Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!rpi!crdgw1!ge-dab!tarpit!fang!att!drutx!druwa!dvac
From: dvac@druwa.ATT.COM (Daniel Vachon)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Apple ][ BBS Software
Message-ID: <8923@drutx.ATT.COM>
Date: 4 Jun 91 18:34:27 GMT
References: <15121.apple.net2@pro-grouch>
Sender: news@drutx.ATT.COM
Lines: 35

In article <15121.apple.net2@pro-grouch>, danield@pro-grouch.cts.com (Daniel Davidson) writes:
> In-Reply-To: message from dvac@druwa.ATT.COM
> >SO, the big Q.... Can you modify ProLine without MDBASIC (and a GS)?
> 
> Like I said, it is not nessary, But it does make it much easier to write
> good programs.  See my Review of MD-Basic that was in GS+ Magizine last year
> for more info on just what MD-basic is, and what it does.

What it comes down to is this.  The Apple // is heading down the tubes.  The
only thing my Apple //e has done for the last three years is run a BBS.  For
the 5 years before that it was used for a BBS, games, word processing, etc...
The Apple // line is doomed (IMHO).  I have given Apple // support since I got
my first Apple ][+ in 1982.  Now, I don't think I would take an Apple //gs if
you gave it to me.  They are overpriced for what you get, the software market
is dying for it, and it is grossly out of date.  The Mac line is too precious
to Apple and they are too worried about getting a low cost powerhouse PC that
can do things close to the Mac.  I will most likely always run a BBS on the //e
because you can't sell the things for hardly anything anymore, and it runs 
plenty fast enough for a BBS (single line systems only).   I am using an old
Apple ][+ for MIDI because the computer was $50, and the MIDI interface was
$50.  Thats how much it costs for the MIDI interface alone on the Mac.  I use
an old Franklin in my Bar-room to keep score for dart games (cricket, ttt, etc)
I will openly admit that my next purchase of a PC will not be an Apple (// or
Mac).  This is not a slam on Apple by any means, it is just my opinion about
the //gs and Apple's Marketing direction.  2 years ago, 95% of the users on my
BBS were Apple ][+/e/c/gs users.  Now, about 20% are.... 50% are IBM, 15% are
Mac, and the rest is asstd other PC's.  

But when I can get a 386 w/SVGA, 40 Meg Drive, etc.. for around $1300, and
an Apple //gs w/monitor floppy for about the same price.....  The decision is
easy....

Later -Dan  (moving on.....) 

DISKLAYMOR : These opinions are mine, so keepayu handsoff!