Just a query to the masses, but has anyone seen an Omega up and running yet ?

No please don't break any NDA's on my account but if you know if our friends in Microdigital have a prototype that has been seen in the "wild" please let all and sundry here know.

Judging by the newsgroups no one outside of Microdigital can confirm that it's running. I'll admit that this hasn't inspired me to put a deposit down (ok I want an Evolution but it's been put back again) despite the neat offer of the CD burner for an extra 50quid.

Personally I have no doubt that if Microdigital say they can get it out then they will. Afterall they kept it so quiet the no one knew anything about it until it must have been almost ready. However I'm not willing to put a large chunk of cash down without confirmation that it is working.

I haven't parted with any cash yet (and won't until I know the status of Omega). If Omega looks a long time in coming (> 3-6 Months) I'll probably hold off for an Imago, or perhaps get a low-end RiscStation (now) and upgrade to something else later next year (when xScale/ARM10 and other inponderables become ponderable).

Thanks for your efforts to get info on Omega !!!!

But it is somewhat worrying that they themselves have not yet given definitive answers to simple questions. In order for the machine to be available in December then (at least) a prototype should have been seen outside their offices by some independant third party. Bear in mind the photo on their web site seems to an Omega displaying an ROS desktop, surely if that's the case why not let someone else see the machine in action ?

Nobody (to my knowledge) has even seen an Omega! There were Posters at the RISCOS show and no MD representatives or prototype.

The Microdigital site shows a machine purporting to be an Omega with stuff on screen (suggesting it is running RiscOS and behaving in a somewhat computer-like manner).

That being the case any Tom, Dick and Harriet should be able to come on down and have a look see.

Acorn user were supposed to review it in the CURRENT issue of AU, no review appeared (for a machine to be launched in December (according to MD)) not being able to arrange to provide ONE machine for review would suggest turning hundreds out on a production line in the immediate future is highly unlikely.

I would go so far as to say that if MD do supply machines this month it will be the first case in history where a manufacturer did everything in reverse, gone into mass production, then built a prototype, then had an article in AU and finally had an official launch a month later............ Right !!!!!

Reality is I suspect if we see a prototype before the end of January I'd be surprised, a limited number of machines for developers in February/March and (perhaps) the start of a full production run in April (in nice time for the Wakefield show in May). This is one of those times I hope I am utterly wrong.

I think though MD would have made life easier for themselves by not saying anything until they were closer to release (after all the OMEGA was announced at Epson in OCTOBER).

I'd agree also with Martin that the developers should be given some slack, the problem is that in this instance they created a stick to beat themselves with. They should simply not make promises they can't keep - or simply not make promises period. I've seen enough of this in the PC world and it just tends to dissapoint or irritate potential customers.

Secondly people will make allowances for a prototype being slightly "flakey", prototypes tend to be that after all. A review by AU (or some other third party) would not have gone amiss even if it were couched in warnings about the machine being a pre-production prototype and that the release version would lack its quirks. It might have guaranteed MORE advanced orders (I for one would not part with a deposit until I was convinced that a prototype was up and running and release was REALLY imminent).

If what Michael has hinted at is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then I look forward to have my scepticle views proven wrong. To start 2001 with a brand spanking new Omega sounds good to me.......

[Edited by ams at 20:23, 14/12/2000]

hmmmmm MD havent even given us a release date, and did warn us that it would be ready early next year, so you cant really critisise them too much - give them the time they need to give us a very decent computer

If I recall correctly their site said (originally) that the machine could be available before Christmas (hence my comment about them making a stick to beat themselves).

I am not pushed as to when they release it (I haven't paid a deposit) but I would suggest that they keep their potential customers informed of any progress (or even delays) so that they won't get restive.

This is NOT a race, the objective is to produce an effective, efficient and stable platform for the future. Omega will be welcome whenever it finally arrives.

No please don't break any NDA's on my account but if you know if our friends in Microdigital have a prototype that has been seen in the "wild" please let all and sundry here know.

I've seen the Millipede Imago, it don't run ROS yet, but it does blit things on screen and behaves in a somewhat computer like manner. At least I can say "hmmmm, that's still not going to be out there for at least 'x' months" but at least sense some sort of progress has been made. The Omega if its to be released in December (or so Microdigital said on their site) should be booting into RISC OS now (NOW!) and so someone out there should be able to confirm this.

Put us out of our misery PLEASE

PS: Microdigital quoted the Iconbar survey and concluded that:

58% voted the Omega

The nearest desktop computer was the Evolution at 7% and the Nucleaus at 3%. [\quote]

But folks that makes 68% what happened to the other 32% ? (ah ! the RiscStation portable and the 11% who voted for the Imago board).

Conclusion: "There's lies d a m n e d lies and statistics"

[Edited by 144 at 19:51, 27/11/2000]

[Edited by 144 at 19:52, 27/11/2000]

Kidding - Hehe

But the point about the secrecy is a good one - you would thus think it should be out on time. And if it's not, so what. As long as it arrives soon... heaven knows I'm useless at keeping to work deadlines

OK, it is frustrating when RISC OS hardware gets delayed, but we should give the developers a little slack. They're obviously hard pressed on a lot of issues - and when the goods arrive, from whatever quarter, they do tend to be top notch.

ROR

Michael now you've got my attention are you hinting you've seen one (or have I picked this up all wrong (Doh !))

I can't tell you precisely what I know or else I will have betrayed my sources but I think those interested in the Omega will not be disappointed

I'll bear the suggestion in mind though

And, it's been a while coming, but...

ROR

OK, speculation aside, Isn't the question "Why hasn't anyone seen an up and running , erm, I mean Omega?" though?

It's a very obvious question to ask, especially for a product that is supposed to ship this month! I'm not saying we should be shown one, just wondering why not?

Why don't you ask MD if you can go and see one? See what they say! They might not let a loose around their labs though

Ah Michael it isn't the advanced orders that are important, its the advanced deliveries.....

Indeed. I think you'll see both

It's a very obvious question to ask, especially for a product that is supposed to ship this month! I'm not saying we should be shown one, just wondering why not?

It doesn't sound to me like Mr Atkins has had that many problems with advance orders! He seems to have had a fair few.

Hmmm... Ohmeegah. Despite all that's been said on this thread, appearances of any sort would still be nice... and, one would have thought, sensible (and early order generating!)...

Apparently wouldn't solve my trouble
though

I think you'll find you are indeed barking up the wrong tree.

Acorn User are going to review Omega this issue or next and maybe Archive have got in there, too.

If Omega is off to the production lines, surely they will start to apear in RISC OS dealers so you can go and have a look at one.

Erm, I really don't think this is too much to ask...not like I want a free preview copy or anything (much!)

When doing the free promo for the platform that most of us do (right?) it doesn't sound too good to say:

"There's a great new speedy reasonably priced RISCOS workstation on the way, I think... well, no-ones actually seen it, but I'm sure it's there...!"

I'd sound like a complete .

One of the questions was "When do you think is the earliest you'll be taking a working/prototype model on the road for people to see?"