Re: Woz calls for a more open apple

[HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com (Helpful Harry)]

In article <1764780775359070967.057711mjmahon-aol.com@news.giganews.com>,
Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote:

> Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> wrote:
> > In article <jp68la$v2r$1@speranza.aioe.org>, Alex Freed
> > <alex_news@alexfreed.com> wrote:
> >> 
> >> I think it's not as much a matter of what you can do yourself in terms 
> >> of programming, but rather the philosophy.
> >> 
> >> Apple 2 was a completely open platform that came with the schematics and 
> >> ROM listings. Devices like iPod are the exact opposite - you are not 
> >> even supposed to be able to change the battery. Apple will do it for a 
> >> price.
> > 
> > The vast majority of people these days simply aren't interested in doing
> > those things. When the battery can no longer be charged, most people
> > simply buy a newer version of the product. There are also people who will
> > buy a new printer when the free cartridges on their previous new printer
> > run out because it's cheaper than buying new cartridges.
> 
> Well, they're wrong (unless they can replace it for $60. (And that's a
> pretty crummy printer!)
> 
> The cartridges that ship with a printer are only about half full, so
> they'll get a lot more printing for their dollar if they replace them with
> full (or even XL) cartridges. 

At the low end you can easily get a printer for less than NZ$80 (US$60),
especially with lots of cash-back promotions going at the moment, but
replacing all the cartridges could cost you NZ$80+, even using third-party
cartridges. Even if the cartridges that come with the printer are only
half-filled, three NZ$30 printers is still less than one set of NZ$80+
cartridges, and the bonus is you're getting a brand new printer each time.

BUT, my own printer (and computer) is actually about 13 years old, but
it's getting more difficult to find new cartridges these days.  :o(



> Frankly, the "throwaway" mentality is completely unsustainable over the
> long run. And throwing away an otherwise working device instead of
> replacing a <$1 part is a violation of Robot's Rules of Order. ;-)

I repair my mice (partly because these days it's "difficult" to buy a new
Apple Bus mouse for a beige G3 PowerMac), but try getting any professional
repair company to bother fixing a broken mouse button or keyboard. The
part may cost only a couple of dollars, but the tech will charge you
NZ$80+ just to look at it. It's simply not even remotely worth it when you
can buy a new keyboard and mouse bundle for under NZ$30.



> > Part of the reason for the Raspberry Pi computer (which is in some ways
> > reminiscent of the days of the Apple I and similar kitset computers) is to
> > try and get kids re-interested in "tinkering" with things.
> 
> I, for one, hope it helps. The Arduino has made a nice impact as well, but
> there's nothing as nice as flipping on the power and being greeted by a
> BASIC prompt. ;-)

I'm not sure it will. Most kids will simply get bored after a brief time
and return to playing Xbox games.

The Logo language used to be the "great tool" for supposedly getting kids
interested in programming (as did Robot Wars on teh Apple II), but
although it may have worked for a few, it was such a failure that schools
don't do that any longer.

Helpful Harry  :o)