Re: Why emulate?

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

"Richard Harvey" <rharvey@connect.net> wrote:

>On a side note, those who feel the Apple II is a viable operating platform
>for the masses are not being very realistic.  Granted, there are and
>probably will continue to be niche markets that the Apple II can tackle
>greatly (BTW, I'm talking II/II+/IIe/IIc here, not necessarily IIGS).  There
>are also many underprivileged youth out there making good grades, but having
>no access to any computer technology at their homes.  If the Apple II can
>ever makes a huge impact again, it will be through people like us providing
>systems to people who otherwise would never have the opportunity.  I know
>for myself the II+ introduced me to programming when I was about 13; now I'm
>leading a development team writing 3D simulations.  But, if someone thinks
>the average computer-illiterate Joe watching TV ads about the web, digital
>video, DVD, etc. is ever going to want an Apple II, their wrong.

I disagree.  You are looking at it from a privileged point of view.

Today, the computer industry is incredibly unegalitarian.  Back in the
1980s, if you could not afford IBM, you could buy a Commodore 64
and get into the ground level of computing.

I submit that a repackaged Apple IIGS with 4MB of memory, a faster
CPU (like ZipGS...ideal, but NOT necessary) and pacakaged with
AppleWorks GS plus Spectrum and SIS and an offer for a shell account
at crl.com being sold for $150 would have a market.

The reason is simple...the market IS there.  The Brother GeoBook is
an IBM XT class computer that has been repackaged and sold with
GeoWorks and "BrotherWorks"...a GeoWorks based word processor,
spreadsheet, and database plus a lynx like web browser and subscription
to a shell account and is targeted squarely at the market the C64 left
behind.  The GeoBook runs slower than an unaccelerated IIGS.

TYPEWRITERS are being sold to the former C64 market.

The IIGS is much more functional than a typewriter or a GeoBook.

Sell it at $150 and they will come.