Re: I like the new Tiger Computer - from what I've seen

[rubywand@aol.com]

In article <570h2b$mdk@seeker.hermesnet.net>, geoff@seeker.hermesnet.net
(Geoff Weiss) writes:

>
> <rubywand@aol.com> wrote:
>>     The arrival of TLC and the Charles Turley's mention of another
>                                                             ^^^^^^^
>>II-compatible scheduled for next spring are decidedly Good News items.
We
>
>Turley did not say there is going to be "another" Apple II clone.  He
said 
>there will be "one" in mass distribution _maybe_ by next Spring.  The
Tiger
>is limited distribution now.  Only if sales are good will it get "mass
>distribution."  I highly doubt there is another Apple II clone in
>development ready for release by next Spring--there would have been a
>leak from a _reliable_ source if there really was.
>
>Lets not spread rumors from a person who does nothing but misrepresent
>the facts.
>
>


     Indeed. Spreading rumors and making false charges against fellow
users are actions to be avoided. Too often, there is a temptation to jump
to conclusions rather than take the trouble to ask questions.

     Developing and launching a new product, especially something like the
new Tiger LC, is a tricky business. There are many risks. There are also
confidential agreements, contracts, and promises. Lots of people and
several companies are likely to be involved.

     With so many factors impacting projected release date and venue, it
is no surprise that changes occur along the way. In the case of Tiger and
their new LC, the only non-typical activity has been the willingness of
Tiger representatives to honestly communicate intentions and expectations
when asked. (If this attitude reflects Tiger's general approach, then
purchasers of the TLC can expect unusually responsive product support!)

     Since early summer, I have spoken with Tiger reps five or six times
spaced, usually, at an interval of several weeks. On nearly every
occassion, some change was mentioned. Had each issue of II Alive contained
an announcement from Tiger, and had the item been framed in terms of "a
company has announced ...", it is likely that many readers would have
supposed that, between early fall 1996 and the spring of 1997, several
companies were planning to release slightly different IIe-compatible
machines via different outlets. 

     Tiger's reps have not asked me to keep any information confidential.
I have posted most of the info given to me recently by a Tiger rep and
said that it comes from Tiger. A slightly earlier post from Charles Turley
mentioned a price of $149.95 and indicated TLC would be available from JC
Penny. Then, a few days later, in another thread, Charles posted this:

>>
According to the most current information I've obtained a new clone of 
the Apple IIe should be available for sales to the public from a third 
party around March, 1997, at a price of around $150.00!
<<

     So, within the space of a few days, the same individual has made two
rather different posts. One mentions Tiger, specifies an exact price, and
indicates nearly immediate availability from a popular outlet. The other
is purposefully vague and indicates availability in some 4-5 months.
Moreover, the second post is at some variance with very recent information
from Tiger.

     Besides, Tiger has not been bashful about attribution since unveiling
the TLC project. All in all, a logical inference is that, "a new clone of
the Apple IIe" from "a third party" is not Tiger's LC.

     Just a day or so ago, more information arrived. It indicates that,
possibly, Charles was talking about the TLC. If Tiger, for some reason,
wished the information presented with no attribution, then Charles would
be stuck with talking about "a third party". However, I can not say that
any of this is definitely true. If you like, consider it as speculation.
In any case, it was my idea to 'import' Charles's posting from another
thread and interpret it to mean that a second IIe clone is on the way. 

     In short, everyone involved has sought to present accurate
information. That the information changes depending upon the time it is
sampled just happens to be a hazard of 'the biz'. Csa2 readers are, in a
sense, getting to watch the TLC 'pie' being made. The process can be
messy; but, it's kind of fun, too.

 

 

      

Rubywand