Re: Apple II Email (The Challenge)

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

<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.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand