Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For historical preservation, I’ve archived and digitized my personal copy of Amiga World’s "Amiga Primer" instructional VHS tape. This video originally served as a detailed introduction to the Amiga 500, 2000, and 3000 series computers, and covers topics like AmigaOS System 2.0, Workbench, CLI, AmigaVision, peripherals, and utilities.
Whether you're a new Amiga user or a longtime enthusiast, this 80+ minute training tape is packed with helpful tips, dazzling 90s animation, and clear, step-by-step guidance to help you unlock the full potential of your Amiga system.
Learn how to navigate the Amiga Workbench, work with the command line interface, connect peripherals, and take advantage of powerful built-in utilities—all with that signature Amiga flair.
--- Video index (If I missed anything, let me know in the comments):
0:00 Intro: Amiga World Presents The Amiga Primer
2:12 Amiga 500 - Getting Everything Put Together
4:51 Getting Started
6:43 Adjusting the Monitor
7:07 Using Disks
9:23 Workbench Made Easy
9:51 What is the Workbench?
10:40 Learning About Screens
11:46 Moving The Pointer
12:20 The Workbench Screen
13:32 Learning About Icons
15:20 Learning About Windows
17:05 Duplicating A Disk
21:27 Formatting A Disk
23:20 Using The Workbench
29:08 The Clock
32:50 The "Say Speech" Synthesizer
33:18 Graphic Dump
33:34 Personalizing Your Amiga
34:08 Using Preferences
35:23 Date & Time
35:33 Key Repeat Speed & Delay
36:09 Mouse Speed & Click Control
37:33 Text Size
37:52 CLI (Command Line Interface) and SHELL
38:20 Display Centering
38:36 Serial Port
40:20 Workbench Colors
41:24 Printers
43:19 Editing The Pointer
44:34 Saving Preferences
45:03 Expanding The Power of Your Amiga (A500, A2000 and A3000)
46:46 Adding Memory
48:57 Adding a Disk Drive
49:34 Using a Hard Disk
50:25 Adding a Digitizer
50:54 Adding a Genlock
51:26 Caring for Your Amiga
52:24 Cleaning the Mouse
53:45 Advanced Operations
54:56 Accessing the CLI
56:09 Copying a disk with the CLI
59:59 Protecting a File From Deletion
1:00:46 Getting Information About a File
1:01:09 Changing Directories
1:03:26 Setting the Date & Time
1:04:16 Redirecting the Output of Commands
1:05:15 Renaming a File
1:05:50 Deleting Files
1:06:17 Copying Files
1:08:27 Using the Text Editor
1:10:49 Dealing With Damaged Disks
1:12:02 Copy Protection
1:12:40 Computer Viruses
1:13:53 Quick Look... The Amiga 3000
1:17:45 Using the Amiga 3000
1:19:01 AmigaDOS 2.0
1:23:19 AREXX & AmigaVision
Digitization Details:
I used my Panasonic DMR-ES46V DVD recorder to convert the VHS source to 720p HD, ensuring the best possible video quality from this analog media format.
Why Archive This?
These kinds of tapes represent a unique era in home computing education and deserve to be preserved. If you're a fan of retro tech, AmigaOS-era systems, or early Amiga computer training media, this one’s for you.
This video is also available on the Geek With Social Skills website:
geekwithsocialskills.com/amiga-world-vhs-tutorial
Subscribe: youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
#Amiga #CommodoreAmiga #Amiga500 #RetroComputing #Workbench #VHS
For historical preservation, I’ve archived and digitized my personal copy of Amiga World’s "Amiga Primer" instructional VHS tape. This video originally served as a detailed introduction to the Amiga 500, 2000, and 3000 series computers, and covers topics like AmigaOS System 2.0, Workbench, CLI, AmigaVision, peripherals, and utilities.
Whether you're a new Amiga user or a longtime enthusiast, this 80+ minute training tape is packed with helpful tips, dazzling 90s animation, and clear, step-by-step guidance to help you unlock the full potential of your Amiga system.
Learn how to navigate the Amiga Workbench, work with the command line interface, connect peripherals, and take advantage of powerful built-in utilities—all with that signature Amiga flair.
--- Video index (If I missed anything, let me know in the comments):
0:00 Intro: Amiga World Presents The Amiga Primer
2:12 Amiga 500 - Getting Everything Put Together
4:51 Getting Started
6:43 Adjusting the Monitor
7:07 Using Disks
9:23 Workbench Made Easy
9:51 What is the Workbench?
10:40 Learning About Screens
11:46 Moving The Pointer
12:20 The Workbench Screen
13:32 Learning About Icons
15:20 Learning About Windows
17:05 Duplicating A Disk
21:27 Formatting A Disk
23:20 Using The Workbench
29:08 The Clock
32:50 The "Say Speech" Synthesizer
33:18 Graphic Dump
33:34 Personalizing Your Amiga
34:08 Using Preferences
35:23 Date & Time
35:33 Key Repeat Speed & Delay
36:09 Mouse Speed & Click Control
37:33 Text Size
37:52 CLI (Command Line Interface) and SHELL
38:20 Display Centering
38:36 Serial Port
40:20 Workbench Colors
41:24 Printers
43:19 Editing The Pointer
44:34 Saving Preferences
45:03 Expanding The Power of Your Amiga (A500, A2000 and A3000)
46:46 Adding Memory
48:57 Adding a Disk Drive
49:34 Using a Hard Disk
50:25 Adding a Digitizer
50:54 Adding a Genlock
51:26 Caring for Your Amiga
52:24 Cleaning the Mouse
53:45 Advanced Operations
54:56 Accessing the CLI
56:09 Copying a disk with the CLI
59:59 Protecting a File From Deletion
1:00:46 Getting Information About a File
1:01:09 Changing Directories
1:03:26 Setting the Date & Time
1:04:16 Redirecting the Output of Commands
1:05:15 Renaming a File
1:05:50 Deleting Files
1:06:17 Copying Files
1:08:27 Using the Text Editor
1:10:49 Dealing With Damaged Disks
1:12:02 Copy Protection
1:12:40 Computer Viruses
1:13:53 Quick Look... The Amiga 3000
1:17:45 Using the Amiga 3000
1:19:01 AmigaDOS 2.0
1:23:19 AREXX & AmigaVision
Digitization Details:
I used my Panasonic DMR-ES46V DVD recorder to convert the VHS source to 720p HD, ensuring the best possible video quality from this analog media format.
Why Archive This?
These kinds of tapes represent a unique era in home computing education and deserve to be preserved. If you're a fan of retro tech, AmigaOS-era systems, or early Amiga computer training media, this one’s for you.
This video is also available on the Geek With Social Skills website:
geekwithsocialskills.com/amiga-world-vhs-tutorial
Subscribe: youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
#Amiga #CommodoreAmiga #Amiga500 #RetroComputing #Workbench #VHS
