Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Path: utzoo!utstat!philip
From: philip@utstat.uucp (Philip McDunnough)
Subject: GS?(long)
Message-ID: <1990Sep1.025620.7757@utstat.uucp>
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 90 02:56:20 GMT
Distribution: na
Reply-To: philip@utstatsun.uucp (Philip McDunnough)
Organization: Statistics, U. of Toronto

There have been so many comments regarding the sad state of the GS these
days( especially surrounding the Ultima issue) that I feel some other 
perspective on the matter couldn't hurt.

It has been said that returning the GS to a healthy state is an almost
impossible task. People worry about the state of the Mac, and the perceived
lack of software for both computers. People think Windows3.0 will have a
detrimental effect on the Mac, GS.

There is a certain myth going around that a home maket exists for computers.
Moreover it is also thought that people will want the 386,030 cpu's etc...
in this "market". IBM's PS/1 is aimed at the home, and uses a 286 and is
simple to set up, not powerful in comparison to other computers, and has a
great support structure in place. This computer will probably do well, because
people do not necessarily need power at home, they want ease of use, support
and a connection with either work or education or both. Note that this
computer does not use Windows3.0, and it appears that IBM is not the greatest
fan of Windows in the first place.

The market for computers at home is potentially very large. However, except for
self-employed people and the like, what really does exist is a home/education
or home/business. Of the two, it is my feeling that people care more for their  children than they do about Excel. The GS has strong links to education and a
closer integration with the Mac line from Apple would give it the potential
for the occasional work use. A GS can be networked to a Mac, data interchange
utilities should be improved and the GS should be upgraded speed-wise and
graphics' wise. Although, it is quite interesting to compare a program such as
Katie's Farm on both the GS and the PS/1. Apart from the sound issue(which can  be solved on the PS/1 with an add-on) the GS's graphics for that program are
much better!

Apple would be wise to maintain a difference between its two computer lines.The fact that the GS can be marketed as a FAMILY computer is important. This is
something which no other computer can claim.
The GS is "family computer" with its main links to education. It should be
marketed as such at an affordable price. In fact, of the GS is far from        
extinction. Jewels do not go away easily.

As for some of the "entertainment distributors" who have stopped supporting the
GS recently, I assume they come and go. Most have produced software which has
demonstrated a lack of imagination. Educational games, music, CD-ROM,etc...This
is the future and the GS is ready for it. Some quality arcade games(eg. games  
from Taito, Xenocide,etc..) are nice to have. We don't need thousands.
Just the best.

I would not underestimate the networking capabilities, the Finder and the users
which support both the GS and the Mac. Things are falling into place. The
future is bright. I wish people would stop overestimating the appeal of the 
clones with Windows.    

Philip McDunnough
University of Toronto
philip@utstat.toronto.edu
[my opinions]