So, it's that time again. Barely six months have passed since my dismal showing at the last Retrochallenge. While I had a lot of fun, I didn't have much to show for my efforts, other than high blood pressure.

This year, it's gonna be different.

I've been dying to use my Amiga 2000 in a serious capacity for a long time now, but I never seem to motivate myself enough to actually DO it! Well, I've been gathering some of the necessary tools for the job for a while now, so I should be able to showcase my Ami-chan's abilities in this year's Retrochallenge Winter Warmup.

Ami-chan's specs as follows:

Model: Commodore Amiga 2000
Year of manufacture: 1986
Processor: 68040/33 w/MMU & FPU (GVP Combo-II '040 accelerator)
RAM: 18Mb (2Mb Chip RAM on motherboard, 16Mb FastRam on accelerator)
Storage: 880K Floppy drive, 4Gb SCSI HD, 4x SCSI CDROM
OS: Amiga OS3.5
Expansion cards: Ariadne-II network card, Picasso II graphics card, Toccata sound card, VLab video capture card, Video Toaster 2000 card

So, what am I gonna do?
A brief, simplified, and overly vague list of my plans:
 

• Redesign of my web site, in terms of layout and presentation, as it's looked like crap for years. Content will remain the same. Sorry.
• Creative challenge: in addition to revamping my website, I intend to do some graphic work, both creating new pics, as well as working with images from digital cameras (depending on whether or not the Olympus D-460 digital camera, cables for it and my Kodak DC20, and AmiCamedia software arrive in time).
• Endurance Run: Indeed, I've finally committed to using naught but my trusty 22-year old computer.
• Upgrade. Not so much a challenge as a question of available resources. I have a few things en route, but am not expecting them to arrive in time for them to have an impact in my work. However, my Toccata sound card doesn't want to work, and I need the software for my Video Toaster 2000 card (and cables, too)... Hell, I haven't even installed my VLab card yet!
• Productivity Challenge. Akin to an Endurance Challenge, my idea of a Productivity challenge is to be able to use my machine for most (if not all) my daily tasks, and to be productive and efficient..
• Software: In addition to getting all my apps to work and play nicely together, I want to learn the Amiga's scripting language, AREXX. I also want to tweak the look and feel of the desktop, as it's a bit of a mishmash of graphic elements right now.
• Definite Maybes: If I can get the Toccata card working, I may do a brief little podcast. If I can get it working in conjunction with my VLab card, I may just do a brief little Vodcast!

That's essentially it. Apart from having fun, that is!
 

Week Two: 01/06/08 - 01/12/08 - The fun's over - time to get to work!

Week Three: 01/13/08 - 01/19/08 - Now that I know what doesn't work...

Week Four: 01/20/08 - 01/26/08 - All right, Website! Time to meet your maker!

Week Five: 01/27/08 - 01/31/08 - Real life has interfered. Can CJ fight back?

Game Over: 02/01/08 - Winter Warmup: Closing thoughts