Re: Why still using Apple II?

[acctforjunk@yahoo.com]

Bryan Parkoff wrote:
> <acctforjunk@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> 1118114148.094148.206490@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com">news:1118114148.094148.206490@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > Hi,
> > I used to have an Apple II+, then a IIe.  It was my first computer.  I
> > liked it at first, but noticed how nice the PCs were getting, with
> > faster processors and nicer graphics.  This was in the late 80s/early
> > 90s.
>     I can say that Apple II is great for hobbyist like us.  It is very sad
> that Steve Worniak chose not to purchase Intel 8080 CPU for Apple II family
> because he could not be able to afford expensive CPU so he chose 6502 CPU.
> I assume that Apple Computer, Inc made a bigger mistake to choose 68000 CPU
> and PowerPC CPU for Macintosh.  You may be very surprised that Apple
> Computer, Inc has decided to choose Intel CPU for Macintosh this year and
> next year.  It requires a big change that affects many software and Mac OSX
> which it means that all programmers have to rewrite from scratch.  If they
> already have C/C++ source code, they may be able to recompile to work with
> Intel CPU.
>     I wish that Apple II should have Intel CPU today so it won't be
> obsolete.  I feel sorry for Apple Computer, Inc that it is hurting bad.
>
> > The last couple days I've started getting all nostalgic and downloaded
> > AppleWin, been looking at pictures and reading about old Apples on the
> > Internet.  I ran a few programs I used to use on the AppleWin emulator
> > and thought it's really cool how it emulates a II perfectly.  But then
> > I realized why I quit using the Apple IIs.  Nice machines for their
> > time, but unfortunately, terribly outdated.
>
>     Many Apple II Emulators are not always perfect when they have minor
> bugs.  Most programmers don't have time to spend their free time to fix bugs
> because they feel that it is not productive for business, but it is useful
> for personal and hobbyist.
>     I wish that I write to design Apple II Emulator perfectly according to
> my own design, but it takes many years to be very certain into perfection.
> (It is my wish...Smile)
>
> > So my question is, what are you using yours for?  You obviously have a
> > newer computer to post things on the web.  Are you just playing around
> > with it or using it for productive things?
>
>     If you work harder to keep Apple II running, try to write software and
> build website for Apple II.  Get to work with ethernet card for Apple II
> (already has one).  Apple IIgs has website with 16 colors and limit 256
> colors (16 out of 256 color per line).
>     If Apple Computer, Inc is willing to work harder, Apple II will be
> existence into productive until today.  New software and hardware will be
> added to Apple II however we can't overcome the limitation.  It is necessary
> to redesign motherboard and parts from scratch like PC did.
>     Please comment what you think.
>
> Bryan Parkoff

I wouldn't say that using the 6502 versus the 8080 was such a bad thing
per se, because it differentiated it.  Then again I haven't thought
about it too much.   I have heard that the Mac will be using an Intel
processor, that just blows me away.  Myself, I'm now a PC guy.  I can
only assume that lots of Mac enthusiasts are crushed.

I'm pretty sure Apple isn't going to do anything about the Apple II.
It's history for them, and you're right; the Apple would require a
redesign of it's motherboard.  It would no longer be an Apple II.  With
an address bus of 16 bits it just doesn't cut it.  It just isn't worth
spending that much time trying to improve it.  No need to reinvent the
wheel.  Keeping them alive, yes.  I think it's worth having Apple II
user groups and such.