Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!lll-winken!sun-barr!newstop!sun!concertina!fiddler
From: fiddler%concertina@Sun.COM (Steve Hix)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Apple's committment to the // line
Message-ID: <126537@sun.Eng.Sun.COM>
Date: 19 Oct 89 23:52:48 GMT
References: <8910161738.AA22328@trout.nosc.mil>
Sender: news@sun.Eng.Sun.COM
Lines: 44

In article <8910161738.AA22328@trout.nosc.mil>, philip@pro-generic.cts.com (Philip McDunnough) writes:
> Network Comment: to #6222 by jabernathy@pro-houston.cts.com
> 
> Joe,
>  I really must take issue with the thrust of this posting.I agree that the GS
> is ready to mature, and it will.However take away Apple's support from it and
> the line wouldn't last very long indeed.HP cut off a wonderful computer caled
> the INTEGRAL.Some people tried to improve it(to what it should have been) but
> support from users just faded away.Still a great computer.
> 
>  Not too long ago Apple was in trouble(finacially).The Apple// line would
> never have saved them,NEVER.The Mac is the computer of choice for most
> businesses who purchase from Apple. Never mind if they could make do with an
> Apple//. They could also make do with a CP/M computer but not many do. There
> is this issue of connectivity,file transfers,etc... .The GS with System 5 has
> come a long way. 
> 
>  It is irrelevant whether or not Mr.Mensch comes up with a 100mip
> cpu.Transputers are fast,but nobody buys them.People need a reliable source
> they can trust will be around.The days of the "hackers" I'm afraid are gone.

Oh, the hackers are still around.  It just costs more to get into the
game.  Both in cash and in intellectual investment.  There are lots of them
with Mac.  *Lots* with Amigas (I'm not sure, but they may be the majority of
Amiga owners.)  Lots with other systems.

>  The GS does have a market as a general
> purpose/personal/home/educational/small business with no connectivity
> needs/etc... computer.

If that's true, then the // is doomed: It's got a tiny, and shrinking niche.
Just knowing about what some other machines do will raise the expectations
of owners and potential owners, hopefully, increased capabilities will follow.

>  There are very few personal computers left.The GS is one.I think it would be
> a disservice to the GS to try to make more of it than what it should be.

There comes the fight (I'll hold your coats):  Exactly what *should* it be?

------------
"...I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by 
reorganizing: and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion 
of progress, while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralization."
	- Petronius Arbiter, 210 B.C.