In a message forwarded to the Open Amiga list, Fleecy writes: "I am happy to tell you that we are weeks away from the release of the foundation of the AmigaDE. I refer to the Amiga Component Model or ACM. This is a component model that has learnt the lessons from the existing component and object models, whilst adding the features and functionality necessary to push the AmigaDE far beyond its rivals." They are lookign for a testing group for the technology. Read the full message below.

Message from Fleecy Moss, CTO of Amiga Inc.

Hey guys 8-)

I know many of you have been chomping at the bit for the next generation AmigaDE technology, and also wanting to help Amiga.

Well, I am happy to tell you that we are weeks away from the release of the foundation of the AmigaDE. I refer to the Amiga Component Model or ACM.

This is a component model that has learnt the lessons from the existing component and object models, whilst adding the features and functionality necessary to push the AmigaDE far beyond its rivals.

As it is the foundation, it has been written in VP, although future versions will have mappings to many other languges, chief among them C++.

What I am looking for is a small group of individuals who are comfortable with VP to join a testing and development group.

This group will use the ACM to develop 4 blueprints, gif, animated gif, jpeg and png.

The Amiga Component Model uses an interface aggregation model, so those familiar with that will find it easiest to use.

What will need to be done is for the group to describe a 2D image interface, which will provide a common set of 2D operations valid for all 2D images. Then, if required, other interface will be needed to add the operations specific to the other images - again, where possible, an interface should be capable of being shared - it is a description.

Once these have been okayed by our multimedia team, the separate interface tools will be implemented, completing the blueprints.

Then the fun begins, we can create components and see if they work.

Jesse is finishing up his part in the ACM and will shortly begin work on the persistence service. This service will use a simple interface tentatively called serialisation, which supports two operations, serialise and unserialise. Each blueprint will also provide an implementation for this interface, allowing us unitially to stream the images in and out (so that we can load and save them using Elate), and giving us something to test once the persistence service reaches a sufficient stage.

This is probably the most important thing we have ever asked the open group to do. This is the first external testing of a rare and waiting to be broken technology, but one that is vital to the AmigaDE.

As there are 4 blueprints required, we need four people. If others wish to participate and can suggest another format, then all the better 8-)

Another purpose of this is for us to get the questions that developers will ask written down, so that we can create proper documentation for when the ACM is released to the outside world.

Can those interested please contact Gary [Peake]. An NDA will be required and Gary or one of his guys will provide support for the team. I will be on the list as well to help and explain.