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From: BF9ASANU@MIAMIU.BITNET
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: One or two guesses ..
Message-ID: <90348.144117BF9ASANU@MIAMIU.BITNET>
Date: 14 Dec 90 19:41:17 GMT
Organization: Miami University - Academic Computer Service
Lines: 44

Hello,
 
     With the upcoming release of SSv5.0.4, I have a few guesses as to
what we can expect in the next MAJOR system release, and one or two
suggestions as to what should be released.
 
A.  CloseView NDA : Magnifies IIGS screen for the visually impaired.
 
B.  Video Keyboard : NDA keyboard for those who have trouble typing.
 
C.  MidiSYNTH : This incredible music tool makes the IIGS sing!
 
D.  Another rewrite of the tools to increase speed.  Expect this rewrite
    to be user configurable for speed vs. memory usage.  I believe Jim
    Merritt hinted at this at the last KansasFest.
 
E.  HFS FST : I believe that Apple has this one already written.  It's
    unforunate that I can't make two Apple products communicate with one
    another.  It IS possible to do, using AFE on the Mac, and HFSLink on
    the IIGS, but an Apple produced solution is a much cleaner way to
    do things.   It's my feeling that this will be released once System 7.0
    is released for the Mac.  A case of intentionally preventing the IIGS
    from showing up the Mac.
 
F.  AFE GS : A version of Apple File Exchange for the IIGS would add an
    additional lane to the current one way street of file transfers.
 
    Finally, Jim Merritt did say that Apple is investigating new II CPU's.
I can add two optimistic pieces of fact to my belief that Apple will
produce a new IIGS.
 
1.  If Apple intends on dropping the IIGS, why do they continue to create
    incredible system software for the IIGS, and why would they expend the
    effort to write such programs as HyperCard IIGS and MidiSYNTH for a
    machine they intend to abandon?
 
 
2.  Disenfranchised users would haunt Apple if they dropped the II.
 
    I welcome public comments on anything on this post, and any other
suggestions for future system releases.
 
Brian J. Fox
Miami University, Oxford Oh.