Re: Becoming a "Super User" (was Re: Teach files to AppleWorks Gs)

[rubywand@aol.com]

In article <Pine.PMDF.3.91.961203205323.871576D-100000@OBERLIN.EDU>, Toby
Reiter <str4552@OBERLIN.EDU> writes:

>
>.... You can give me the clearest information in the world about 
>the two formats, but unless you handed me the code, I doubt I could 
>create a workable program.
> 
>.... the post did contain some very detailed instructions of exactly 
>how to perform the rewiring. Unfortunately, even if is detailed it can 
>still pass over the heads of what a person can understand or be willing 
>to do (out of fear of doing it wrong and ruining valuable equipment.)
>
>.... part of the reason I am complaining is because I have no clear 
>idea of where to go (if I did, I wouldn't be asking this question).  All 
>this really entails is identifying intermediate sources of information 
>for those of us interested in increasing our knowledge so that we don't 
>become discouraged reading Apple's Hardware or Firmware References.
>....


     What you are talking about goes far beyond a few brilliantly written
FAQ's and New User guides. Basically, you want a broader, more varied,
more responsive 'support culture'. This is a significant challenge, since
primary features of such a culture are 'a common interest' and
participation in the 'leading edge' of knowledge and skills.

     In the mid-1970's, the common interest was tinkering together some
kind of small micro-computer based upon the 8080, 6800, and/or 6502. For
experimenters who had gone through years of interesting transistor and IC
projects from Popular Electronics, micro-computer development was like
being dropped in a candy store. 'Everyone' was interested in keyboards,
teletypes (an absolute marvel of mechanical design, by the way),  tape
I/O, RAM, TV displays, ... . 

     These experimenters learned about crystal oscillators, power
supplies, thermal, impact, band, & ink-jet printers, soldering, wire-wrap,
circuit board etching, heat sinks, bi-directional busses, hi-voltage CRT
supplies, IC logic, ASCII, ... .   

     At the same time, there was interest in machine code programming.
There were, really, no "users" because everyone was always adding this or
that enhancement and keying-in programs to do more with their 7-segment
displays, speed-up tape read/write, do math calculations, etc..

     Throughout this time, each experimenter knew that he or she was doing
'leading edge' stuff. Every aspect of computing, from having a neat
keyboard interface, to adding core memory or a disk drive was part of an
active competition.

     How much did these experimenters learn which has some application to
computing today? It's hard to say. Certainly, someone who designed and
built a scanning KB interface from 7400 series IC's has a special 'feel'
for such basic hardware processes as signal multiplexing. Building and
customizing the "TV Typewriter" was, virtually, a course on video design,
pulse control, and much more. As for bits and bytes, when you add RAM in
precious 1kB blocks, 'burn' 16-byte PROMS, and program in hexadecimal, you
_know_ what a byte is.

     Again, a critical feature in all of this is that experimenters were
_current_ . They were part of an active culture. Today, there is no active
culture supporting 70's style nuts & bolts hardware/software design and
building activity.

    Similarly, the many valuable development experiences of the early 80's
are, no longer, widely supported. It is not only that some group of
advanced users has 'been there; done that', it is _computing_ which has
been there and, now, moved onward.

     The Apple II community is unique in the range and level of support it
supplies to new users. Some users say it is not enough, that new users
need help to learn about their machines and firmware and doing mods and
soldering and ... .

     Since we cannot repeat the 70's and 80's, new users will have to take
more responsibility for their advancement in a culture where they are not
'current' or anywhere near the leading edge. This means obtaining and,
sometimes, sweating over manuals, taking risks with hardware, asking "dumb
questions", and, even, taking a chance on being wrong in order to post an
answer.

     A series of special FAQ's, mini-manuals, etc. should help, especially
if some new users participate in their development. More advanced Csa2
members are more likely to join in if they see some effort expended by
those wishing help.

     More? Well, one resource which would go far toward both attracting
and helping new (and advanced) users is a 'flagship' Apple II publication.
Were two or three of the current, small-circulation, newsletters and
mini-zines to combine, we would have a 'real Apple II magazine'. Such a
magazine could attract many more subscribers than all current publications
combined. It would greatly expand and invigorate the Apple II support
culture.  


Rubywand