Re: [Q] Why Apple2 when we have PC?

[linerydr@ix.netcom.com (Steven McQueen)]

In <D78y3G.qG@hkpu01.hkp.hk> benoni@encserver (Benoni C. K. Lee)
writes: 
>
>Sorry, I am new here. 
>I want to ask why so many people still interested in
>knowing more about that 48KB+ memory computer while
>we have a IBM PC (or clone) which can do much more
>things?
>
>I also got a ][+, with 3 drives, more than 100 ][+ floppies,
>and a wildcard too. All of them are functionable, although
>without casing. I had store all these beneath my bed long
>long time ago.
>

Speaking as a programmer, the biggest reason is that the Accursed
Clones are textbook examples of every computer design mistake that is
possible, and the most of the software available for them, including
Windows, is much the same. The only reason a 486 computer (32-bit
processor with an 8-MHz/16-bit data bus) is even capable of approaching
the performance of an Apple IIgs is because of sheer processor speed.
If they ran at the same clock speed, the IIgs (a 16-bit processor with
a 1-MHz/8-bit data bus) would outperform the 486 by about 4 to 1.

Economic considerations have recently forced me against my will to
begin programming the nasty things, and so far NOTHING in the PC
design, from the OS interface, through the addressing scheme, all the
way down to the instruction set, makes any sense at all! It seems that
the machine was designed to take as long as possible to do anything,
and you have to have an interrupt (which takes a LOOOOOONNGG time to
handle) every time you want to check a status bit or something!

Speaking as a user, nearly all PC programs, with few exceptions, seem
to be designed mainly to prevent the user from ever figuring out what
he is doing. Most user interfaces are clumsy at best (see your
dictionary for the definition of Windows,) and downright user-inimical
(see same dictionary for definitions of MS-DOS and File Manager) more
often than not.

Most Apple II, II+, IIe and IIc users have long ago invested in I/O
controller cards of various flavors, scanners, printers and what have
you. They tend to believe that just because something is old doesn't
necessarily mean it is useless. Besides, it makes a wonderful first
computer for the kids, even if the adults have been forced to move on
to bigger and far more frustrating things! :)

Steve