Re: "The Apple II is DEAD" - Long Live the Apple II

[ag471@yfn.ysu.edu (Eric S. Ford)]

 >VHS vs. BetaMax is a difference in packaging only:  The
 >content, recorded programs, is the same (except for a small
 >difference in picture quality?).

The same could be said of differences in computer systems.  The true
differences between computer systems, at the hardware level, are
relevant only to an engineer or hacker/hobbyist.  Unlike the early
days, when the "revolution" was in full swing, today's average
computer user seldom gets more involved than simply using packaged
software, including the operating system.  
 
 >The Macintosh user experience is substantially different from
 >the other-GUIs experience.  There are enough similarities on
 >the *surface* that marketers try to convince customers that
 >Macintosh has no advantage.
 
I absolutely agree, and this proves my analogy.  The MS-DOS
marketeers are being successful by virtue of ubiquity just as the VHS
marketeers were.  Although the differences in capability and
usability are substantial, if the buyer has no personal experience to
draw from he will inevitably be drawn to an MS-DOS/Windows
environment because he will see it on display and in use so much more
often.
 
 >I don't forsee a BetaMax-style convergence, and I'm certainly
 >not ready to write off innovation.

My analogy, like all analogies, is not perfect.  Only time will tell
how close it actually becomes.


 >As for Apple systems and software on retail shelves?  I can
 >walk into Sears or Price Club and buy a Macintosh.  Or
 >CompUSA for software.  Or Fry's Electronics for systems or
 >software.  But I usually prefer mail-order (saves time, and
 >it's easier to park).

Sure, and I can walk into every Sears, every Price Club, every
CompUSA, every MicroAge, every ComputerLand, every Connecting Point,
every Radio Shack (with at least one in every town having a
population of 15 or more) and find multiple systems running Windows. 
If I am in Sears shopping for a computer, I have probably also
noticed the Babbage's or Software Etc next door has several hundred
square feet of MS-DOS products and only one 4x4 display of Mac
related products -- many of which are likely to be marked
"Clearance".  In short, if I haven't already made up my mind to buy
an Apple product and if I don't already know where to go to find one,
I am unlikely to see anything on the shelves to stir my interest in
that direction.

Don't get me wrong, I am not touting MS-DOS over Apple.  I am an
Apple afficianado of long standing.  I cannot believe that anyone
with experience on Apple's GUI (Mac or even IIGS) would ever opt for
Windows without feeling they were settling for the ugly sister. 
Nonetheless, a first time buyer wants to be assured he is not buying
a white elephant and cannot help but be influenced by the ready
availability of MS-DOS products and the relative lack thereof when it
comes to Apple.  And this is precisely the same as what happened
between the VHS and BetaMax product lines.

-- 
Eric S. Ford    ag471@yfn.ysu.edu