[16:59:24] ŤModeť Kelli217 changes channel modes to moderated [16:59:26] Welcome to yet another Amigans of Note Q&A here in the Team*Amiga chat. [16:59:57] Today, we have Trevor Dickinson of A-EON. [17:00:59] He should be joining us any second now... [17:01:20] --> TrevorDick (~TrevorD@222-153-147-228.jetstream.xtra.co.nz) has joined this channel. [17:01:47] Welcome, Trevor [17:01:51] There he is! Trevor, please say a few rods, and then we'll start in with the questions. [17:02:18] welcom [17:02:29] words, not rods [17:02:43] ŤVoiceť Kelli217 gives voice to TrevorDick [17:02:46] I thought I would have to cancel because of the earthqukes ..so if I suddenly disappeare [17:03:40] OK I'm already to go - first question please [17:03:48] Sorry, I was a bit slow giving you voice... [17:04:04] Okay, first question: Can you tell us what the expected price is for the AmigaOne x2000 aka Cyrus? [17:04:56] Good question..it is so early in the development cycle to provide an answer. [17:05:13] If you followed the Nemo development you will know what I mean. [17:05:55] Although we hope the 2Ghx model will come in under the A1-X1000 pricining, there is no guarantee [17:05:59] next question [17:06:15] Can you tell us about the differences between the freescale 5020 and 5040 cpu? And in what kind of a process was that cpu chosen over others? [17:06:48] bothe Freescale CPUs from the same stable [17:07:14] 5020 Freescale have comitted to a long term 10 year support [17:07:42] Price & performance a consideration [17:08:44] 5020 dual core, 5040 quad core but price and real availability still an unknown [17:08:53] next question [17:09:22] Ok, everybody hold off on your questions, we have a serious backlog already. The next question is... [17:09:38] Will it be a complete system as the x1000 or available as a DIY, motherboard only? [17:10:22] As I said very early in the development cycle.. I prefer complete systems, Matthew prefers both boards and systems. [17:10:26] Next question [17:10:53] What are the requirements to enter the beta program? [17:11:20] Again too early ... do I sound like a broken record? [17:11:24] next question [17:11:29] Anything more you can tell us that is not already known about the project, differences in the xena/xmos for instance. What does the fpga do? [17:12:05] All I can say is it will have a Xena/Xorro combination. [17:12:08] Next question [17:13:02] Combined question: What is the current state of AmigaOS4.2 with regards to supporting the X2000? Do you expect AmigaOS 4.2 and OpenOffice and Timberwolf ports to be done by the time Cyrus will be availiable? [17:13:46] Your questions should be really directed to Hyperiion with regards to AmigaOS 4.2 [17:14:26] We want 4.2 for the AmigaONE X1000 - it is currently be used to develope the code. :-) [17:15:20] I presume you mean Libre Office? That is an A-EON funded project and timescales depend on the developers main OS4 workload [17:15:38] Timberwolf is not one of our projects at the moment [17:15:41] next question [17:16:09] Humorous question: On the Cyrus board theres the text - " BOOT SD REMOVE AT THE RISK OF DEATH " - Will this be used a sales pitch? [17:16:18] :-) [17:17:11] It was actually quite funny...the engineers placed that on the board but the Varisys director's did not know until they showed us the board a week or so ago. [17:17:40] I thought it was funny ...I'm not sure Adam and Paul were that amused? [17:17:43] Next question [17:17:45] New board will set limit up to 16GB DDR3 RAM (X1000 has 8GB limit?) Do you expect AmigaOS to be able to use this kind of possibility? [17:18:21] Again a question for Hyperion & AmigaOS 4 developers.. but I certainly hope so. [17:18:25] Next question [17:18:47] Hmm... the next question in my queue is related to that, so I'll skip it... just a moment [17:19:16] Is Cyrus Freescale CPU new ISA previously announced to be supported in AmigaOS 4.2? [17:19:36] As with the Nemo board there are a few Easter eggs on the Cyrus Plus board BTW [17:19:47] yes [17:19:51] Next question [17:19:56] e) Will there be more modern XMOS chip onboard (they have recently announced their quad cores, kind of) and what kind of uses do you expect? Will it ever be possible to add more programmable, DSP like, FPGA or similar chips via XORRO? [17:20:53] All good questions. We are now turning our focus to Xena and Xorro issues. Expect some news in the near future... but not 2 more weeks ;-) [17:21:05] next question [17:21:33] Since its expected that X2000/4000 will be available longer then X1000 (primarily the CPU choice of PA Semi in past) will we have longer and better PR campaign of "return of AmigaOne top model", and everything that looks like started back in 2010, but not done well enough [17:22:35] Ah.... if you are asking will we be marketing to the wider Computer world no [17:22:39] next question [17:22:43] Now with a great driver, can we have onboard 7.1 sound as standard? [17:23:05] Depends on the hardware. [17:23:09] Next question [17:24:37] eliyahu TrevorDick: glad to hear everyone in your family in NZ is safe. could you comment on the current state of the contracted W3D drivers? have the friedens already supplied you and/or other testers with initial builds already? [17:25:15] Thanks. We had hoped that we would have had a demo running at the Silicon Dreams show. [17:26:06] Of course this is not an official Hyperion development but a A-EON paid development with the developer. It has proved more difficult than first anticipated. [17:26:39] However, it has helped the Gallium development ..so I suppose that's a bonus for AmigaOS4.2. [17:27:04] Again, the devleoper works on this in his spare time when he is not on OS4 work. [17:27:13] Next question [17:27:14] so how is the plan for an AmigaOS Laptop coming along! [17:27:40] Interesting question! ;-) [17:27:59] Discussions are ongoing... Watch this space. [17:28:03] Next question [17:28:11] This is probably a Hyperion-focused question, but: Will Cyrus be fully supported (all onboard components, 3D graphic, 2 or 4 cores) by AmigaOS 4.2? [17:28:54] Yes, you are right it is a developer question..but I would certainly hope so. [17:28:59] Next question [17:29:06] on the subject of libreoffice, can you share what quality requirements the port would have to meet prior to release, such as performance metrics, use of native UI gadgets, etc.? any new progress to report? [17:30:25] Fo me it would have to be stable and reliable....otherwise it would not be of much use. We get a weekly update from the developer ... he is squashing bugs! [17:30:29] next question [17:30:31] there have been a great many claims made by roberto dohnert, purveyor of the os/4 openlinux distro, one of which was that he was dealing with you on possible resale opportunities, porting his distro to the X1000, etc. could you comment on what, if any, dealings you have had with mr. dohnert and what plans, if any, you have made with him? [17:31:26] Yes I have been in contact with Roberto. My interest is simply a custom built easy to install Linux distro for the AmigaONE X1000. [17:31:46] I spotted and bloed about the OS4 Linux last year. [17:33:07] However, since we first spoke.. our own team of AmigaONE X1000 specialists have now created a very simple Live DVD install for the A1-X1000 which is as easy as installing Linux to a PC. [17:33:25] The latest improvement even sets up the Boot menu. [17:33:32] Next question [17:33:34] do all your future plans involve mid to high end hardware, or are you looking at other hardware projects like accelerators, fpga etc? [17:34:15] Good question. We are looking at other developments for both the next-gen and classic markets...both hardware and software.. [17:34:38] actually it more than looking we are working on several projects at the moment. :-) [17:34:42] next question [17:34:50] does A-EON plan at any time to introduce a smaller-factor motherboard, such as the original cyrus layout? [17:36:16] We are keeping our options open ,, unfortnately the smaller factor board did not really reduce the cost of manufacture very much ..especially when you factor in NRE [17:36:38] So we decided to concentrate on the larger board for the timebeing. [17:36:48] What the future brings....... ? [17:36:51] Next question [17:36:53] does A-EON plan on partnering with acube systems at some point on joint hardware production? [17:37:40] We are currently in discussions with ACube about potentioal future collaboration. [17:37:43] Next question [17:38:00] EVERYONE: We have MORE than enough questions to complete the hour. Please, no more questions. does A-EON plan on being at amiwest this year, and do you plan to demo cyrus and/or development builds of AOS running on it? [17:38:50] Yes we will be at AmiWest and I hope Matthew ill be bring AmigaONE X1000 systems to sell. [17:39:10] We will also bring along the prototype Cyrus boards for a look and see. [17:39:13] Next question [17:39:14] lastly, a personal question: has your experiences over the past few years bringing the X1000 to market, and continuing to invest in the amiga platform changed your view of the amiga community? would you say you still enjoy the amiga as a hobby more, less, or about the same as you once did? [17:39:31] Difficult question to answer. [17:40:14] I enjoy meeting and talking to fellow Amiga enthusiasts whatever the colour of their OS [17:40:49] I learned to grow a thicker skin and not to react to all the comments [17:40:59] do I still enjoy it? [17:41:01] Yes [17:41:07] Next question [17:41:07] can you tell us a bit more details about Cyrus - how many PCIe, PCI, USB, 10Gb ethernet? how fast the PCIe slots are? sound provided by external card? [17:41:57] The Cyrus specs will change as we go through the prototype stages and revisions. [17:42:37] We took a concious decision a while back to provide sound with a PCI or PCIe card. [17:42:48] Next question [17:42:51] can you give an indication of how many boards/machines are out there already? [17:43:17] I've recently answered this question in another interview. [17:43:36] For the A1-X1000 more than 200, less than 2000 [17:45:57] next question [17:46:00] Between hardware makers and OS developers (A-EON/Hyperion), who's responsible for hardware drivers? [17:46:55] With the A1-X1000 originally it was Hyperion. However, the hardware manufacturers are now taking on this responsibility. [17:46:58] Next question [17:47:02] Warp3D what stage are we at? Gallium 3D what stage are we at? [17:47:54] Gallium 3D ...Hyperion questions.. warp3D works under debug mode but slow....debugging continuing. [17:47:58] Next question [17:48:06] Here's a more light-hearted question: do you actually like the B52s music? [17:48:27] ah...........can I say no...runs and hides [17:48:31] next question [17:48:32] ssolie answered a lot of questions by saying That is an Aeon issue ask them, you have answered a few stating That is a Hyperion question ask them. Is the relationship so tense that you wont comment on each others projects? [17:49:30] I have a good relationship with Steven Solie. Hyperion have a policy of not releasing information until a product or update is ready. [17:50:06] BTW I am staying with Steven when I visit Cananda for AmiJam in September. [17:50:10] Next question [17:50:11] Any plans to support gfx card video decoders with the new RadeonHD drivers? [17:51:02] One step at a time... lets get under OS4 first...already works fime on the A1-X1000 under linux. [17:51:05] next question [17:51:24] lets get 3D under OS4 first [17:51:30] Combined question: Will the PA Semi processors be phased out, and did you needed to switch to freescale because of PA Semi availability or price? AmiKit commented that if there is demand more X1000 batches will be made until Cyrus is ready. Since it will take 1-2 years to have Cyrus ready and fully supported, does A-EON considers this? [17:52:23] PA Semi availability and price. There is no shortage of PA Semi CPU ..if you are willing to pay the price. [17:53:14] The original project was based on a $500 CPU. We have paid anything from $600 to $1000 each since Apple closed the manufacture. [17:54:30] We (AmigaKIt and myself) jointly subsidised the CPU price increase and did not pass these on to the customer. [17:55:07] Yes we will build more Nemo boards id the demand continues and the CPU price is OK [17:55:11] Next question [17:55:13] do you have any future plans working with Hans de Ruiter after he did such a good job on the 2D drivers [17:55:21] I hope so [17:56:13] HObviously he is trying to build his own software business...but I am in fairly regular contact since we only live 40 mins apart. [17:56:17] Next question [17:56:19] your business seems to be aimed for Hardware, with a few software projects on the side, but all for AmigaOS. Are there any plans for anything a-eon does to include MorphOS or AROS support? [17:56:47] I want to support all Amiga flavours. [17:56:51] Next question [17:57:23] Are there still loaner systems available for new developers? [17:57:59] There are a couple of loaners systems currently available (a Sam440 & an A1-XE) [17:58:02] Next question [17:58:12] Combined: Ask Trevor... When will Linux for X1000 DVD be done for download? Isn't there enough Linux distros for the X000 already? It's suposed to be an AmigaOS machine remember :) [17:58:24] :-) [17:59:02] The Live DVD will be available shortly ...just making a couple of tweaks. [17:59:26] Yes there are emough Linux distribution on the A1-X1000 [17:59:33] Next question [17:59:34] Last one, another combo: only ask my question if not already asked... Does driver development already done on Nemo in any way make driver development for Cyrus project shorter or easier? the company that adquired Varysis, help the rapid development and delivery of Cyrus? [18:00:49] Driver development .. for onboard drivers it helps because it gives the developer more experience. For plugin cards ..it means the OS4 drivers are done. [18:01:16] The company that bought Varisys ? [18:01:45] Not sure if that will affect their technical operation at all? [18:01:50] One last question [18:02:08] Next question and last one before I go [18:02:28] I don't have any remaining in my queue. You can go if you need to. [18:02:36] Thanks for taking from your valuable time to be with us today, Trevor [18:02:38] OK thanks [18:02:53] Indeed... thanks for visiting [18:03:02] OK got to run [18:03:05] I gotta say I think we all appreciate the work of Steven Solie and all the rest of the coders. We wish you all luck in your hard work towards a better future for the NG Amiga [18:03:19] See, not a question. [18:03:20] ŤQuitť TrevorDick (~TrevorD@222-153-147-228.jetstream.xtra.co.nz) has signed off (Leaving: I love jahc).