Re: Apple does it again

[cheer@i.hate.spam (Christopher D. Heer)]

In article <32F0F11D.4CA8@lexis-nexis.com>, utownje@lexis-nexis.com says...

>Looks like Apple has abandoned me again, this time on the Mac side.  Not
>that I really mind that much, but I find it somewhat amusing to be going
>through this again.  "Been there, done that," as they say.

>The situation is that on Monday Apple released the latest version of
>MacOS, version 7.6.  Tucked in with the notice that the system requires
>16MB of RAM and 70MB of disk space is a little blurb about how it no
>longer supports Macs without at least a 68030 CPU or even the Mac SE/30,
>IIx, or IIcx.  Something about requiring a true 32-bit architecture, I'm
>told.  Of course, Apple will continue to provide technical support for
>users of these machines (ha!).  This all sounds so familiar, somehow.  I
>wonder how long it'll take before I can call into Apple's tech support
>line and tell them I have an SE/30, only to hear them ask, "A what?!?" 
>It's funny, really.  It hasn't been that long ago that these were the
>hottest machines available, and yet they didn't even last as long as the
>Apple II's did.  Makes you wonder about the life expectancy of today's
>machines, doesn't it?

That's just how it works.  I think Apple's done a pretty good job of 
maintaining support long past the life expectancy of its actual models.

These days, we are forever getting into arguments with finance types about 
depreciation.  I tell 'em not to expect more than three years out of a 
computer.

As the number of business users of machines drops dramatically (since they 
usually want the newer software, etc.), it becomes less financially sensible 
to provide heavy support.  Other companies, user groups, etc. will fill the 
gap.  A quick glance around here shows me that I can still replace/fix pretty 
much anything in my //e or Franklin ACE 1000.  But I hardly expect them to be 
currently supported, nor do I expect them to run the latest software.
-- 
      Christopher D. Heer / cheer@us.oracle.com / cheer@eskimo.com
     My opinions are my own and do not reflect those of Oracle Corp.
    SPAMProtect: You'll need to fix my email address before replying.