Re: AW5 vs WP 1.1 for 2e

[mdj <mdj.mdj@gmail.com>]

On May 24, 10:34 am, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> John wrote:
> > This is ambiguous, but in your opinion ...
>
> > Which is better for a user today? For example: Although I have WP 5.1
> > for DOS, someplace, text transfer should work with AW5,  AW5 is (far?)
> > more popular, both seem pretty responsive to me, but WP 2e screen
> > operates in text WIZIWIG, WP 2e has reveal codes,  the WP gs and WP 2e
> > are compatible while AW5 and AWgs are not (think).
>
> > AW5 is a package with SS and flat file DB nearby.
>
> > I don't know about the Macro capability of AW5 vs WP 1.1. I assume the
> > 1.1 is more of a keystroke recorder thing. Is the Aw5 w/ UltraMacro
> > (?) more full featured (like branching).
>
> > How stable is WP 1.1?
>
> > --------
> > It's fun to see WP working well with the 2e - amazing.
>
> Actually, AW3 plus UltraMacros was much more popular than any of
> the later versions.  They came too late and offered too little for
> the cost to most users who already had fully TimeOut-enhanced AW3.
>
> I've always viewed this as a great example of fragmenting a declining
> (AW) market, which actually accelerates its decline.  After all, if
> you're going to switch, why not switch to something on the upswing?
>
> The introduction of the IIgs into the Apple II market is another
> example of this--"too little, too late".

Looking at it in terms of Apple vs. PC & Compatibles, I think you're
right. By then though, it was clear that Apple was pitching the Mac as
the next generation, and the IIgs fit nicely into the education market
- a realm where it's fairly modest capabilities were more than
adequate. It did pretty well for Apple there.

Where it really was a disappointment was as the next generation home/
hobbyist machine. Disappointing in almost every respect when compared
to an Amiga 2000. The almost sole exception being its ability to run 8
bit Apple II software.

I might've been tempted had the development tools + documentation not
cost nearly as much as the machine did. As it was, I remained an
"Enhanced 8-bit" Apple II afficionado until the early 90's when Linux
+PC provided a true successor to the hobbyist class Apple IIe.

Matt