Re: some questions about the ][

[90taobri@wave.scar.utoronto.ca (TAO BRIAN T)]

In article <1993Aug5.115054.51740@ccvax.ucd.ie>, jmcbride@ccvax.ucd.ie writes...
> 
> It's been over six years since I last saw an Apple ][, and that was a
> pre-1982 model ][e.  It had a green screen, two 5 1/4" drives, and used
> a CLI (possibly Dos 3.3?).  Compared to the machines available it was
> incredibly primitive, but I loved it to death.

    So you are the cause of the Apple II's demise!!!  :)

> Since I've come to college, I went through a brief flirtation with Macs,
> but have ended up using a PC for work,

    That's OK, the first step to recovery is admitting your guilt.  We
forgive you.  :)

> I gather, from various threads, that it now has a GUI, but is it still
> compatible with earlier models?  I've also noticed that the operating
> system appears to be System 6.something or other.  Is this the Mac
> System?

    Most of the discussion in csa2 now is focussed on the Apple IIGS, a
16-bit version of the Apple ][+, //e, etc.  It uses its own system
software (currently at System 6.01).  The operating system and desktop
interface is really superb.  It runs all 8-bit Apple II software and
probably most Apple II hardware.  It also has its own, native software
and hardware which will not work on a ][+ or //e.

> If so, is there any point to having a ][?  I ask this question as
> someone who doesn't really know what he's talking about, I'm just
> looking for info.

    Sure, they are still loads of fun and great to hack away at.  The
problem is finding one.  You don't (and can't) buy then new anymore, but
a used //e system will probably go for $250 US or so.  A complete GS
system can be found for $600 or less.

> The gist of the story was that Apple were trying to freeze out the ][ in
> favour of the Mac, but at no point did it say that production of the ][
> was halted.  Are Apple ][s still in production?

    In Canada, no Apple II item remains on the price list (except the
//e emulation card for the Mac LC series).  In the US, only the //e is
still made and sold (mainly to schools).
--
Brian Tao:: taob@io.org (Internex Online, 416-363-3783, 10 lines, v.32bis)
::::::::::: 90taobri@wave.scar.utoronto.ca (University of Toronto, 9T4)