Re: Big Text Machine press release

[philip@utstat.toronto.edu (Philip McDunnough)]

In article <C7uvAo.Lys@well.sf.ca.us> joko@well.sf.ca.us (Joe Kohn) writes:
>
>To: Philip McDunnough
>Re: Big Text Machine
>
>Umm, errr...
>
>I don't know how or why you assumed that because Big Text Machine requires a
>II+ or later that it wouldn't run on a IIGS. It runs on a II+ or later,
>meaning a II+, IIe, IIc, IIc+, IIGS and it even runs on a Mac that has a IIe
>card.

I did not say that it would not run on a GS. I am aware that it does. What I
did say was that I was quite fed up with people writing to the lowest
common denominator. While it may run on a GS, it certainly doesn't take 
advantage of that system's particular capabilities.
 
I have never thought of the GS as being completely in the Apple II world. The
fact that it is being placed there completely is serving to do it in at an
alarming rate. Publishers simply do not bother to make use of its 
capabilities. After all, why should they? It runs II+ sw. Long live the
II+, MDA, Hercules, CGA, beeps, etc...It's depressing. The Apple II, II+,
IIe, IIc, IIc+, IIe enhanced have nothing special to offer anyone at this 
point, with the exception of those who are used to them, like the way they
work and get along fine with them. However, this is not what humans like. 
People like colourful software full of sound. The GS has it. The Tandy's have
had it to a lessor extent for years. What's more interesting is that the C64
has had sound and was a main reason for the Apple II not dominating homes.
I simply cannot stand computers with no native sound capabilities.

>Personally, I think it's wonderful that Bright Software is going to
>distribute BTM in Europe. It's already being distributed in North America by
>Balloons Software.

Yep, lot's of non-GS software is being produced...It does nothing for GS
users, with the exception of ProTERM.

-- 
Philip McDunnough
University of Toronto
philip@utstat.toronto.edu
[Where sheep may safely graze...]