Re: not there yet (FAQ info)

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

nathan@visi.com (Nathan Mates) wrote:
>Toby Reiter  <treiter@cs.oberlin.edu> wrote:
>>In any case, through thick and thin, it's still much easier to
>>download onto any II from a Mac, no matter what Nathan says.
>
>   Tip: if your "any II" doesn't have a 3.5" drive on it, start
>stringing the serial cable from "a Mac". Or "a PC". Or "a Unix
>box". Or anything else. Yeah, there's the rather rare Apple II card
>for some Macs, or Appletalk (probably rarer than 3.5" drives on non-GS
>Apple IIs, and you're still stringing that serial cable), but we're
>again in the realms of "pretty darn rare."
>
>   Not every Apple II is a GS. I acknowledge that fact and list
>solutions that'll work for everyone. Also, not everyone with an Apple
>II has (or cares to have) access to a Mac. An "extra step or few"
>shaved off downloading (tip: you left off a few from the Mac side) is
>not reason enough for a lot of people to pick up a Mac. [Once again,
>not everyone is like you. In fact, most of the world is not like you,
>judging by how many Macs are in use compared to other systems]
>
>Nathan Mates

But Nate, you should also list solutions for GS users specifically.
If you do not, then at least tell the reader at point-blank range that
the GS has programs (GSHK and GSCII+) that have NO TROUBLE with
resource forks or mistyped files.

The type of "pounding in the point" like your warning in the System
6.0.1 FAQ is what I am thinking about.  Too many people are reading
your FAQ and thinking that the GS can't handle resource forked or
mistyped archives with ANY program.  I'm not saying it is your fault,
but for the purposes of the reader getting the facts straight, you
should at least have the words "the GS under GS/OS can read forked
or mistyped archives just fine with GSHK and GSCII+ if you have a
3.5" drive and System 5.0 or greater...if those conditions apply,
then none of the Mac to Apple II problems listed in the FAQ will
affect you" and perhaps "to get a copy of GSHK and GSCII+ on disk,
buy it from Joe Kohn or Steve C." for example.

So yes, continue providing solutions for 8-bit users.  But make
damn sure that people know that the GS under GS/OS can handle
forked/mistyped files just fine.  I'd also pound in the fact that
the GS uses forked files as well as the Mac.

-Scott G.