Paul Austin brings you the latest Amiga news hot off the wire.
Dixons, the electrical chain stores, have pulled out of the Amiga market for an as yet unspecified period of time. With the uncertain future of Commodore, it would appear that the retail company is waiting to see the outcome of any potential buyouts before restocking their shelves with the popular Amiga range. "The situation is up for review, as with any range, but the situation with Commodore is somewhat unusual", said Nicola Marsden, corporate affairs officer for the retail company. When questioned about Dixons' future plans for the Commodore home computer and console range, Marsden added: "I couldn't give any commitment either way at this stage".
At Commodore's UK HQ, David Pleasance, managing director, commented on the retailers move: "It's typical — Dixons have always been fine when they're friends with any manufacturer. Unfortunately, they're nervous about what is going to happen to the Amiga, so they've sold off what they have in their stores, and they're now holding their breath, waiting until something happens. When the situation is good again, they'll return to the scene."
While Dixons' shift in policy may not bode well for consumer confidence in Commodore products in the short term, David Pleasance is optimistic about the eventual outcome: "I can't say I'm happy about what they are going to do... but I think that it's a short‑term situation".
Amiga And Robocop Join Forces
The new television series detailing the continuing adventures of the part‑metal, part‑human law enforcer Robocop has recently finished shooting in Canada. Many of the visual effects featured in each show were created using a video toaster and an Amiga 4000. The graphics rendered and drawn include the interactive computer read‑outs on the monitors in the Robocruiser, the Metro South squad room, and the laboratories, among others.
"We also create the imaging in Robocop's visor for targeting, computer feeding and diagnostics", explains Lee Wilson, visual effects supervisor for the production," as well as the backgrounds for Diana's trip through Robocop's neuro‑nets, and the original computer animation of the helicopter. In a merging of the two systems, the helicopter was built and animated in the computer using the Toaster and Lightwave 3D program, and flown over Delta city..."
Stephen Downing, executive producer of the series, explains how the Amiga 4000 ended up as part of the crew on the most expensive series produced in Canadian television history: "Shortly after production commenced, Lee [Wilson] came to us and asked if we would buy this incredible piece of computer equipment. It was not in our budget, but we talked it over and Skyvision decided to support the department, hoping the added computer would pay for itself. A few days after the toaster arrived, I came into work to find the entire visual effects crew still in the department after pulling an all‑nighter. The outstanding work they deliver is saving the production time and money, as they create elements that we don't now have to sub‑contract to other companies".
The series itself has already been syndicated to 110 countries worldwide. For British Robocop followers, the intention is to release the series straight on to video and then sell it to television.
Peace Of Mind
In a bid to provide a better deal for their customers, Silica have introduced a comprehensive extended warranty on their products, including games consoles, with the launch of 'SilicaCare'. This scheme provides repair and replacement of parts, including major hardware such as hard drives and monitor tubes. The warranty can be arranged for up to five years, being tailored to suit the needs of the individual. For a two‑year policy on an Amiga computer system worth up to £1500, the warranty costs £38, which covers free repairs, delivery and courier service.
Silica's retail controller, Ken Browning commented: "As hi‑tech games consoles and computers become a part of everyday homes, more non‑technical users want the assurance of a total service package. SilicaCare provides them with the peace of mind that should anything go wrong, it will be immediately fixed". For further information, contact Silica Systems on 081 309 1111.
Blue Ribbon Promise Support
Stateside company Blue Ribbon, makers of music and multimedia hardware and software, have promised to continue their support for Amiga owners in response to Commodore's recent liquidation. Melissa Jordan Grey, Blue Ribbon's president, stated: "I encourage [users] to get the most out of [their] Amiga investment. Our mutual support will ensure a bright future for the Amiga long after Commodore's issues have been resolved". The company is responsible for Bars&Pipes, the highly rated music software, among others.
Private Prosecution For Piracy
The Crime Unit, recently created by the European Leisure Software Publishers' Association [ELSPA] to combat software theft, has had its first success, with a private prosecution brought against a pirate, Philip Richards. A private investigator working for the association brought Richards to court following a visit to the pirate's home in December 1993. There, Richards copied and sold the ELSPA man four programs for the Amiga 1200. Police later raided the house, seizing computer equipment and over 2000 computer disks. Magistrates in Northumberland found Richards guilty of breaching section 107 of the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988. He was fined £75 for each of the four copied programs he attempted to sell, and was charged £250 costs.
ELSPA have chalked up a further success with three recent raids which have netted pirated CD software worth £10 million. John Loader, chief investigator for the Crime Unit, said: "We warned that new low‑cost CD‑R copying equipment could potentially lead to huge losses for UK software producers, and could lead to the distribution of high‑quality pornographic material on CD. The retrieval of 10 million pounds' worth of software on just 500 CDs perfectly illustrates the enormous threat posed to the commercial software industry..."
Any member of the public with information on illegal software should contact ELSPA on 0386 833810. All calls will be treated in confidence.
Compuserve: From Strength To Strength
According to details released by the American‑based on‑line service, CompuServe, membership in Britain is growing at the rate of more than 1,000 per week, and is currently in excess of 48,000. "More and more people are finding out what we early members knew already — on‑line services are key resources" commented Cheryl Currid, who monitors the on‑line services market for Currid & Company. "It doesn't surprise me to see that the masses are discovering the benefits of on‑line services. I just wonder why it took them so long."
After the announcement of further services specifically aimed at the UK market, the PA News wire is now available to the user, providing up‑to‑the‑minute news in several categories, including general, financial, sports and parliamentary, law and royal reports. Clive Marshall, Sales Director of PA News, stated: "Every national newspaper and broadcaster uses the PA service of news and sports information. Now CompuServe users can access that service directly, and read stories that broke just a few seconds ago".
Also appearing for the first time is the UK Professionals' Forum, which focuses on the needs of key professional groups in Britain. At present, the forum has areas for members of the legal, medical, engineering, financial, marketing and media professions. The various fields are catered for via the use of message sections and libraries, and CompuServe hope that the new service will encourage the involvement of the appropriate national bodies.
To become a member, or for more information, contact CompuServe on 0800 289378.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Indi Direct Mail have launched a purchasing scheme to entice consumers and existing users into the Amiga market. The company says that any customer who buys any product with a value of £100 or more can use it for six months and then pay the price without any interest charges. "Our only requirements for this amazing scheme are that the customer fills in a credit application form, selects a payment period, and passes our normal credit checks" added a spokesman for the mail order company.
Indi Direct Mail can be reached on 0543 419999.
Amiga News In Brief
- HEALTWORRIES ADDRESSED
For those computer users who regularly spend hours at a time staring at a screen, the London Advice Services have released a fact sheet on health and safety when operating a computer. The Computanews pamphlet offers advice on what the risks are, what the user needs to do to create a better environment, and what the laws say concerning employers' responsibility to their staff.
The factsheet costs £3, and can be ordered from LASA on 071 377 1226.
- FAST CHIEF TO RETIRE
The Federation Against Software Theft have announced that their chief executive, Bob Hay, is retiring after nine years of service. He leaves to spend time with his wife, who has been seriously ill over the last few months. David Svendsen, board chairman of FAST and managing director of Microsoft Ltd, commented: "To many in our industry, Bob has been the public face of FAST, and has taken us from inception to being the most successful anti‑piracy body in the world. We will miss him, but continue to pursue his dream of establishing a proper moral and legal environment in which to use software". - ALL ABOARD
After the uneasy start to ELSPA's ratings system, it has been announced that all 63 members of the association have given their full support and adopted the scheme. This includes Acclaim, publishers of the controversial Mortal Kombat, who, after much publicised deliberation, have agreed to carry the ELSPA age suitability ratings. - BBS BOREDOM ALLEVIATED
To combat the frustration of Bullletin Board login screens, a group of SysOps [system operators] have decided to create MAXlink, a networking bulletin board. The idea behind the scheme is that once a user has joined, and all their details have been taken, the data is passed on to all the other MAXlink bulletin boards. This in turn provides instant membership to all the bulletin boards under the MAXlink banner, and saves the user time and, more importantly, money.