Re: What if...

[Mike Pfaiffer <pfaiffer@mbnet.mb.ca>]

Gabriel Morales wrote:
> 
> Apple II folk,
> 
>         I'm just curious- What would happen if Apple were to just start making
> new (modern and upgraded) Apple II(gs) computers, or have Apple II
> compatibility built-in to every new Mac?
> 
>         What would be your reactions to these two scenarios?
> 
> Gabriel Morales, the curious. ;-)

Scenario 1: Updated Apple
	I agree with the majority here. It is too late. Most of the people who
were Apple// users are now PC users. If they were ever to consider
releasing an updated Apple// they would also have to retrain staff and
actually admit there ever was an Apple//. Most former Apple// users are
now quite cynical of Apple and view them as arrogant. Apple itself does
not like to be reminded of its non-Mac computers. In short I doubt it
would ever happen.

	If it *did* happen it would be a shock to the entire industry. Most of
the pundits are quite snobbish when it comes to legacy machines. They
would say the same things they are saying to us right now. Namely, "Why
are you running such an old machine"? It would be viewed in Wall Street
as good money after bad. Apple would have to expect getting slammed in
the press.

	Apart from the press there are a few people who would get one of these
machines. Apple would have to "see the light" about a simpler design
being faster and more stable. They would also have to put their full
weight behind the product. If they want to increase their share of the
market to the point where it was when they killed off the Apple// line
they will have to bring back PC people into the fold. There is no point
in advertising to Mac people because it will just be moving around the
same people. They would have to do the following...

-Make the entire machine cheaper than the PC
-Make the machine as fast or faster than the PC or Mac
-Increase the memory space
-Revamp the entire OS to make it more UNIX like (multitasking, etc.)
-Put on a great show as to how stable the hardware and software is
-Open source the entire project (this may be a good idea for the Mac
too)
-Publicity and lots of it
-A one or two year tradein offer may be good for the image but bad for
the pocket book
-Visibly ask the public (especially the people here) what should go into
the new machine
-Pay certain developers to create a simple set of network/internet
software
-Release the specs so programmers can write some applications (games
always are a good start)
-Encourage customization and diversity
-Redo the 1984 commercial
-Leave the clone makers alone (for the most part)

	*If* they were to do all this they should realize it will be a long,
hard road back. A little "mea culpa" would go a long way. After all it's
not as if they will have anything better to do if the company goes
under.

Scenario 2: Apple// compatible Mac
	So what? Been there with the //e card for the LC. There are emulators
out there which emulate the GS and //e. These are not going to bring
back PC people. If I wanted a Mac I would buy one (I was given three).
I'm not saying the Mac is a bad machine. To the contrary Apple had done
some good things with it. It just is not the same as an Apple//. The
attitude of Mac (and PC) users are a lot different from Apple// people.
An emulator just doesn't satisfy the same mystique or philosophy in the
same way as a physical piece of hardware would. Again, why would a PC
person switch to a Mac? It's old news.

	In short I doubt the board at Apple would ever swallow their pride and
admit they made a mistake when they cancelled the Apple//. If they do go
for it they should realize it can not be half hearted. If it looks like
they are going to drop the project then the public will just get more
cynical and they will lose their shirts.

				Later
				Mike



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