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From: lbotez@pro-grouch.cts.com (Lynda Botez)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Ode to Electronic Mail
Message-ID: <618.apple.net2@pro-grouch>
Date: 7 Apr 90 21:33:17 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 54


 It seems to amaze me, that in this "electronic" day and age, that no one
 really takes electronic mail (or e-mail) seriously.

 Take Apple Computer, for instance.  It seems, in order to get their
 attention, you need to PHYSICALLY take out a sheet of paper, mail it
 through the US Post Office, and have it delivered personally for them        

to take something seriously.  For example, take the Apple II Infinitum
 letter writing campaign.  Most of this campaign is being organized by
 people who own modems.  And what do they tell you to do?   WRITE Apple
 a LETTER!

 Electronic mail was supposed to be one of the main reasons to own a
 computer.  Those of us that are taking advantage of this incredible
 electronic capability believe that this is the way of the future; that
 we are experimenting with a function th ill eventually  become an
 integral part of modern society sometime in the next century (perhaps
 even sooner).  People have to be weaned off of paper.  The intermediate 
 step between paper and electronical data is the FAX machine.  Perhaps
 it does have a purpose after all; you ge your data and paper too!
 I would gather that when computers become more affordable and powerful,
 you'll be able to read e-mail that incorporates graphics and fonts,
 as well as just plain words.  (The NeXT already has talking e-mail; but
 I'm not sure that feature is all that necessary.  Hummm,   I wonder if
 it  stutters.  :-)    ).

 But back to the purpose of all this editorializing.  It would seem to
 me that such a "leading-edge" corporation as Apple Computer would want
 to take advantage of this exciting electronic medium.  We all know of
 the existence of Apple.Com.  It's thanks to it that our feed exists.
 However, Apple (and their computer) continue to act like some kind of
 "silent butler" to the outside electronic world.  Oh, you can send
 e-mail back and forth to people at Apple who post regularly here on
 the net; but the persons you can contact are individuals, and as you
 know, don't speak for "Apple", the company..

 Why doesn't this innovative giant, Apple Computer, have some kind of
 electronic mailbox where people can forward their comments and concerns
 to them directly?  There are numerous users on this internet of nets
 (and that includes the MacIntosh people too) who would love to be able
 to contact Apple directly through electronic mail.  Surely this medium
 is as valuable as a printed letter; it certainly is easily accessible by 
millions of people.  And it is so "leading edge".  Just think what we
 could accomplish with such accessibility...

 Isn't Apple interested in promoting such a service?  It would be, after
 all, just another branch of "customer service".

 Lynda

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