Re: MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT - READ THIS and SMILE!

[taubert@ux7.cso.uiuc.edu (Derek Anthon Taubert)]

Charles Turley <gbmaidsf@wco.com> writes:
>True, Netscape is only (currently) available for Apple users - if you 
>have a Mac or PowerPC. But, what about the Apple II's and the IIGS. They 
>could also have a 'Graphic and Text Web Browser and Navigator', with the 
>appropriate cooperation and development efforts from several existing 
>software and hardware development companies. 
>Well it's finally on!

Actually, it's been on for quite some time.  The good news is that you only
have about a solid year of development and testing to go to catch up!

>This project is not exactly a clone of Netscape. But, it will include 
>all the basic abilities - like Netscape. Not exactly designed with the 
>current limitations of the text based only abilities from Lynx either, 
>it will be a combination of both. 

Mr. Turley, "all the basic abilities" include the ability to communicate via
TCP/IP protocols and do simple things like DNS host name resolution.  The
"solution" I can see coming from the involved parties requires more than just
an Apple II and a modem or network card.  (Much more below)

>A world-wide joint effort - to make available a logical (all-in-one) WWW 
>Apple II's and the IIGS' is now under active development. 

It's hardly world-wide, but I'll allow this poetic license since you seem to
be toning down from your usual style.

>It will be a combined telcom and web browser, with a desktop - mouse 
>driven, GUI, supporting text, graphics, news reader, email, etc., as 
>both; P8 and GS/OS. It will not be based, designed or developed to run 
>under the IIGS' - 'GNO' program.  That's all I can say at this time. 

>And, it will be made available before the end of next year, at the very 
>latest. (possibly well before then - with the joint cooperation from the 
>companies, groups and organizations involved) The status of it's 
>release, who will be involved with the combined development and release, 
>are all still classified. But, rest assured you will have one by years 
>end -1996, at the very latest! 

>Oh yes, and you'll need an Ethernet card for that!
>So, if you're interested in learning more about the "ALL NEW" Apple II 
>and IIGS 'Ethernet card' now under development - for future commercial 
>public sales, by our 1WSW team member - Ian Maclagan, President of 
>ED-NET and DIGICARD you can either call; (408) 956-8400, FAX (408) 
>956-8179, email: ian@ednet.com or visit the EdNet Home Page 
>http://www.gsn.org/ednet/index.html

Well, you've managed to bend the facts quite a bit and make them sound rather
attractive.  Before anyone gets too excited about this, I suggest they check
thoroughly the references Mr. Turley has provided here.  I've checked out
EdNet, and if you look very closely at the bottom of this page:
	http://www.gsn.org/ednet/intacs5.html
you might notice that they are in the process of developing a vt100 terminal
program for the Apple II that can connect to their "Internet Server" machine.
This hardly constitues internet connectivity, Mr. Turley.

It is entirely possible, even likely, that EdNet could produce an Ethernet
Card useable in the IIgs or II.  Looking at their sample systems, it seems
they are using a very similar technology already to form simple classroom
networks.

However, the issue that you have totally skated around here is the internet
protocols which must be processed by something in order for a Web Browser to
access the internet.  Namely: TCP/IP, DNS, and http.  It is conceivable that
EdNet could extend their current systems to include a "graphical terminal" on
Apple II machines which would simply act as not-quite-so-dumb terminals like
their current setups.  They could then use their "Internet Server" machine
(which currently already processes TCP/IP) to digest the http information and
produce graphical pages suitable for viewing on a II or IIgs.

This is fine and actually quite interesting for the average classroom already
outfitted with EdNet's hardware, but what does this means to the average II and
IIgs user: ZERO.  You'd have to purchase EdNet's special "Internet Server"
machine and use their proprietary communications protocols and display software
to access the Web.  You might as well purchase yourself a PC or Mac, save
yourself the cost (I assume that is what the "Internet Server" is anyway), and
have better performance and support for your browser.

If you REALLY want to make this project profitable, I suggest you have their
designers contact ME, the person with the ONLY viable solution to TCP/IP on
an Apple IIgs.  I can tell them what features they need to make available in
order for my software to be able to use their hardware.  It would truly be a
waste to see this much effort be put forth without this connection being made.
I currently have a prototype ethernet card communicating with TCP/IP protocols
on my Apple IIgs, can they make the same claim?

>VaporWare?  Not hardly!  So, now you know!

It is vaporware, Mr. Turley.  It's even worse than vaporware, because it's
just a project at this point, there aren't even any specifications.  Nothing
you've talked about here has any physical manifestation whatsoever.  I
challenge you to prove otherwise.

I don't doubt that you believe that this project is going to be salvation for
Apple II and IIgs users, but the facts just don't support it.  You really have
to learn how to present facts and not make promises you can't keep, if you
want any respect from the csa2 crowd.  At any case, you have a lot of
explaining to do.  Myself and many Apple II enthusiasts await your reply.

I'm not even going to follow this post with an explanation of my genuine
efforts and progress toward these goals, as it would only serve to discredit
them.

Derek Taubert                    | Ask me about TCP/IP for the Apple IIgs!
taubert@uiuc.edu                 | Really, I'm serious!
http://www.ceg.uiuc.edu/~taubert | Or check it out yourself at:
FAX:(217) 359-0010               | http://www.winternet.com/~taubert/gstcp.html