, and generally getting ready to come to another great AmiWest show.

We have more people involved in planning and implementation this year, hoping to improve the flow and appeal of the show. But all this is for naught if YOU don’t attend. After all, YOU, the Amiga community, are the reason for AmiWest. Now, more than ever, community support is critical to the future of Amiga.

So continue to complete your arrangements to attend AmiWest and invite as many people as possible. Be sure that YOU don’t miss the history-making announcements and DO see the new hardware and software that will be at AmiWest, all designed with YOU in mind. After all, YOU are the Amiga community.

So be sure to FINISH your plans to attend AmiWest 2011, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!

Revised Exhibitor List for AmiWest 2011

Here is the next change to our vendor and exhibitor list for AmiWest 2011. The revised list:

NEWEST EXHIBITOR Efficient by Design, reps Dave Morris and Paul Rezendes
Description: Dave and Paul will be showing the latest MorphOS version, various Amiga-related “iApps,” and the FPGA Arcade Replay Board.

A-Eon SHOW SPONSOR http://a-eon.com rep Trevor Dickinson
Description: New Amiga hardware company bringing the Amiga X1000 with dual-core PPC CPU and custom Xena chips to market.

Hyperion Entertainment SHOW SPONSOR http://hyperion-entertainment.biz, rep Steven Solie
Description: Developers of Amiga OS4.x and Amiga games. The company who has been delivering over the past ten years on everything that they have promised, with many enhancement changes along the way.

AmigaKit SHOW SPONSOR http://amigakit.com, rep Matthew Leaman & friends
Description: World #1 Amiga hardware and software dealer for Amiga classic and emerging Amiga platforms, including A-Cube SAM series and A-EON X1000.

Individual Computers SHOW SPONSOR http://icomp.de, rep Jens Schoenfeld
Description: Jens has been creating “good hardware for good computers” for the past 17 years, since 1994! Some of you may recall that 1994 was the year that Commodore Amiga went bankrupt. While not the best conditions to begin making hardware add-ons for said computers, Jens has persisted in designing and producing hardware that keeps our classic Amiga machines running better.

UGN Broadcast, rep Bill Borsari & friends
Description: Broadcasting Amiga shows for over 15 years from all over North America. The technology has evolved from just IRC to IRC and Webcam to IRC, Webcam, and Streaming Audio, to IRC, Webcam, Audio, and Video.

Pagestream, rep Chuck Washburn
Description: The DTP program for the Amiga since 1986. Currently under continuous development and now a cross-platform software package with all files compatible across Amiga Classic, Amiga OS4.x, Mac, Windows and Linux platforms.

SACC, SHOW FOUNDERS rep club members
Description: Sponsors of AmiWest since its founding in 1998 by SACC club members. The Amiga show on the West Coast of the U.S. and venue for the Amiga community gathering in the United States from all points on the planet. We have counted many Amiga luminaries among our members, among them the legendary Jay Miner. We currently maintain the Jay Miner memorial software library.

Viva Amiga, rep Zach Weddington & friends
Description: Viva Amiga, the Amiga documentary by Zach Weddington and friends. This is their first time at AmiWest. Welcome!

As you can see, major players in Amigadom have already committed to come to AmiWest 2011, and more are signing up daily! You should be here, too!

So be sure to FINISH your plans to attend AmiWest 2011, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!

AmiWest 2011 Banquet Tickets Deadline Extended to October 14!

By special arrangement with our caterers, our absolute deadline for AmiWest 2011 banquet ticket sales is Friday, October 14, 2011! That’s four days from today (October 10)! They usually require two weeks’ notice in order to prepare our banquet for us, but they have agreed to shorten the time frame in order to allow more people to participate.

So if you haven’t reserved your banquet tickets, please email us at info@amiwest.net with the following:

Your name:
Number in your party:___@ $29.00
Total amount: $__________.

PLEASE BRING YOUR PAYMENT WITH YOU TO THE SHOW, made out to AmiWest for the total amount for your party. Checks mailed at this point will not reach us in time. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS regarding substantive developments and opportunitites WILL BE MADE at the banquet. You want to be there to hear them and act upon them. SEND YOUR RESERVATION IN TODAY.

So be sure to FINISH your plans to attend the AmiWest 2011 banquet and show, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!

Holiday Inn Express room reservations still available at the AmiWest rate!

Apparently people are trying to reserve rooms at the last minute for our show. We appreciate the demand. However, the group code for the special AmiWest rate has apparently expired some time ago.

As with many reservations sites, the closer one gets to the event, two things happen:

1) The price of the room goes up.

2) Special website access is either limited or expires.

You can still reserve your room at the AmiWest rate by calling the hotel front desk directly and stating that you are with the AmiWest show. Just call the number given below to reserve. We hope that this alleviates the glitch that some are experiencing by waiting until the last minute.

It’s going to be a great show! So be sure to complete your plans to attend AmiWest 2011, the Amiga show on the West Coast of the United States of America! It’s all happening at the new Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821, Tel: 916.923.1100. Come see the latest in Amiga hardware and software October 21-23, 2011. And watch this blog for breaking news of AmiWest 2011 as it happens! You don’t want to miss it!