Re: C64/128 Wolf and GS upgrade support

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article pubpc1@library.ucla.edu writes...

>Kirk Deven Lenigan wrote:
>
>> What sorts of hardware conformity would a "Non-Apple 4GS" need?  I have
>> a great interest in orphans stemming from my obstinate use of a C64 and
>> Atari 600XL.  When I graduate, I have toyed with the idea of starting a
>> company to update the hardware of defunct computer lines.  I mean, the
>> code and worldwide "fan base" of these orphans are amazing.  I always
>> wonder whether the fans could support enough of a production run to
>> keep me in bread (no offense, but I need a living).  Also, what are
>> the chances that Apple, Tulip (Commodore's current holders), Atari,
>> foo..., would license their intellectual rights to the legacy chips,
>> ROMs, etc.  please follow up to this or flood shredkdl@umd.umich.edu with
>> mail. l8r y'all
>
>Apple is intent on keeping the GS dead.  _Many_ groups of people
>and companies have tried to get them to see the rights to it, but
>they apparently fear an upgraded GS will compete against the Mac.

    I wonder if current management at Apple even remembers the IIgs,
though one thing is clear--they would never want it resurrected now
that they've successfully killed and burried it (at least as far as
the general public and the market are concerned).

    That fear about competition is stronger than ever now, look at
how they got rid of all the Macintosh clones and returned to the
notion of isolating the company and its products.

>I believe Gateway 2000 now owns the rights to the C64/128 and
>Amiga.  Atari gone out of business long ago, so I don't know
>how you would go about reviving the Atari ST or 8-bitters.

    Well wait a bit, there is no doubt in my mind Apple Computer
will declare bankruptcy or be bought out within the next several
months. Perhaps then it will be easier to gain the rights to the
Apple II (I doubt the system could be revived to compete with
the PC clone, but there could be a niche within the education
market or somewhere else). Apple's downfall may be devasting to
the Macintosh, but it could benefit the Apple II. There's almost
an irony in that happening. :)

    I don't recall which company owns the rights to Atari, but
I thought I saw a mention Hasbro (the toy company) was looking
to purchase that. In some way it's kind of sad to see what has
become of the three major computer companies of the 80's (even
while Apple continues to live, they've become as dull a company
as IBM).

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca