Avatar?

[gt2011a@prism.gatech.EDU (gt2011a SIMMS,WILLIAM SHELDON)]

I'm really sorry if I end up making anyone too upset, but I really don't
see much point in the Avatar. I don't understand the perceived need for
a bigger, stronger, faster Apple II. If I want a bigger stronger faster
computer I can get a PC or Mac. I know things like this have been said
a million times, but the reality is that even if there was a 50Mhz Super
IIGS compatible, there will always be far more software, support, peripherals,
etc... for other computers. If you want the ability to run the best
and latest software, you're going to have to get another machine, because
the Avatar won't have it for the simple reason that the Avatar won't have
multi-billion dollar companies throwing obscene amounts of money into
software development. The Avatar would just become a speedy hobbyist's
computer.

Now before anyone gets (or keeps) the wrong idea, I'm not trying to slam
Apple II computers. I have an Apple //e and I enjoy using it. But once
you realize that no matter how fast any future Apple II compatible computer
is, it's not going to have all the goodies that other computers have, I
can't see any reason to go for the big and fast. Maybe my Apple II will
never have heavy-duty desktop publishing software. Maybe my Apple II
will never have a 1024x768 true-color display. Maybe my Apple II will
never be able to do all the things those other computers can do. I don't
care, because my Apple II is fun to use, to explore, and to learn about.
I'm perfectly happy to use other computers for the things that they're
best at and use my Apple II for what it's best at.

On an Apple II, you can learn everything there is to know about the
system. If I want to write directly to the screen, no one can tell me
that I shouldn't. If I want to write self modifying code to make a
program faster and better, no one is going to chastise me. I can take
control of the whole computer and make it do whatever I want. There isn't
any big, bad, operating system to tell me that I can't grab the disk
drive and turn it's motor on and off all day long. The point is, for
people who enjoy learning about computers and making them jump through
hoops, the Apple II is the perfect machine. For people who just want
the biggest, fastest, latest thing, the Apple II isn't worth very much.
No matter what kinds of computers I use or own in the future, My Apple
II will have a place in my house because I enjoy using it.

That's why in my mind, something that would be much better than Super
Apple II's would be Apple II emulation available for other computers.
That way, the millions of people who have owned Apple II computers
can get the latest, greatest, hardware and software technology in
whatever form it may come, but still enjoy the true advantages of
the Apple II, which are not it's clock speed or it's memory size, but
are it's simplicity and it's openness. People who have classic cars
like, a Model T, or a '57 Chevy, don't say "Well, it's a nice car
but I wish it were turbocharged and went 180mph." They appreciate
the car for what it is: a classic that isn't the latest thing in
speed, acceleration, or technology, but each in it's own way is better
than any car that ever came after.

-Sheldon Simms - gt2011a@prism.gatech.edu

For the record, If I want to typeset a paper or solve differential equations,
I use a Mac. If I want to have a lot of fun computing, I use an Apple //e.


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w sheldon simms = gt2011a@prism.gatech.edu | 
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