@AmigaFromAfar

Quote:

2. The fact they have also given CUSA right to enforce is big, either Amiga Inc was poorly advised or they have no intention of enforcing the rights themselves.

Most people would interpret the Amiga Inc. vs Hyperion VOF settlement agreement as assigning that right to Hyperion, not CUSA. That is yet another matter of contention or perhaps just poorly defined.

#6

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@Thread,

Enough discussion of Amiga Inc, & CUSA trademark rights and related subjects in this X500 PLUS update thread. If you wish to continue this discussion take it to the appropriate forum (Amiga Inc. offshoot forum) and start a new thread with an appropriate thread title. This does not belong here and is way off topic.

I am not opposed to the discussion, just where it is located and that it is off topic for an OS4 hardware forum.

Your friendly neighborhood moderator's thank you for your cooperation.

Last edited by amigadave on 11-May-2012 at 08:19 AM.

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@TheDaddy


Quote:

What do you think of this: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/

Loriano, back to this idea! I get Darrin's counterpoints about "feature creep" and focus. Still, I think your crowdfunder suggestion is the next logical step, with relatively little downside and a lot of potential upside.

BUT, I think you should go with the bigger audience Kickstarter would earn you.

So.. just sitting here thinking about this. I think you could have a really nice kickstarter project on your hands. Here is my "stream of conscientiousness" going on about why your retro case might do very well on Kickstarter:

Your project's best asset is its retro appeal. It is a really cool looking retro case that supports much of the latest hardware. What's awesome about that, is this form factor has been largely forgotten. But "all-in-one" designs have made a big comeback in recent years. And your case is unique in that it is all-in-one (minus monitor) and it is a nice retro conversation piece, for those who like novel and different.

So.... Why wouldn't Windows, Mac and Linux users love that too? After all, they were users of those same C64, Atari 800 keyboards we were. So, I think a small percentage would be interested for the same reasons we are. But even a small percentage of that market will still dwarf the size of this community.

So, market it on kickstarter as a high quality, retro case and conversation piece that accommodates all the latest hardware, and OS of your choice.

In other words, don't limit your audience with the "intersection problem". For example, authors of books rarely have titles like "Java programming for the Eiffel expert". Reason being, you just limited your audience to the intersection of these two audiences and Eiffel is a really small group. Likewise, you wouldn't want to market your case as "A really cool retro case for the Amiga diehards". You've just limited your audience through the same intersection problem, and the Amiga community is very small.

Instead, market your case project on a large platform (like kickstarter), as a "really cool retro case for the modern computer enthusiast." No intersection problem.

Later, once those "computer enthusiasts" buy the case, you've got a great segway to say "why not add a retro OS on your retro box" and relive some of the 90's best games etc..

Quote:

Just for the final stretch...what could the Reward be for the funders?

I would suggest using a project like the "elevation dock" as inspiration:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hop/elevation-dock-the-best-dock-for-iphone

Of course, the scale will be very different, but this project still has some shared characteristics, in that it is an enclosure/dock that is meant to offer some unique, mostly aesthetic value beyond traditional mainstream enclosures/docks. In that sense, your case is a somewhat similar USP (bit of a stretch I know but work with me here .

One (somewhat obvious) observation about kickstarter, crowdfunder etc.. The most successfully funded projects are not charity. They are pre-sales, at a discount versus the eventual market price, with other minor perks thrown in at different contribution levels - custom colors, labeling, t-shirts etc.

I think this model could fit your X500 PLUS case very well. For example, medium contribution levels are basically a pre-sale, at a discounted rate, and give funders first come access. Higher contribution levels could get more exclusive LED and enclosure colors, a keyboard upgrade, or maybe even a split "ergo" version. At the lower contribution levels, I would allow people to credit their funding cash toward later purchase.

I know it sounds aggressive, but at least you aren't obligated unless your project gets funded. So, put that funding threshold high enough that it makes it worth your time. I'm sure we in the Amiga community will be their to support your project on kickstarter/crowdfunder -- I for sure will. And then we can all help you avoid taking all the upfront costs on yourself.. while at the same time, testing the notion that, maybe .. just maybe, a retro case like yours would appeal to more than just us Amiga nuts.

Last edited by jingof on 11-May-2012 at 01:25 PM.
Last edited by jingof on 11-May-2012 at 01:21 PM.
Last edited by jingof on 11-May-2012 at 01:03 PM.
Last edited by jingof on 11-May-2012 at 12:58 PM.

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@jingof

Kickstarter is only available for US based companies.

@ruben

Quote:

ruben wrote: @jingof Kickstarter is only available for US based companies.

Not really, they do allow folk from other countries too (it's explained on their site) but you have to ask them first...

It explains it in this link...

http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/creators#ImNotInTheUsCanIStarAProjOnKick

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@ruben

Quote:

Kickstarter is only available for US based companies

According to kickstarter, the project owner must have an Amazon payments deposit account and Amazon only supports US deposits... so that is the cause of the restriction. Kickstarter is currently trying to work around this. Meanwhile, I'd imagine one of us US-based amigans could help out here.

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@jingof

I'm based in the UK and made deposit to the Viva Amiga fund. I have record that Amazon took the payment from my UK based credit card account.

@Rob

Quote:

I'm based in the UK and made deposit to the Viva Amiga fund. I have record that Amazon took the payment from my UK based credit card account.

Well, then I don't know what to tell you. Because here is what Kickstarter has to say on the subject:

Quote:

requirements of Amazon Payments: —You are 18 years of age or older. —You are a permanent US resident with a Social Security Number (or EIN). —You have a US address, US bank account, and US state-issued ID (driver’s license). —You have a major US credit or debit card.

This quote taken from here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/creators#AmIEligToStarAKickProj


So.. the reason your deposit worked is because it was being received by a US deposit account. So money can flow into US deposit accounts from worldwide. But money cannot flow into deposit accounts based outside the US using Amazon payments.

Last edited by jingof on 11-May-2012 at 11:38 PM.

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@Rob

Quote:

Rob wrote: @jingof I'm based in the UK and made deposit to the Viva Amiga fund. I have record that Amazon took the payment from my UK based credit card account.

What Jingof was saying was, the project holder needs to have his Amazon fund account held in the USA and like he says they are working on making it available to people worldwide...

I too use Amazon to pay for funding Kickstart projects but that's because the money is being paid into an account held by the project holder in the USA and you are only paying money into it not taking money out which is part of the restriction Kickstart are trying to overcome just now...

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Sorry about the lack of news everyone, I have been busy saving the money (sold my car a few days back) for the final black prototype.

Added all the changes got through feedback (reduced LED window size, moved to the left, increased air vents slots etc...etc...). Almost 2 grand but this will be it!

Question:

Would you be interested in the base being plain aluminium as in photos or sprayed in white for the white version and black for the black version (or mixed, white for the black and black for the white)? Your thoughts...

Last edited by TheDaddy on 07-Sep-2012 at 03:06 PM.

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@TheDaddy

if i was you i wouldnt sacrifice my life for it.

Last edited by wawa on 07-Sep-2012 at 03:46 PM.

@wawa

But you are not me are you...

I'd rather prefer you sticking to the topic

Last edited by TheDaddy on 07-Sep-2012 at 04:08 PM.

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@TheDaddy

Looks OK in the photos, but it is hard to tell. Can you do a picture from the front? I'm sure it will eb OK leaving teh base unpainted, plus it will reduce production costs slightly.

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@TheDaddy

My Sam440ep would look great in one of those, all white I would say.

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@Darrin

OK, the minute the black prototype is finished I'll take a few snaps of it with and without powder coated aluminium base.

Thanks!

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@TheDaddy

Yeah! Still want one!

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@TheDaddy

Hi,

i missed the opportunity to congratulate with you in the past months.

Congratulation.

The case is wonderfull. I like the withe case, btw.

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@TheDaddy

I'm glad you moved the LED's, bet it looks totally awesome now.

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