Re: Avatar?

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

In article <84478@hydra.gatech.EDU> gt2011a@prism.gatech.EDU (gt2011a SIMMS,WILLIAM SHELDON) writes:
>I'm really sorry if I end up making anyone too upset, but I really don't
>see much point in the Avatar. I don't understand the perceived need for
>a bigger, stronger, faster Apple II. If I want a bigger stronger faster
>computer I can get a PC or Mac.

The issue isn't one of power. The point is that there does not currently exist
a computer which is not tied psychologically and hence finacially to the 
corporate world. That is there does not exist a "personal computer". The
Avatar could fit that bit just right.

[Snip and comments re emulating the Gs on more powerful systems... ]

Well, it's not that easy to emulate the GS, and even the IIe, on more powerful
computers. In any case you'd be stuck with the situation above.

>For the record, If I want to typeset a paper or solve differential equations,
>I use a Mac. If I want to have a lot of fun computing, I use an Apple //e.

If I wanted to solve differential equations I'd use a RISC workstation. The
issue of TeX is important. TeX could be easily ported to the GS and not for
the price of Textures.
 
Philip McDunnough
University of Toronto
philip@utstat.toronto.edu