Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!rjv21207
From: rjv21207@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: A SIGN FROM APPLE!
Message-ID: <139800024@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 15 Sep 90 02:25:00 GMT
Lines: 60
Nf-ID: #N:uxa.cso.uiuc.edu:139800024:000:3095
Nf-From: uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!rjv21207    Sep 14 21:25:00 1990


Just a note of interest to all of you Apple ][ die-hards out there--

In the October 1990 issue of A+/Incider there is a two-page letter from Apple
CEO John Sculley responding to the speculation about Apple's support of the
Apple ][ line, here are a couple of paragraphs:

"Have no doubt, Apple Computer Inc. is committed to supporting and 
marketing the Apple II computer for years to come. Speculation whirling in
the marketplace about the Apple II product family has users confused about
Apple's commitment to the line....I hope to dispel concern and assure our
Apple II customers that their loyalty to Apple and it's products is warranted."

[clip a bunch of paragraphs describing the release of System 5.0, the Apple
Video Overlay Card, High Speed SCSI Card, and the guys now in charge of Apple
II product development...]

Here's the part I like most...(keep in mind, this is a letter telling us that
Apple is going to support the Apple IIgs, //e, //c!)

"Apple II customers...want their installed base of Apple IIs to operate in
concert with newer Macintosh purchases. We are currently working on a
variety of 'bridges' between the Apple II and Machintosh families to make that
synergy even better. During 1990 and 1991, Apple will introduce several new
entry-level MACHINTOSH [emphasis mine...] computers, and at least one will have
Apple II emulation capabilites..."

[flame on]

Sounds to me like he's saying "If you want to run Apple II stuff, go get one
of our new Macs, that way you can run Mac stuff too!" :-) I don't mean to 
be cynical, but really.. it IS nice to know that Apple is going to continue
support for the Apple II, but doing so by introducing Macs seems a little
suspect to me. I realize the Mac is Apple's main concern (or so it seems) and
that the II line is a bit dated (NOT OBSOLETE!) but why not upgrade the IIgs
instead of spoon feeding us more Macintosh items. (How many different Macs
are on the market now? I've lost count... :-) )

[flame off]

I know I shouldn't be so harsh, after all, we've all been waiting to hear
something positive from Apple concerning the Apple ][, which I'm sure is the
aim of this letter. So basically, all I have to say to everyone is keep your
fingers crossed and hope that the software developers out there in the world
will start putting more dollars into IIgs/e/c products. Maybe a sign from Apple
is all that is needed...


      /\___________________________________________________________/\
      \//                                                         \\/
      //  Randy Vose - University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana  \\
      \\                 rjv21207@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu                 //
      /\___________________________________________________________/\
      \/                                                           \/

      WARNING: For the protection of your equipment, lower levels are
               recommended for initial  playback until you're sure we
               aren't kidding.   (Warning label on Telarc DDD CD's...)

Standard disclaimers apply... after all, these are MY opinions...