Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!uw-beaver!ubc-cs!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!watserv1!ria!braille!bill From: bill@braille.uwo.ca (Bill Carss) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2 Subject: Re: Investing in a IIgs Message-ID: <42@braille.uwo.ca> Date: 14 Sep 90 00:10:34 GMT References: <9009102117.AA07871@cwns12.INS.CWRU.Edu> Reply-To: bill@braille.uwo.ca (Bill Carss) Organization: The Computer Braille Facility University of Western Ontario. Lines: 91 I couldn't resist the urge to say a couple of things about what I believe to mDbe some clear mis-guidedness!! I have been a failrDDrly active Apple//e user for almost six years. I am, as nearly as I can put it, emotionally involved with my computer. Even so, I would not, and frequently do not advise people to purchase Apple II ANYTHINGS!!! Why? You might ask.... For almost four of the past six years, I provided support, set-up, training and trouble shooting services for a very select group of Apple users in the Province of Ontario (Canada for those who don't know). During that time I was working for a Value Added Apple Retailer. For those of us who have been around for a few yeafDrs, you may recall that the //e was announced to be "dead" prior to the official release of EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE!!! the IIgs. You may also recall, that Apple retailers worldwide sold out of the presumed dead Apple//e over the next couple of months and the result was the NEW AND IMPROVED Apple//e with the new OPTION key and numbDewric keypad built right in. I wonder why Apple started re-issuing //e's? Could it be because they DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE IIgs wouldn't go over as well as they thought it would? Have we ever seen behavior from Apple such as this in the past? HINT!!! LISA, APPLE III, MAC? We all know that "Apple knows best!!!" Their brilliant marketting schemes related to those items in the hint above are certainly sufficient evidence to show that they don't give a damn about Apple II users!!! You would think though, when they started re-issuing the //e that they might get the hint!! Obviously - they haven't!!! So, where does this leave our potential iigsDDDDIIgs purchaser? If you are going to purchase a computer on the basis of how well the company that manufacturers it supports it, DON'T BUY APPLE ANYTHING!!!!! If you want to purchase a computer on the basis of how well the users support it, that's a different matter. I think Apple II users are among the most loyal and PIG-HEADED computer users in the world. We have continually dumbfounded Apple Inc. (evidence above) and I think we may very well continue to do so!! However......... On a purely hardware level, I can not, in all conscience, suggest that anyone purchase an Apple II ______. Because Apple Inc. did not , (until the introduction of the IIgs ) DDD) make any significant attempts at upgrading the technology (for which among other things they are being sued by Apple Music Inc.), the Apple II family even with all the spiffy fudges and "round abouts" is still ten of fifDDDDDr fifteen year old technology in a nice new case!!! There is no denying that, and if you want ot have a computer that is 20 years old in five years butDy a IIgs. If D, on the other hand you want something just a little older - buy a //e!!! Having said this, I would ntDot SELL, TRADE or GIVE my //e TO ANYONE for anything. I truly mean that. I use it every day, always enjoy using it and revel in learning more about it as time goes on. I am not, ready (like our prospective IIgs purchaser) to put out a couple of thousand dollars for a computer at this point in history. If I were, I would want to get as much BANG FOR MY BUCKS as possible - and frnakly Apple II ____ isn't the best you can do for your dollars!!! For those people who's feelings I have hurt I am truly sorry... BUT WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE - APPLE II's ARE TECHNICALLY ANTIQUES!!! Bill Carss bill@braille.uwo.ca (note the lower case please!!!) P.S. All comments are of course encouraged!!!