Re: Super GS

[Phoenyx <quazar@dcnet2000.com>]

Hi Supertimer.

First, I wasn't trying to 'paint' GS/OS and the GS toolbox in the
same light as Windows. IMHO, they don't even compare. Windows is
a series of patches and programs laid on top of other patches and
programs. GS/OS is an excellent operating system and your comments
simply support my argument that GS/OS defines the computer it
executes on. Given the chance, it could be ported to practically
any platform and function virtually the same. In fact, this could
make an interesting project for Linux. :) I wish I had the skills
for such a project. Hmm, how about it running as a desktop system
in X, or perhaps a self contained desktop in a window in X. Just a
thought. :)

As for the hardware point of view, the GS could have been designed
better if Apple had not restricted it so much. They could have
easily designed the system to run at an acceptable speed in GS
mode while allowing for 8 bit compatibility.

As I mentioned in the previous message, it would be easier to make
any GS accelerator or motherboard replacement if the need for 8
bit compatibility was removed. I would guess that many GS users
would not mind this loss as they could use an emulator on the
system or even on another 8 bit Apple II.

I do agree with the viewpoint on Apple's treatment of the II
series. I have always related with the under dog image of the
Apple II and I suspect many more people did also. But I think my
point was more about the path that Apple put the II family on.
Once they had the GS in place, it became obvious that further
production in this line was a dead end. Any more additions to the
platform would deviate from the compatibility with which the Apple
II was famous for. So in this case, Apple managed to limit the
II series future whether they intended to or not.

Today we talk of creating new systems in the Apple II series, but
little planning has been done to limit the deviation from the
original Apple II 'feel'. It is agreed that expansion should be
done on the GS since practically any enhancement on the 8 bit II
other than acceleration could limit compatibility.

For the GS, I still think a motherboard (or system) replacement
which can run at a high speed would be the best. Of course this
would also be the most difficult should a different (high speed)
cpu were used as software would have to be adapted. This hardware
could be designed to work together and 8 bit compatibility could
be handled with emulation. Since the majority of the older
software has already been converted to disk images there is little
reason for this machine to support legacy hardware such as the
5.25 disk drive.

However, for all of this to ever become a reality, the whole Apple
community would have to work together. Somehow, I doubt if this
could ever happen. Just look at the divisions on this NG alone.
This is too bad really as such a machine might have the chance of
being the new low cost replacement machine for the outdated PC
architecture, while still making use of newer PC technology.

-- 

Cheers and best wishes,
Phoenyx

Have you fed your Apple today?

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