Re: trading policy for IIe

["Paul Grammens" <grammens@svn.net>]

"Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote in message
20020614051715.06381.00000298@mb-fc.aol.com">news:20020614051715.06381.00000298@mb-fc.aol.com...
> Jeff Blakeney responded:
>
> >
> >I agree and that is where the problem of having older software being
> >made available illegally comes in.  Current developers have to write
> >software that does more than what any previously available commercial
> >title did because people can just download an illegal copy of the
> >older software rather than getting the new software.
> >
> >This is why most Apple II development lately has been internet related
> >because there is no existing Apple II software to do this and
> >developers figure that their time is better spent working on this
> >rather than spending their time writing something that many people
> >already have either legal of illegal copies of that does the same type
> >of thing.
>
> That's just my point, Jeff.
>

Well, Jeff's post was enlightening, anyway.  I never realized that he
opposes free access to abandon-ware because this forces all those commercial
developers of Apple II software to make better software.  That's quite a
concept. As if developers would flock to the platform to make all that money
if it weren't for abandonware.  I think if people were given an old IIgs or
other Apple and found out they'd have to pay real money for software to try
it out... it would go right in the trash.  At this point, the only thing
keeping the Apple II going is the minimal cost of the hardware and software.

In fact, we should put together an Apple II Newbie Pak of utilities and some
of the best freeware or abandonware apps and games so newbies get hooked and
don't throw that Apple II in the trash.

Let me be clear, Jeff. I collect lots of different computers from the Golden
Age, a magical era long ago when many types of computers flourished. I might
pay $5 or $10 each for them, though the Lisa and Mac IIfx were ~$10K when
new (Well, OK, I paid $15 for the Lisa).  Part of the fun is that it's so
inexpensive, and there's lots of software available- either by the
wheelbarrow load, or readily downloadable since it's of no value to anyone
other than hobbiests. If I had to pay $30 a pop for software for a $5
computer...  Well, I just wouldn't do it.  I'd shift to one of the other
platforms. I like 'em all- those Commodores, Atari's and Amigas are also
great machines.  The C64 also takes up a lot less space than a IIe...

In the end, it's a moot point. Abandonware will continue to be freely
downloaded, and anyone trying to make money by writing software for the
Apple II is not going to be successful.  No amount of shrieking or gnashing
of teeth is going to change that.
-Paul