Re: Apple II Email (The Challenge)

[pubpc17@library.ucla.edu]

dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote:
><pubpc1@library.ucla.edu> wrote:
>
>> Jack Friess <jfriess@wctc.net> wrote:
>> >> Instead of trying to use the Linux box as a hard disk and print
>> >> spooler, it would be cheaper to equip the Apple IIs with this
>> >> capability.  Alltech Electronics makes a 20MB internal hard disk
>> >> drive for Apple //e and IIGS computers for $89.  With the allocated
>> >> funds, each Apple II can have a hard disk to run applications
>> >> such as AppleWorks on.
>> >
>> >This idea has lots of merit.  The A2 is woofully low on resources,
>> >one being storage space.  This certainly would give more flexibility
>> >to not only the ultimate email/network solution, but also to every
>> >day use of the A2 in the classroom or lab.
>>
>> Yes, and even when a classroom finally stops using the Apple IIs, the
>> hard disks can be reclaimed.  The Focus Internal IDE Hard Disk Cards
>> use standard IBM PC style IDE mechanisms.  This means that you can
>> take the hard disk and install it on a PC, or take a PC hard disk and
>> install it on the card.
>
>I can't see that a 20MB IDE drive would be particularly useful in a
>PC.
>
>The vast majority of the cost of a Focus 20MB hard drive is the card
>itself, and this could not be recovered except by selling it.
>
>In addition, the Focus card requires a 2.5" mechanism, which rules out
>using most older PC drives (3.5" or larger) on the card.


To be fair, I did suggest that they buy the 20MB model because it was
cheapest.  Still, 20MB is certainly usable on older model PCs, which
ship with little more.  We are talking about schools here whose PCs
often don't have enough power to run Windows.

The larger capacity Focus drives are actually so cost effective that
if I were in the market for a 2.5" IDE mechanism for the PC, I would
consider buying a 500MB Focus just to use its mechanism on a PC ($269
for 500MB is MUCH cheaper than the "Plugger" drives advertised in PC
mail order outlets...this is in reference to 2.5" IDE mechanisms, 3.5"
ones are cheaper in general).

While it is true that you cannot mount a 3.5" or larger IDE model onto
the Focus, the Focus will run these drives.  You just need a box to
put the drive in (like a Vulcan, InnerDrive, Pegasus, or an external
enclosure).  It will run any type of IDE hard disk mechanism.  In
fact, for the purpose of enabling a //e to drive METAL based KidTerm,
it may be more cost effective to get only the Focus controller card.
Alltech offered it for $60, I believe.  For an educational institution
buying in bulk, let's assume a discount to $40 a piece.  You can probably
even mount it without an enclosure.  That's not outrageous at all.
Get a Focus card for each //e, grab a used 3.5" PC IDE hard disk cheap
for a couple of bucks, mount it behind the computer or the monitor,
and then connect with a ribbon cable to the controller.

Similarly, the 2.5" hard disk mechanisms used on the Focus will work
in any PC.  It is true that you may need a bracket to mount it in the
drive bay, but PC IDE controllers will connect with the drives.

I still believe this is the way to go for a //e based network. 1) For
starters, setting up the net would be a snap.  Simply stick five of
these drives into the same computer (a IIGS is best for the task),
boot up the master drive, copy the master volume on to all the other
drives, and you've set up your network!  2) KidTerm would be a snap
to write because you would have enough space to run METAL or at the
very least, space to write the program.  3) It would provide storage
space for the Apple IIs.  The Apple II is a computer that really needs
some sort of mass storage.  4) Especially with the larger models, this
particular drive is an investment that can be reclaimed by taking the
standard IDE/Enhanced IDE mechanism and putting it in a PC.

Maybe it is just me, but I find it strange that schools would consider
spending funds on Apple Workstation Cards to get //e computers onto
the internet.  They would consider Apple High Speed SCSI cards to run
Ethernet adapters on.  But for less cost, they have a hard time
considering a hard disk that can be reclaimed to a PC when the day
comes.

Programming the beast would be easier on a machine with several
megabytes of storage, wouldn't it?  You could compensate for the tiny
(128K) amount of memory with disk storage and swapping.

[To Jack Friess: I did not see your message on csa2.programmer until
recently, since I don't frequent there.  I am not ignoring your
invitation to join your email discussion.  I just don't have an email
capable account (yet).]