08/1997
@database "ar-gateway.guide"
@Node MAIN "Amiga Report Online Magazine #5.04 -- April 16, 1997"
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May 18, 1997 @{" Turn the Page " link MENU} Special Report
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"THE Online Source for Amiga Information!"
Copyright 1997 FS Publications
All Rights Reserved
@endnode
@node MENU "Amiga Report Main Menu"
@toc MAIN
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== Main Menu ==
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@{" Commentary " link EDITORIAL}
@{" Gateway Acquisition News " link NEWS}
@{" About AMIGA REPORT " link ABOUT}
@{" Where to Get AR " link WHERE}
______________________________________________
// | | //
========//====| Amiga Report International Online Magazine |======//=====
== \\// | Special Report May 18, 1997 | \\// ==
==============| "THE Online Source for Amiga Information!" |=============
|______________________________________________|
@endnode
@node JASON "Editor"
@toc STAFF
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EDITOR
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Jason Compton
=============
Internet Address
-------- -------
jcompton@xnet.com 1203 Alexander Ave
jcompton@amigazone.com Streamwood, IL 60107-3003
USA
Fax Phone
--- -----
847-741-0689 847-733-0248
@endnode
@node KATIE "Assistant Editor"
@toc STAFF
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== ASSISTANT EDITOR ==
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Katherine Nelson
================
Internet
--------
kati@nwu.edu
kati@amigazone.com
@endnode
@node KEN "Games Editor"
@toc STAFF
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== GAMES EDITOR ==
===========================================================================
Ken Anderson
============
Internet Address
-------- -------
kend@dhp.com 44 Scotland Drive
ka@protec.demon.co.uk Dunfermline
Fife KY12 7TD
Scotland
@endnode
@node WILLIAM "Contributing Editor"
@toc STAFF
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CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
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William Near
============
Internet
--------
wnear@epix.net
@endnode
@node BOHUS "Contributing Editor"
@toc STAFF
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CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
===========================================================================
Bohus Blahut - Modern Filmmaker
===============================
Internet
--------
bohus@xnet.com
@endnode
@node EDITORIAL "compt.sys.editor.desk"
@toc MAIN
===========================================================================
compt.sys.editor.desk By: @{" Jason Compton " link JASON}
===========================================================================
And so, it has come to pass. The unforseeable contingency has not popped
up, the arrangements have not fallen through, the money has not fallen
short. Gateway 2000, by their own announcement at the World of Amiga show
this weekend in the UK, has completed their acquisition of Amiga
Technologies. Their fully-owned subsidiary, Amiga International, is
establishing offices in Langen, Germany, and expects to be operational in
June.
Petro Tyschtschenko and Gateway's Jim Taylor, Senior Vice President of
Global Marketing, addressed a press conference on Friday. The transcript
of their speech is in the News section of the issue.
So! Here we are, May 1997, awaiting the launch of a new attempt at
revitalizing the Amiga. The backer is once again a large PC cloner,
well-known within their home market and looking to expand their business.
At the Amiga helm once again is Mr. Tyschtschenko, who stuck with the
bankrupt Amiga Technologies, working with companies trying to complete an
acquisition of the Amiga. And here we are, presumably still sticking with
the program, waiting to see what happens next.
I said it two years ago when Escom bought the Amiga, and I'll say it again:
I'm just glad it's all over. While the acquisition doesn't change any of
our lives overnight, it does at least put a close to the unpleasant 13
months between the first indication that Escom was looking to sell the
Amiga in the now infamous April 1996 joint announcement with VIScorp and
the present.
There are a lot of things that need to be done. Don't think I'm going to
launch into a 12-step program for What I Think Gateway Has To Do. What's
more important is what YOU should be doing. You, the Amiga user. Because
you have some responsibilities in this game as well.
You actually have quite a bit to be happy about. No, not everything that
has happened over the past year, two years, three years, four years, etc.
has been good for the Amiga. Certain "bright sides" are more valid to look
at than others. One somewhat popular theory is that some rather publicized
departures among users and developers from the Amiga market has somehow
"weeded out the chaff leaving better behind." This is only consistent
thinking if you don't hope for expansion of the user and developer base,
which the vast majority of people seem to actively hope and campaign for.
No, there are other ways in which we've made out pretty well that don't
necessarily have to involve big fights.
For starters, in more ways than one, Amiga users are getting the sort of
company they've wanted ever since Commodore. How many times did people
complain that Commodore was cold, distant, unresponsive, and uncaring about
its user base? How huge was the outcry when John DiLullo, a high-ranking
Commodore official, made an offhanded remark about certain highly
enthusiastic elements of the Amiga userbase being very counterproductive to
the Amiga's popularity?
A few years later, we have Gateway--a large company to be sure, but one
with a strong reputation for reachability, customer interaction, and what I
can only term as "homeyness." Today, in 1997, Petro Tyschtschenko can't
say enough about how wonderful Amiga users are.
Meanwhile, Gateway is a very visible company in the US (important to
beleagured North American users who feel like they've been ignored for too
long) with an eye towards the rest of the world and operations already
underway in Europe.
Users got what they wanted in that a single company picked up all of the
Amiga's assets at once. There was a great fear that liquidation would see
the assets parcelled off, turning hope for future development into a
headache of difficult licensing issues. But Gateway holds the entire
keyring and they're saying "license, license, license"--and since Amiga
users typically like to see the technology proliferate, this is a good
thing.
Gateway has invited user input. They have invited themselves into one of
the most watched Amiga user events. They've taken our phone calls and
e-mail and done their best to reply. And Job #1 according to Petro is
"Supporting the existing Amiga community." If this isn't an invitation for
all of us to come right to their doorstep, I don't know what is. AI is
opening their hands and saying "What can we do for you?"
But like any invitation, this is one we all have to consider carefully.
This is not Petro inviting you to call up any Gateway representative and
deliver a 10-minute missive on what they should and should not do, how they
can never live up to Jay Miner's legacy, and how you'd like to see Medhi
Ali's head on a pole. If you want to ask about the situation of the
warranty on your new Amiga 1200, don't call somebody's home at 4:00 in the
morning. (Yes, this happened to me. More than once.)
Consider it more like a job interview. If you're going to call, write a
letter, write an e-mail, or talk with a Gateway/AI representative at an
upcoming event, be conscientious. Identify what's important to you and ask
about it. This is not a license to ask for the world from Gateway because
you're not going to get it. But we've been given an open invitation to
help AI prioritize the future of the Amiga, and it's an opportunity that is
not likely to come again if we can't handle the responsibility.
---
Now, it's very true that Gateway did not lay out a lot of details at WOA
UK. Personally, I didn't expect them to, but some people were under the
impression that there would be spec sheets handed out for the next three
generations of Amiga computers. Of course, this is difficult for
Gateway--all they can do is step up to the microphone and say with
earnestness in their hearts "We have been very busy with the details of the
acquisition" but uneasy minds like to have answers.
Let me be one of the first to step forward in defense of Gateway. Give
them time. Plunging ahead into ideas based on just one or another set of
advisements is a sure recipe for trouble. If you're part of a project
that's doing research or planning to do research into future-generation
Amiga technology and you haven't had a discussion with Gateway yet, don't
take it personally. And if you HAVE been in discussions with them, don't
presume that yours is the only true way simply because you say it is so.
---
Much as I am an opponent of honing in on one specific word in a press
release and extracting its possible significance to extreme degrees, I do
think something Petro mentioned is worth noting. The word "assist" shows
up three times in relation to Amiga development in his address. The
message is that Gateway/AI will not be undertaking 100% of the R&D and
decision-making necessary to improving upon the Amiga design. They plan to
work with those in the market who are set up in progress on such projects.
And if THIS isn't something the market has been begging for, I don't know
what is.
---
In difficult times, it's tough to know who to listen to. For years, Amiga
users have dealt with doomsayers in the press, in their communities, in
their workplaces, and online. The temptation is great to give in to
soundbite attacks on Amigas, particularly from those whose prior
involvement with the Amiga lends a superficial sense of legitimacy, or
those whose involvement with Amiga emulation makes them feel as though
they've revealed that the Amiga emperor has no clothes, our lives are a
sham and we should buy a Pentium and run his UAE port. But Amiga computing
is, and remains, about you, your computer, and the people you choose to
associate with and the companies you choose to buy your products from.
Everything else is wasteful distraction.
The Amiga is now Gateway 2000's charge. It is theirs to make a success of,
and our responsibility to help them along the way. Good luck to Gateway,
from all of us at Amiga Report.
-Jason
@endnode
@node NEWS1
@toc NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AMIGA International acquisition finalized
HAMMERSMITH, LONDON, UK, May 16, 1997 - AMIGA International, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Gateway 2000, Inc. (Nasdaq:GATE), has finalized
the acquisition of the assets of AMIGA Technologies.
The announcement was made at a news conference prior to the opening of the
World of Amiga conference in Hammersmith, London on Saturday, May 17 and
Sunday, May 18.
"We have received many communications from the Amiga user community
regarding the acquisition," said Jim Taylor, Senior Vice President of
Global Marketing of Gateway 2000. "It is exciting to know how much support
Amiga continues to enjoy. Every Amiga customer should know that we share
their belief in this product and we believe that it has a strong role in
our multimedia computing world."
Taylor was joined at the news conference by Petro Tyschtschenko, Managing
Director of AMIGA International.
"The Amiga platform is gifted by a community of talented people," said
Tyschtschenko. "These strengths will be of critical importance for the
success of the plans of AMIGA International."
Tyschtschenko outlined areas that AMIGA International is exploring to
reinvigorate the Amiga market by:
- Supporting the existing Amiga community.
- Leveraging the existing Amiga technology through broad licensing.
- Assisting in developing new products based on open standards to the home
computer and video/graphics market.
AMIGA International, Inc. will operate as a separate business unit of
Gateway 2000. AMIGA International currently has operations in
Braunschweig, Germany for Logistics and Service activities and has opened
new offices near the Frankfurt airport in Langen, Germany where Sales and
Marketing are located. AMIGA International can be reached on the World
Wide Web at http://www.amiga.de.
About Gateway 2000
Gateway 2000, Inc., a Fortune 500 company founded in 1985, is a global
leader in the direct marketing of PCs. The company, headquartered in North
Sioux City, South Dakota, has manufacturing facilities in the United
States, Ireland and Malaysia, and employs over 10,000 people worldwide.
Gateway 2000 products and services consistently win top awards from leading
industry publications. In 1996, the company shipped 1.9 million systems
and reported revenues of $5 billion and net income of $250 million.
@endnode
@node NEWS2 "AI/Gateway Address at WOA UK"
@toc NEWS
Amiga International, Inc.
Press Conference London, May 16, 1997
Petro Tyschtschenko:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests. I am looking around and I see
a lot of people I know. People who have long experience with our AMIGA
products and people who support AMIGA. It is nice to see that the AMIGA
platform is gifted by a community of competent people.
These strengths are going to be of critical importance for the success of
the plans of AMIGA International, which I am going to explain to you later.
Anyway, I am happy to see you all and I would like to welcome you on this
press event. I believe there is a bright future for AMIGA International,
Inc.
Let me just explain a few details of importance, so that you can have a
better understanding of what has happened to AMIGA since the Commodore
days.
Escom AG acquired AMIGA in April 1995.
During this time, an effort was made to revitalize the AMIGA market,
however Escom went into financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy on
July 15th, 1996. During this time, an effort was made to develop products,
but due to financial difficulties, there has not been any significant
amount of new product development by AMIGA over the past couple of years.
Since filing for bankruptcy, we have been trying to keep the marketplace
alive through inventory sales by the trustee.
However, it has truly been AMIGA community that has kept AMIGA alive
through the development of products based on newer technology and software
application developments.
Now that AMIGA is owned by a successful company - Gateway 2000 - there is a bright future.
- Gateway 2000 is a solid and well established company in the computer industry
- Gateway 2000 has consistently been honored with awards for products and service
- Gateway 2000 is the right partner to give AMIGA new life and energy for the future.
AMIGA International was formed as a US based company in March, 1997 to
acquire the assets of AMIGA Technologies GmbH. AMIGA International will
operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Gateway 2000.
Over the past month, we have been very busy finalizing the acquisition,
performing due diligence, setting up operations in Germany and
communicating with the AMIGA community. We have a new office in Langen,
next to the Frankfurt airport and I am happy to report to you that we are
operational again. In Langen, we will have three people handling sales,
marketing and general administration. We will be running at the beginning
of June.
Since early April, we have four employees in Braunschweig that are taking
care of logistics and warehousing, orderprocessing and customer support,
Internet support as well as technical service. Finally, we are in the
process of identifying an individual to manage new product development and
R&D.
What are we going to concentrate on?
Implementing our strategy.
- Supporting the existing AMIGA community
- Leveraging the existing AMIGA technology through broad licensing
- Assisting in developing new products based on open standards to the home
computer and video/graphics market.
How will we support the community that has kept AMIGA alive?
Through conventions, press conferences, via the Internet, meetings and all
useful initiatives coming from the AMIGA community. I have already been to
conventions in Germany and in Sweden and will entertain any suggestions.
Continuing to sell to the distributor network that has supported AMIGA.
Working with developers through concepts such as the "Open AMIGA
Initiative" that is being formed with the support of many of the prominent
names in the AMIGA community.
The basics of success in this project is to work together with partners and
to define a common path of development. The AMIGA market can not afford a
split, we must go together into one direction.
For us to keep the market alive it is neccessary to assist many companies
in developing products through broad licensing. Our licensing policy will
be very open, broad and focus on licensing and standard O/S, Chipsets and
the trademarks. Also, licensing will allow the AMIGA to be spread to many
different embedded applications in field such as medical solutions,
simulation applications, fitness equipment, irrigation systems and kiosk
terminals. Of course, we are looking for new partners.
Through licensing and focused R&D managed by AMIGA International, we plan
to assist the market place in developing new products for the AMIGA.
We are currently exploring many of the possible new products that have been
suggested including such things as an operating system upgrade and new
hardware platforms. We would like to keep the procedure as simple as
possible. We need to talk with the technology companies from the AMIGA
business and exchange know-how. It is also important that we explore an
open AMIGA platform, use industry standard components to make it cheaper to
produce, faster to develop and easier to upgrade.These things need to
happen quickly, but in a very managed fashion. With this strategy and the
support of the AMIGA community and Gateway 2000, we are convinced there is
a bright future for the AMIGA.
That, ladies and gentlemen, concludes our presentation for today. Jim
Taylor and myself will be available for MEDIA interviews.
We hope that all of you will visit us at our booth, at the WORLD OF AMIGA
conference.
Thank you very much for your attention".
@endnode
@node NEWS3 "Gateway 2000 Offer"
@toc NEWS
Gateway 2000 Acquires Assets of Amiga Technologies GmbH
North Sioux City, South Dakota, March 27 1997 - Gateway 2000 Inc. today
announced that the company has made an offer to aquire the assets of Amiga
Technologies including all patents, trademaks and trade names. The Company
is a subsidary of ESCOM AG, a German-based computer company that went into
bankrupty in July of 1996. Amiga led the industry in combining computer
graphics, animation, and film sequences with stereo sound known today as
multimedia.
The offer has been accepted by the court-appointed Administrator in
Bankruptcy in Germany acting on behalf of AMIGA. The agreement is subject
to regulatory approval.
"This acquisition is good news for Gateway and customers of AMIGA," said
Rick Snyder, president and COO of Gateway 2000. "It will strengthen our
intellectual property position and invigorate a company that has been a
pioneer in multimedia solutions and operating systems technology."
AMIGA Technologies will be renamed AMIGA International. The company will
operate as a separate business unit and will retain its current president,
Petro Tyschtschenko, who will work to develop new products for the AMIGA
market.
"Gateway 2000 will give us new life and energy for the future," said
Tyschtschenko.
About Gateway 2000
Gateway 2000, Inc., a Fortune 500 company founded in 1985, is a global
leader in the direct marketing of PCs. The company, headquartered in North
Sioux City, South Dakota, has manufacturing facilities in the United
States, Ireland and Malaysia, and employs over 9,700 people worldwide.
Gateway 2000 products and services consistently win top awards from leading
industry publications. In 1996, the company shipped 1.9 million systems
and reported revenues of $5 billion and net income of $250 million.
About AMIGA
Since the introduction of the AMIGA A1000 in 1985, AMIGA has represented
the embodiment of the efficient use of memory and hard drive capacity,
while pioneering industry developments in multimedia, 32-bit multitasking
and autoconfiguration.
For additional information, please e-mail Steve Johns, Director of
Corporate Development for Gateway 2000 at johnsste@gw2k.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Angela Peacock, Corporate Communications, (605) 232-1686.
@endnode
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