Re: Newbee Questions

[Warren Ernst <wernst@gmail.com>]

On Jan 13, 3:35 pm, Eric Rucker <bhtoo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is true... I wasn't even thinking about AppleTalk... I guess, I
> figured, if you've got an old Mac that can write 800k floppies, who
> needs AppleTalk?
>
> And, there's always ADTPro, which is what I'm going to use for my
> IIGS, until I can get my hands on a CF card that is actually orderable
> and in stock. ;)
>
> (I will note that my //c is a revision 0, so no UniDisk support for
> me. No big deal, that's why I'm getting a IIGS. :))
>
> On Jan 13, 6:13 pm, demp...@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote:
>
> > Eric Rucker <bhtoo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > On Sat, 12 Jan 2008, Henry S. Courbis wrote:
> > > > > Anyone else care to chime in?
>
> > > > I'm also a fan of the 8-bit Apples, but I think the IIgs has some
> > > > advantages for the beginner. The built-in serial, printer and mouse ports
> > > > mean that you don't have to invest in additional cards right off the bat.
> > > > Also the ability to use AppleTalk and 800K drives is very handy, if you
> > > > happen to own an older Macintosh (makes getting files of the web fairly
> > > > painless).
>
> > > Of course, a //c would also have those advantages
>
> > Except for AppleTalk. That's limited to a IIgs, or an enhanced IIe with
> > an AppleTalk card.
>
> > 800K drives are also somewhat constrained on a //c (but not a //c+),
> > because you must use a UniDisk 3.5 (which is rare) rather than an Apple
> > 3.5 Drive. To use a UniDisk 3.5, you might need to update the //c
> > firmware.
>
> > (Outside of North America, the //c is almost nonexistent - it was only
> > sold in the US and Canada.)
>
> > Overall, the IIgs is the most flexible option.
>
> > (I agree with everything else Eric wrote.)
>
> > --
> > David Empson
> > demp...@actrix.gen.nz

I still have my first Apple //e right here on my desk next to my
webserver, so it pains me to say that the IIGS really is an easier
Apple II to get started with, for several reasons:

First, it has all the built-in ports, so there's no need for a super
serial card, or a disk drive controller card, or even a memory card or
80-column card.

Second, it has the slots, so if you happen to have those cards, you
can use them.

Third, it has ADB for the keyboard and mouse, which are super cheap
and easy to buy components. Spare //e keyboards aren't growing on
trees, and the mouse controller card only shows up on ebay every 4
months or so.

Fourth, it can use Apple 3.5" drives, which are relatively cheap and
plentiful compared to UniDisk 3.5's and their Liron controller cards.

Fifth, 1-MB GS ram cards are cheap and plentiful on ebay. If you're
looking for a good Appleworks machine with lots of desktop ram, or if
you just want a large ramdisk for temporary storage when making disk
images, it makes for a convenient storage place.

And Sixth, it has built-in RGB in addition to composite output for
using a monochrome monitor. Choose whatever output for the monitor you
have.

And that's not even counting all the GS-specific software you can run
if you want.

Yes, the //e, and even the //c, look a lot more retro and get a lot
more attention from guests to my office, and that has a certain charm,
but the GS is just easier to deal with, and widely available.

The //c+ has almost all of these advantages too, but finding one with
a populated RAM card is tough, or finding a standalone ramcard is even
tougher, and if you ever decide you want a compact-flash storage
device or an ethernet card, then you're out of luck. Plus they're
pretty expensive - GSes are relatively cheap.

My thoughts...

-Warr