Re: Woz calls for a more open apple

[Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> wrote:
> In article <jp68la$v2r$1@speranza.aioe.org>, Alex Freed
> <alex_news@alexfreed.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I think it's not as much a matter of what you can do yourself in terms 
>> of programming, but rather the philosophy.
>> 
>> Apple 2 was a completely open platform that came with the schematics and 
>> ROM listings. Devices like iPod are the exact opposite - you are not 
>> even supposed to be able to change the battery. Apple will do it for a 
>> price.
> 
> The vast majority of people these days simply aren't interested in doing
> those things. When the battery can no longer be charged, most people
> simply buy a newer version of the product. There are also people who will
> buy a new printer when the free cartridges on their previous new printer
> run out because it's cheaper than buying new cartridges.

Well, they're wrong (unless they can replace it for $60. (And that's a
pretty crummy printer!)

The cartridges that ship with a printer are only about half full, so
they'll get a lot more printing for their dollar if they replace them with
full (or even XL) cartridges. 

Frankly, the "throwaway" mentality is completely unsustainable over the
long run. And throwing away an otherwise working device instead of
replacing a <$1 part is a violation of Robot's Rules of Order. ;-)

> Part of the reason for the Raspberry Pi computer (which is in some ways
> reminiscent of the days of the Apple I and similar kitset computers) is to
> try and get kids re-interested in "tinkering" with things.

I, for one, hope it helps. The Arduino has made a nice impact as well, but
there's nothing as nice as flipping on the power and being greeted by a
BASIC prompt. ;-)

-michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon