Re: Apple2 Ethernet card kits, group buy

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

**** **** writes ...
> 
> So that it's easy to find...                    jojo4@nospam.va.mediaone.net
> 
> Guys,
>     For the past few days, I and a few other interested individuals have
> been discussing the feasibility of building our own a2 ethernet boards. We
> have a tentative circuit design, and several individuals willing to write
> drivers for the nic. I myself have compiled the list of required components,
> and have recieved price quotes.
 ....

>     Statistically, someone is going to get
> pissed, no matter how gracefully I manage to do all this. Apologies in
> advance. A million trolls are going to flame me, claiming I'm trying to con
> money out of people. Go to hell. Two million trolls are going to flame me
> claiming this is vaporware, and that I'll lose interest or it will get
> pushed to the wayside and forgotten.
 ....

     There may be a few such flames; but, mostly, users are willing to listen
ideas for new projects.

     One thing that would help is to just give a for-real email address which
does not require playing games to decipher. Like, in
"jojo4@nospam.va.mediaone.net" are we supposed to zap the "nospam." or the
"nospam.va.". People do not like to send emails unless they are fairly certain
the address is right.

     Anyway, it's not like you are going to be mailbombed with spam emails as a
result of a Csa2 posting. My spam seldom exceeds five or so per day and these
just get deleted. Guess I'd be a billionaire by now if only all those
'opportunities' had not been zapped. (Besides, if I were going to design a spam
emailer, the first thing my program would ignore is "nospam.". Some emailers
are certain to have figured this out.)


 ....
>     Keeping all of this in mind, I want you to know, that if you absolutely
> cannot wait any longer for an ethernet solution for your apple//, I am
> organizing a group purchase of the necessary components. What this means is
> this... If you are absolutely certain that you wish to purchase a kit for as
> much as US$50, email me at jojo4@nospam.va.mediaone.net with your name,
> computer model, quantity desired, postal ZIP code (or international mailing
> address),  and no other conditions. If you are 100% certain that you want
> this, send me the email, and I'll add you to the list. That way, I can get
> the exact numbers needed, and two weeks from now when I get a quote, I'll be
> able to contact you with the exact price per kit. Expect it to be quite a
> bit less than $50, maybe as low as $25, but it all depends on how many
> orders are placed. If for some inexplicable reason it is more than $50, then
> you have no obligation to buy.
>

     Pricing is always a tricky part of getting a shoestring product launched.
$50 for an Apple II ethernet card is not so bad. 


>     Feeling a little suspicious? I don't blame you. If you'd like the card,
> but don't feel comfortable with this, know that I intend to post all the
> necessary diagrams and schematics so that the loners out there can make
> their own. It is also my understanding that those working on the software
> intend to release it to the public domain also. Good luck to you, maybe
> you'll even beat us to it, huh?
>
 ....

     Maybe. In any case, if you supply every bit of documentation you have
about how to access the hardware, someone will figure out the software.

     Good luck with your Ethernet card project!



Rubywand