Re: Why is Apple II software not free?

[nobody@REPLAY.COM (Anonymous)]

Brian Hammack wrote:
> 
>  "g" couldn't help but dribble:
> 
>  "<P| You can't even buy these machines anymore, why are there still
>     | businesses trying to sell the stuff and copyrights outlawing the
>     | distribution (like ROMs and such).
> 
> You can buy them, but not necessarily new.  :)
> 
> Businesses still support the platform because contrary to popular
> belief there's still a market.  A platform doesn't die until all
> parties (the users as well as the sellers) make it so.  And those still
> in business get all the market share afterall...
> 
> Copyrights exist so the writers and sellers can still get income. :)
> 
> Just because something is old doesn't make it bad or worthless.

Agreed.  If we were not so fragmented and fighting all the time,
we'd have even more new software and hardware.

Which has been dead longer, C64/128 or Apple II?  C64/128 of course,
but a little less than two years ago, they got a super accelerator
that beats the Zip GS and TransWarp GS.  The C64 people are willing
to be upbeat and spend $150 for new hardware while we here bicker
about how sucks this video card is or how we won't buy any new
hardware that's more than $50.  Why don't those that won't buy such
hardware not talk?  Just because one does not value a product does
not mean others will not.

As to the hardware being worth more than the computer, anyone who's
ever owned a classic car (Mustang, Beetle, etc.) knows that the
hardware needed for upkeep is more expensive than that of modern
cars.  Why do these owners continue to buy for such obsolete autos?
Because the cars are classics and it is a fun hobby to own them,
that's why.  Sure, it is nice to own a Saturn for day to day transport,
but nothing beats the old Beetle for fun.

-Scott G.