Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    For light usage, the Transformer is a good solution.  It will run
    most non-graphics PC software at a very respectable speed (50-75%).
     
    There are two ways to go with Transformer.  One is to buy a complete
    kit, including the 5 1/4" 360 MS-Dos compatible disk drive.  I have
    seen this setup selling for as little as $175.00.  Or, you can just
    use the Emulator software alone, and most dealers will give you
    this in gratis, if you bought an Amiga thru them.  Using the Emulator
    without the external 5 1/4" drive would require you to purchase
    MS-Dos for the Toshiba, Data General One, or Zenith, or IBM laptops,
    which use the same 3 1/2 " drives as the Amiga.  You would also
    have to buy your MS-Dos software on 3 1/2" disks as well.  The Emulator
    software configures the Amiga 3 1/2" drive as a 720K MS-Dos disk.
    
    The Transformer, though much maligned, does what was claimed of
    it, and it does it for a good price.  Notice that noone has yet
    delivered an MS-Dos emulator that works for any brand-x computers.
    
    The Transformer/Emulator requires KickStart 1.1, and will not function
    with a 68010 uProcessor.  There is a neat utility called Speedy3,
    which greatly increases the the screen scrolling rate on MS-Dos.
    I have tried this, and it works like a charm.  In fact, it is an
    MS-Dos executable, so you can put it in your auto file on your Dos
    disk.
    
    The Sidecar, as you may know, is the guts of CBM's PC10 Clone. 
    Thru some incredible fancy footwork, AmigaDOS treats it as a task,
    and sets up either a window (for monochrome applications) or a screen
    (for color applications).  The SideCar is supposed to retail for
    around $599-$699, but is still bogged down in FCC paperwork for
    release in the USA.  It is available in Europe and Canada.  
    
    Although the Sidecar is a technological tour de force, I would
    recommend Transformer without hesitation, unless you REALLY need
    color graphics, and full speed, and a few IBM slots.

    Before buying the Transformer, make sure that Lotus 1-2-3 and the
    other software you want to run will work under it.
        John Sauter

    
    Have you priced DisplayWrite 3, LOTUS, etc.?  They aren't cheap.
    
    The transformer is slow and only does monochrome text - no graphics.
    It also seems to do a good emulation.  It should be fine for practicing
    MS-DOS commands and some not compute intensive applications.
    
    You might want to look at the Word Processing, LOTUS clones, DBASE
    clones, etc., packages that have ported from the PC to the AMIGA.
    They should still have the pc interface, plus some Amiga features.
    Even if they aren't cloned from a pc package, the concepts should
    be the same.
    
    Suggestion: wait till March if you can.  Lots of interesting rumors
    concerning a new Amiga 2500 that will have SideCar built-in.
    
    -dave

    Don't hold your breath for the 2500. Remember the GenLock was due
    out a year ago, not to mention the Sidecar.

    
    I have priced some of the packages I was referring to. I understand
    that they aren't cheap, but then neither is Schooling to teach the
    packages (and you don't get to keep a copy afterwards). 
    
    I am still keeping my options open. I am not looking for graphics
    functionality.  She just wants to learn word processing packages
    to enhance her marketability.  
    
    I do NOT want to buy another whole complete micro system (whether
    it is the A2500 or a PC clone ) unless that the best from MY (and
    not some technological - have to have the best whatever the cost)
    point-of-view. Right now, I do not see that as a positive option.
    
    I figure that I have a substantial investment in the Amiga and it
    would be nice to be able to re-use some of the Amiga's functionality
    basis.
    
    I do not know of any PC package clones for Amiga other than VIP
    Professional (which I understand is a clone of 1-2-3.  It is not
    enough to say "Well, I know Prowrite, so I can use DisplayWrite3
    or Wordstar."  It is not a logical assumption.
    
    We work in the computer industry. We should know as well as anyone
    that just because it does the same things FUNCTIONALLY it does not
    mean that the keystrokes are the same. (Which is exactly what a
    person is tested on in her profession.)  
    
    I just which there was a way I could get a hold of a Transformer
    and a copy of the MS-dos package to test the compatibility prior
    to purchase, but I haven't found that compination yet.
    
    I understand that I have specific needs, and I DO appreciate your
    comments and viewpoints.
    
    			Thanks,
    			  Mark

    
    	I know of many Computer stores that will test you PC software
    with the AMIGA transformer. I suggest you buy the software, take
    it to a good dealer ( Memory Location, General Computer, ect ) and
    ask to try it on an Amiga transformer.
    
    		Steve Peters
    

re: .5
    
>    I do not know of any PC package clones for Amiga other than VIP
>    Professional (which I understand is a clone of 1-2-3.  It is not
>    enough to say "Well, I know Prowrite, so I can use DisplayWrite3
>    or Wordstar."  It is not a logical assumption.
    
>    We work in the computer industry. We should know as well as anyone
>    that just because it does the same things FUNCTIONALLY it does not
>    mean that the keystrokes are the same. (Which is exactly what a
>    person is tested on in her profession.)  
    
I'm sorry, i have to take exception to those comments.

Yes, we work in the computer industry.  We should know that learning
a screen editor, a word processor, a spreadsheet, a relational database,
etc., will at least show you what to expect from a particular program
of that type.  You may not know the exact commands, but you do know what
it should be capable of doing.  That makes learning new programs a lot
less pain.
 
Find a dealer with a transformer.  Read the documentation.  I
believe it mentions that it works with Lotus and DisplayWrite.  There
is also a list on one of the fish disks of additional programs that
work.  See if you can get the dealer to demo some pc software, that
way you can see if the speed is acceptable.

-dave

    
    re: .6
    
    I think that I must reexplain myself.  The primary USER (not a
    technical person) that will be using the software works as a temporary
    secretary. This means that businesses have a need for a person who
    knows a specific package because that is what they have. Since the
    job may only last a week, they expect NOT to train the replacement.
    They expect the replacement to simply arrive and begin to work.
    This is especially true if it is a popular software package such
    as , say, Wordstar.
    
    For example,
    
    The customers have an employee that either become ill or takes a
    week vacation.  The secretary uses Wordstar to perform her duties.
    In listing out the requirements to the temporary agency, they say
    the person must know Wordstar.  The company has every right to expect
    that the person will be productive from the first day. There cannot
    be a three or four day ramp-up period on a five-day assignment.
    
    Now look at the prospects from the temoporary girl's point of view.
    There are a number of girls who know Wordstar.  The agency will
    definately give those trained on the package first choice.  Because
    the will be productive from the start.  If the agency decides for
    some reason to give the assignment to a person who does not know
    the package, the agency risks dissatisfying their customer.
    
    In summary, I think the way Dave said that the concepts are
    transferrable, and it make learning other packages is true. However
    the goal was to learn the other packages and not prepare to learn
    the packages. A significant differance!

    SInce this discussion has departed from the original intent of the
    question, Dave, if you wish to continue via Mail I'll be happy to
    discuss it.
    
    I appreciate the suggestions with transformer. I have not read the
    documentation.  But I shall try to. Would amyone know off-hand what
    Fish Disk has the list?
    
    		Mark

    Amicus disk 9 has the transformer review.  It may be on a fish disk
    but i couldn't find it in a quick check of the list in Amazing
    Computing.
    
    It says the following programs work
    Crosstalk XVI 3.3 and 3.5
    Sidekick 1.0
    IBM Personal Editor
    Superkey
    Q-Modem and lots of other shareware/freeware/public domain programs

    It does say that Wordstar runs, but runs very, very slowly.  No mention
    of DisplayWrite.  He does mention that he tried copy protected versions
    of PFS Write and PFS Write/Enhanced, neither could be loaded by the
    Amiga 5.25" disk drive.

    The Transformer docs say that the following programs work
    dbase III v1.1
    lotus 1-2-3 v1A
    multiplan v1.2
    multimate v3.3
    wordperfect 4.0
    BPI general ledger vC.13 (and accounts payable, accounts receivable)
    Dollars & Sense v2.0
    IBM Writing Assistant v1.01
    IBM Filing Assistant v1.0
    PFS: Report vB
    PFS: File vB