Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ncis.llnl.gov!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ucbvax!ANDREW.CMU.EDU!jm7e+
From: jm7e+@ANDREW.CMU.EDU ("Jeremy G. Mereness")
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Apple VS IBM
Message-ID: <4XsoqYy00VoHI9pFoD@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: 29 Jan 89 17:45:08 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 34


I have got to agree with this article. I have been seeking to purchase
a computer for some time now, and I need a package that is fast, programmable,
has a large software base, and has enough flexibility that it will grow with
my needs. And my budget is limited, so don't recommend a Mac // w/a 60 meg
hard drive.

I have used Apple //'s for years and am most familiar with the machine. It is
the most customizable machine on the market because of its ROM based BASIC
and monitor... every aspect of the machine is at your disposal; you could start
with one blank disk and write an OS from scratch. This is not possible on any
other machine. I have used Applesoft like I use VMS or UNIX, and customized
a prodos shell to respond like one.

I am attracted to the // because it combines an an option to look and feel like
a Macintosh while still reverting to the standard 80x24 text mode (which it
handles better than an AT) and an 8-bit software library that is outstanding.

But it is the slowest computer on the market. Even the //c+ is faster. The
software base is deteriorating. And the promise of reading Mac disks and
Appletalk compatibility (for FTP, Appleshare, etc) remain unfulfilled.

Die hard enthususiasts have made the Amiga and AtariST increasingly popular
and powerful computers, both reasonably priced, too. Meanwhile, the GS remains
unexploited... even the Ensoniq sound chip has been wasted; that thing can
sound like the best $2000 synthesizers yet I've heard better stuff on a Amiga.

Before I buy a used gs, I MUST have some confirmation that the Manufacturer
intends to support its product. I don't have the money to get hustled by a
corporate giant that cares nothing for its public.


jeremy mereness
jm7e+@andrew.cmu.edu