10.Jun.2020
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Web browser: IBrowse 2.5.3
Press release: IBrowse 2.5.3 has been released and can now be downloaded to update your existing IBrowse 2.5 installation (OS4 users can also upgrade using AmiUpdate). This is a free update for registered owners of IBrowse 2.5. IBrowse 2.4 and 1.x users can upgrade to IBrowse 2.5.3 via our store at discounted rates. We hope you are all well in these strange times - stay safe!
The main target for this new version was to improve performance on HTTPS connections, given that SSL is relatively slow on 68k processors. Despite the performance enhancements that came in AmiSSL 4.4 (4.6 is available now, by the way), there is not much more that can be done in AmiSSL unless someone is able to write 68k assembly optimised versions of some of the modules (as is the case for PowerPC). Therefore, some other options have been exploited to enhance performance, which have been in beta testing over the past 3 months, due to the major changes required to the HTTP engine...
SSL Session Caching:
IBrowse 2.5.3 now implements a SSL session cache for all HTTPS connections, supporting all the differing session/ticket methods use from TLSv1.0 to TLSv1.3. This allows the slow initial handshaking to be bypassed on subsequent connections to the same host, thus increasing performance noticably on OS3, and even on OS4 too. Most websites support this feature universally.
Persistent Connections:
This is an older HTTP feature that was never implemented in IBrowse until now, partly because IBrowse has always relied on opening multiple connections to websites, which didn't really make this feature worthwhile. However, it can be useful for HTTPS connections as it allows them to be left open and reused, without having spend CPU time renegotiating the SSL connection at all. HTTP(S) persistent connections support is now available in IBrowse 2.5.3 (can be disabled in the settings). Not all websites support persistent connections and, some of those that do, do not keep connections open long enough (e.g. 1 second) to make a difference.
We advise that 68k users pay additional attention to the Max. number of connections and Max. number of secure connections settings in the network preferences. These settings may need retuning because of the two new features described above. Probably, you should not set the number of secure connections to above 4, otherwise multiple connections can battle for CPU time and may well end up timing out. Fewer connections can turn out to be faster, but we suggest that you experiment with these settings to see what feels the best on your particular system.
A number of other improvements and fixes have also been made and are listed in the history log and newly updated changes summary. We would also love to hear your experience of the new features on our mailing list which is still working and hosted by Yahoo! Groups.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 10. Jun. 2020, 23:10] [Comments: 0]
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09.Jun.2020
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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Full version for download: Nicky Boom
The full version of the platform game Nicky Boom released in 1992 can be downloaded from the website of the Amiga Future for free. ADF and IPF images as well as WHDLoad installers are available. Additionally a PDF version of the manual can be downloaded as well.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 09. Jun. 2020, 23:58] [Comments: 0]
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09.Jun.2020
Amigaworld.net (Forum)
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Video: 10 Minute Amiga Retro Cast #68 - AGABlaster
In issue 68 of the videocast 10MARC, Douglas Compton has introduced the programs AGABlaster (amiga-news.de reported) and AGAConv written by Markus Schordan. AGAConv can convert video files into Commodore's CDXL video format and AGABlaster can then play them.
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 09. Jun. 2020, 18:24] [Comments: 0]
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09.Jun.2020
Github
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Encryption protocol: AmiSSL 4.6 (AmigaOS 3/4)
The open source encryption protocol AmiSSL has been updated to version 4.6.
Changes:
- Updated OpenSSL backend to full compatibility to latest OpenSSL 1.1.1g (21.04.2020) version, which brings security and bug fixes.
- Tweaks to allow and force Amithlon to use the 68060 target, due to 64-bit integer math emulation being broken in Amithlon (68080 and MorphOS should continue to use the more optimal 68020-40 target).
(dr) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 09. Jun. 2020, 06:06] [Comments: 0]
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09.Jun.2020
a1k.org (Webseite)
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Tutorial: The game contruction kit "RedPill"
Jens Henschel is working on a German tutorial on the game construction kit RedPill. According to the author text is still in a very early stage but is permanently reworked and completed, also based on the feedback of the RedPill developer Peris who in our portrait asked for such a supoort.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 09. Jun. 2020, 00:26] [Comments: 0]
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08.Jun.2020
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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Warp 560/Warp 1260: Firmware Pack 1.008
CS-Lab has released an update of the firmware for the 68060-based Warp accelerator boards. Changes of 'Warp Firmware Pack 1.008':
- USB/HID keyboard support
- Composite USB devices support i.e. kbd/mouse receiver in a single USB device
- Dynamic SD card mount/unmount on insert/remove event
- Added SD card / USB drive directory reading in WarpTool
- Minor RTC fixes
- FPGA temperature added to fan regulator logic
- Hostname fix in ESP32 WiFi module
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 08. Jun. 2020, 21:38] [Comments: 0]
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08.Jun.2020
Generation Amiga (Webseite)
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sdbox: Open source SD card reader for the parallel port
'sdbox' developed by Jorgen Bilander is a self-construction board which connects a Arduino Nano V3 as well as a common SD card reader to the parallel port of an Amiga and with the helpof an AmigaOS driver allows to access SD cards. The board, the code as well as the template for a 3d printer are available on Github.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 08. Jun. 2020, 21:33] [Comments: 0]
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08.Jun.2020
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AmigaOS 4: Financial management "Lüttje Bookholler" 1.80
The author Achim Pankalla wrote: "It is a easy to use personal finance program. "Lüttje Bookholler" is a German dialect and means "little accountant" and that is what you are, when using my little program. The program is capable to import account data via csv-import. LB is email-ware, if you want to use it permanent, please send me an email and you will get some advantages! for examples updates...LB needs at least AOS4.1u6".
Version 1.80 now also supports importing the QIF-format; by adding this extension maybe it is possible to change from a different program to Lüttje Bookholler. Please note that files which were saved with version 1.80, cannot be opened with previous versions of the program.
The author would like to thank all the testers and users. As usual the new version is available on Aminet or OS4Depot. Lüttje Bookholler "probably has not been finished" and is developed further. Actually the author is quite satisfied with his program - therefore it is up to you to call for new features. And of course to report bugs!
Download: luettjebookholler.lha (2 MB)
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 08. Jun. 2020, 05:54] [Comments: 0]
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07.Jun.2020
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Aminet-Uploads until 06.06.2020
The following archives have been added to Aminet until June 6th, 2020:
SteMarRegBlitzSources... dev/basic 25K 68k 17 Stefano Maria Regattin Bli...
IntyBASIC.lha dev/cross 605K MOS BASIC compiler for Intellivision
libdsk-mos.lha dev/lib 4.3M MOS Link lib for manipulation of ...
Mattonite.lha game/actio 946K 68k Arkanoid like Pal game almost...
AmiQuake.lha game/shoot 264K 68k Amiga port of WinQuake v1.09
MinedField.lha game/think 30K 68k Windows alike game for the Amiga
Runaway_AROSx86.lha game/wb 2.3M x86 LCD game conversion
Runaway_MOS.lha game/wb 2.2M MOS LCD game conversion
Runaway_OS3.lha game/wb 4.1M 68k LCD game conversion
Runaway_OS4.lha game/wb 2.6M OS4 LCD game conversion
Runaway_WOS.lha game/wb 2.5M WOS LCD game conversion
IconMaster.lzh misc/antiq 31K 68k Classic icon editor
AmiArcadia.lha misc/emu 4.3M 68k Signetics-based machines emul...
AmiArcadiaMOS.lha misc/emu 4.7M MOS Signetics-based machines emul...
AmiArcadia-OS4.lha misc/emu 4.8M OS4 Signetics-based machines emul...
imp.lha mus/play 79K MOS Play modules from internet, c...
ancient.lha util/arc 629K MOS Decompress ancient formats
MCAmiga.lha util/dir 1.5M MOS MyCommander for all Amiga sys...
AnalogClock.lha util/wb 38K 68k Analog transparent clock for ...
IconMaster_de.lha util/wb 1K German catalog for IconMaster
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 07. Jun. 2020, 06:10] [Comments: 0]
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07.Jun.2020
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OS4Depot-Uploads until 06.06.2020
The following archives have been added to OS4Depot until June 6th, 2020:
intybasic.lha dev/mis 1005k 4.0 BASIC compiler for Intellivision
amiarcadia.lha emu/gam 5Mb 4.0 Signetics-based machines emulator
hle-poker.lha gam/car 1Mb 4.0 Guess the next card to appear in...
rftg.zip gam/pla 66Mb 4.1 Run, Shoot & Jump
mooamplifier.lha gra/the 41kb 4.0 16colored skin for AmigaAMP 3
shaderjoy.lha gra/vie 4Mb 4.1 Display fragment shaders
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 07. Jun. 2020, 06:10] [Comments: 0]
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07.Jun.2020
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MorphOS-Storage-Uploads until 06.06.2020
The following archives have been added to MorphOS-Storage until June 6th, 2020:
Africa_1.55.lha A conversion of 3W board game by James Jacobs.
Augustus_1.4.0.lha An open source re-implementation of Caesar III. ...
CannonBall_sdl2.lha CannonBall - An Enhanced Out Run Engine - Sdl2 P...
Iris_beta0.90.lha New email client supports IMAP, SSL, email autoc...
Julius_1.4.1.lha An open source re-implementation of Caesar III. ...
LibDsk_1.5.12.lha Link lib for manipulation of disk images
MCAmiga_0.8.lha MyCommander for Amiga
OpenSupaplex.lha OpenSupaplex 0.7.1 - reimplementation of Supaple...
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 07. Jun. 2020, 06:10] [Comments: 0]
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07.Jun.2020
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WHDLoad: New installers until 06.06.2020
Using WHDLoad, you can install games, scene demos and intros from cracking groups to your harddisk that were only working from floppy disks previously. The following installers have been added until June 6th, 2020:
- 2020-06-06 fixed: Goblins 3 (Coktel Vision) fixed 'SYSTEM ERR -6', added another blitter fix (Info)
- 2020-06-05 improved: Cedric (Neo/Alcatraz) joypad controls added, fixed bug in level 5, keyboard timings fixed, trainer improved (Info)
- 2020-06-05 new: Felix - Don't You Want Me (Project A) done by StingRay (Info, Image)
- 2020-06-03 new: Starlight (Mystic & TRSI) done by StingRay (Info, Image, Image)
- 2020-06-03 new: Lost Track (Illusion) done by StingRay (Info, Image)
- 2020-06-03 fixed: Lemmings 2 (Psygnosis) slave compatible with the latest whdload, delay for the DMA logo display added (Info)
- 2020-06-03 fixed: Chessmaster 2000 (The Software Toolworks) slave works on 68000 machine now (Info)
- 2020-06-02 new: Aural Illusions (Genocide) done by StingRay (Info, Image)
- 2020-06-01 updated: Krest Mass Leftovers (Anarchy) patch redone, line drawing routines fixed, 68000 quitkey support, source code included (Info, Image)
- 2020-05-31 improved: Toki (Ocean) install script corrected for the Hit Squad version (Info)
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 07. Jun. 2020, 06:10] [Comments: 0]
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06.Jun.2020
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File manager: MCAmiga 0.8 for all Amiga systems
Marcus 'ALB42' Sackrow's MCAmiga is a file manager inspired by Norton and Midnight Commander which can be completely used with the keyboard. Changes in version 0.8:
- Bugfix Move from archive
- lynx type movement (left,right cursor to browse)
- Bugfix initial view as drive view (“LEFT=” shows the drive list as start)
- Bugfix overwrite requester when extracting files
- Bugfix crash on double click on file in archive
- Ask to rename the icon together with the file
- Tool entry to select all info files of selected files
- Better support for german umlauts
- automatically create dir icon on request
MCAmiga is available for AmigaOS (m68k, PPC), MorphOS and AROS (x86, x64, ARM). The program at least requires 4 MB RAM, according to the author the AmigaOS-4 version does not run on a X5000.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 06. Jun. 2020, 23:32] [Comments: 0]
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05.Jun.2020
commodore.news (Webseite)
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Card game: High-Low-Equal Poker Card 1.10
In the card game "High-Low-Equal Poker Card" written by Juan Carlos Herran Martin using Hollywood you have to guess if the next card is higher or lower, and earn points.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 05. Jun. 2020, 23:14] [Comments: 0]
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04.Jun.2020
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Amigakit announced datatype system
Last year the British retailer Amigakit acquired the rights to the AKDatatypes developed by Andreas Kleinert. In a discussion on amiga.org, Matthew Leaman gives insights into the current stage of development. He also explained that Amigakit is not only going to rework the datatypes but also to write a datatypes.library as well as a new AddDatatypes command. For the future it is planned to work "on the datatype system in any meaningful way" which will be the foundation "for many progressive developments".
Some users remarked that the development has not been coordinated with the team of AmigaOS 3.2 and thus maybe some work will be done twice or will result in incompatibilities. Leaman has responded that due to the legal disputes regarding AmigaOS 3.1.4 a co-operation would be risky. Besides, the "professional" (quote from Leaman) developer who is writing the datatype system for Amigakit is paid for his work - but the OS developers would be not.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 04. Jun. 2020, 23:03] [Comments: 0]
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03.Jun.2020
Amigaworld.net (Webseite)
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Game: Demo version of VergeWorld - Icarus Rising
VergeWorld: Icarus Rising is "a sci-fi shoot'em up, racer game with exploration elements" which is in development. Now a demo version is available as ADF file in which you control a spaceship through a canyon (video).
(snx) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 03. Jun. 2020, 20:56] [Comments: 0]
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03.Jun.2020
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Print magazine: Issue 118 of Amiga Future readable online
The English issue 118 (January/February 2016) of the print magazin "Amiga Future" can be read online on its website. You can also purchase a pdf version with a higher resolution or a printed version in the shop.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 03. Jun. 2020, 14:45] [Comments: 0]
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03.Jun.2020
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Crowdfunding: Book "Demomaker - The Amiga Years"
"Demomaker - The Amiga Years" is supposed to become a book series which will introduce the most important Amiga scene demos and groups. The first part covering the years 1984 to 1993 is now being financed via Indiegogo. For 35 Euro you would get a hardcover book with 452 pages. The funding campaign will last until 22. June. So far about 3000 Euro have been donated, 14.000 Euro are required.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 03. Jun. 2020, 14:32] [Comments: 0]
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02.Jun.2020
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Backbone game: "Air Mail" - free digital version and Boxed Edition
"Air Mail" (video of a previous alpha version) is another arcade game created with Backbone and by José A. 'Jojo073' Gonzáles (e.g. Mini Zorro, Mini Swat, Brus Li) and Ricardo Vieira. As usual a "boxed edition" will be sold on amigastore.eu which currently can be ordered via e-mail from the developers. If you want to have the free digital version then you also should contact the developers.
Update: 29.06.20, 17:30, cg):
Fixed the name of the second developer: Gonzáles' partner when creating Air Mail was Ricardo Vieira. (cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 02. Jun. 2020, 22:06] [Comments: 0]
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01.Jun.2020
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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New interpreter for Maniac Mansion and Co.: Parrot
Another "player" for the game data of classic point'n-click adventures is developed called "Parrot". At least the SCUMM based games developed by Lucasfilm are supposed to run. In contrast to existing solutions like ScummVM, Parrot is being developed especially for the Amiga and therefore is optimized for this system and its chipset. For example before the first launch, all data are converted into typical Amiga formats to make them playable also on less powerful copmputers. At least "an ECS Amiga, running Workbench 2" is required.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 01. Jun. 2020, 21:55] [Comments: 0]
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01.Jun.2020
Amiga Future (Webseite)
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Decompressing Amiga archives: Ancient Format Decompressor
The "Ancient Format Decompressor" can decompress Amiga archives which were compressed on 16-Bit home computers using common compression programs. The source code can be compiled on every modern system. The following formats are currently supported:
- CrunchMania by Thomas Schwarz: supports both new (version 2) and old stream formats:
- CrM!: Crunch-Mania standard-mode
- Crm!: Crunch-Mania standard-mode, sampled
- CrM2: Crunch-Mania LZH-mode
- Crm2: Crunch-Mania LZH-mode, sampled
- Disk Masher System a.k.a. DMS
- Supports all different compression methods (NONE,SIMPLE,QUICK,MEDIUM,DEEP,HEAVY1,HEAVY2)
- Supports password bypassing
- File Imploder (and most of its clones), specifically with following headers:
- ATN!
- BDPI
- CHFI
- EDAM
- IMP!
- M.H.
- RDC9
- FLT! (verification missing)
- Dupa (verification missing)
- PARA (verification missing)
- PowerPacker
- PP 1.1 (verification missing)
- PP 2.0
- Rob Northen compressors. supports all 3 known formats:
- RNC1: Both old and formats utilizing the same header. heuristics for detecting the current one
- RNC2: RNC version 2 stream
- Turbo Packer by Wolfgang Mayerle.
- Standard gzip
- Standard bzip2, both normal and randomized
- Zip decompressor backend (decompressor only, no Zip file format reading yet) with following methods
- Shrink
- Reduce
- Implode
- Deflate
- Deflate64
- Bzip2
- Lha/Lzh decompressor backend (decompressor only, no Lha file format reading yet) with following methods
- LH0: Null compressor
- LH1: LZRW-compressor with 4kB window
- LH2: LZRW-compressor with Dynamic Huffman Encoding (experimental)
- LH3: LZRW-compressor (experimental)
- LH4: LZRW-compressor with 4kB window
- LH5: LZRW-compressor with 8kB window
- LH6: LZRW-compressor with 32kB window
- LH7: LZRW-compressor with 64kB window
- LH8: LZRW-compressor with 64kB window (Joe Jared extension)
- LHX: LZRW-compressor with up to 512kB window (UnLHX extension)
- LZ4: Null compressor
- LZ5: LZ-compressor
- LZS: LZ-compressor
- PM0: Null compressor
- PM1: LZ-compressor
- PM2: LZ-compressor
- Supports opening XPK-encapsulated files. XPK decompressors supported are:
- ACCA: Andre's Code Compression Algorithm
- ARTM: Arithmetic encoding compressor
- BLZW: LZW-compressor
- BZP2: Bzip2 backend for XPK
- CBR0: RLE compressor
- CBR1: RLE compressor
- CRM2: CrunchMania backend for XPK
- CRMS: CrunchMania backend for XPK, sampled
- CYB2: xpkCybPrefs container
- DLTA: Delta encoding
- DUKE: NUKE with Delta encoding
- ELZX: LZX-compressor
- FAST: LZ77-compressor
- FBR2: CyberYAFA compressor
- FRHT: LZ77-compressor
- FRLE: RLE compressor
- GZIP: Deflate backend for XPK
- HUFF: Huffman modeling compressor
- HFMN: Huffman modeling compressor
- ILZR: Incremental Lempel-Ziv-Renau compressor
- IMPL: File Imploder backend for XPK
- LHLB: LZRW-compressor
- LIN1: Lino packer
- LIN2: Lino packer
- LIN3: Lino packer
- LIN4: Lino packer
- LZBS: CyberYAFA compressor
- LZCB: LZ-compressor
- LZW2: CyberYAFA compressor
- LZW3: CyberYAFA compressor
- LZW4: CyberYAFA compressor
- LZW5: CyberYAFA compressor
- MASH: LZRW-compressor
- NONE: Null compressor
- NUKE: LZ77-compressor
- PWPK: PowerPacker backend for XPK
- RAKE: LZ77-compressor
- RDCN: Ross Data Compression
- RLEN: RLE compressor
- SASC: LZ-compressor with arithmetic encoding
- SDHC: Sample delta huffman compressor
- SHR3: LZ-compressor with arithmetic encoding
- SHRI: LZ-compressor with arithmetic encoding
- SHSC: Context modeling compressor
- SLZ3: CyberYAFA compressor
- SLZX: LZX-compressor with delta encoding
- SMPL: Huffman compressor with delta encoding
- SQSH: Compressor for sampled sounds
- TDCS: LZ77-compressor
- ZENO: LZW-compressor
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 01. Jun. 2020, 17:43] [Comments: 0]
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