This Christmas has been both worrying and encouraging for the Amiga. There are still lot of worthwhile games and products coming out for it. But you have to really start worrying what will happen next year in the light of no more news from Commodore. People have been writing to us and phoning, wanting to know where to get an Amiga this Christmas, and whether it is worth buying one at all. In fact some unscrupulous dealers have been telling potential Amiga purchasers that they should buy a PC. I can understand this from the dealers' point of view. They have a business to run and if Commodore, or Amiga International or whoever can't supply them with Amigas then they're bound to try and sell you something else. But do you really want to spend a grand for a machine that will be obsolete in two years? That’s the way the PC market has been going. Some readers complain that the A500 they bought four years ago is not being catered for enough at the moment - talk to a PC 286 owner and you'll find out just how lucky you actually are. If you can find an A1200 for around the £300- £350 mark and can get a dealer warranty of at least a year, it still makes sense to buy. Productivity Among "the delights in tlie issue we liave the first review of" HiSoft's Aura 12 bit sampler, and a no-nonsense look at the latest PageStream 3.0c. Then there's Final Data from the makers of Final Copy, VideoStage Pro, a smart new AMOS extension, and heaps more. EDITORIAL Get Serious Hypercache 2.0 88 The latest update ol this math's cover-mounted hard drive atility. Internet UK 88 A guide to getting most from the Internet lor UK cybotserlers 17 Bit Phase Four 89 Aura 99 12-hit sound sampling lor under £180 comes to all ABOOs and A1200s. CU AMIGA brings you the first review of HiSoft’s new noise box. IntOS 102 At last AMOS programmers can use ill the requesters end gadgets ottered hy Intuition. Easy Ledgers 106 Beep your accounts in order otter the Christmas splash oot with this comprehensive spreadsheet. Stocking Fillers 110 Santa Claus is comiug to towu, but does he koow what he's bringing you? We suggest some techie leys lor that special day. The 1994 additions to 17 Bit’s PD library on a single CD-ROM Video Backup System 89 Tun your VCR iuto a high capacity storage system for you Amiga.