some questions about the ][

[jmcbride@ccvax.ucd.ie]

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.  That was at school.  

Since I've come to college, I went through a brief flirtation with Macs, but
have ended up using a PC for work, but I still feel very nostalgic for the good
old days of programs like Lucy and Block (Brick?) Out.

Now, I realise this is probably an FAQ, but I didn't notice it answered, but,
how has the Apple ][ changed since the early 80s?  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?  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.

About a year ago, I read the book West of Eden (can't remember the author),
about Apple corporation.  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?  Since
this list is so active, I guess the answer is yes, but I haven't seen any
advertised for sale in Ireland for years, so I assume they are just available
in North America.  This is a pity, because if I could afford one, I would love
to buy a ][.

I hope these questions aren't too dumb   B-).



james