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From: hzink@alchemy.UUCP (Harry K. Zink)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Apple II hard drives stuff...
Message-ID: <415@alchemy.UUCP>
Date: 28 Apr 91 09:40:23 GMT
Reply-To: hzink@alchemy.UUCP (Harry K. Zink)
Organization: Alchemy Software Designs
Lines: 45

In article <1991Apr18.171854.13367@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
toddpw@nntp-server.c
altech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel) writes:
>Harry, you're thinking like an MBA. Computers can do more than suckle from
>hard disks if people would get smart and put REAL utilities in ROM.

I'm sorry, Todd, but even if we had 'real utilities' in ROM (whatever those 
might be), they still won't help me from retrieving my precious data from the 
hard drive (or floppy drive for that matter), if those functions fail.  It has 
nothing to do with people getting 'smart' and such, but rather with looking at 
the computer as a tool in a *realistic* fashion.

Any *useable* (#) computer is a symbiosis of storage and processing.  When 
either fails, the computer ceises to be a functioning tool and becomes, for all
practical purposes, useless.  

Sure, you could hack into your modem with applesoft to connect to your work 
computer - only to be lost because you need VT-100 emulation.  

Sure, you could type in a quick word processor i basic - only to find yourself 
not being able to save it.

Sure, you could use it as a make-shift calculator - only to find that the 
pocket one does the job much better.

Remember, computers are not designed for hackers (as you probably are) who can 
make dow ith minimum equipment.  98% of the people out there are computer 
morons, and/or they use the machine as a tool, not as a passion.  When parts 
break that are essential, the tool stops being useful and becomes wasteful.

So, do me a favor, and don't try to create arguments for the sake of arguing, 
but give reality some leeway in this as well.

Harry

(#) useable refers to a device that permits the processing of a specific task 
in a productive manner.  Having to kludge around to get it to work is NOT 
productive in any way!


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