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From: rnf@shumv1.uucp (Rick Fincher)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Educomputing 2000
Message-ID: <1990Jan2.164239.15211@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>
Date: 2 Jan 90 16:42:39 GMT
References: <8912301451.aa16052@SMOKE.BRL.MIL> <11480@fs2.NISC.SRI.COM>
Reply-To: rnf@shumv1.ncsu.edu (Rick Fincher)
Organization: NCSU Computing Center
Lines: 68

In article <11480@fs2.NISC.SRI.COM> cwilson@NISC.SRI.COM (Chan Wilson) writes:

>
>	a) The macintosh side of things gets a page and a half of
>	   mention, with the 3 cpus introduced in the '89 year, and
>	   the revealing of system 7.0 in the works.
>
>	b) The GS gets 1/3 a page, with no mention of any system, cpu
>	   or other soft/hardware upgrades.
>
>
>	   Okay, this one is somewhat understandable.  But this one...
>	
>	c) There are several paragraphs about the Macintosh as used in
>	   educational institutions.  NOTHING is mentioned about the
>	   //e.
>

>
>I don't get this.  The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is
>doing; doesn't, in fact, seem to be connected to the same body.  
>	
>Hmm... why don't we draft up a letter similar to the one just posted
>to the FCC, but complaining to Apple about the representation that the
>// series is getting?  Especially if this came from shareholders, but
>all Apple // owners apply.  Sure, you can bitch and moan all over
>Usenet, but remember, the people who make these decisions most likely
>don't have access.  A little 'physical overflowing' of mailboxes
>should bring a change...?


I have a suggestion.  If someone will draft a sample letter and find out the 
appropriate addresses I will include the letter in our users group newsletter
and encourage our members to sign it and send it in.  I'm sure many of you
also are in users groups of some kind.  If we all do this perhaps we can start
a significant grass roots campaign that Apple will listen to.

Apple has sold over 5 million Apple II series machines and just over 1 million
Macs.  That means that over 80% of Apple's customers are Apple II users.  Any
company that pisses off 80% of its customers (even if they only account for
25% of the company's current revenues) would be crazy.

I didn't originate the thought above.  An Apple marketing type did.  The 
statement above is paraphrased from a statement he made to the Apple II
developers at AppleFest.

Perhaps he is the one to send the letters to.  He could use them as ammunition
to influence his bosses.  His name is:

Michael J. Homer
Director of Marketing
Apple USA

Apple Computer, Inc.
20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS 36-D
Cupertino, CA  95014

Let's keep the tone reasonable.  A bunch of letters from rabid, unreasonable
people will be dismissed as the work of cranks and more moderate Apple II
users will have no part of such a campaign.

However, letters indicating the unhappiness of cash paying customers with a
legitimate complaint will be taken seriously.

Any comments folks?

Rick Fincher
rnf@shumv1.ncsu.edu