Re: Apple II Supportive Media

[joko@well.sf.ca.us (Joe Kohn)]

Keith Reed writes:

>Publication:   Shareware Solutions II
>Company:       Joe Kohn (Publisher)
>Address:       166 Alpine Street
>               San Rafael, CA  94901-1008
>Telephone:     GEnie: J.KOHN, AOL: JOKO, Internet: joko@well.sf.ca.us
>Media:         Newsletter
>Cost:          $25 for 12 bi-monthly issues
>Remarks:  Joe Kohn - Previous InCider/A+ Magazine writer
>          Provides tips and technics - excellent article on "All
>          About the Internet" in November issue, reviews on software,
>          fully supports and distributes shareware software

Everything above is accurate, except that the $25 subscription fee is only
for delivery to North America (via First Class Mail). Outside North
America, the cost is $40 in US Funds, and that includes Air Mail delivery.

Keith is apparently just one of many happy subscribers. I have been
gathering additional comments from Shareware Solutions II subscribers...if
you don't want to read them, press N now...

In addition to remarks from individuals, several Apple II oriented
newsletters and magazines have strongly endorsed Shareware Solutions II,
including GS+ (twice), II Alive (twice), Softdisk G-S (three times),
Resource Central, AppleWorks Forum, and Helium Balloons.

I guess I must be doing something right.


WHAT SHAREWARE SOLUTIONS II SUBSCRIBERS SAY ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER....


I consider the $25.00 subscription fee to Shareware Solutions II to be the
best money ever spent on a subscription.

                                    -- Pete Hann

Thanks for putting out the newsletter; so far it has a higher proportion of
information that I will actually use, as opposed to that which is simply
interesting, than any computer publication I have subscribed to.

                                    -- Wayne Patton

Let me thank you and congratulate you on the magnificent job you are doing
with Shareware Solutions II. I expected it to be good, but not this good.

                                    -- Virgal Smith

Joe is quickly becoming the best source of information for the Apple II. He
literally has thousands of disks at his house, many of which are programs
that no one else has even seen in this country. His connections to the
developers are without par and he truly enjoys sharing his knowledge with
others.

With the demise of inCider/A+, Joe has lost his primary source of income.
This newsletter is also hoped to become his bread and butter. We all talk
about how we will support those who support us, now is the time to put your
money where your mouth is.

                                    -- Ray MacAnally

The first two issues of your newsletter have been an impressively succinct
and complete source of information about what's going on in the Apple II
world, and you have helped to increase my confidence in sticking with the
IIGS.
                                    -- Michael Lavorgna

I've read both issues of your magazine front to back and now include your
efforts in my reason to be grateful for the Apple II community. You have
interesting, informative articles on diverse functions in the Apple II
community.
                                    -- Jim Ponce

Congratulations, Joe, on Shareware Solutions II. You are doing a great job,
and by the length of the newsletter, I see that you are enjoying it quite a
lot, too. Wow. What a great service you are providing to the Apple II
community.

                                    -- Ken Shaver

Having just received Volume 1, Issue 2 of Shareware Solutions II, please
let me first of all congratulate you on both of your issues of this
newsletter so far. I found their contents well written, and very
interesting and informative. The layout seems fine to me: clear, simple and
refreshingly free from needless embellishments. Also, you have made use of
a lot of very good ideas, "Such A Deal" being one excellent example. Please
keep up the good work - you are helping a lot of Apple II enthusiasts.

                                    -- Dr Peter Stark

Your Shareware Solutions II continues to be great, just what I want to keep
me up to date on what's happening in the world of the IIGS, as well as some
shareware items that I can download. Keep it up; I don't see any room
whatsoever for complaint or suggestions.

                                    -- Bill Ingraham

I am a charter subscriber to your interesting, fascinating and highly
useful publication. I have ordered disks from Don Elton, Cynthia Field and
Charlie's AppleSeeds, whose work you reviewed in Volume 1, Issue 2. I
mentioned your publication in my letters to them because I believe you're
doing a real service to the Apple II community.

                                    -- Quinn Smith

Received your excellent Shareware Solutions II, Volume 1, Issue 2. Have
read it through at least 3 times and will keep it on file for future
reference.

                                    -- Bill Reckert

I've enjoyed the issues of Shareware Solutions, so far, and I want to thank
you for including coverage of Apple Expo West and KansasFest. I've never
been able to attend these events, and I've been really curious about what
went on there - thanks for filling me in. Thank you also for continuing
publication of your information.

                                    -- Ellen Nesbit

The first two issues of Shareware Solutions II were excellent. I'm glad
that you are using the Apple family of products (IIGS, AppleWorks) to
produce your newsletter. It shows the folks the power that they have
available already.

                                    -- Forrest Smith

As a new subscriber to your Shareware Solutions II publication, I wanted to
give you some feedback on the two issues I received recently. They are
GRRREAT! I hope the directions and goals you've set for the first two
issues continue along the same path. The information is very informative
and a lot of it is new or with a different slant.

                                    -- Mike Wallace

First off, let me restate my position on your newsletter; it is still
great. As I stated in my first impression letter, you are providing the
Apple II world with more of magazine style information than would be
expected.

                                    -- George Verkler

I think you are doing a great job with Shareware Solutions II.

                                    -- Richard Foley

I just finished rereading my second issue of Shareware Solutions II and I
must say that it was even more rewarding the second time through. I commend
you on a fine publication which has already made its mark in the Apple II
world.

                                     -- Vincent Norako

I received SSII Issue 2 in the mail yesterday and just wanted to tell you
how much I enjoyed the issue. I especially enjoyed the KansasFest article.
I never get to attend these big meetings, but I felt like I was there after
reading your article.

                                    -- Brian Peek

I think you've got a good thing going with SSII and continue to look
forward to receiving it.

                                    -- Al Crout

Issue #1 arrived today.  Thanks for the quick turnaround; I'm impressed!
After reading the numerous testimonials, I remained a bit skeptical. I had
trouble believing that a simple newsletter could really be that good. I now
stand (sit) convinced--it's great!  The information density is incredible,
and it's all presented very clearly.

                                    -- Dan Brown

I've recently received the first issue of Shareware Solutions II and was
very favorably impressed. If Joe can maintain the momentum he has a winner
and you'll be missing out. We have to close ranks fellows and support those
who are active in the Apple II world since we can no longer expect much
from Apple Inc.

                                    -- Jim Morrison

Shareware Solutions II is really great, and I have found the material to be
top-notch. Keep it up!

                                    -- Colin Williamson

I just subscribed to Shareware Solutions II and received the July and
September issues. You have compiled an eclectic set of Apple II oriented
information. Although I am not interested in purchasing some of the
hardware and software mentioned, I still enjoyed reading the material.
Please keep it coming.

                                    -- Harry Lienke

Thank you for helping to keep the IIGS going.

                                    -- Mel Levitz

Thanks for helping to keep my "dead" IIGS alive, well, and vigorous.

                                    -- Robert Neuman

I just got my copy of SSII #3, and once again it's fantastic!  The Internet
article was especially helpful. Maybe now I'll be able to do more than just
send Email. Thanks for a great newsletter!

                                    -- Tony Ward

I subscribed to Joe's newsletter and I have to say, "How long has this been
going on?!??? And why wasn't I notified?" To explain, I was overwhelmed by
how much support and material there is available out there for the GS! I
had given up hope; I can never find anything for Apple II computers, just
for Macs. Well, the sky has opened, the angels are singing, and I have to
watch my checkbook.

                                    -- Chris Komar

I just received my copy of Shareware Solutions II, and I can tell you that
I was very impressed with what you have done here.  I suppose I have gotten
most of the A2 newsletter-format publications that have ever been published
since 1986 (when I first discovered the world of Apple II computing), and
this has been the best premier publication in this genre that I have ever
received. Thanks, Joe; Shareware Solutions II is a fine effort on your
part.

                                    -- David Kerwood

I just received the 1st issue of Joe Kohn's newsletter, Shareware Solutions
II. This paper is for real, and it's a great value. Perhaps I'm a little
biased because I got to meet Joe at Apple Expo West and found him to be a
likable guy. Also, I'd like to see any new outlet for Apple II information
succeed. But if he had only produced a mediocre rag I wouldn't be giving
him my strong endorsement.

I do wonder how Joe is going to keep to the high standards he has set and
still charge only about $2 per issue. Running to 20 pages, the first class
postage was 52 cents. Unless he gets a great deal from his printer, or he
has a huge number of subscribers, he's running at a very thin margin.

But Joe seems to be an eternal optimist. Fortunately, he isn't an idle
optimist but one who digs in and gets things done. His optimism may be
contagious.

                                    -- Dave Tribby

I was very impressed with the size and information content of Shareware
Solutions II.  It is an incredible value. There can almost be no comparison
between it and other Apple II publications. I think it far exceeds the
Resource Central publication as far as useful info per dollar and even
rivals inCider/A+ and II Alive as far as actual article content.

Anyway, great job Joe, keep up the good work, and thanks again for all you
do for the Apple II user!

                                    -- Michael Foegelle

Joe, just wanted to thank you for providing a means to continue shareware
information for the Apple community. I found your Shareware Solutions II to
be a joy to read, and really appreciate the fact that your writing is every
easy to understand (not filled with a lot of technical jargon). Thanks
again for another valuable Apple resource.

                                    -- Bill Derowski

Joe, the first issue of Shareware Solutions II is really top notch. Bravo.

                                    -- Phil Shapiro

Congratulations on the first issue of Shareware Solutions II. It is more
than I imagined. It is well written, informative, and contains information
not found anywhere else. Thank you for taking the chance, for "supporting
those who support the Apple II."

                                    -- William Scott

Got it yesterday.  Read it twice last night.  Plan to read it again tonight
to see what I missed.  One problem with doing so well the first time is
that people will expect you to get better with each issue. What a
challenge!

                                    -- Charles Hartley

I like it VERY much! Crisp and clean (and, of course, a pleasure to read),
and MASSIVE. It is as jam-packed with good information as it could be,
wastes no words, presented in a very positive, upbeat tone.

                                    -- Will Nelken