Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!tybalt.caltech.edu!toddpw
From: toddpw@tybalt.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: An open letter to all Apple II lovers/Apple Bashers
Message-ID: <1990May3.203348.10342@laguna.ccsf.caltech.edu>
Date: 3 May 90 20:33:48 GMT
References: <9005020758.AA27657@apple.com>
Sender: news@laguna.ccsf.caltech.edu
Organization: California Institute of Technology
Lines: 46

VS83F8@UMKCVAX3.BITNET writes:

>        High end cpu's, and let us not forget that to remain compatible with
>        15 year old technology, Apple would have to custom design the chips,
>        are VERY expensive.

WRONG WRONG WRONG. Custom chips SAVE money, and Apple is consummate at making
them. It is possible to design, simulate, and more or less PROVE that a custom
chip will do what you want it to do... Apple has to be using this method.

The initial outlay is pretty high, but once the customs go into high volume
they are DIRT CHEAP compared to ANY other design method.

Apple has shown every evidence of taking exactly this approach.

The REAL reason the II is still so expensive is that it is still USING ten year
old chips. Apple MANAGEMENT is SOLELY responsible for this. There is nothing to
prevent the engineers from reimplementing the original logic (which is damned
simple when you get down to it -- you just have to avoid kludging around the
actual chips that were originally used!! This is what the IIGS and VOC do for
some embarrassing reason).

>        Why do you people have such hangups about the mac?

Because we don't want one, and Apple looks like it is trying to set us up to
force one down our throats whether we like it or not.

Apple could give us what we want -- MODERN APPLE //'s -- for a LOT cheaper than
their "low cost macs" and that is why we are grumbling.

>        For
>        you GS'ers, *this is cheaper!*  And further, Apple is coming
                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>        out with a card to save your investment in II software.

That's what Apple's Ex-Management WANTED US TO THINK.

Hypermedia is available ALREADY on the II series (even the 8 bitters!) and when
HyperCard GS finally gets out...

The Apple II can still do much of what a Mac does, not as pretty but CHEAPER.

IF APPLE WOULD LET IT.

Todd Whitesel
toddpw @ tybalt.caltech.edu