Collective Amiga Organisation

[Paul]

Opps, looks like I also got confused, I thought the idea was something like Amigamos/Jambo/ALE

But now I have reread this topic, I understand the idea more.

[CodyJarrett]

Righto, here goes.

Think of all the Amiga projects currently running and consider how they are interlinked in a great web of interlink-ed-ness.

For example, the HOL specialises in objective data about Amiga games, while CAPS ensures that these games are saved and preserved. CAPS uses game information (e.g. information gathering goes with the game imaging) and the HOL needs rare games to add to the database. They can each help each other in a number of ways.

Other ways that one project relies on another is:

- the HOL uses WinUAE to grab screens and run Amiga games.
- EAB members use the HOL for finding out about games.
- APoV uses the HOL for researching articles.
- Akira's game project uses the EAB to recruit talent.
- WinUAE uses the EAB for bug reporting and testing.

Already the different projects sometimes help each other in certain ways.

The suggestion is to formalise the relationships into an 'organisation' of similar projects. This would take the inter-project aid and sharing further.

e.g. a group working under the banner of the organisation contacts developers of old Amiga games. By looking more formal than a single guy emailing and raving about the Amiga, the task would be made much easier. This single link to a developer could then produce benefits for many projects;

- the HOL can get verification of the info in the database straight from the developer;
- APoV can get an interview for the magazine;
- CAPS might possibly get images of games from the developer;
- a rare or unreleased game might turn up for EAB people to play;
- the person or company being contacted could use the HOL screens and data to create a company history part of their website, or just gain extra publicity through APoV.

I don't know if 'organisation' is the right word, as it sounds quite corporate. 'Fellowship' or 'society' might sum it up better, although for getting in touch with some companies, the more corporate the better.

Of course, I'm just using the above projects as an example, and it would be up to them if they wanted to join. There would be rules for membership - a project might need to be non-profit making or not involved in any illegal activity. Quality of the project could also be a deciding factor.

A website would then be something that the fellowship would create, in order to release news about which projects are joining and what each is up to, as well as having links to all the individual websites. There could also be a list of people involved and what their specialities are.

I think that the fellowship's broad aims should be:

- Research
- Preservation
- Investigation
- Broadcasting
- Sharing
etc.

[Paul]

Thats better, now I fully understand Thanks for typing the above.

[woody57]

....what do you need in the sense of human resources ? ...besides appointed trustees ... most members would like to show some support for the rationalisation you describe but obviosly without duplicating effort .

[BippyM]

Well I am more than happy to contribute with any projects I am involved in

Once something more concrete is decided, and obviously my DVD will have any info regarding the "collective/ fellowship" included

And I will create pics/samples etc for inclusion

[khephren]

That's cleared it up Cody.

It sounds an interesting project, and if I can help in any way then ask away.

[Amiga1992]

Yup, now the light has been shed, all is as I thought of.

I say "organization" is best, as you said, the more corporate the better for the softcos.

I'll give more thought into this and post comments later. I've got an Amiga to patch now

[Frootloop]

Do any of you remember CLEAR - the Campaign to Leave Emulation Alone (plus an "R")? Granted, it hasn't been updated since 1999 (so now it's the Campaign to See How Long We Can Go Without an Update) and the project doesn't seem to have gone anywhere, but I liked the idea and their web site presented their goals in a decent professional (at the time) manner. They are using a personal web site, which is a no-no for a serious project like this - it needs a *.com or *.org domain to put forward a "we mean business" image. No, I'm not a web designer, but I know that a good designed web site is important.

CLEAR Web Site

And for a little bit of encouragement, the World of Spectrum, a ZX Spectrum computer games archive, has received permission from lots of copyright holders to legally spread their games and it has become the definitive and respected site for Spectrum software preservation.

One of my concerns with linking the project to EAB is that this forum is much more of an underground community than the mainstream Amiga sites like amiga.org, ann and amigaworld.net. (People have called EAB "that pirate board.") Most of us don't mind talking about projects like TOSEC, and games are passed around openly, but if you even mention these things on those sites you'll quickly get flamed by some very hostile people. Might it be an impediment to the goals of the copyright project?

On the positive side, there are a few ex-Amiga developers on this board who might help offer some legitimacy to the project. Perhaps they'd be a positive asset to your board of directors?

Just my two 880K floppies worth...

[khephren]

I believe Cody did not want this organisation to be linked explicitly with EAB (or the Rick's Evil Empire as he calls it ).

I take it to be more representing the Amiga community at large, just so happens that most will be from EAB

[Dizzy]

Originally posted by Frootloop
Do any blablabla worth...

Good point Froot

[KombatSanta]

I don't know where or how I should fit in... but me wan't a piece of this cake

Maybe it's time for the nordics to gather round and make a project or contribute in some other way than just post stupid off-topics.

let me know what I can do to help out.

[BippyM]

Originally posted by khephren
I believe Cody did not want this organisation to be linked explicitly with EAB (or the Rick's Evil Empire as he calls it ).

I take it to be more representing the Amiga community at large, just so happens that most will be from EAB

I thin EAB will be "a part" of the collective and the collective won't be a part of EAB

At least thats how I interpreted it!

[Djay]

gimme a shout if you need any help

[Dizzy]

Originally posted by KombatSanta
I don't know where or how I should fit in... but me wan't a piece of this cake

Maybe it's time for the nordics to gather round and make a project or contribute in some other way than just post stupid off-topics.

let me know what I can do to help out.

We could start some nordi-project to try to preserv and find "lost" games from Scandinavia. Also we could have preserving the nordic computer magazines. Especially trying to teach the world that Denmark is not the capital of Sweden
Denmark has a pretty "rich" amiga past.

[khephren]

Denmark has a pretty "rich" amiga past.

Dunno about anyone else, but I think all of Scandinavia produced the best coders, best musicians, best graphics and generally best productions on the Amiga demo scene.

[Fjrb]

Be careful with all the trademark, copyright stuff. Don't use balls, bouncing balls or V's. Attempt to even avoid using the words Amiga or Commodore. Avoid contact with developers which are still putting out stuff. Don't bother with publishers still in business. Avoid even talking with any company that has, does, or will own the Amiga TM and their affiliates. Completely stay clear of even mentioning or reviewing modern Amiga software, hardware and OS's.

Using a 'only 10 year old(er)' might be a good, if symbolic motto. Most of the stuff that's really "Amiga" anyway is older than 10 years or will fully be in 2.

Don't become too popular before you're entrenched, not that being entrenched helps any if and when the grey suits arrive. Actually: avoid popularity too altogether.

Contacting willing and friendly developers for permission and having some, even if not well known, fully legal games available with CAPS original preservations is a great start as a respected basis for completely non-commercial services and historical information repository, in which HOL can take most of the burden.

Simply, blatently, put, the "Amiga" needs this project too much to F it up. It depends on you out there.

And, don't accept gifts from strangers. Sweet Dreams are made of this and this.

[KombatSanta]

Originally posted by Dizzy
We could start some nordi-project to try to preserv and find "lost" games from Scandinavia. Also we could have preserving the nordic computer magazines. Especially trying to teach the world that Denmark is not the capital of Sweden
Denmark has a pretty "rich" amiga past.

Think we'll start slow with the "nordic games mags", and see where we'll end up.

I'll get back to you on this when everything cools down (bloody school, hell week, pub, exams shit!)

[woody57]

.....The difference between giving credit to the original source of information and the claim in some " rehashed " project to call it original by its " new " author .

Then the twin headed monsters of Copy right & Trade Mark { the difference is subtle but important ! } , a case in fact proved by the numerous attempts of " famous name " .com buyers who tried to boost cash out of the " REAL " companies by " shopping early " .

Having read Codies statement there are NO suguestions that ANY of the above come into question as it CLEARLY states BOTH research & permission/ consent on a Proffesional basis .

The tradgedy of Cloanto was on " implied agreements " and promises NOT clear written & verified contracts .

[Kodoichi]

Good luck against flamings from amiga.org and ann.lu...

[fiath]

Why would they flame?