Re: What has changed in the Apple world last 6 months?

[Howe Family <khowe@omninet.net.au>]

In article <20001126231733.20747.00002065@ng-fk1.aol.com>, 
supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer) wrote:

> I used to participate daily in this newsgroup but I left it behind
> about half a year ago.  

Nice to see you back for a visit.

<snip>

>Now all I see is 8-bit Apple II talk and
> most of the IIGS threads talk about using the IIGS as an
> 8-bit computer (every IIGS thread I see mentions the use of
> ProDOS as the operating system).
> 

There still are GS power users about. Perhaps just more on Delphi than 
here.

> It was bound to happen ever since Apple abandoned us.
> The Apple II could have evolved beyond the IIGS into a
> fantastic computer capable of competing with the best PCs.
> Even in the early '90s, a souped up IIGS held its own
> against the then state of the art '486 computers.  But a
> computer could not live without support from its maker
> for long and it tells a lot about how well built the IIGS was
> that it survived as long as it did as an orphan.
> 

It's still going well. Among other things, we finally have a working 
ethernet card. Several new software titles have been released, including 
my first attempt at a game. Work on the Arachnid browser continues too.

> Since I left this NG, I have used my IIGS less and less.

That's a little sad to hear. I enjoy using my GS even though I have more 
modern hardware here.

> And the PC world has been rewarding.  The PC
> platform is every bit as flexible as the Apple II was.
> Having built a IIGS tower from scratch, I have also built
> a second PC.  It was fun and it was a snap.
> 

I really dislike PCs, but it's the Micro$oft stuff, not the hardware 
that's the ugly bit. With things like BeOS and Linux, it's not so bad.

> The Apple II fanatic is different.  We like to push our
> hardware to the limits and beat obstacles.  To say that
> "it can't be done" is a challenge to us.  Thus, over half
> of PC users should really be Mac users while most of
> Apple II users, especially IIGS power users, should
> really like the PC.  If only we can put the old hatred
> aside.
> 

Or perhaps we need a third choice, something with a very open 
architecture, but still elegant software and firmware?

> I have moved beyond the Apple IIGS but unlike IIGS
> users who have moved on to the Mac and seem to
> snicker at the IIGS, I am amazed by how good it was
> more than ever.  It is a shame Apple did not see it
> the same way.  The Apple IIGS, best computer I ever
> owned, I salute you!

I see the GS as something like a classic car. At the moment, a lot of 
people are just looking at it as out of date, but it is a very elegant 
machine. It's possible to decide that speed isn't everything and just 
take it out for a spin because it's fun.

As long as there is new hardware and software being developed for the GS 
I don't think it's really dead. I for one still have lots of ideas!

Kim Howe
khowe@omninet.net.au