Re: You are Here! So: How did you get into Apple II Computing?

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article rubywand@swbell.net writes...

>The May FAQs release has led to an email discussion about various
>lead-ins to becoming an Apple II user. So ...
>
>How did you get into Apple II computing?

    My first major exposure to computers began on Texas Instrument
TI99/4a computers when I was around 9, where I learned to program
in BASIC. After that experience, I really became fascinated by just
about any and all computers, I recall not being able to pass by
any computer on display (usually in shopping centers) without
tinkering with them. I played with all sorts -- Commodore VIC 20's,
C64's, PET's, Coleco Adam's, Tandy CoCo's, Atari's, you name it.

    My first taste of the Apple II though, came about just before
finishing grade school, when my school started up a computer lab
and bought several new Apple II Plus computers (we were taught the
basic operation of computers, which I already knew quite well by
then, as well as how to program using LOGO). By that time I really
want to own my own computer (I can remember writing down programs
on sheets of paper, since I had no computer to type them into :)
and began searching for one to buy. I still have memories of going
into an Apple dealership and seeing the (then) newly introduced
Apple IIe, Apple III Plus and Apple Lisa (that was the first time
I touched a mouse or used a GUI).

    A little Less than a year later, using my own savings and with 
a little help from my parents, I bought my first computer. Initially 
I decided I wanted an Apple II Plus or IIe (I really became quite 
attached to the Apple II after using it in school) but because they 
were so costly, I purchased a II Plus clone instead (a Golden ][). 
I remember that day well, and the days that followed. I started
out with 64K a machine, a pair 5.25 floppy drives, a monochrome
screen and joystick. Later I added a *color* composite monitor
(which made me the envy of all my friends!), a printer, an 80
columns card and Z80 co-processor. The Apple was great since I
could pop open the lid and see inside (at the age of 12 I was
quite comfortable pulling cards, attaching cables and really
getting close to the hardware).

    By 1987 my II Plus clone was wearing down and I thought it
was time to get a new machine. That is when I discovered the
existence of the Apple IIgs and immediately fell in love with
it (it was fantastic, it did all the things the then popular
Amiga and Atari ST could do, yet still run all my old Apple
II software and even use the same hardware). I bought one with
little hestiation--I was able to explore modern computing then
without having to give up my Apple II ties!

    I passed on my old Apple II Plus to my brother, who then
later purchased a second hand Apple IIc and his own Apple IIgs,
but shortly after that lost his interest in the Apple II and
sold them. My interest continued to grow however, I upgraded
my GS over the years (refusing to even look at alternative
computers as it lost support) and started collecting more Apple
II's along the way. First I got hold of an original 1978 Apple II,
then a discarded Apple IIe, followed by two more GSes (I think at
one point I actually had 4 or 5 GSes), an Apple II Plus and III,
another IIe, IIc's, a IIc Plus, etc, etc. As it stands now, I now
own one of every Apple II model released (minus the platinum IIe
and black II Plus) and own a very heavily upgraded Apple IIgs.

    It was only about a year and a half ago I added a PC to my
desk, and although I am slowly using it more than my GS these days, 
I still absolutely refuse to give up in my interest in Apple II's 
or using them (people look at me strangely when I tell them I still 
use Apple II's ;). I don't regret going the Apple II route years 
ago, it is what taught me computer basics and has made me feel 
comfortable tinkering with the inner guts of computers today 
(if went for the Commodore 64 which admittely had flasher graphics 
and sounds, I really wouldn't have learned very much). It's rather 
unfortunate Apple abandoned the Apple II, but at least Intel PC's 
come close for getting close to the hardware and software (I can't 
say the same for Apple's current offerings).

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca