Re: OMG!

[Roy and/or Janet Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

Byron Desnoyers Winmill wrote:

>
> Amazing, $31 (presumably American) for a piece of software.  The
> Apple II sound pretty uneconomical when you compare it to 68k
> Macintosh computers.  Recent examples (in *Canadian* funds)

It simply means that collectors of Apple II software are willing to pay more
for older items than people are willing to pay for more recent Macintosh (but
still old and used) software. I'd dare say that a 1989 Mustang isn't nearly
as valuable as a 1966.

>
>
>  - CodeWarrior 9 Gold, $75
>    ANSI C, ANSI C++, Pascal, Java; Mac II or better (fairly
>    cheap machines).  ByteWorks offers a not-quite-ANSI C

It is fully ANSI compliant. However, after it was written and on the market,
the ANSI standards were changed. Put a date on your ANSI.

>
>    and Pascal developent kit for the IIgs for $150, don't
>    they?
>  - ClarisWorks 1, $20
>    Something along the lines of AppleWorks, but with more
>    functionality (graphics, and telecommunications).

AppleWorks GS also has more functionality (graphics and telecommunications)
And it costs less too.

> Works
>    on the Macintosh Plus (about as cheap as an Apple II).
>    Wasn't Bev offering AppleWorks floppies (no manuals) for
>    as much in US funds, at one point?
>  - FileMaker Pro 2.1, $14
>    A decent database, which is not fraught with the limitations
>    found in ClarisWorks', or worse yet, AppleWorks' database.
>    Again, works on the Macintosh Plus.
>  - Microsoft Word and Excel (versions 5.1 and 4.0), $40
>    More full featured than the ClarisWorks WP/SS, and it has an
>    officially sanctioned (ie. coming from Microsoft) file
>    format.

Which means is works with some of the other M$ file formats. Don't count on
it accessing more recent formats, or other developer's formats.

> Again, works on the Macintosh Plus.
>
> Just think, that entire list of goodies for the same price as ByteWorks
> offering.

You need to recheck the ByteWorks site. "Opus II" offers ALL the ByteWorks
products for $95, C, Pascal, GSBasic, Logo, Assembler, et al.

> There is more functionality, and the computer (say an SE/30,
> for the speed buffs) uses less space than a IIc+ with a full complement
> of 3.5" and 5.25" floppies.  It's a lot easier to print too.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I like the Apple II.  I like the fact that I can
> pick up a BASIC manual, and start programming it.  I like the fact
> that I can pickup an assembly language reference, and the Apple II
> reference manual, and attempt to program it.  I like the machine
> because of the hours (upon hours, upon hours) I spent programming it
> in my junior high days.  I like the machine because I can put down my
> thoughts in FrEd writer, with out the distractions offered by modern
> machines.
>
> But, when I want software, I have to face it being expensive *and*
> hard to find.  My zeal (let alone ability) to program is not what it
> once was, so creating my own software is not really an option
> either.
>
> And let's face it, an old computer is an old computer.

And an old car is an old car? So you'd trade a '49 Packerd for a 89 Yugo?

> I can have fun
> with it any way you look at it.  So while you are building the Apple II
> of your dreams, I am building the SE/30 of my *wildest* dreams.

B&W vs Color. I'm glad I dream in color.

> While
> my Apple II sits collecting dust for a lack of software,

My IIs have more software than I can run. I've got 5 different word
processors Plus AppleWorks. I have two spreadsheets in addition to AW. One
database over AW. Oh, I have three (or is it four) different versions of AW.
Most cost me very little, some were free. All are originals. With manuals.

> my SE/30 is
> fully equipped with productivity tools (Claris, LaTeX), software to
> support my other hobbies (FileMaker, HyperCard),

I've got HyperCard , and HyperCard GS.

> and stuff which I want
> to learn about in the future (CodeWarrior for Macintosh programming).

Ditto. And Think C, and Aztec C. And Orca/C for my IIgs. And Orca/Pascal too.

>
> It does not look good for the II.

It looks great for mine. And for many of my friends. Either you are looking
in the right places, or you haven't been willing to spend a little.

My problem is I need more room, and am going to have to sell some of my
stuff, so I can use what's left.

Roy

>
>
> Byron.