Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncrcae!hubcap!gatech!ukma!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!pro-pac.cts.com!tsouth From: tsouth@pro-pac.cts.com (System Administrator) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Re: Disappointed in the IIgs (and Claris) Message-ID: <8903150458.AA00279@crash.cts.com> Date: 15 Mar 89 03:29:08 GMT Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Reply-To: pnet01!pro-simasd!pro-nsfmat!pro-pac!tsouth@nosc.mil Organization: The Internet Lines: 75 Re: > Date: 8 Mar 89 08:22:16 GMT > From: Scott Lindsey > Organization: Claris Corporation, Mountain View CA > Subject: Re: Disappointed in the IIgs (was: GS/OS and programming > standards) > Let's get it straight. Claris is **NOT** Apple. Yes, Apple owns > Claris, and yes, as long as Apple owns and controls Claris, the only > software sold by Claris will be for machines made by Apple. Apple has controlling interest in Claris, so essentially Claris is a subsidiary of Apple. This is the way most conglomerates work. :) Whether the name is Apple or Claris, the lack of support is still there. To date, the only Apple II programs I have seen Claris author are conversions of programs which have already been written for the ][ family, most notably, the networked versions of Appleworks Classic. While, in a technical sense, Claris did produce the end product, called Appleworks GS, it was not conceived or written at Claris -- the major work on the program was conceived and written at Styleware. Now, Claris bought Styleware on the hopes of gaining another cash cow on a low budget, along with gaining some serious programming support. Claris made a very wise decision, IMHO. The question is, will the Claris company every start truly utilizing this venture, and the previous resources which they have gained from ][ family sales, to promote the ][ family software. Opinion within the Claris working ranks appears to be a decisive no. (Not only from net postings, but from numerous email and real-time conversations I have had with Claris employees -- both pre- and post- Styleware aquisition). Since I, as a user and hobbyist, have only this to base my opinion on, I definitely see a trend towards minimal Apple II development at Claris, no matter what the future consequences. Maybe some of the controlling officers at Claris have adopted the stance which seems to permiate throughout a number of Apple officers; Apple II sales are of no consequence, think big business only. > The // needs to be championed at Apple, not at Claris. Claris showed > that it had a major interest in the // by acquiring StyleWare and > marketing (Apple/GS)Works(GS). Claris is continuing to support that > product, which tends to shine a very harsh light on the limitations > of the //GS. The Apple II needs to be championed in both companies. Support of two products for the Apple II is really ridiculous when one considers the potential for real development of Apple II software resources which a company the size of Claris could achieve. I truly wonder why Claris has never hired some people for educational Apple II software. This is a market that is becoming so company specific that young developers are to scared to even venture into the waters. Granted, AWGS seriously sheds light on the limitations of the //gs. Granted, there is not as much business distribution for the Apple ][ family. Why can't Claris grant that it is they, in their personal relationship with the Apple company, who should be promoting the best markets of Apple ][ software? > To Apple, Claris is just another software company, albeit the one > selling the biggest monster for the GS. That is pretty hard to swallow, mate... But again, everyone has their own opinion on the matter. > -- > Scott Lindsey |UUCP: {ames,apple,portal,sun,voder}!claris!wombat > Product Development|Internet: wombat@claris.com | AppleLink: LINDSEY1 > Claris Corp. |These are not the opinions of Claris, Apple, > (415) 960-4070 |StyleWare, the author, or anyone else living or dead. Todd South -- UUCP: {nosc, uunet!cacilj, sdcsvax, hplabs!hp-sdd, sun.COM} ...!crash!pnet01!pro-nsfmat!pro-pac!tsouth ARPA: crash!pnet01!pro-nsfmat!pro-pac!tsouth@nosc.MIL INET: tsouth@pro-pac.CTS.COM - BITNET: pro-pac.UUCP!tsouth@PSUVAX1