Quality Computers (was FAXination Update)

[spector@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article kindall@ic.net (Jerry Kindall) writes...
>
>We probably will not be publishing any new Apple II programs ourselves.  
>The development cost is just too great for the potential return.  
>Possibly something got mixed up in the translation somewhere.  We are a 
>Vitesse dealer and, if people call us to order something that they make, 

	However small, there is still an Apple II market out there. If 
Quality Computers will not update popular software like Platinum Paint or 
AppleWorks GS, then perhaps they should consider selling the rights to 
someone who will. I understand how difficult an update to AWGS would be
and what a kludge it is, but Platinum Paint is (IMO) the best available
paint software currently available on the IIgs! With a new graphic cards
just on the horizon, I'd really like to see this program updated to 
support them. If not, then I truely hope Sequential Systems, RezTek,
Procyon, ByteWorks or Seven Hills can come up with a program that will...

>I expect we will order some.  B)  (Hint: next time, don't listen to
>something someone in New Zealand "heard.")

	This "someone" in New Zealand happens to be the most knowledgable, 
informative and reliable poster on comp.sys.apple2 FYI! ;-)

>II Alive should be getting better shortly.  We recently hired a new 
>writer for our staff, since I and current Managing Editor Dean Esmay have 
>been busy with other projects in the last few months.  We will likely 
>continue publishing II Alive for at least another year; I don't 
>expect it to get any smaller, and the content should improve.  (Slated 
>for an upcoming issue: an interview with Steve Wozniak, among other things.)

	Doesn't sound like a very promising future for II-Alive. The above
statement sound like QC's has plans to discontinue printing within a year
or less. Are there a decreasing number of subscribers? 

>We don't have a Mac/IBM catalog.  However, our Enhance publication (which 
>is an educational technology newsletter/catalog which covers Mac, Apple 
>and IBM compatibles) has a cover that reflects the contents of the 
>publication.  As does our "Nothing but Apples" catalog.  The frogs, toy 
>bears, etc. are all characters from software titles which we sell and 
>which appear in the catalog.  We are primarily an educational technology 
>company.  What would you have preferred to see on the catalog cover?

	Understandable, but remember QC also caters to people who use the
Apple II at home and in small-business as well. An Apple II catalog should
be appealing to both educators and the rest of us out there. Something a
bit more conservative would probably be a better idea in future (perhaps
part of the cover show characters from children's software, another area
with Apple II hardware items displayed, a IIgs CPU or discQuest, 3rd party
software/hardware company logos, etc). Appealing to a wider range of people
means more business.

>: A 270mb SCSI hardrive for $500? Why, when most any other vendor will 
>: sell you the same thing for $179!
> 
>The prices are higher on Apple II drives because they require special 
>setup, formatting, and support.  However, I'll have our purchasing guy 
>check and see how long it's been since the pricing was updated on 
>those.  It might be we're inadvertently printing old prices or something.

	I'm sorry, there's no excuse for this. Apple II SCSI drives are no
different than Macintosh or IBM SCSI hardrives. Formatting a drive with 
ProDOS is not some complex proceedure, nor is there any "special setup"
involved. Many educators are not up to date or ignorant on hardrive market
prices, so it would seem to me QC is purposely overpricing to take advantage
of these individuals. Charging more for Apple II specific hardware can be
rationalized (smaller market) but I disagree when applied to items it happens
to share with the PC and Mac. This includes hardrives, printers, modems, 
keyboards, disk-drives, etc.

>: At least their price on the Second Sight card is reasonable...
> 
>Wait, isn't the Second Sight a new Apple II product?  And Quality is 
>carrying it?  Well, golllllleee!  %)

	I'm glad QC is doing this, and for less than the retail price!
Unless another vendor will offer it for much less, I'll purchase a Second 
Sight through QC. :) If and when it's available, is there a possibility
you'll be carrying the TurboRez as well?

>: 	I still think Quality Computers is a vaulable resource for Apple II
>: users and a great source of support, but I'd hate to see any of that to
>: start slipping. I'm *not* trying to bash QC, I'm more concerned with where
>: their future with the Apple II lies based on the above.
> 
>We will continue supporting the Apple II as long as significant 
>numbers of people continue to buy Apple II products from us.

	I'm glad to hear that, hopefully this will be for many years
to come! Afterall, Quality is the largest vendor of Apple II products
in the United State (the world?) as far as I know...

>Jerry Kindall (kindall@ic.net) -- Manual Labor

Mitchell Spector
m_spect@pavo.concordia.ca / spector@vax2.concordia.ca