I have a theory... (Was Re: Transwarp (IIe) Clarification - RAMFactor 512k)

[Iosaef the Irascable <skid@tigressSPAMNOT.com>]

(Slightly OT)

Tim,

    I have a theory...  Here in Austin, there's a glut of Apple 
computer equipment.  Apples, Macs, and all that kind of stuff.  Almost 
NO Commodore, Amiga, TRS, and other equipment.

    The theory is that a particular computer's availabilty in stores is 
proportionate to the general preference and income of the families 
living in that area.

     In my hometown (slightly east of St. Louis, MO) area, there was a 
glut of Commodore and Amiga equipment, and almost a complete absence 
(outside of school givaways and such) of Apple II equipment.  The first 
computer I ever laid eyes or hands on was an Apple II+ at Computer Camp 
 '82 at the local university (SIUE).  But it wasn't until 1994 (almost 
12 years later) that I managed to get my grubby paws on my first II (a 
IIe w/dual 5.25 Drives and an 80col/64k card.  Nothing else).  I even 
had to go to great lengths to get -any- software for it.

     But as soon as I came down to Austin, TX, all I can find is Apple. 
 (Technically, there are two C64s, a C128, a Plus4, and an A500 for 
sale there at Goodwill Computerworks.  It's the most I've seen in four 
years of browsing there).  So there's got to be something with areas of 
people affording and/or preferring certain computers.

     And due to my growing up without Apples, I guess it's why now I 
have a large closet full of equipment, boards, spare parts, peripherals, 
and all the what-have-you I can get my paws on related to Apple IIs, 
including a nice shelf-full of manuals and software.  Even a Chatsworth 
Data OMR-1000 Optical Mark Reader for Apple II.   (Anyone know where I 
can get the disks for it?  It's got an Apple II interface card that it 
hooks to, but CWD has no docs and/or information on it anymore. ;)

     Would you believe, all told, that with (not literally) a ton of A2 
equipment, I've spent less aquiring it over time than I have in an 
average one-time PC upgrade (around US$400, usually)?

Take Care!
Josef