Kohn Konference

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

The following is a long (15K) transcript of an online conference with Joe
Kohn, Publisher of Shareware Solutions II. If you don;t want to read it, hit
your "n" key now.

The following is an edited  transcript of a Conference held on
CompuServe's MAUG Apple II Forum on July 8, 1993 with Joe Kohn, Publisher
of Shareware Solutions II: The Newsletter.


Entering Informal Meetings room...


(1-1,Joe W (NM) Evening! Like the Flash? Joe? Kohnconference.

(Joe Kohn) I did laugh at your irreverance.

(1-1,Joe W (NM) Hope I hyped it enough. Glad you laughed--I meant it in
fun.

(Joe Kohn) Well, one of my lines recently has been that everyone I work
for goes out of business, so the only way I can get a job is to create it
myself. The Kohn road show is raring to go

(1-1,Joe W (NM) Shawn, looks like you and I have a 50/50 chance on that
new 1994 Ferrari that Joe K. is giving away in the CO.

(Joe Kohn) Yeah. I got it in a cereal box.

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Heheheheh

(Joe Kohn) Hey Joe...maybe you want to do the joke column in SS2?

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Hey Joe, I enjoy your occasional comments from the Well
on the Internet

(Joe Kohn) The only submission I'm looking for is to compare the 5
freeware BBS systems. I asked Dave Sugar, but he wasn't really interested.

(1-1,Joe W (NM) I've never used any of them (except CIS, haha), so I can't
help there.

(Joe Kohn) Me neither. My only BBS'ing was on the Source's Prime
mainframes.

(1-1,Joe W (NM) Anybody heard when (if) Sys 6.0.1 will be available
electronically??

(Joe Kohn) The people in software licensing are not on top of the 6.0.1
situation. Call Barbara Napier. She's the one I've been dealing with.
She's in software licensing.

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Uh, we are well familiar with Ms. Napier..

(Joe Kohn) She authorized me to distribute 6.0.1.

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) So where is ours?  I assume the other online services
haven't received anything yet either.

(Joe Kohn) No. Just Resource Central and Shareware Solutions. As fas as I
know.

(Joe Kohn) I have a verbal OK only. But, I called twice to re-confirm.

(1-4,Cheung) hi folks!

(1-1,Joe W) Good to see you, Cheung! It's been awhile.

(Joe Kohn) Hi CT.

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Hello, CT

(1-4,Cheung) Yes, I've been just lurking.

(Joe Kohn) Well, CT definitely gets the sample issue!!! I was planning to
give away 5 samples tonight.

(1-4,Cheung) Hi, Shawn. Alright, Freebie from Joe :)

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Awwwwww...

(1-1,Joe W) Cheung will probably get the Ferrari.

(Joe Kohn) Perhaps a brief discussion of the contents of Shareware
Solutions II is in order?

(1-4,Cheung) Joe, do you think you are the most known Apple2 user?

(Joe Kohn) Me? Are you kidding? Me, well known? Not a chance.

(1-4,Cheung Tak Ma) No, I'm not kidding.

(Joe Kohn) It's funny, as I don't often leave my room, so I never get to
meet 'real people'... so I have no idea if I'm well known or not. I just
assumed not.

(1-4,Cheung) You are well known on CIS, Genie, Internet and Incider
and now your own publication.

(1-1,Joe W) I'd guess Joe is way up there, but I'd have to guess....

(1-1,Joe W) Roger Wagner would be in the #1 spot.

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) I'd vote for Roger...

(Joe Kohn) I'd think Burger Bill is the #1 personality.

(1-4,Cheung) You are highly visible.

(1-1,Joe W) Weishaar, at least when he was active. Woz, of course.

(Joe Kohn) And, you, Joe Kohn, you're no Steve Wozniak <haha>

(1-1,Joe W) Hahaha!

(1-4,Cheung) Best luck to your venture.

(Joe Kohn) Thank you Sir. Seriously, I'll send you a copy next week, after
it's printed. The name may be a misnomer, as it's not just about
shareware.

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Joe, what should we expect.....something along the
lines of the original Resource Central newsletter?

(Joe Kohn) But, I chose the name for 'name recognition'

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) (In terms of printing, size, etc?)

(1-1,Joe W) (and journalism?) :-)

(Joe Kohn) To tell the truth, I'm using the old Scarlett as a model. It'll
look like Scarlett, except Scarlett is created in PageMaker on a Mac.

(1-4,Cheung) Are you writing SS2 all by yourself.

(Joe Kohn) Mine is completely done on an Apple II. Yes I am, CT

(1-3,Shawn (Sysop) Perish the thought....an Apple // newsletter created on
an Apple //?

(Joe Kohn) I've dreamed recently of an Apple II version of QuarkExpress.
But, AppleWorks GS will do quite nice, thank you. The page count is
unknown and will probably vary each issue. At least 12 pages, but Issue #1
may be 24 or more. There are currently subscribers in England, France,
Thailand (!).

(1-1,Joe W) Ah! Be sure to add "Internationally acclaimed..." to the
masthead!

(Joe Kohn) I'll continue my Grapevine column from inCider, sharing tidbits
and good deals.

(1-4,Cheung) Will you consider doing an issue on Internet? Like what's on
there and how to get access.

(Joe Kohn) Yes. The article is already written!!!! That will be in issue
#2. Describng the net, how to access it, and how to use it. But, all from
an Apple II perspective. I discuss differences between levels of access,
like mail gateways, ProLines, and places like Well. I describe what FTP is
and how to use it. I describe places that Telnet can take you.

(1-6,Gene) Hi joe

(Joe Kohn) Oh, Hi Gene

(Joe Kohn) So, that re-cap I posted yesterday was about the 1st issue. A
guided tour of Apple Expo West, a first look at System 6.0.1. A
continuation of Grapevine, which has become 2 different columns...one on
general Apple II stuff (Easter Eggs, $$$ saving deals) and Modem Madness.
Also, a step by step tutorial on working with System 5 style icons under
System 6.

(1-4,Cheung) Joe, will you do a What's coming up in the next issue
announcement on the major online services?

(Joe Kohn) In Issue #1, I have a re-cap of all the current online pricing.
I'm taking it one step at a time, CT. I imagine I will tell folks online
what to expect. The thing is, I'll have no idea what'll be in #2 when I
finish #1 <g>.I do know only about the Internet article. It's nice not
having the 2-3 month lead time lag.

(Joe Kohn)  Bye Cheung! Take care. Likewise, Gene. You will receive a free
sample issue. In a way, I'm thrilled to be rid of editors. Shareware
Solutions II will be me alone. But, people who read my unedited articles
in Scarlett and Softdisk never complained. I am now on a kick to get
companies to commit to giving subscribers deep discounts. Seven Hills has
agreed. Twilight II will also be offered at a major discount. Not through
me, directly from the company.

(1-1,Joe W) Nifty!

(1-1,Joe W) Good to hear of such support.

(Joe Kohn) I'll just be setting up the deals for readers, and they can
order direct. When I promised "more byte for the buck", I meant it. I'd
like to try to get a deal from Quality too, but I just don't know. In a
sense, I feel that any inCider reader will know what to expect from
Shareware Solutions II. As my writing style and interests are the same.
I'll try to have a good IIe/IIc and IIGS mix. Stuff for beginners, and
articles for hackers.

(Joe Kohn) I could go on and on... I just feel that the Apple II world
needs an independant voice. Any questions?

(1-6,Gene) This all sound great to me.

(Joe Kohn) To me too. I'm very excited, if you couldn't tell. No ads, but
a resource guide in every issue, with names addresses and product info.

(1-1,Joe W) You're going to finance the thing entirely with subscriptions?

(Joe Kohn) Not a separate resource guide, but that's what Shareware
Solutions will be.

(Joe Kohn)  That, and by s/h charges for public domain, freeware/shareware
disks. All freeware/shareware I talk about will be made available to
readers. Just as I've been doing for inCider readers for the past 1.5
years.

(1-1,Joe W) Hope it works out! Not having to worry with ads will make...
life a bit easier on you.

(Joe Kohn) It'll be a mixed blessing, Joe, as ads equal profits. But, I do
not want to feel as if I owe anyone anything. I want to be able to speak
the truth and not worry about offending advertisers. So, no ads.

(1-1,Joe W) Oh, you don't want AE to buy all the ads in your issue and...
run your life? :-)

(Joe Kohn) Plus, as you who know me, you know I'm an idealist. You want
ads? Get II Alive. You want facts that are well written (I hope), get
Shareware Solutions II. And, as we all know, with less and less commercial
software, the future of the II is in shareware! And, that's great for all
of us. I have a grand scheme to create the Shareware Bill of Rights. And,
hope to get II shareware authors to abide by certain things. Such as
sending people something in return for their shareware fees. I'll be at
KansasFest giving a panel on that very subject. I want to re-introduce the
concept of ethics into shareware. Might sound nuts, but since it is our
future, we ought to all have guidelines. For users and programmers. And, I
will promote that in my newsletter. But, now I'm editorializing.

(1-1,Joe W) Well, you're the editor!

(Joe Kohn) So, I want to have a good mix of things. Not all talk of
shareware. There will be many articles (every issue) on modems and
telecomm. I feel Apple II owners need modems if they are to stay involved
with the II. Where else can they get tech support? So, each issue will
have incentives to buy amodem. I'll be talking about things learned
online. But, I'll also be providing readers with "scoops", info not
available anyone else. Such as where to get the definitive ProLine User
(not sysop) manual How to get a low cost book that teaches how to use
SoundSmith. Just combine all I have written for inCider, Softdisk and
Scarlett, and you have Shareware Solutions II. In a home brew newsletter.

(1-6,Gene) THis sounds like the kind of magazine I need.

(Joe Kohn) Seriously, Gene, I'll be sending you a sample issue if you send
me your address in email. And, then you can decide for yourself if it
meets your needs.

(1-1,Joe W) I presume there will be a subsciption coupon in that sample
issue?

(Joe Kohn)  Yes. I'm not very business oriented, but that I did think of.

(1-1,Joe W) Well, will you be writing articles about how we should sell
our Apple II's and buy Macs instead?

(Joe Kohn) I'll be making the collected works of The FTA available to
readers. The only Macintosh I'll promote is the fruit as it makes great
Apple pie.

(1-1,Joe W) Hehehe.

(Joe Kohn) IMHO, the Apple II is more than enough computer power for the
vast majority of home users, educators and small business owners. It's not
a bad computer for hobbyists either <haha>

(1-1,Joe W) Now there's a word I haven't heard in a while. Hobbyist. Wow.

(Joe Kohn) Really? I think of myself as an Apple II hobbyist who was lucky
enough to have my hobby pay.

(1-1,Joe W) Will you have a letter column?

(Joe Kohn) If anyone sends me letters I will. None on the first issue.

(1-1,Joe W) I seem to recall that Tom Weishaar had a letter column in his
issue #0.

(1-3,Mark) If you want some letters for the first issue, just let
us know  the subject! <g>

(1-1,Joe W) I remember Tom made up all the letters for that one (and said
so).

(Joe Kohn) Speaking of letters, when BRCC's Scarlett makes them up, they
always sign them Tom Rapp. Seriously. Tom Rapp has a letter in most issues
of Scarlett <g>. Mark - send me your address in email, and I'll send you
Issue #1 of Shareware Solutions II.

(1-3,Mark) Done.

(1-3,Mark) How are you accepting subscriptions? I have a few people
in my club interested in almost _any_ Apple publication... not that SSII
is just _any_ pub... <g>

(Joe Kohn) Checks, money orders, trades, barter, Grateful Dead tickets,
Or, I'll trade for a share of Apple Computer Inc. <haha>. Seriously,
checks or money orders to Joe Kohn, 166 Alpine St, San Rafael, CA 94901.
It's $25 for 12 issues. $40 for overseas air mail delivery. If I never
make my dream of 'going monthly', then that's 2 years worth of
newsletters.

(1-3,Mark) Now _that's_ a deal! <g>

(Joe Kohn) I'm determined to buy Apple when it falls to 25. But, that's
another story. I'll be using all my connections to get incider (oops, I
mean insider) information. BTW, I liked it when GS+ called SSII an inCider
spin-off. And, no, my words will not be read in II Alive. I will be
concentrating on Shareware Solutions II.

(1-3,Mark) How _is_ InCider taking this?

(Joe Kohn) inCider has committed suicide, which is the reason for SS2.
inCider is no longer. The July issue is the last.

(1-1,Joe W) inSuiCider?

(Joe Kohn) And, I have the blessings and warm wishes of the inCider staff.

(Joe Kohn) I want to steal that line Joe.

(1-1,Joe W) No need to steal, I give it freely. It's yours. We're on good
terms and friends.

(Joe Kohn) I'm on great terms with the inCider people, but they want to
publish a Mac magazine.

(1-1,Joe W) That last part has been obvious for over a year.

(Joe Kohn) Anyone notice that I got the last word in inCider? The final
words on the final page of the final issue are mine. They say, quite
simply... Apple II Forever! I loved it when I saw that!!! In fact,
Shareware Solutions II was finalized only after the inCider sale was
finalized. I stuck it out to the end.

(1-3,Mark) I can't stick out; gotta go! Good Luck, Joe!!!

(Joe Kohn) Thanks for coming.

(1-1,Joe W) Take care, Mark! Hi Kenneth.

(Joe Kohn) We're talking about a new Apple II publication. I'll be honest.
I'm sad that inCider/A+ is no longer. I enjoyed being involved with
them...but my mission with the Apple II is far from over.

(1-1,Joe W) Me too. I particularly miss the very original inCider.

(Joe Kohn) I only wrote for them since the Dan Muse era.

(Joe Kohn) So, it's been a real education for me these past few months.
Learning DTP was the easy part.

(1-1,Joe W) Joe--what software are you using for mailing list mgmt?

(Joe Kohn) What else? AppleWorks Classic.

(1-1,Joe W) Have you seen PostalCoder? It's shareware. (so of course
you've seen it).

(Joe Kohn) Yes, but I decided that I don't want to go with bulk rate
postage...as delivery times cannot be guaranteed.

(1-1,Joe W) It has nothing to do with Bulk per se; it just prints...

(Joe Kohn) I want to mail first class, so the info is still valid and
accurate.

(1-1,Joe W)It's quite good, and quite easy. I use it for...

(Joe Kohn) But, with a bulk permit, those labels = a discount.

(1-1,Joe W) mailing (first class) a newsletter I do, and am SOLD on it.

(Joe Kohn) If I did want to go for the bulk mailing discounts, I would use
that. But, AppleWorks is great, and will be even better when 4.0 comes out
in October.

(Joe Kohn) (I'll let that last statement sink in for a moment)

(1-1, Joe W) Uh, from what company? :-)

(Joe Kohn) Randy Brandt. He did much of the AW 3.0 update, and is going to
add everything he's dreamed about.

(1-1,Joe W) Fantastic. Is this to be a licensed Claris thing, or will
he...

(Joe Kohn) He calls it "The Mother of All Patch Disks" and is called
Quadriga. It may be called Quadriga, or The Works, or who knows?

(1-1,Joe W) Great for Randy. Hope he does well with it.

(Joe Kohn) But, like I say, I have an ear for news before it breaks, and
will share that with readers.

(1-1,Joe W) Looking forward to it.

(Joe Kohn) Me too; I'll see it in 2 weeks.

(1-1,Joe W) Two weeks! I presume we'll read a report on it. OK, thanks for
all, Joe best of luck with this. I think you have a good shot. I presume
so.

(Joe Kohn) I hope you're right Joe

(1-1,Joe W) I'll be EMAILing you an address, and looking forward to
reading issue #1. Hey, I'll support _any_ Apple II supporter! :-)

(Joe Kohn) Great. Any questions, anyone?

(1-1,Joe W) One suggestion: don't let that Joe Kohn guy write for you.
Everything he writes for goes away!

(1-1,Joe W) Good night all!

(Joe Kohn) I'm in for the long haul, and that might just be forever.

(1-6,Gene) IT's been great talking to you.

(Joe Kohn) I enjoyed talking to you too. Thanks for stopping bye. And, an
over and old...

(1-6,Gene) See you in the newsletter, Bye.