NUTS!

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Pim Blokland writes ...
> 
> Phoenyx wrote:
> >
> > I find it kind of sad that no one is willing to create new
> > software for a machine they claim to love.
> 
> There now, aren't you generalizing a bit?
> Few, OK, but no one?
> New programs for the Apple II appear all the time. Not as many as
> there used to be, but there are programs being written for those
> machines even as we speak!
 ....

     True.

     Sometimes even the more committed users get a bit 'down' in their
attitudes. They overlook a few simple facts:

1- Some machines are better suited to certain applications than others.
Logically, you should try to use the best machine and software for the
task you want to accomplish.

For example, the best machine for accessing the internet is probably a
modern PC or Mac. The IIgs currently lacks the speed, memory, and
display required for decent internet access.

On the other hand, the best machine for running Apple II software is an
Apple II. An accelerated IIgs with hard disk (stereo card, CD-ROM drive,
...) and at least 4MB memory gives you the widest access to Apple II
software. (And, if you're a 'purist', you will need a composite color
monitor for best display of hires and double-hires and a Mockingboard
for games with MB sound.)

Similarly, if you want to run C-64 software, your best bet is to get a
C-64 or C-128.

There is no 'do everything' machine and, when you consider the
horrendous bottlenecks built into all current platforms (and supported
by dear old Microsoft), there isn't likely to be anytime soon.


2- With each passing month the probability of significantly improving
IIgs hardware increases. This should be obvious. Each month we find that
available hardware is faster, easier to use, and less expensive. The
question is not whether there will be upgrades; the question is which
approach to employ to achieve which objectives and which hardware to
use.


3- To interest programmers in a group project, the focus needs to be
upon an achievable goal.

The first response to Dr. Tom's "One Million Dollar" GS browser
challenge, if taken seriously, had to be "how do we upgrade the
hardware?", not, "who's interested in working on a browser?"  Given
current IIgs hardware, there is no way to support a good net browser.

An example of an achievable goal with immediate significant benefits is
a new, well-documented, XProDOS FST-- one which permits defining larger
block and volume sizes and ends all future problems with date stamping. 


     Again, you are absolutely right in the observation that lots of
users are working on Apple II programs. Too often, these remain hidden
away because they are not quite 'perfect' or do not seem important
enough. Maybe this discussion will encourage more uploads to archive
sites of more new programs.



Rubywand