Graphical WWW Browser for 8 bit Apple II computers

["Charles T. Turley" <cturley@wco.com>]

While others have been working on the development and release of a Graphical WWW
browser for the Apple IIGS, I've seen no such efforts discussed or considered for
the 8 bit, Apple II computer models. With about 90% of all graphics presented on
the WWW being simple gif images, ranging in formats from 256 colors down to
simple 16 color grey scale, it should be very possible and rather useful (IMHO)
to develop software for the Apple II computer that would allow ISP connections
for graphic WWW browsing.

The software could be developed to allow for fast conversion and online display 
in DHR or HR - of existing 256 color gif format (and/or possibly even for the 
same with the jpeg format). Such a graphical  concersion and display could also 
be saved as a DHR or HR file format for offline viewing, by the user.

I've contacted several companies (with ample interest and financial funding
available) - concerning such an Apple II software Graphical WWW Browser to
discuss the posibilities of developing such software that could also include and
support; free email service - i.e.: http://www.juno.com/

Juno currently provides more than 800,000 registered users completely free email
service. Many of those I know well, are now using Juno for free email service -
with their Apple II 8 bit computers in text based access only. Pay a visit to the 
Juno WWW site to se just how they are able to provide feww email services to so
many registered users. Then you'll see what I'm hinting at here!

With the very good possibility of a third party Apple IIe clone being made widely
available for public sales around March/April of 1997, in large quantities at the
retail price of around $150.00 US - which might very well include a text-based
only Internet software bundle, it seems only logical to consider development of a
'Graphical WWW Browser' for the 8 bit, Apple II computers that would allow such
services to provide some sort of fast conversion for gif and/or jpeg format
graphic display also!

It's only a matter of time before somebody does develop such software for the
Apple II, 8 bit computer platform. The technology to do it is available and nobody
could dispute that. The questions remains, who, when and how will such software
be made available for use to the 8 bit, Apple II computer users. Their presents
on the Internet and WWW is becoming more and more prominent with each passing day
now.

Anybody interested in seeing such a thing developed and made available to the 8
bit, Apple II computer users can email me or contact me by telephone to discuss
it, offer assistance, suggestions, comments, etc.

mailto:cturley@wco.com 

Voice: (415) 468-1609

Cheers, 
Tom