Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!ius2.cs.cmu.edu!ralphw From: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu (Ralph Hyre) Newsgroups: net.micro.apple Subject: Re: Apple //x (or Why I Hate Macintoshes [longish]) Message-ID: <1002@ius2.cs.cmu.edu> Date: Fri, 30-May-86 14:01:14 EDT Article-I.D.: ius2.1002 Posted: Fri May 30 14:01:14 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 1-Jun-86 07:48:09 EDT References: <346@ius2.cs.cmu.edu> <3511@reed.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI Lines: 63 Keywords: Apple, Macintoshes, yuk. In article <3511@reed.UUCP> kamath@reed.UUCP (Sean Kamath) writes: >In article <346@ius2.cs.cmu.edu> ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu (Ralph Hyre) writes: >>to need more slots. Here's how I'd use the four slots: >>1) Expansion memory/bus expansion/experimentation >>2) Mass Storage: SCSI/CBUS/floppy controller >>3) 80286 coprocessor >>4) 68020 coprocessor >> >> [more stuff about what's 'right'...] >> >>This machine will have problems unless it is almost totally compatible with >>the ][+ and //e. If Apple can combine Apple ][ compatibility, good graphics, >>multitasking, and the potential for Mac and PC emulation (presumably with >>68020 and 80[23]86 co-processors) then nothing will stop it. >>-- >> - Ralph W. Hyre, Jr. >> >>Internet: ralphw@c.cs.cmu.edu Phone: (412)CMU-BUGS > >Now I don't mean to demean the author of this article, but I feel some >things need to be said. For one thing, why have 2 coprocessor cards? >Leave only one slot for expansion/interfacing? No way. Apple should >stick with at least 6 slots. I use all of them, with a couple of cards >having to swap every now and then, since the third slot has problems. >I agree that it will have serious problems unless it's close to >completely compatable. But why have Mac emulation? Who WANTS to deal >with either MS-DOS or the like? Frankly, ProDOS was close enough for >me. Fine, but you're not Apple's only customer. I want to run MS-DOS software like the Fido BBS system without having to buy another computer. I want to be able to run Mac software. If the Apple //x with coproessor cards is the best vehicle for this sort of activity why are you flaming me? I'd be happier if the next Apple ][ had more than 4 slots, but if that's what they're really offerring then I was just imagining how I'd like to use them. >I get so sick of people comparing the new //x or any other ][ to a Mac. >They are not meant to be the same machine. Like that Mr. Dvorak said. I wasn't comparing it to a Mac, but Apple needs to think about merging the Mac and Apple ][ product lines as well as living in a MS-DOS and Unix world. If they can do it with coprocessor boards in the //x then they can probably satisfy most people's needs. Sure there will be Mac-like software for the //x, but Apple's not going to prevent you from developing 'Apple ][-style' software if you want. The base machine will have a 65816, so Mac 'emulation' isn't something most people will think about. Credentials: I've got an Apple ][+ and an Apple //e, with 12 out of 14 slots utilized. Slot //e ][+ (BBS) 0/Aux. ext.80 col 16K ramcard (16K + RAMdisk card) 1 VersaCard(printer) -free- (AppleTalk card) 2 VersaCard(serial) Apple-Cat modem 3 mostly unusable 80-col card 4 VersaCard(clock) -free- (Checkmate Gambit Card?) 5 AppleMouse Apple-Cat 212 card (-free- if slot saver used) 6 UniDisk 3.5 controller Disk ][ controller 7 PCPI Applicard (CP/M) Echo ][ speech synthesizer(Lis'ner 1000) -- - Ralph W. Hyre, Jr. Internet: ralphw@c.cs.cmu.edu Phone: (412)CMU-BUGS