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From: hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu (Robert Joseph Hammen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Where can I find MPW
Message-ID: <2948@uwmcsd1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 28-Sep-87 11:48:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: uwmcsd1.2948
Posted: Mon Sep 28 11:48:44 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 29-Sep-87 05:39:37 EDT
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Sender: daemon@uwmcsd1.UUCP
Reply-To: hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu.UUCP (Robert Hammen)
Organization: Computer Applications, Inc.
Lines: 39

>|Unfortunately you can obtain it only from APDA in Renton WA.  It is
>|a very debatable issue as to whether APDA can be called a "reputable
>|dealer".
>|You can call APDA at (206) 251-6548 to join (it's a coop) and order
>|MPW.
>|Then you wait for a couple of years, and MPW will arrive with at least
>|two disks unreadable.  Then you call them and ask for readable disks;
>|then you wait another indeterminate period -- and you'll have MPW!!

>In case anyone thinks Richard is being sarcastic, let me assure you that
>his comments are quite true.  APDA is the only dealer I've dealt with that
>requires Fed Ex's 2 day service take at least four days (and I'm still waiting).
>I wish Apple would release their development tools to other dealers to carry.
>Then we could get better service and better prices!

I second these comments, not from my own experience, but from that of a
friend of mine. His MPW 2.0 took an incredible amount of time from the date
that it supposedly was shipped until it reached him. Then, when it did reach
him, two of the disks were damaged. This problem seems to be exacerbated by
APDA's continued usage of single-sided disks as double-sided. In any case,
with MPW Pascal 2.0 undergoing bug fixes, I don't believe he still has a 
working MPW Pascal 2.0. I could also tell about the time he ordered the
new Macintalk (1.31) and instead received something like "Macintosh 
Programming Tools" with a shipping address and credit card number of some
other person (presumably, someone else got his Macintalk and also access to
his credit card numbers). He had numerous problems getting any response from
APDA, even by sending them mail on AppleLink.

I second the suggestion that Apple release its development tools through a
second, more competent source. I plan on letting my APDA membership expire,
since I really hesitate to do business with them unless I absolutely have to.


Robert Hammen	Computer Applications, Inc.
hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu	Delphi: HAMMEN		GEnie: R.Hammen


Robert Hammen	Computer Applications, Inc.
hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu	Delphi: HAMMEN		GEnie: R.Hammen