amiga-news.de - Archive

Archive 03/2023

`21.Mar.2023`	Block-oriented copying: Device-Streams 2.2.1 At the beginning of October, Roc Vallès i Domènech had updated the Amiga tool "Device-Streams" for block-oriented copying, similar to UNIX command dd, which was originally developed and released by Christian E. Hopps in 1993 (amiga-news.de reported). Changes of version 2.2.1: Minor documentation update. Minor Makefile update. Built with current toolchain. No functional changes. Two builds are availables: the main build was done with bebbo/amiga-gcc, the second one vbcc. Download: device-streams.lha (88 kB) device-streams_vbcc.lha (86 kB) (dr) [News message: 21. Mar. 2023, 19:09] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`21.Mar.2023`	Managing ADF files: Rust library "adflib" Volker Schwaberow is in the process of converting ADFlib, written by Laurent Clevy mainly in C, into the programming language Rust. As he explained to us when asked, the library is still in a very early stage and still very minimalistic. At the moment it can read and write ADF, it can read and write tracks and sectors in a byte array. There is no support yet for file systems, compression, etc. However, that is the goal. In addition, there will be a command line tool that will allow these operations to be performed on the command line without the need for programming knowledge. The author is happy about support, code commits from third parties are welcome. (dr) [News message: 21. Mar. 2023, 17:43] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`21.Mar.2023`	Shooter: New demo version of "Cyberpunk Alien City" "Cyberpunk Alien City" (video) is a mixture of Run'n Gun and Space Invaders: the player must defend a city against attacking aliens (amiga-news.de reported). Now the demo version for OCS Amigas has been updated. According to Amiten Games a small demo of the shooter part of the game, there "is still a lot to do". (dr) [News message: 21. Mar. 2023, 05:32] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`20.Mar.2023`	Preview video: Twin-Stick shooter "Rogue Declan: Zero" Nivrig Games - among others Turbo Santa Deluxe Edition 2022 - have been working for some time on a twin-stick shooter which is also supposed to be a test game for the Twin-Stick controller developed by "Abstraction Games" (amiga-news.de reported). A new preview video shows the first level of the game, which has alpha status now. (dr) [News message: 20. Mar. 2023, 08:55] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`20.Mar.2023`	Remake: Rick Dangerous released "Z-Team" has released its remake of the game Rick Dangeous with enhanced graphics for the Amiga 1200 or CD32 (and Windows, Mac and THEA500 Mini) (YouTube video of beta version 0.4). The game was written with the Scorpion Engine, but in contrast to the original plan there is no graphics card version, because the responsible programmer had left the team during development. (dr) [News message: 20. Mar. 2023, 06:10] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	Programming: Web based m68k assembler editor v2.6.0 Under the title link you can find a webapp to write, run and learn M68K assembly code based on the framework SvelteKit and the programming language Rust (amiga-news.de reported). Since our last message, the developer has improved the interactive documentation: Changed documentation layout to have future more languages Added an interactive documentation for each instruction Bug fixes for some instructions (rod, asd, lsd) Other bug fixes and improvements (dr) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 13:10] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023` Andreas Magerl (ANF)	Full version download: Ntimed, Evil Garden, Mission Andromeda, Pacific Islands At Amiga Future full versions of the application Ntimed as well as the games Evil Garden, Mission Andromeda and Pacific Islands can be downloaded free of charge. (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:15] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	Aminet uploads until 18.03.2023 The following files have been added until 18.03.2023 to Aminet: CompressionOS4.lha biz/misc 1.3M OS4 A PDF generator sylpheed.lha comm/mail 21M OS4 Sylpheed e-mail for AmiCygnix... sylpheed-src.lha comm/mail 1.3M Sources of Sylpheed 3.0.3r3 (... SteMarRegAMOSSources.lha dev/amos 398K 68k 10 AMOS sources+exes by Stefa... CubicIDE_HW100.lha dev/hwood 822K 68k Hollywood add-on for Cubic IDE Hollywood_SDK.lha dev/hwood 3.1M Plugin development kit for Ho... HollywoodPlayer.lha dev/hwood 10M ALL Player for Hollywood applets MaestrixReloaded.lha driver/aud 1.2M 68k The Maestrix 2: Reloaded on P... anaiis.lha driver/oth 232K 68k ANAIIS USB Stack Release 1.23 anaiis_boot.lha driver/oth 232K 68k ANAIIS USB Boot disk Release ... gimemorygame.lha game/wb 260K 68k GI Memory Game WhatIFF2.09.lha mags/misc 1.5M What IFF? #2.09-March-2023 AmiVms.lha misc/emu 3.6M 68k Simulates OpenVMS commands amicygnix-base.lha misc/x11 148M OS4 An Unix/X11 environment for A... amicygnix-base-src.lha misc/x11 22M Sources of the AmiCygnix base... ChangeExp.lha util/misc 5K 68k Protect/Detect your emulated ... ShowMem.lha util/moni 15K 68k Shows memory fragmentation vi... StartWin.lha util/wb 105K 68k Two bugged Workbench launchbars (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	OS4Depot uploads until 18.03.2023 The following files have been added until 18.03.2023 to OS4Depot: seq.lha aud/mis 414kb 4.0 MIDI sequencer vintagesongplayer.lha aud/pla 2Mb 4.0 A JukeBox multiformat player cubicide_hw.lha dev/mis 822kb 4.0 Cubic IDE Add-on for Hollywood 10.0 hollywood_sdk.zip dev/mis 3Mb 4.0 SDK for Hollywood 10.0 hwplayer.lha dev/mis 10Mb 4.0 Run applets created by Hollywood ultraedit.zip dev/mis 15kb 4.0 UltraEdit wordfile for Hollywood... maestrixreloaded.lha dri/aud 1Mb 4.0 Reloaded on PowerPC! fheroes2.lha gam/str 8Mb 4.1 Engine Heroes of Might and Magic... videntiumpicta.lha gra/vie 3Mb 4.0 Videntium Picta is picture viewer sylpheed.lha net/ema 21Mb 4.1 E-mail client for AmiCygnix with... sylpheed-src.lha net/ema 1Mb 4.1 Sources of Sylpheed 3.0.3 for Am... amicygnix-base.lha net/mis 148Mb 4.1 An Unix/X11 environment for Amig... amicygnix-base-src.lha net/mis 22Mb 4.1 Sources of the AmiCygnix base pa... compression.lha uti/mis 1Mb 4.1 A PDF generator (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	AROS Archives uploads until 18.03.2023 The following files have been added until 18.03.2023 to AROS Archives: vintagesongplayer.lha aud/pla 2Mb A JukeBox multiformat player muiplot.x86_64-v11-aros.lha gra/mis 263kb Simple function plotter videntiumpicta.lha gra/vie 2Mb Videntium Picta is picture viewer amissl.i386-aros.zip net/mis 1Mb AmiSSL is a port of OpenSSL for ... muimapparium.x86_64-v11-a... net/mis 739kb OpenStreetMap Client leu.x86_64-v11-aros.lha off/spr 1Mb A simple spreadsheet viewer mcamiga.x86_64-v11-aros.lha uti/fil 295kb File Manager hex2.x86_64-v11-aros.lha uti/mis 243kb Calculator with variables (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	MorphOS-Storage uploads until 18.03.2023 The following files have been added until 18.03.2023 to MorphOS-Storage: MIDITools_1.4.lha Audio/MIDI/BarsnPipes MIDI-Tools (MIDI-In** a... VintageSongPlayer_2.55... Audio/Players A different, funny and ... Hollywood_SDK_10.0.lha Development/Hollywood Plugin development kit ... HollywoodPlayer_10.0.lha Development/Hollywood Hollywood Player is a p... Bochs_2.7.lha Emulation A PC Emulator, which al... Doom3-ProjectUAC_r6_4.lha Games/Shoot3D Doom3 ProjectUAC X-Moto_0.6.2.lha Games/Sport A challenging 2D motocr... Vanilla-RA_1.1.lha Games/Strategy Version 1.0 of a port o... Vanilla-TD_1.1.lha Games/Strategy Vanilla-TD_1.1.lha fheroes2_1.0.2.lha Games/Strategy fheroes2 is a recreatio... VidentiumPicta_2.60.lha Graphics/Tools An image viewer progra... Wayfarer_5.0.lha Network/Web Wayfarer is the latest ... How_to_build_the_machi... Videos Video of How to build t... April-mov.lha Videos Video of April in mov f... April-avi.lha Videos Video of April in avi f... Efika.lha Videos Video of Efika PPC by b... How_to_build_the_machi... Videos Video of How_to_build_t... How_to_build_the_machi... Videos Video of How to build t... (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	WHDLoad: New installers until 18.03.2023 Using WHDLoad, games, scene demos and intros by cracking groups, which were originally designed to run only from floppy disks, can be installed on harddisk. The following installers have been added until 18.03.2023: 2023-03-12 new: Mind of Traces (Shining 8) done by StingRay (Info, Image) (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023` Amiga.org (Forum)	AMOS Layers System 1.100 & 2.4 Simone 'saimo' Bevilacqua's "AMOS Layers System" (amiga-news.de reported) makes it possible to overlay several of its screens when programming under AMOS, specifying the order, colors and opaqueness. Since our last report, minor optimizations have been made, resulting in more compact, faster program code and ending the dependency on the mathtrans.library. This did benefit the author's recent game updates. (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023` Amiga.org (forum)	Game updates: ArtPazz 1.7, Follix 1.5, Ring around the World 1.1 Simone 'saimo' Bevilacqua has updated his games ArtPazz (puzzle game where jumbled pieces of a classic painting have to be pushed back), Follix (a puzzle game inspired by Atomix, only here letters have to be lined up) and Ring around the World (point'n'click adventure about a supposedly drowned man with memory loss). The changes since our respective last news-items only concern program optimizations and bug fixes. (snx) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 08:13] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]
`19.Mar.2023`	Interview: Ravi Abbott (Kickstart - UK Amiga Expo, The Retro Hour) Ravi Abbott is known for his various documentaries and videos such as "Downfall Amiga, after Commodore" or Amiga Computer Buyers Guide 2022, runs the podcast The Retro Hour together with Dan Wood, writes for the Amiga Addict, is a DJ and has as his latest project to bring back a combination of user meeting and fair for Amiga fans to the UK after several years with "Kickstart" (amiga-news.de reported). We asked Ravi Abbott about his motives and motivation for all these projects: Amiga-News (AN): Ravi, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. I assume the preparations for the Kickstart are keeping you busy. How did you come up with the idea for this event? Ravi Abbott (RA): Years ago, the UK used to host large events such as World of Amiga, which I attended as a young person and miss the atmosphere it provided. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a consistent event in the UK for all Amiga users to come together for many years. Having attended international events, I've always wondered why this is the case. In the past, there have been some fantastic events such as VCF 2020 at Bletchley Park, Amiga 30 in Peterborough, and the impressive big user group meeting Workbench. A national event was planned before COVID-19 hit, but unfortunately, it was cancelled. As someone with experience in the events industry, I decided to take on the challenge of creating a self-sufficient and consistent annual event model in the middle of England. AN: What was your motivation and what makes it different from others like AmiWest (USA) or Amiga 37 (Germany)? RA: Since the Amiga is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, I was motivated to seize this opportunity and grow the event as much as possible. Events like Amiga37 and Amiga Ireland have been a tremendous source of inspiration, with their impressive turnouts, energetic vibes, and well-organized music performances influencing our event. Markus has done an excellent job, and we ensured that we selected a date that wouldn't conflict with these incredible events. We would like to emulate the success of Amiwest, which has consistently run for years. Although we don't have exact numbers, committing to vast spaces is challenging especially in this tough financial time. However, I believe we've struck the perfect balance between the number of attendees, a fantastic venue (the oldest professional football club in the world), and interest, which allows us to build on this foundation every year and improve the event each time. Our focus on creativity and the future is central to our vision, and we're eager to celebrate the great history of Amiga developers, musicians, and artists in the UK with visitors from around the globe. AN: Well, our readers do know you by the podcast "The Retro Hour" and many interesting videos. So, please tell me, what is your motivation to do this? What drives you? What do you want to achieve? RA: I have always enjoyed exploring technology and the stories about how it developed and people's unique paths to entering the industry. Computer technology has grown so quickly that often great stories and achievements are missed, lost, or untold. Mainstream media has always been dismissive of gamers, and retro technology often discusses gaming without intelligence or thought, even though it has helped develop so much of our current lives. We wanted to start a podcast where developers and creatives could talk directly to the audience with honesty and respect. One day, I hope the podcast and videos can help people studying video games in the future or simply be interested in the subject. It's so important to get these stories told because throughout the time we have recorded the podcast, sadly, some of our guests have passed away. AN: And is it "just a hobby" or is it a full time job? RA: I first started doing a podcast as a hobby. Doing it weekly for 7 years has pretty much turned it into a part-time job and takes up a lot of my time, but we all really enjoy it, and that's why it has lasted so long. Another addition to the podcast is hosting panels at gaming shows and events, which I really enjoy. Covid was a big reset time for everybody and personally helped me take more risks. We set up Amiga Addict Magazine at the start of Covid, and that's also now turned into a part-time job as well! I don't think I could ever be a full-time YouTuber due to hating video editing, and my release schedule being very inconsistent. I enjoy doing YouTube videos, but I never really focus on massively growing my channel. I just hope people enjoy the videos I do make. I am currently organizing a huge UK Amiga Expo for 600 people. I have a background in the events industry in the UK and really enjoy going around the world to Amiga events. Currently, they seem to be very popular worldwide, but the UK is missing out, so I hope this event can become a regular thing and a home for the UK Amiga community to get together. AN: As we can read in your YouTube description, Commodore Amiga is your main passion and you love it since you were a kid. When was the idea born to use the Amiga not only to play games, but to conduct interviews and make videos? RA: The Amiga was such a groundbreaking machine; it fueled creativity. Not only could you play games, but you could also make them! These days, we see packages by companies like Adobe on modern machines. Many students are taught the same software on the same machines, and it feels more restricted and compliant to me. The Amiga broke the boundaries of what you could do with a machine. If you could dream it, you could make it. This is what I really love about the machine. I would love to see these ideas applied to modern computing in some way and people breaking free of the mold. AN: Of course, we need to know: which was your first Amiga model and are you still owning an Amiga? RA: I used to own an A2000, which was my first Amiga, but unfortunately, I no longer have it. Currently, I have two A600s which I use for DJing, a CD32 with a Terrible First TF360 prototype, an A4000 with a ZZ9000 card and toaster stickers, and a unique Amiga A600 laptop that I have been constructing to function on lithium batteries and enclosed in a Lego case. AN: Have you tried your hand at programming? If so, what caused this career to fail? ;) RA: I have tried programming but really found the emerging web much more interesting. As part of my career I have been working as a web developer coding in HTML, JAVAScript, PHP and other languages. Coding is always fun and I enjoy the creativity but it also requires a lot of focus and learning the new standards which can hold you back if you’re not faster than the competition adapting to the latest Trend. AN: What do you think is the fascination with retro computers in general and the Amiga in particular? Nowadays, we're always looking for the newest and fastest, aren't we? RA: The limitations of computing have always fascinated me. The ability to create something amazing with just a small piece of code or a small processor is like magic. The demoscene is a standout in digital culture and has led to so many developments. The best thing about retro computing is that it saves machines that would otherwise be dismissed. When I use a new machine, I feel guilty if I'm just using it to browse the web, knowing there is so much power on the system that's unused. The Amiga is great for hacking, upgrading, and learning. The foundations of my computer knowledge come from Workbench and learning to code from the back of magazines, something you don't tend to see anymore in the culture of using plugins or engines. Getting down to the metal has a strong appeal. AN: Making a video is one thing. But how do you prepare? How do you choose a topic and how do you go about it? Do you first research all the necessary information, then create a "shooting plan" and then write your script? You are using much video material: how do you find it? And how easy is it to get permissions to use it? RA: I usually look at YouTube and see if there is a gap in knowledge or a subject that people have not covered before. Then, I research the subject by looking at magazines from the time, chatting with friends about it, and ensuring that I have consistent research and references. Once that is done, I record a voice-over and write a script. The main issue is using footage. I try to contact the owner of the footage, but I also make sure that the clip is short and fits YouTube policies. It’s amazing how much incredible footage is out there if you look at old show videos on sites like archive.org or the waybackmachine. AN: What is the advantage and possibly also the disadvantage of a video compared to an essay/book? For the future, can you imagine writing a book? RA: Video editing can be a slog. Editing a video takes a long time, and there are so many aspects to consider, such as getting the sound right, acquiring permissions, and meeting YouTube's guidelines. Additionally, ensuring that the video is neither too long nor too short can be challenging. While video editing is not my preferred form of content creation, I enjoy writing. For the past two years, I have served as the Community Editor for Amiga Addict magazine. Recently, I launched a Kickstarter campaign for a book based on 'The Retro Hour Podcast.' This journey has been interesting and has allowed me to improve my writing skills, as well as learn about the publishing, editing, and printing processes. AN: What would you like to see in the future of the Amiga? Do you think it makes sense to invest time and money in the development of new hardware and software or should we rather enjoy what we have and use and expand it? RA: The Amiga scene is growing rapidly around the world, with more hardware and software being developed than in years past. This is a fantastic development, and I hope it continues. For many, the Amiga represents an escape to simpler times, and I worry that in the future, people may not understand or appreciate that. However, the key aspect that people will always appreciate is the ability to do amazing things with limited machines, and not dismiss them as obscure or irrelevant. The demoscene will always push the boundaries of the Amiga, but emerging scenes such as music and art also offer creative opportunities that I hope will continue for generations to come. AN: Ravi, thank you very much for the interview and good luck for the Kickstart! The Kickstart will take place on 1 and 2 July 2023 in Nottingham (UK) at Meadow Lane football ground, home of the oldest professional football club in the world. Guests include Mike Dailly of DMA Design ("Lemmings") and Simon Phipps of Core Design, creator of Rick Dangerous. The aftershow party will feature live music from DJ Formula, DJ H0ffman, HarleyLikesMusic and Vogue Renege. The event has room for 600 Amiga fans, tickets can be purchased now. (dr) [News message: 19. Mar. 2023, 06:30] [Comments: 0] [Send via e-mail] [Print version] [ASCII version]

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