Re: How will the Apple II survive?

[coach41@pacbell.net (Donald Lee)]

Maybe it's me, but consider me a diehard Apple II guy.  My Apple IIe
is still alive, though as I mentioned here a long time ago, the video
doesn't seem to work anymore.  I haven't booted the machine in a
while, but I keep thinking I should pick up a used IIe to have around
so I can try to boot it in another 20 years or so from now.

I don't know how many schools still have IIe's, but it would be a
shame to have the II's replaced.  They still serve a useful function
if programs like Appleworks or Math Blaster are used.  There's still
plenty of life in them.

Perhaps in time, the Apple II will be forgotten.  I don't know how old
the rest of you are (I just turned 30 this month), but I'll definitely
keep the Apple II in my mind for as long as I'm around.  Hopefully, we
all can teach a new generation to know about the II's and continue
it's legacy!! :)

Don



Jeff Thomas <a2forever@usa.net> wrote in message news:<407FCE2B.9F77862D@usa.net>...
> I pondered upon this question lately, how long will the Apple II
> survive?
> 
> Three years ago, my Apple IIe computer died. The fault lay with the
> motherboard, I
> had known of one tradesperson, who could fix it, but he closed shop the
> year before, due to trouble sourcing parts and rising costs for the
> older computers, he specialised in servicing like mines. Nobody else
> knew what, it was nor how to fix it. I was able to get a replacement
> computer second-hand, but I can foresee that in possibly 10-years time
> that might be impossible. My only insurance against this is to purchase
> several machines. How would the ordinary person fair?
> 
> As time marches on, hardware and software becomes scarcer, pushing
> prices for certain items up considerably. An excellent example, are
> original Atari 2600 cartridge games.
> 
> Another barrier is the hectic pace of changing technology on our modern
> computers.
> Currently, it might be possible to adapt a PC high-density 3.5" floppy
> disk drive to our Apple II's, but in 10-years that might no longer be an
> option, as they are phased out together with the disks. Can we expect
> that Apple II is compatible with whatever removable media format is
> available in the future? or do we wait until all our disks die? Bootable
> Apple II CD-ROMs?
> 
> What does the future hold for the Apple II community at large? How many
> youngsters are keeping the tradition alive?
> 
> Whatever form, emulated or not, I am forever loyal, it's part of my
> life, generation and part of me. :-)