re: the new Apple II

[ncurzon@ifhamy.insa-lyon.fr (Neil Curzon)]

This is a very interesting discussion. However, many of you are talking as this
new computer is really going to come out! Don't take this the wrong way, but
aren't you being some what premature? Firstly, does any one know what Apple
offically thinks of this idea? Apple have enough problems such as their market
share and losses to start thinking about restarting a computer format
that (some would say) died a number of years ago. Maybe it would be interesting
to make this computer, but to actually sell it; thats a tall order.
Now to put my understanding industry course into practice ( don't flame me on 
this) How many of you have actually done any market research to see if there
is any demand for this machine? This has to be done! Some of you have mentioned
schools as likely candidates for this machine. How many of these schools would
actually upgrade  to it? How many of these schools will take the attitude "PCs
are used in industry and business; we should get PCs" This is a perfectly
valid arguement. Of course, I'm being some what unfair; you are all too busy
with your jobs and lives to have time with market research (its expensive for
one thing). Maybe some of you are taking this discussion to seriously; I'm not
This post is more to do with I have some time to waste. The problem with
discussing this idea is that your effectively preaching amoung the converted
and so every one thinks it would be a pretty cool idea. I for one don't think
much of the idea; I've never owned an Apple II, but I've used one and would 
like to get hold of an emmulator for my PowerMac to play some of the old games
that I enjoyed at my cousins house. To re-introduce this computer format,ok
updated some what, to the market at this stage would be an exercise in futility.
Who would buy it? There is no new software for it, devlopers would have to 
perswaded to develope for it, etc, etc. Then there is the advertising.

The bottom line to my arguement is that the research, developemnt, manufac-
turing, advertising and marketing for this machine would require a huge
commitment of resouces that no company would consider; not now with the
domination of the market by the wintel crowd.

But dreams are nice.
--
Neil Curzon
INSA LYON