I've been thinking recently. Sam460 now has great operating systems available (MorphOS, AROS, various Linux flavors), but end users are only able to buy the board with an OS4.1 license. This fact alone stops me to buy ACube hardware, because I dislike Hyperion (for reasons not to be discussed here) and don't want to support that company financially. I also don't plan to use OS4.1 at all.

Is it possible to return the unused OS4 license one buys with the computer and get some kind of refund? Like one would do with Windows licenses, when one buys a computer for Linux. The "it's a bundle" argument is invalid, according to the European Union, and I am an EU citizen. What's the word on this?

Of course ACube's homepage mentions an "industrial" version of the board, which might not include the OS4 tax, but as far as I understand, that's not offered to individual end users.

No, this is not a trolling attempt, so please keep the discussion civil. Thanks.

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MorphOS, classic Amiga, demoscene, and stuff
"When a bridge is not enough, build a Viaduct!"
"Strip the Amiga community of speculation and we can fit every forum on a 720k floppy" (by resle)

@Chain-Q

Have you tried actually nicely asking ACube? That would seem to be the first thing to do if you seriously want to buy the hardware and the only thing stopping you if the OS4.1 license.

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Wiki for new/returning Amiga users - Projects: ACE basic compiler / FrexxEd / Git

@Chain-Q

It might be worth asking ACube directly.

Does U-boot (on the non-industrial version) include any Hyperion-licensed or co-developed stuff (eg filesystems support)? That alone might make the non-inclusion of OS4.x a bit of a red-herring as far as such principles are concerned (assuming a fee payable on a per-unit basis for licensing).

Last edited by Boot_WB on 18-May-2015 at 11:42 AM.

_________________
Troll - n., A disenfranchised former potential customer who remains interested enough to stay informed and express critical opinions.
opp., the vast majority who voted silently with their feet.

@Chain-Q

I suppose it would probably be best to email Acube and ask.

@Chain-Q

ACube are selling OS4.1 for the 460 for £17.70 so I guess they are likely totake that much off their stated price if you follow everybody else's suggestion - email them about it.

_________________
Fred Booth
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A500, A600, A1200 c/w Mediator and 030
AmigaOne and OS4.1
Mac LCII, G4 Powermac running OSX + Amigakit and MorphOS 3.0
Dell Mini 10 Netbook running IcAros and AmigaForever+Amikit+AmigaSys
2006 Macb

@Chain-Q

Answer is so obvious, that only reason to ask it here is : Quote:

because I dislike Hyperion (for reasons not to be discussed here) and don't want to support that company financially

I helped you, said it again just for you.

@Chain-Q

Other option is to find someone to buy OS4 off you.

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Hate tends to make you look stupid...

@Rob

I think it is good question and worth answering. If I was going to buy new SAM460 I would not want to pay extra for OS4 if I dont have use for it. I simply have no time to tinker with another OS.

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Amiga Developer
Amiga 500, Efika, Mac Mini and PowerBook

@sundown

If I happen to have OS4 for SAM460 for sale would you buy it at full price + p&p?

_________________
Amiga Developer
Amiga 500, Efika, Mac Mini and PowerBook

@vidarh, Boot_WB, Rob, OldAmigan

But he is raising a valid point!

Selling systems pre-installed with an OS a customer doesn't want is not optimal, this is forcing him to throw money in the trash against his will. Offering an option to buy the H/W without any pre-installed OS would be a decent thing to do. Offering several options of pre-installed operating systems for the customer to choose from (none, one, a select few, or having them all) would be even better service, but maybe too much to ask for? Depending of course how much the vendor values a service like this to his customers...

@itix

Quote:

itix wrote: @sundown If I happen to have OS4 for SAM460 for sale would you buy it at full price + p&p?

It can only be used on Sam460? And all Sam460 owners already has one since it has been a mandatory bundle?

I think I would have passed your offer...

@itix

I have no SAM460 & my SAM440 & x1000 already have FE installed. I was thinking about those 460 users that would want to update to FE if it was a little cheaper then what a dealer would charge.

FE for the 460 is under 30 euros, not exactly a back breaker, in any case.

Last edited by sundown on 18-May-2015 at 10:29 PM.

_________________
Hate tends to make you look stupid...

@sundown

Quote:

sundown wrote: @itix I have no SAM460 & my SAM440 & x1000 already have FE installed. I was thinking about those 460 users that would want to update to FE if it was a little cheaper then what a dealer would charge.

Ah of course, I forgot about Hyperion suddenly decided to collect another round of money on their product by charging money for update 4.1.8... But seriously, don't you think everyone (or most of them) interested has already bought it? And per definition there won't be any "new" old customers so they are a limited and dying breed...

I think the issue is real and the points raised by Chain-Q is valid!

@TRIPOS

Quote:

I think the issue is real and the points raised by Chain-Q is valid!

Did I say it wasn't?

Was/is an option, give it a rest...

_________________
Hate tends to make you look stupid...

@sundown

Im really confused why you rabidly defend HYPEerion all the time? You seem like a real Amigan i just dont get it

@TRIPOS

Quote:

But he is raising a valid point!

Well I disagree... Oh, no, hang on, I didn't disagree, it was just you trying to put words in my mouth.

@TRIPOS

Quote:

TRIPOS wrote: @vidarh, Boot_WB, Rob, OldAmigan But he is raising a valid point! Selling systems pre-installed with an OS a customer doesn't want is not optimal, this is forcing him to throw money in the trash against his will.

Ups!
I want to buy a new ford galaxy without driver seat and wheels, because I already have the ones from my old galaxy.
But they are forcing me, against my will to buy it complete.
They kidnapped my wife, if I don't pay they will sell her to acube.

What's going on around here?

Can't you guys simply ask at acube if they sell you a board without AmigaOS4 FE?
If not, go buy a used Apple device to run MOS on, or look for a used Sam..

But remember.. I will rip an arm out of your teddybear's imaginary buddy if you don't.

@TRIPOS

Quote:

TRIPOS wrote: [Strawman removed] Selling systems pre-installed with an OS a customer doesn't want is not optimal, this is forcing him to throw money in the trash against his will. Offering an option to buy the H/W without any pre-installed OS would be a decent thing to do.

I am surprised they haven't, largely since the 440 was eventually sold without OS bundled.

Quote:

Offering several options of pre-installed operating systems for the customer to choose from (none, one, a select few, or having them all) would be even better service, but maybe too much to ask for? Depending of course how much the vendor values a service like this to his customers...

AmigaOS is supplied with, not installed on, the Sam460 (afaik).
MorphOS is updated frequently, bundling a retail packaged version that is up to date would be more challenging.
Then there's the license key generation, which includes end user details - how would that work? Would the user pay extra for a MorphOS retail bundle, then pay again to register? Or pay in advance end up with a key registered in Acube's name?

All of which takes time & money even to think about, so that £15 saving may end up with a price increase using your suggested model.

Last edited by Boot_WB on 19-May-2015 at 09:13 AM.

_________________
Troll - n., A disenfranchised former potential customer who remains interested enough to stay informed and express critical opinions.
opp., the vast majority who voted silently with their feet.

@Chain-Q

It sure is disappointing to read this kind of nonsense.

The Sam's are OS 4.x boards, not MorphOS boards. Of course, it makes sense
to bundle OS 4 with it.

£15 extra? Is that so terrible?

...

@Kotler

Quote:

£15 extra? Is that so terrible?

Chain-Q dislikes Hyperion, yes it is terrible.