So, what do you think? real IIgs or emulated IIgs?

[Blake Patterson <blake@blakespot.com>]

	I just wanted some feedback from the crowd.  I was in a chat on
Delphi's A2 section when the subject of emulation came up (perhaps not
too rare a thing over there).  There were those that much preferred the
emulated IIgs--being able to run @ 15MHz or so right off on a PC or Mac.
 And emulation is much more solid today than it has been in the not so
distant past--I must say the DOC emulation, for instance, is rather
solid.  And I don't even have the latest Bernie, I believe.  One person
made the statement "the Apple GS's future is emulation," or something to
that effect.

	While it's clear that we'll not likely see more IIgs' rolling off the
assembly line, and that the only increase in the number of "IIgs
machines" would have to occurr people taking hold of IIgs emulator and
diving into the scene, I must say that I am not a fan of the emulator. 
For me, personally, I really enjoyed the Apple II as emulated by
"ApplePC," an emulator that was MS-DOS based, and REALLY does and
EXCELLENT job of emulating the machine (an 8-bit IIe/IIc/II+).  But that
is becuase (and this will make people angry!) I did not expect anything
out of that IIe expereience buy being able to play some old games
(Conan, Rescue Raiers, Airheart, etc.)--and that worked out fine.  With
the GS, however (I'm assembling a rather full-featured GS presently (not
emulated!)), I am expecting more.  

	Given that I am expecting more--not just looking to play a game or two,
but looking to get into the whole experience of using the IIgs--the feel
all the way around, I must say that the thought of doing it with an
emulator, even tho it is lots faster and costs way less, just has no
appeal at all.  Something about the real machine, even if it is going to
run way slower, places it worlds above an emulated experience.  And it's
more than just the feel of a GS keyboard and mouse--it's just the whole
"I'm sitting in front of this fine machine" thing.  Actually adding
boards into it.  Maybe, say, the TransWarp I found will only run at 7MHz
- but I am holding it in my hand and will place it in the machine and
fire it up, etc.  Zen and the Art of Apple IIgs Maintenance, etc.  

	I guess this explains why I spent ~$100 on a full IIgs system, and in
less than two tweeks had gotten so carried away with the expansion thing
that I've spent another $500 in adding everything to this machine.  But
it's great fun, etc.  I just don't think I'd be spending most of my free
time (these past few weeks, my wife could angrily vouch for this...)
getting deep down into an emulated IIgs.

	So...I was hoping for some discussion here.  Opinions?  Great.





bp
-- 
"Heisenberg may have slept here."