Author Archives: Steven Solie - Page 4

Where is AmigaOS 4.1 Update 3?

Posted by on August 14, 2011 Comments Off on Where is AmigaOS 4.1 Update 3?

I am happy to report that AmigaOS 4.1 Update 3 is finally nearing completion. Release candidate testing is underway so as long as the testers don’t discover any new issues this will be it.

As is normal for any complex software effort, there have been some last minute issues that held things back. Most of the issues have been taken care of now. If necessary, we will organize an Update 4 if any major issues are discovered after release.

Along with the usual bug fixes we have included a new feature or two along with this update. Other features will be held until the next major release (AmigaOS 4.2) of course.

The update will be distributed via Hyperion’s main home page. If you have not created an account and registered your product(s) yet then this is the time to do so. A registered AmigaOS 4.1 serial number is required to download the update.

Steven Solie
AmigaOS Development Team Lead

Update 3 Status Report

Posted by on July 1, 2011 3 comments

AmigaOS 4.1 Update 3 is currently in the works and will be released as a free update for all of Hyperion’s registered customers. If you have not yet registered your AmigaOS 4.1 license go to Hyperion’s main web site and do it now.

The current list of supported AmigaOS platforms include: AmigaOne-XE, MicroA1-C, Pegasos II, CyberstormPPC, BlizzardPPC, Sam440ep and Sam460ex. The update should also work on the limited developer boards such as the AmigaOne-SE and MicroA1-C Mark 2 but these will not be tested.

The focus of Update 3 is system stability and bug fixes. Brand new OS features like hardware accelerated OpenGL are reserved for AmigaOS 4.2 which is currently planned for release along with the powerful AmigaOne X1000 platform.

All platforms will be brought up to date in terms of fixes and enhancements. I think everyone will enjoy the substantial MUI update which simplifies MUI application porting. Sam users can expect noticeable performance boosts as more of the hardware is utilized for acceleration. A majority of the USB issues have also been addressed.

In the time that has passed since the AmigaOS 4.1 Classic release, our testers have assisted the development team in identifying some difficult issues which are taking some time to resolve. The time has come to decide whether to further postpone Update 3 or push some of those issues out to a possible Update 4. I’m a big fan of frequent releases so I tend to lean towards releasing early and more often.

Steven Solie
AmigaOS Development Team Lead

P.S. Happy Canada Day!  Canadian Flag

AmigaOS Support Forum Launched

Posted by on June 17, 2011 3 comments

I am happy to announce that Hyperion Entertainment has launched a new AmigaOS support http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Boingball.pngforum!

This forum is designed to centralize communications between AmigaOS customers and the AmigaOS software development team. Think you found a bug? Then post a message in the support forum. If an AmigaOS beta tester is able to reproduce the bug then they will take it from there. AmigaOS core developers are also encouraged to participate in the forums and can answer questions directly as well.

Additional support forums are available for Hyperion’s game products such as Freespace and Shogo.

AmigaOS developers have not been left out. There is a support forum for you as well. Found a bug in the SDK? Then just post a message and get it fixed.

Everyone will be allowed to read the web forums but only registered product customers will be allowed to post. To become a registered user, just register your product with Hyperion at their main web site using your product serial number. Remember to register all your Hyperion products for full access.

To summarize:
1. Register your product serial numbers at the main Hyperion Entertainment web site.
2. Create an account on the new Hyperion Entertainment Message Boards.

Steven Solie
AmigaOS Development Team Lead

AmigaOS Wants You Status Update

Posted by on May 30, 2011 Comments Off on AmigaOS Wants You Status Update

I have finalized the list of new AmigaOS developers and just need approval from the boss. After that, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) will be completed and then the successful applicants will be granted access to the Amiga’s source code.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Boingball.png

A huge thanks to everyone for applying! I admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the response and took me some time to filter through them all.

There are 25 years worth of changes to this source code base and the successful candidates may find some of it can be a bit spooky. However, I think it can also be a lot of fun. All the big Amiga names from days gone by are in the AmigaOS source code someplace. I hope to have the full list of credits published later on so keep an eye on this blog.

It took me a lot of time to go through the 40+ applications. I discovered there is some truly unique talent in our community. We have some really experienced individuals out there and I’m keeping the full list handy in case we need more help in the future.

Steven Solie
AmigaOS Development Team Lead

Masters of Our Domain

Posted by on May 17, 2011 Comments Off on Masters of Our Domain

I am happy to report that we have finally fixed the www.hyperion-entertainment.biz domain name. The domain has been limping along for a long time now.

DNSFor the uninitiated, the Domain Name System (DNS) is what makes it possible to use human friendly names for web sites on the internet. When a domain name does not resolve correctly you end up with a web site that is there one minute and gone the next. Other services like email, FTP, etc. seem to come and go. The root cause is not the server itself but the way names are resolved into IP addresses.

I admit I am no DNS expert so the fix was a team effort by Thomas Frieden, Olaf Barthel, Alex Carmona, Hyperion’s ISP and myself. A big thanks to the team for helping to resolve this lingering issue.

It could take a few days for all the DNS servers to update themselves so if www.hyperion-entertainment.biz does not yet resolve in your part of world just be patient until your local caches are updated.

It is important that the domain name be solid because we plan to introduce more services in the near future. Keep an eye on this blog for more details.

Steven Solie
AmigaOS Development Team Lead

 

AmigaOS wants you!

Posted by on April 27, 2011 Comments Off on AmigaOS wants you!

Are you are software development professional?http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Boingball.png

Are you passionate about software development?

Do you want to contribute to AmigaOS by working directly on its source code?

The AmigaOS software development team could use your help.

If you are serious about helping with AmigaOS software development then please contact me today.

I look forward to discussing how you may be able to contribute.

Steven Solie
AmigaOS Development Team Lead

Open Amiga

Posted by on April 27, 2011 Comments Off on Open Amiga

We often hear about software developers and eager users wanting to help the Amiga Operating System move forward with new functionality and bug fixes.

One way to get involved is by joining the Open Amiga effort. The Open Amiga web site has plenty of projects which software developers may want to tackle to enhance AmigaOS.

Open Amiga is not just for developers. Users may also contribute. Needed personnel include:

  • Developers and others who can join the main work group
  • Interested parties that provide feedback in the forums
  • People who can write developer guides and guidelines (how to’s, do’s and don’ts)
  • Web developers for building the infrastructure
  • People who gather available developer documentation from the net

Judging from the dates, many of the projects have fallen on hard times. Go ahead and grab one and start going.