Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!hellgate.utah.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!nosc!crash!pro-magic.cts.com!mikeu
From: mikeu@pro-magic.cts.com (Mike Ungerman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Ultima VI...sigh...
Message-ID: <4195@crash.cts.com>
Date: 31 Aug 90 06:56:11 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 44

In-Reply-To: message from dalel@servio.UUCP

Origin's comments reflect the state of the market that has developed around
the Apple ][ computers.  They are right about several things:  look at the
size of the Apple "glossies" magazines.  They are about 1/2 their former size
due to a lack of advertising, reflecting a reduction in the number of third
party manufacturers and software publishers.  Also, there has been a
significant reduction in the number of Apple magazines themselves, although
one or two new ones keep popping up.

Reading this month's A2-Central, it appears that Apple, Inc has gotten the
message and wants to turn this decline in support for the Apple around.  But
is it too late even if it isn't too little?  The patient has cancer and x-ray
and chemotherapy is started, but will remission result in a cure?  Only time
will tell.

New, exciting products and software will be required to keep both interest and
dollar flow in the Apple ][ world.  That, in my mind, is what is keeping the
IBM market alive, although not necessarily from IBM itself.  The clones seem
to have the base now and it's accessories and software that keep the market
going.  After all, how many people are really purchasing the new IBM machines
as opposed to a full functioning clone at 2/3 to 1/2 the price.

I see a similar situation in Apple's world.  The installed base is there in
Apple ]['s and Mac's.  And how many of that base will go out and purchase the
newest, latest and greatest computer as opposed to looking for an accelerator,
add-on board, hard drive or other peripheral.  Heck, I'm still using a ][e and
have no intentions of "upgrading" to another Apple; but I sure might purchase
associated hardware when the price is right (CD-ROM, Scanner etc.)

The loss of one of the pioneers in game production ("Lord British") is a
shame, but more will join that bandwagen if the Apple total environment
doesn't stay alive and active.  I think I saw that Inginuity, Inc is also gone
(A2-Central again)...is that the same as Applied Inginuity (similar name?);
that would be a shame too, as their hard drives are very good and I was
looking forward to the internal Apple ][c hard drive.

It should be interesting to see what kind of support the next Apple Fest has.
______________________________________________________________________________
Mike Ungerman                      |Proline:mikeu@pro-magic
Pro-Magic BBS: 407-366-0156        |uucp:crash!pnet01!pro-magic!mikeu
300/1200/2400/9600 Baud 24hrs      |arpa:crash!pnet01!pro-magic!mikeu@nosc.mil
Apple Tree of Central Florida, Inc |Internet:mikeu@pro-magic.cts.com
Orlando, Florida|Voice:407-366-0060|Compuserve:71326,31 Prodigy: JSNP58A