Vol 4, #1

GS/OS Installation
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

1. Store all programs on your first hard drive partition into subdirectories.
I suggest all programs and segments for AppleWorks in a folder, ProSel in a folder, etc. Any subdirectories within these (such as TO.Applications within AppleWorks) should remain where they are. For some, as above, you may have to reconfigure them so the system can find them. If your hard drive, and all the folders that you re-use remain the same, you needn't worry about that.
2. Make a complete backup of the hard drive. (In case something goes south, you can always restore your drive as it was). Make sure you have enough space on your hard drive partition for the new stuff plus the old. Say, 2 MB (2,048 K or 4,096 blocks) free will leave you room for the new system, plus additions later on.
3. Erase your hard drive. Formatting is not necessary, if you can just erase it. You can do it if you boot the SYSTEM.DISK and choose Erase from the DISK menu. Make sure your hard drive volume to erase has been highlighted with 1 click on it.
4. If not already done for #3, boot SYSTEM.DISK. Open the icon for it so the window shows all the files and folders.
5. Copy the files from SYSTEM.DISK onto your hard drive, by clicking and holding them and dragging them over the hard drive icon, then releasing. DO them in the following order:
A: ProDOS
B: SYSTEM (folder)
C: ICONS (folder)
D: Anything else.
6. Power down and reboot. It should start up exactly like the SYSTEM.DISK did, with the thermometer.
7. There is no step 7.
8. If anything doesn't work right, start over.
9. Boot ProSel and restore your files from your hard drive backup.
10. Done. Arrange the desktop as you see fit. Anything on the main directory can be left out on the desktop for easy access even when the windows are closed. But remember, only 54 files are allowed in any main directory, and Finder uses 3 files you can't see.
11. You can now check your system settings with the graphic control panel. They should be fine, since battery RAM isn't affected by a hard disk change.
12. Read the GS/OS documentation. Put it in the library where you'll find it when you go to meditate. You'll probably read it more there than at the machine, which is to be expected. You buy a computer to poke at. If you wanted to read, you'd buy a desk lamp, right?
Have fun.


Letter to the Publisher
by Kent Hayden

Recently, I had the opportunity to review a publication called "The Road Apple", a so-called "underground" publication dedicated to support of the Apple II computer line. After reading it I was much less than enthused; I was quite upset!
The Road Apple is published by a very nice fellow named Al Martin, who lives in Portland, Oregon. Al's major objective in publishing The Road Apple is to prod the folks down in Cupertino, and make them realize that we Apple Computer users are tired of being abused and neglected. He dutifully reports on every possible shortcoming in marketing strategy, alleged untruths and half-truths coming from Apple, and in general trying to disclose all the dirty details. Some of what is printed is based on actual fact, and a good deal is based on the opinions of those who write for the Road Apple. Make that MOST is based on opinions!
I was infuriated upon reading the Road Apple! It doesn't just point out the news about what is happening in the Apple II world, it goes beyond that; It tells in excruciating detail what isn't happening also. In fact, it tells so much about what isn't happening it almost forgets to mention anything that IS happening. I found it almost totally negative! If you read and believe The Road Apple's stuff you will be prompted to run out and bash your computer to shards, buy some other kind, and trust the boys in blue suits to keep you warm and safe! Balderdash! "Apple Bashing" won't solve the problem. There isn't much in the Road Apple that would help at all!
I realize that there is some truth to some of the information circulating about Apple's lack of advertising support for the Apple II, and I do recognize that there is considerable coming out of Cupertino and their dealers suggesting movement toward the Macintosh as a "replacement" for the Apple II line. But there are some positive things coming out of Apple as well as the negative ones.
Sure, there have been a number of software publishers who have "withdrawn" from the Apple II market in search of more lucrative audiences. Mostly these have been producers of games though. Serious software support for almost any education or personal productivity application (you can include small business software here) still exists. In fact, there is more and better support for a great many applications than there was even a year ago. Game producers won't make or break a market by themselves, and the withdrawal of Sierra, Electronic Arts, and the like won't kill the Apple II entertainment market either.
Nature and economics both hate a vacuum, and I predict that as publishers and supporters leave the Apple II market, others will start up and fill the void. New support, new applications and new concepts will continue to be developed for the Apple II line. I point out that there is considerable new shareware available now for the Apple II, particularly for the Apple IIgs. New programmers and developers start small and grow into major producers of products. Thus it has ever been in business and economics, and it will continue that way as long as there is any market at all.
There was ONE piece of constructive advice in the Road Apple. I found an article telling of the release of the new "Apple II Guide" by Apple at AppleFest in December. The suggestion was made that we could show our support for the Apple II by voting with our dollars, by buying this little book, by asking our dealers to stock it and sell it to us. Sounds good to me, my local dealer probably doesn't get enough of my business anyway, what with the proliferation of mail order services you see in the magazines.
I went out and acquired a copy of "The Apple II Guide", just to see what it was all about. (I had to send away for a copy.) The Apple II Guide is billed as "A complete resource for users of Apple II computers." The Guide contains sections on "The Apple II -- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow;" "Understanding the Basics;" "Making the Most of Your Apple II;" "Troubleshooting;" "Sales and Service;" "Understanding Technical Information;" and "Information Resources." It contains information about any aspect of using the Apple II computer that you could possibly be interested in. Third party support is discussed, resources for people with disabilities, developers, user groups, and much, much more. A lot of work has gone into publishing The Apple II Guide! This is a real resource for any Apple II computer user.
Now that I have it, I have advised our local dealer that he should stock The Apple II Guide. I am also advising you to go over and buy it. The price is only $19.95, but it is really a treasure trove of information! This is one of the truly great things Apple has done FOR the Apple II computer user.
Other good things that show me that Apple has not given up on the Apple II computer include the soon to be released HyperCard GS, the new System 5.03 (and now v5.04) which have only recently been released. Claris continues to provide support for AppleWorks, both Classic and GS versions; technical support and answers are available toll-free by telephone, and on most major on-line telecommunications services. The new Apple High Speed SCSI card also shows new hardware development in support of the Apple II line. I'm not really sure if the Apple Emulator card for the new Mac LC is one of the positives, but at least it is something NEW. Andy Nicholas, the developer of ShrinkIt has been hired by Apple to be in charge of the Apple IIgs Finder. No, I don't think Apple is selling us short in the support department!
I also see new and great things coming from some of the other developers as well. Beagle Bros software has recently released some really great applications, Platinum Paint, TimeOut SuperForms, Outliner 3.0 are examples. Roger Wagner continues to release new and great software, for example his new Graphics Exchange. Bruderbund recently released new versions of it's Print Shop series, and is moving away from copy protection. Vitesse' new Quickie scanner, WestCode's new InWords for OCR use with that scanner are great! I could go on, but the message is, there is no lack of support and development for the Apple II line. It's still out there, but some of the faces are changing, and some of the existing faces are changing their approach.
You and I can help with the continuing support and development of the Apple II computer. What we can do to help is simple. Be positive about what you want and would like to see happen. Don't rant about things that are not going the way you like, do something about it. Call your dealer, call Apple, support your friendly shareware developer. Tell folks what it is you want, and better, tell them HOW you want it to work! Pay for your shareware, your support can encourage a fledgling programmer to produce a work of art tomorrow. Be constructive in your suggestions.
In closing, I want to quote Tom Weishaar of A2 Central. Tom recently published a new catalog chock full of goodies for the Apple II computer. Tom had the following to say about the so-called demise of the Apple II.
"Since the day the Apple III (RIP) was introduced in 1980, the 'experts' have been saying the Apple II is a dead machine. If the Apple II couldn't kill it, the Lisa (RIP) or the PC Jr (RIP) or the 128K Mac (RIP) would. Some people never learn. I think we'll see 2001 before we see then end of the Apple II." ... " Six years ago I started a new Apple II-only publication and the 'experts' said I was crazy. In 1990 I started TWO of them. Glory be."
Long live the Apple II computer!


Carnival of hope: A trip through Applefest
by Tony Gonzalez

Applefest was greeted with a strong mix of emotions, both hope and despair. The biggest despair was that Apple would announce more Macs, and drop the II entirely. Another cause for despair was that Macfest would be held simultaneously, with the tickets working back and forth. The hoping side said that Apple would do something to show support and bring out some new CPUs. A few people have claimed that the ONLY way Apple will save the II line is by coming out with some new CPUs.
Well, they were both wrong.
The strongest emotion at the Fest was hope. Apple re-affirmed their commitment to the II line. They did not have a new CPU to show, but it appears that R & D for new CPU's is back on track.
The biggest thing that Apple showed was Hypercard GS and the upcoming GS/OS 5.04. The Apple booth was huge and well populated with intelligent Apple workers. They seemed very gung-ho for the II line and it's future. I had a chance to talk with several Apple people, and while i cannot reveal ALL the projects in progress, I am glad to say that the Apple IIGS software R & D department is going VERY well, thank you.
One particular new programmer is Andy Nicholas, "Mr. Shrinkit". His new task is the rewriting of Finder. With his expertise, I will expect a pretty great Finder.
The amount of companies on the floor was less than last year, but the ones that WERE there were pretty enthusiastic. Probably the most enthusiastic of the IIGS line companies is Vitesse. They have started up a great line of hardware/software, and their products break new grounds in the Apple II line. They are still working on newer products for the II line. Another fantastic GS product is the Zip Chip and Zip Chip GS, the one product designed to improve on the mistakes of the Transwarp. Granted, the Transwarp broke new ground 2 years ago, and AE is a superb supporter of the II line with many products. But the Zip GS simply works better. (personal experience). Speaking of AE, they had their great big booth in the Applefest side, while the Macfest side had a single counter. I liked that.
Overall, the Applefest side was alive and jumping. I took a stroll through the MacFest side, and it was like walking into an IBM nightmare. Suits everywhere, no life, no creativity. Remember the 1984 commercial? That's what it looked like! I even saw a bunch of Mac types trickling in, to see what the excitement was all about and boy, were they impressed!
A lot of people left the Fest with great feelings and hope. So did I. THE biggest problem we have now is the bunch of Mac bozos who read MacWeek (the National Enquirer of computer magazines), and they believe every false rumor about the GS being dropped. So let me give it to you straight.
APPLE IS NOT DROPPING II AND GS SUPPORT!
It will be a while before we see a new CPU. I can live with that. The support is MUCH more important. We must convince companies to come back to the fold, and begin or continue II and GS development.
How? Simple. The purchase of software/hardware from companies that DO support the II line is the best way. Send in your warranty cards. Send mail. Let them know you exist, and you WANT to see continued development for the II line. (Certain hypocrite companies like Sierra On-Line deserve only the rudest of letters addressed to the Prez, blasting him for making lousy games, then announcing the dropping of II support, simply because their programmers cannot hack it. Claiming the "machine is too slow" is no excuse. Sierra programmers are lazy, and their work attitude shows. Someone should show them Nucleus sometime!)
By the same token, there are FANTASTIC II and GS programs out from companies that care. Take Dragon Wars, both 2E and GS versions. But are crafted lovingly, and they take full advantage of the computer version. Dragon Wars GS uses Midisynth for THE best music, for example. Products like THIS deserve your support. And do let Interplay know that you WANT their software, and CONTINUED support from them.
The same goes for any other company that does good things for us. WE have the responsibility to let them know what we want, and how to do it right.
Of course, I partied pretty hardy. I brought over a game written by one of THE best Apple GS supporters, Bill Heineman. (Dragon Wars, Bard's Tale, Crystal Quest). This neat little game was called Night of the Living Macs, and it was a beaut! AE was sweet enough to let me take over their computer, and show it off. It uses Midisynth to play the theme from the Exorcist, and you have this beautiful picture of a Mac pulling itself out of a grave, while a scared GS looks on. In the game, you destroy Evil Macs. Best weapon is the Apple IIGS Advertisement. (it yells "APPLE II!!!" when you use it). A great little program to describe how we felt. and of course, I was selling my infamous "NO MAC" T-shirts. A couple of Apple people even bought some! Almost sold out, but I'm printing up a fresh batch.
And that's my capsule report of the Fest. We had fun, and left in good spirits. And that was the important thing. We have support, but we MUST fight for more. Don't sit back and let the evil Forces take over. And for sanity's sake, DON'T GO IBM OR MAC! In selling out to the Dark Forces, you sell your soul out, and you become a hollow user shell, devoid of the spark of life that characterizes the II line user. I have seen it happen; it's not a pretty sight. So take care.
(Publisher's note: If you are interested in a "St. Woz" tee shirt, send your inquiry to Tony Gonzales, Jr., 2412 Senta Ave., Commerce, CA 90040.)


Better Sound
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Here's my Andy Rooney impression for this issue:
Ever wonder why they built a computer with a 15 channel music synthesizer in it, and only stuck in a 50 cent speaker to listen to it with?
I found this quick fix for making the built in speaker sound better. I haven't tried it, but I know enough about electronics to know it works, and it won't blow your chips out of their sockets. It'd probably work on the 8 bit versions, although this was written from someone doing it on a GS. Go ahead and hack. That's what Apples are for.
I don't know about you but I have always felt that the sound on my GS was a bit tinney (too much treble, not enough base). My friend just purchased a Mac plus through USC's book store ($800, can you imagine that? brand new too) and listening to some of the same sounds that I have on his computer (modem transfer) proved this to be true. His sounds sounded much more natural and solid. Using an old stereo trick I have my GS sounding just as good now.
Go out and purchase a 20 to 30 microfarad capacitor at Radio Shack or some where else. These capacitors are used on stereo speakers to send only the treble or high frequency to the tweeters in your speakers. Solder or connect this capacitor between the two leads going to your GS's speaker. This will stop some of the high frequencies from reaching the speaker and give it more natural balance. In my opinion
this has made quite a difference in the sound quality. With all that treble missing I had to turn up the volume 1 notch to get the same apparent loudness.
A higher value on the capacitor will make this affect more towards the bass end and a lower value will retain more treble. I am using a 30 microfarad.
This is a quick and inexpensive way to get better sound.


Easter Eggs
by Art Umland

For some time, programmers have been putting hidden pieces of code, usually funny or surprising, into software. Here's a note someone sent me regarding a few of these "Easter Eggs" that are know on Apples, particularly on the GS. I just happen to have the list handy which tells how toget the credits displayed on the IIGS.
First, to see a list of tool version on the GS/OS operating system just hold down a key while GS/OS is booting.
After GS/OS has booted, press and hold all at the same time OA, OPTN, SHIFT, and CNTL keys and press and release the "2" key. Then click on the icons for a list of the developers or on the blank to quit.
You can also use the pull-down menu to find this hidden file by holding down the modifier keys and using the mouse to select "About The System" under the colored APPLE in the upper left hand corner of the command bar.
If you have ROM 3, click on the blank area to the right and left of the top row of text to hear a surprise.
You can also use the above key sequence of OA, OPTN, SHIFT, and CNTL and press and release the "2" key while in AppleWorks GS Version 1.1 to get a helpful info screen.
Here are some more. When exiting the Print Shop IIGS, hold the OPTN key while clicking on EXIT command to enter La La Land. Explore it for some neat surprises.
When using the PS Companion GS, click on the letters in COMPANION for special effects. Note: Do not forget to look for La La Land.
These were written up by Lyman Prior, but I forget which user group newsletter I copied it from!


News, Rumors and Blatant Lies
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Well, another year is upon us. But the madness never ceases. Without a shred of conscience in evidence, Apple has told the world that educators are "keen" on having Mac technology. A somewhat sweeping generalization? A grand effort to present Apple's opinion as their customers'?
Let's take a peek at a quote that was floating around the airwaves.
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From: Randy Wild, Submitted: 24 Dec 90 RE: Apple Computer, Inc. 1990 Annual Report
"Sales of our long-established Apple II line continue to decline in 1990. Though educators at the K through twelfth-grade levels ---- our principal market for the Apple II ---- were keenly interested in moving to Mac technology, many of them also wanted lower-priced products and color support. In addition, education customers were asking for a way to bridge the Apple II and Mac, to protect their investment in Apple II software."
My comments are: What "lower-priced products"? "Lower" than what? What "color support"? Or, should I say, what's wrong with the IIGS color? And, what about the IIe's and IIGSs that the schools bought? Do they throw them on the junk pile, trade them in, or what? I think taxpayers who support the public schools might want to know.
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A bald faced lie. The truth is that educators want something that's as easy to run as a Mac, and they want compatibility with their existing Apple II software.
So what is a GS?
It's what educators are asking for, but it doesn't have the profit margin the Mac has. Apple would rather that educators pay MORE for a Mac with fewer features than most other models, pay MORE for the as-yet-vaporware IIe emulator card to run their existing software - and get Apple emulation for 8 bit software, completely neglecting the 16 bit software that price-wise makes the Mac a laughable proposition. In short, Apple expects educators to pay MORE and get LESS.
Let's take a peek at a message from a Mac owner who's gotten a sneak preview of this wonder machine.
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From: Karen Hale, Submitted: 16 Nov 90
I'm a Mac Plus user who just got the chance to see the new Macs..I don't trust Apple and it's marketing plans... the Classic with 1meg ram is not upgradable... an intro level Mac... the only good thing is that it might get more people using Macs (no offense to Apple II users)... I looked at the LC and read a lot of messages on different boards/echoareas about the new Macs.. the LC is crippled-again purposefully so that there could be a low cost color Mac. It does have the new microphone (can add sounds to your Mac).. I was tempted but gee it would cost me (special deal price) at least $2,400 with a 12 inch monitor (lots of color games for the Mac don't fit on a 12 inch screen). A 13in monitor would up that price... phooey... I'm going to stick with the Mac plus... it does what I want it to do anyway...even if it's "obsolete"!!! shame on you Apple...
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Unfortunately, many educators are still so mystified by the technology and the possibilities it presents, that they believe it.
So, here's a project, kids. Is there a school system near you? Give them a call and see who makes the decisions on computer equipment. Find out, and then call them. Ask them if they're "keen" on Mac technology. And ask them if they know they can get comparable technology, and Apple quality for less money. Ask them above all if they even KNOW what a GS is.
With all the dumping of marketing manure, I'm going to be mightily surprised if they've even heard of such a thing from the people who sell it.
We all know that GM got to be where they are by selling only Cadillacs, don't we?
Hey, maybe we're just a little biased about our Apples. Lets be fair to Apple no, shall we? Why not ask the owner of neither an Apple or a Mac what he thinks? For instance, an Amiga owner who's just been subjected to a Mac presentation.
This is lifted from an Amiga-oriented discussion base, but should amuse the Apple II user as well. It has been reformatted and twiddled with a bit.
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From: Jason R. Oliver, Subject: Mac Multi-Media Seminar...truly a joke
Hi all of you out there, I thought that I'd tell you about the Mac seminar I attended last night. By the way, this was the reason that I requested you to tell me the Mac shortcomings before, and to all of you who sent me questions to ask etc. they worked like a charm! .
The show started with them showing about 10 Mac systems of the FUTURE. These machines were completely voice activated, color and portable. Mind you, none of these exist yet, and were simulations only, kinda like those on Star Trek, the Next Generation. It was nice to see that they could not demonstrate true multi-media with their machines of today!
The only graphics were displayed from a video-disk with a Mac controlling it. I could not help but not be impressed, I've seen remote control before. When I questioned the Apple Rep, about adding some computer generated graphics, he replied that it simply was not possible to mix the image from the video disk and the computer graphics on one screen. Genlock come to mind? When asked about computer animations, he replied that they were not practical for multi-media because they take too much ram, and MUST be played from RAM. When I mentioned playing from a virtual disk, or a Hard disk, he replied that this cannot be done, and that data compression of today simply cannot handle tasks like that. I really thought that I could do those things now with my Amiga, I guess I was wrong (much sarcasm!!!)
He then demonstrated an audio digitizer. He showed how one could manipulate sound waves. When asked how long he could record, he replied that you can record as much as you like. So I asked him to digitize a full sentence, he tried to get out of the matter, but I insisted and he tried, only to run out of memory about half way through the sentence. When I asked if he could play sound files larger than RAM, he again said that this was impossible. He also said that you can only record from DIGITAL sources, not tape decks or
your stereo. Sounds a bit limiting to me!
Now this amazingly boring show turned to Hyper-Card. They were demonstrating the POWER of HC, and got very angry when I was pointing out how long it took to load 3 names into their card, 35 seconds off of a Hard Drive! I could beat that on floppy! They also showed a seating chart, and how to rearrange seats "quickly and easily". It took 15 seconds to move a block (one seat with one name in it) to
another location, try rearranging an entire room, might be quicker to actually move the furniture.
They also mentioned the abundant supply of clip art but never mentioned any color graphics or animations.
And now for Apple's Lies:
Question: How many colors can the Mac display?
Answer : 16.7 million.
Q: I know that's the palette, how many can it actually display?
A: 16.7 million.
Q: 16.7 million on screen at once?
A: Yes.
Q: At what resolution?
A: 1024 by 768.
Q: That gives you only 786,432 pixels on your screen, so how can you display 16.7 million colors with so few pixels?
A: Well, um, that was theoretical.
Q: So for the 4th time, how many colors can it actually display?
A: 256, but out of the 16.7 million it can choose from.
New topic:
Q: How many expansion slots does it have?
A: one.
Q: Why so few?
A: Because, most users have no need for them, and the computer has everything built in.
Q: What is built in?
A: Video, HD controller, floppy, networking ability, modem.
Q: How would I add memory?
A: Use the expansion slot.
Q: How would I add a FAX?
A: Use the expansion slot.
Q: How would I add an accelerator?
A: Use the expansion slot.
Q: How would I enable it to record on video tape?
A: Use a genlock.
Q: But don't I need an NTSC signal first?
A: Yes.
Q: How would I get that?
A: A card in the expansion slot.
Q: So where would I put the genlock?
A: In the expansion slot.
Q: But the NTSC card is already there.
A: You'd have to purchase more expansion slots.
Q: What is the internal modem like?
A: Either 1200 or 2400 baud.
Q: Does it have level 5 error detection and data compression built in?
A: Not yet.
Q: But I want my modem to have these.
A: Well, you can't have it. (Getting very angry by now)
Q: Does the Mac multi-task?
A: Of course, using multi-finder.
Q: Can you show me?
A: Sure, no problem.
Q: Can you show me how to format 2 disks at the same time?
A: Hum, let's try. Sorry, a System Error occurred. Guess it can't do that.
Q: But you just told me it could multi-task.
A: It does, there must be something wrong with the drives.
Well, that's the story of Apple, showing the computers of the future, which I thought I already had on my desk. The future of Mac is yesterday's Amiga! Sorry for taking up so much bandwidth, this just really made me mad that these guys from Apple lied so much, and I had to drag the truth out of them.
By the way, all of this was after the seminar as they would not allow any questions or comments during their INTERACTIVE Multi-Media presentation.
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Oh, come on. Are things as bad as they seem? I mean, we can forgive the foolish. But it's harder to forgive the purposefully negligent.
APDA (Apple Professional Developers Association) is the part of Apple that provides appropriate information to the people who pay money to them for the privilege of having that information. Sort of like when McGraw-Hill published the "Green Book", the Apple II User's Guide. It was full of most everything you'd need to know to do neat stuff on your computer. But APDA is entirely company owned and directed.
You can probably guess what happens to someone who pays money to be registered as an Apple II developer.
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From: Bill Holland, Submitted: 21 Nov 90, Subject: Is Apple Inc. Stupid?
I just got a package from Apple Inc today. It was all about the three new Macs that they have released. The letter that came with it explained how Apple felt so good about releasing new products that they just had to tell me since I was one of their customers.
Now, is Apple stupid or what??? If they bothered to check their records, they would find that I own a IIGS. Why is it that when apple feels that they must send me some info, it has to do with a Mac? I am also a member of APDA, and what do they always want to send me info on? - the Mac, of course. Why do they bother having us send in registration cards when we buy our systems or ask us what platform we develop on (in the case of APDA) if they are not going
to use that info? It seems to me that we Apple II owners are just needlessly occupying storage space in Apple's customer files.
Apple Inc has failed to realize one major detail -- Apple II owners are loyal to their computer, not the company that produced it. I for one do not plan on ever buying a Mac. If/when my GS dies or fails to be able to do what I want, then I will purchase a 386 or 486 clone tower unit.
I don't like Macs, never have, and probably never will. The Mac classic embodies everything that created my dislike for Macs to begin with -- B&W display; monitor, drive, and CPU in one ugly clumsy, tiny, box; and no slots. The picture of the Mac LC showed a color display with what appeared to be 320 X 200 graphics -- I've already got that in a better machine. The Mac IIsi looked a little better, but gave no indications to resolution, price, etc. If I were to get a Mac, it would by default have to be one of the top end Macs
(like the IIfx) since that is when you start getting a
functional/flexible computer system. However, I do not have $12,000 to blow on a moderately functional system (the cost of a IIfx with reasonable amount of RAM, HD, HyperCard, and some semblance of a tolerable graphic display).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't companies supposed to satisfy their customers? It seems to me that companies that ignore their customers (regardless of how good a product they put out) collapse and die. If Apple doesn't soon remove their blinders, they will find themselves running right off the edge of existance into total extinction. I don't care how good a Mac is, I don't want it.
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This is only a recent story. I've been hearing the same from many APDA members registered as Apple II developers since the first AppleFest I attended. It's almost a joke with them. Almost.
Now how about those plain vanilla lies? The ones that dealers spew forth at the drop of an Apple II?
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From: Lon Seidman, Submitted: 26 Nov 90
Well, I just got off the phone with my apple dealer. I just got my IIe fixed and it will need new RAM chips. But he said the II line will discontinued in 1992. Even the GS is going. He said they want to use the Mac lc to replace the II line. When asked if the card for the LC will run GS, he said it is possible. If not now it will be made to run GS at one time or another. I am going to hold out as long as I can before buying a Mac. We'll see what we can do.
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And not to be outdone, the people who you go to keep your trusty machine running may be less trusty than the machine. I only throw this one out for balance. Apple is not the only pit in the prune.
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From: Nathan Fisher, Submitted: 06 Jan 91
If you like to hear how our local Apple dealers have their heads up their (rectal opening) then you might want to listen to this one.
One thing I really wanted for Christmas - a 3.5 drive. I knew there was no way I'd get one, but always hope. Imagine the surprise Christmas when it was under the tree! TEAM Electronics promised that if it didn't work on my IIc, yes that's a IIc, they could "make a quick adjustment" to my computer and that's all it would take. I hook it up and, of course, no go. Take the computer to TEAM, they say they will quote "fiddle with it" and see what they could do. 3 hrs later they figure out I need a motherboard upgrade... I wait another day for them to replace my ROM v3 motherboard with ROM v4. Take it home to test, run a memory check program and find out they put in ROM v2 motherboard -- an older one... Take it back to TEAM and tell them they messed up. Apologize and say they will put in the right one. Wait another day. Take it home and run same program. Take machine apart myself in disbelieve - yup - they put my original board back in.... Now irritated. Take computer back - now they think I need a UniDISK instead of 3.5 drive. "It will be in by the end of next week." Return on Friday. No drive. Now I talk to manager. Still waiting now. They will need earplugs if it's not in tomorrow - possibly Black Monday II.
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Well folks, there you have it. Just the scum on the surface of the cesspool called Apple Marketing. If I relayed everything I saw between issues, there'd be no room for other stuff. And Al made me promise to talk techie this issue. He loves it when I talk techie.....
Send along any stories that have happened to you. We can always use the material. You can't fight a war without bullets, and you can't make your way through the Mac Marketing Manure without a shovel.
Dig it.


A Visit from Saint Woz
by Marty Knight

'Twas the night before Christmas, no sound in the house.
My GS is dusty and so is my mouse.
My dealer's gone Mac; he's too brainwashed to care.
Apple marketing smells like that old dairy-air.

My children are nestled, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Mac LCs (ugh) dance in their heads.
The GS is dead, I've heard them all say.
They might just be right; things look pretty gray.

When all of a sudden a great noise I did hear.
I woke with a start and fell flat on my rear.
Awakened from slumber I jumped up to see
tripped over the cat and twisted my knee.

The moon brightly shone on the new fallen snow.
I looked but saw nothing, then turning to go,
stopped short... What's that?... Is that synthLAB I hear?
Why yes! Yes it is! That's good reason to cheer!

I jumped and I shouted and I danced then because
I knew right away that it must be Saint Woz.
More rapid than Zip Chip, old Wozniak came.
He whistled and shouted and called out by name:

"Now Quickie! Now Allison! Now AppleWorks GS!
Go Claris! On SuperConvert! I love you Vitesse!
Platinum Paint is so cool! Twilight Screen Blanker rules!
Who needs those old Macs when you've got Apple IIs?

"If you have been true I've got presents to dole,
but if you're like inCider you'll get lumps of coal."
So up to the housetop with the Green Team he flew;
Jim Merritt, Andy Nicholas, and Saint Wozniak, too.

I kept very quiet so that I might hear
SoundSmith tunes softly playing, spreading Apple II cheer.
Then I heard a slight scrape and as I turned 'round
down the chimney Saint Wozniak came with a bound.

He wore blue jeans and sneakers and a T-shirt that said
II-Infinitum ... II-Forever... I had nothing to dread!
A sack of great software he had slung on his back
and he looked like a hacker there searching his pack.

His eyes twinkled brightly, his dimples so merry,
his cheeks red as apples, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth smiled a smile oh so grand.
And a full bearded chin, GDL labels in hand.

A thick slice of pizza he held tight in his teeth
and the steam from it circled his head like a wreath.
A plump little face and a round little belly.
He laughed and it shook like a bowl of grape jelly.

He was chubby and plump; a right jolly old elf.
I laughed when I saw him, for he looked like myself.
He winked right at me then he twisted his head,
so I knew deep inside I had nothing to dread.

He said not a word. He went straight to work
programming in ORCA, then he turned with a jerk.
Then placing his finger on top of that mess,
and giving a nod... GAMES for the GS!

He jumped to his sleigh and it rose from the ground.
But before it took off I saw him turn 'round
and I heard him exclaim, 'ere he flew out of sight,
"Apple II Forever, and to all a good night!"

=====

Vol 4, #2

Price increase
Due to increases in postage, The Road Apple will increase its subscription prices. The following prices will go into effect immediately:
US First Class: $10.20
Canadian: $10.55
Foreign: $13.25


Satire: Special Advertising Supplement
by Andy Stein

Yo! This is Frank Gifford, here, and I'm here to tell you Apple II fans what we at the great orchard have in store for you in our future. First of all, I'd just like to tell you to save your stamps, trees, and ink. You see, any and all letters concerning the Apple II are automatically sent to the incinerator. Would you like to be responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent trees? I don't think so! So, if you have any complaints, I just want you to know, from the bottom of our cold hearts, we're not listening.
Coexistence.
Apple IIs and Macs can coexist in the classroom. For example, the Apple II has been known to make a great door stop when letting all the kiddies in. Then, you can use the Mac for the real power stuff, like databases, spreadsheets, and CAD for the young'ns. Now that's Apple's real vision of education! Forget this Stickeybear and Math Blaster stuff! Get 'em started early on REAL computer applications, like Excel and MicroSoft Works.
Anything a Mac Can Do an Apple II Can, Too- Wrong!
A lot of people think that anything a Mac can do an Apple II can also. These people are inferior, stupid, misinformed yokels. You see, the Mac has this "spiritual" power that the Apple II just doesn't (and never will, if it's up to us) have. It's more yuppie, in, kinda like goat cheese and BMWs. Would you rather drive a VolksWagen or a BMW? Think about it. They're both made in the same country, but one's butter than the other. You see, the Apple II has inferior, 8-bit technology, while the Mac has the cream of the crop 32-bit, Motorola-based, super-speedy 68000 processor. We all know that the Apple IIGS could have a 10 MHz, 65832, 32-bit, parallel processor, but there's just one teensy, weensy little obstacle: us! You'll never see an Apple II with a faster, better processor, and we can guarantee that. You see, little dinky companies like Applied Engineering and Zip Technology just are no match for our legion of corporate attorneys, and well sue 'em out of existence if they try to enhance our machines any. They're our computers, if we want to see 'em improve, now we'll just see to it ourselves. So, you minuscule little rebels out there trying to improve the Apple II and make it viable in the current marketplace, stop! or we'll sue you into Hades (and then we'll file a trespassing suit against you).
Apple II and Mac- Each Has Its Virtues
Both the Apple II and Mac has its usefulness and suits (we love that words) its own special capabilities. For example, the Apple II makes a great pounding surface for kindergartners in the classroom, while the Mac carries the children into the 21st century with its awesome power. Note: APPLE COMPUTER, INC. CANNOT AND WILL NOT, UNDER ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, WHETHER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OR COMPLETELY IGNORANT OF IT, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF SIGHT TO ANY AND ALL PERSONS, DUE TO THE MAC'S BLINDING POWER.
The Future
To all you people out there, who have been hoping for a bright future with the Apple II, consider the following:
1. The Macs are the future. Face it. You should bow down and bask in the glory of the Creator who has brought you the Mac.
2. Would you rather have a Model-T Ford, or a Ferrari Testarosa? Sure, the Model-T is good to show the grandchildren the nostalgic past, what has been, what wreaks of ancient rust. But the Ferrari is what the kids really wanna see. You tell them to hop in, you rev up the motor, and zip around the block at 130 miles per hour. Sure you get a speeding ticket. But isn't the power worth the price? We think so.
3. The media. It controls everything. We own it. You see, only we can advertise the Apple II, and were not going to. And if you think your puny, little Apple II magazines are going to promote it, you're wrong there, too. You see, we gave inCider the money to but out A+ and the Apple IIGS Buyers Guide, because we knew they were supportive of the Apple II. Now, we own them. They're our propaganda arm, and from now on, you're going to see 50 pages of the magazine devoted entirely to our marketing desires. That's right. We're going to put inCider readers through the same brain washing that we put our own employees and Authorized Apple Dealers through. We'll convert you. Trust us. Call it the Inquisition of the '90s. You're hopeless. There's no escape. You will swim in your own blood.
Get the picture?
Here are ten things to remember to best get along with Apple computer, and to avoid a law suit or persecution from Apple Computer, Inc.:
1. Look For Software That Snares --- All software is not created equal. For example, some software that is available for both the Apple II and Macintosh may be a simple, worthless port over from the older, inferior machine. And make sure not to get Apple IIGS-specific software- it may make people realize how similar the Apple II and Mac are, and we wouldn't want that, now would we? While the Apple II software may have color, the Mac software will almost always be easier to use, 'cause the Apple II doesn't have a Finder like the Mac.
2. Reject, Reject, Reject --- Your Apple II and Mac can share peripherals. But one computer will do a better job talking to them than the other. That's why you should have a network. Write your word processing files on an Apple II with Bank Street Writer, and then save it to the network. Have MacWrite II (which, incidentally opens Apple II files directly) import the files, and then enhance it with things like tabs, spaces, and underlining. then, have it print to your LaserWriter IINTX for some really great output! Use each machine to its advantage. The Mac's superior architecture allows it to print boldface, italics, and three-dimensional (our personal favorite) text, and you'll never see that on an Apple II, because that would require greater processor speed, a mouse, and third-party support. And if we have it our way (which we will), it never will.
3. Run For Your Life --- Go ahead. Write your stupid little children poems on your Apple IIe. Then, save it as a text file and export it into MacWrite II, where you can REALLY do some major Shakespeare! The Mac allows your mind to think clearer, more openly, so your writing will turn out much more better. (As a matter of fact, we're using a Mac to write this right now.) Your Mac will also be able to print really cool, smooth text, because we'll never write a real LaserWriter driver for the Apple II!
4. Steal the Printer --- It's just common sense to share a laser printer. Since one Apple IIGS, through our educational discounts, costs the same as six LaserWriter NTs, it would simply be moronic to purchase the Apple IIGS. All Macintosh, and a few Apple IIGS, applications print in PostScript on a laser printer (only our LaserWriter will work though, since we've sued anyone else who had tried to make a laser printer or anything with similar output work with an Apple or Mac), but remember that the Mac LaserWriter driver is the only one that supports double-spacing. AppleWorks can print on a LaserWriter, too, but don't expect anything even close to comparable to Mac output.
5. Color Isn't That Important --- The Mac Classic may not have a color screen, but that shouldn't keep you from properly expressing your artistic inclinations. Create your art on the Mac Classic, and then get a Mac IIFX, where you can import the graphic and edit it in real 24-bit color. You could use a GS, too, but I'm only saying this because Jane Lye says if I don't she won't wear short skirts anymore. And remember, the GS only has a maximum of 16 colors on the screen at once, and the Mac can have over 100,000.
6. Teleport --- Set up an electronic bulletin board, so students can communicate with each other under aliases and call their teachers names without their being able to tell who did it! The kids'll love it, and here's where you can really put your Apple II to use. You see, any old computer will work fine as a BBS, and since the Apple II really has no significant use, it makes a great bulletin board! Remember, though, that a Mac IICI will be much faster, and thus will save your class countless of precious hours, so you may want to get one of those, instead.
7. Homebound --- Just because there are Macs in the classroom doesn't mean you have to have one at home, too (though the benefits are countless). Keep pounding on the IIe's little keyboard, spill juice on it, let the cat pounce on it (just please don't let the monitor explode!), hell, even use it as target practice (remember, this voids your warranty). Then, save your children's drivel as a text file, and bring the disk to school, where the Mac's powerful FSTs will automatically recognize the simple Apple II-format disk, and let you import it into MacWrite II, where you can really spiff it up (please remember, though, that at this time, MacWrite II requires System Software 7.1, and at least 10 megabytes of RAM. But remember: this is one of the many advantages of the Mac over the Apple II. More memory!) and print it in Zaph-Dodobirds font.
8. Don't Hope For Too Much --- Don't expect the Apple II to measure up to the Mac in desktop publishing prowess. And don't kid yourself into thinking that the Mac can match the Apple II yet when it comes to AP kindergarten software. Use each computer for what it does best. The Mac for powerful stuff, and the Apple II for unimportant, trivial, Stickeybear things.
9. Don't Think Too Little --- On the other hand, use the machines you've got for all worth. You can produce good-looking eye charts and phone numbers with the IIe. But, for real power, look to the Mac LC in all its glorious colors.
10. Drop Dead --- When a computer outlives its usefulness, retire it from the classroom. If it's not being used- perhaps because a more powerful computer has replaced it or you've switched to software that demands more memory- don't just let it gather dust. Pass along your Apple II Plus computers to the newborn infant ward, or recycle the IIGS, when you make the inevitable transition to the Macs. Apple Computer cares about the environment, and uses biodegradable plastics and recyclable aluminum in its Apple IIs. Why use up valuable classroom space with Apple IIs, when you can have productive, powerful Macs in their place?
We would like to thank inCider magazine for letting us take over their magazine. We hope this clarifies any misunderstanding about Apple Computer and its position on the Apple II. Until next issue.
Frank Gifford
Apple Computer, Inc. Educational Dictator
Note: The above is a satire. None of it is meant to represent real life. None of it is true. None of the people mentioned above, is meant to represent any people in real life, whether they appear to be dead or are alive. It's just a joke!


Operation Apple Storm
by Mark Munz

What is Operation Apple Storm?
It is a group of Apple II users getting together to put out an Apple II ad. It's purpose is to:
1. Make everyone feel good about their Apple II computer.
2. Show that the Apple IIGS can stand up on its own, given the chance.
3. Give Apple, Inc. a big red face.
The cost of a two page ad (regular rate) is roughly about $10,000 -- just for the ad space (ouch). Then add about $1500 for actual color separation, photography and such.
I'm going to see if there is anyway to get some kind of deal from inCider (considering their recent failings in supporting the Apple II), but it is still going to be a lot of money.
Despite the large amount of money -- it can still be done. It would take about $25 from 500 people to cover most of the cost.
If you guys are still up for it -- I'll begin compiling a list of names and addresses of people who would truly pledge up to $25. If we get more than 500 people, the cost per person starts to come down. Then, we'd need to collect the money and come up with an ad.
So that's what it will take to get Operation Apple Storm started. If you folks want to do it, I will continue. Please, don't pledge anything unless you are really willing to give when the time comes -- I'm not ready to get into the Accounts Receivable business. :-)
If you are interested -- please send me Email with your Name, Address, and Online Service/Name. The response on GEnie has been great. I think I've got over 30 pledges in less than 2 days.
Hell Hath no fury like an Apple II owner scorned [by Apple]!
Support our troops in Cupertino!



What do I need?.. IIgs or MAC LC???
by Jim Merritt

(Ed. note: The text of a message from Jim Merritt... a decidedly biased Apple employee.. I think you'll enjoy this answer to the question.)

Mac LC gives you Mac compatibility and IIe compatibility. If what you really want is a Mac (for existing WP or spreadsheet programs, for instance, or for some of the new education titles that have been announced for Mac), but you want to keep using some IIe software, then the LC is a good way to go.
If you are already using and liking GS-specific software, the LC will not run it, so you might want to stay with the GS for that reason.
You stipulate that this will be a writing lab, and as much as I love the GS (having worked in product support and development for it since 1986!), I must fairly admit that desktop publishing, and the integration of written words with graphics win WYSIWYG style, is the Mac's forte: that's what Apple has been grooming the Mac for, lo these many years. If you anticipate using these computers primarily for writing instruction, then you could even consider a "loaded" Mac Classic (i.e., 2MB memory, rather than 1). You really don't need the color for writing, after all, and you could probably put more stations in the lab by purchasing the Classic than by going for any more expensive model. (Just my humble opinion.)
On the other hand, while the GS isn't so strongly oriented toward writing and publishing, it DOES have some decent programs for that purpose (Medley and AWGS come to mind -- others exist), but it also is capable of doing a LOT more. Do you want to teach computer programming on a shoestring? Drop into AppleSoft, which comes free and in ROM on your GS, or try Complete Pascal, Orca C or Pascal (with College Board AP Exam-compatible "learn to program" course materials!). How about multimedia with color graphics, video integration, sound-in, and multivoice sound out? Try Roger Wagner Publishing's HyperStudio, or Apple's own HyperCard IIGS (with the optional video overlay card for integrated video applications). Or if the machines might someday be used to serve music appreciation, instruction, or performance curricula, then try SynthLAB or SoundSmith on the GS -- those programs really know how to start the Apple IIGS's Ensoniq music-synthesizer heart beating in perfect time!
I could go on ad nauseam about the many facets of the Apple IIGS. I (speaking with the bias of an Apple employee, of course) can unabashedly recommend it for general-purpose programming, and specifically recommend it for integrated-media types of applications. And then there's Apple IIe compatibility, too, which the IIGS does so well that most people erroneously think of the machine as a faster, 8-bit IIe. It's not, of course; it's a full 16-bit machine with a modern toolbox and operating system that builds on (and in many cases improves upon) the corresponding Mac software that preceded it. The only gotcha is that you cannot run Mac programs on the IIGS, whereas you can on the LC.
Hope this info is of help to you. Bottom line recommendation from me (again, please note my bias): for writing only, a Mac Classic may be all you need; for sheer flexibility at a low cost (plus network interconnectability with Macs and laser printers), it's hard to beat an Apple IIGS. If you want Mac software compatibility, too, the Mac LC and Mac Classic are probably your two choices. If you want IIe compatibility, the choice is LC or IIGS.


Apples Join Fidonet
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

For about 7 years now, there has existed and flourished a hobbyist computer BBS network called Fidonet. There are now close to 10,000 BBSs worldwide connected to it. Except for the occasional Apple running CP/M, there have been no Apples on the net. None at all running native 65xxx code. Until now.
Evan Molnar, a sysop and programmer from Bridgewater, NJ has written a package which allows Apple systems to become part of this network.
One of his two packages, Fruity Dog, is a set of modification files to the existing commercial BBS program, GBBS Pro (L&L Enterprises, Boulder, CO), and the associated software which connects the BBS to the network according to Fidonet communications standards, and handles translation of the incoming and outgoing message packets to the proper format. This package costs $60, and requires some familiarization with GBBS's integral compiler, ACOS.
GBBS itself costs around $100. Fruity Dog will work with older versions of GBBS, back to at least version 1.3j, which I'm running. The current GBBS is version 2.1.
As an alternative to GBBS, Evan has also written DDBBS, a package similar in construction, but vastly different in operation from GBBS. The package includes the Fruity Dog software installed. At $90 complete, it's a better deal for those that either don't own GBBS or have no interest in learning the GBBS programming language.
Fidonet has almost 500 message areas available for any given system that joins in (called a "node") to share with every other system that carries it. Topics range from technical discussion for virtually brand or type of computer, to diverse subjects like Space Development, Writing, AIDS/HIV sufferer support, pretty much anything more than a couple people might have an interest in. The network also offers the capability for passing 'netmail', private electronic mail between any users on any of the systems on the network.
The network itself is free, except for any personally accumulated costs such as long distance phone charges. Most systems will not have these, as there are enough systems running now, that anyone joining will likely have a local call to the system they connect with for their messages and mail.
There is, of course, an Apple Echo (message area). I'm the moderator of that area. We have users from all over the world discussing subjects like game hints and helps, word processor comparisons, graphics conversion formats, and hardware repair. It's a great place to meet with fellow Apple enthusiasts and fanatics to chat, find or offer help, or just have fun.
For more info on Fruity Dog, you can call Evan's BBS, Third Stone From The Sun, at 201-652-7349, or mine at 804-424-1075, or you can write to me at the address listed in the box on the front page. Hope to see you online.


A2-Central Summer Conference (aka KansasFest)
Kansas City - Tuesday thru Sunday - July 16 - 21

Join us again this year in Kansas City for the THIRD annual A2-Central Summer Conference. This year's conference has been expanded from our traditional two-day affair to six big days.
If you come for Tuesday and Wednesday's activities, you'll have your choice of one of three two-day colleges. One of these will be Apple's Apple IIgs College. Another will be an introduction to Pascal by Mike Westerfield, developer of the Orca series of development tools from The Byte Works. The third will be an introduction to C programming on the Apple IIgs, by Walker Archer and Gary Morrison.
If you come for Thursday and Friday's activities, you'll get what we've traditionally offered at our summer conferences - two days packed with sessions about the Apple II. Apple itself will once again fully participate in this portion of our conference. A number of sessions will include engineers from Apple and Apple's Developer Technical Support team will once again be running a Bug-Busting room at the conference. Meet and discuss your problems with Apple's own gurus, including Lee Collings, Andy Stadler, Ron Lichty, Tim Swihart, Rob Barnes, Greg Branche, Dave Lyons, and Andy Nicholas.
And, at the vociferous request of previous attenders, if you come for Saturday and Sunday's activities, you'll spend your time at the Apple Central Expo, a two-day Applefest-type show sponsored by Apple's Midwestern Region.
Bigger and better than ever, this year's summer conference, including the Apple Central Expo, will be held at a state-of-the-art conference facility owned by the National Office Machine Dealer's Association (NOMDA) in Kansas City, Mo. This facility is within a serial cable's length of Avila College, where our conference has been held in the past and where, once again, we'll be able to provide dormitory rooms and meals to those who want to have the best time possible meeting and learning from other developers.
Make your plans to attend now. Whether you come for one day or six, we promise you'll enjoy the sessions you attend, the exhibits you'll see, and the people you'll meet.
You must register by June 1 to get the best prices. We have more rooms available at Avila than ever before, consequently, this year we can offer private rooms. Or, if you prefer, choose double-occupancy and save some money. Avila's prices include evening and morning meals surrounding the nights of your stay. College and conference prices include lunch. Food will be an extra-cost option at the Apple Central Expo.
If you like, you can pay for the sessions only and make your own hotel and transportation arrangements. Or you can eat and stay at Avila for $30 a night ($40 for a private room). And, for $25 more, we'll arrange to have you met at the airport and brought directly to Avila and returned. This final option would cover ALL your costs for the conference except airfare.
Registration Information
Tuesday & Wednesday
CONF-GS Apple IIgs College
CONF-P Pascal College
CONF-C C College
College of choice (lunch included) $150 ($175 after June 1)
Thursday & Friday
CONF Developer Conference (lunch included) $300 ($350 after June 1)
Saturday & Sunday
EXPO Apple Central Expo $10 ($10 after June 1)
Accommodations
AVILA-1 2 Meals, Private Room, per day $40 ($45 after June 1)
AVILA-2 2 Meals, Double Room, per day $30 ($35 after June 1)
TRANS Airport/Avila round trip $30 ($35 after June 1)
For more info:
Resource Central, Inc.
PO Box 11250
Overland Park, KS 66207
Voice Phone: 913-469-6502
Fax Phone: 913-469-6507
Travel Arrangements
DaySpring Travel of Overland Park will arrange your conference airfare and hotel reservations. Call and ask DaySpring about discounted air and rail fares and hotel rooms. Call DaySpring at: 800-878-0211
Exhibitors
This year you'll be able to reach not only the 150 or so developers who attend the A2-Central Summer Conference, but an additional 2,000 to 3,000 midwestern Apple users who will attend the Apple Central Expo on Saturday and Sunday, July 20 &21.
For more information on obtaining a booth contact Bob Berkowitz at:
Events Specialists, Inc.
17 Lilac Road
Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: 617-784-9499
Request For Proposals
If you'd like to make a presentation at this year's conference, please send us a written proposal. Include information on your topic, your intended audience, your equipment needs, and your time needs.
We will notify you whether your proposal for a session has been accepted. Each accepted proposal will earn a $200 discount, per session, for the presenter or presenters.
This year we are interested not only in sessions that are of interest to developers but also sessions that are of more general interest as well. Tell us what you've been up to.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: MAY 1, 1991
By the way, both the Senior Editor and Publisher of The Road Apple will be there.


I bought a IIgs, not a lobotomy
by John K. Gibson, Apple II Evangelist

There are several thousand of us out there. We are the people that walk into computer stores and ask for help or software for the IIgs and we are met with blank stares.
We stammer and we sometimes try to explain why we bought the IIgs, and what it is good for....
Folks, I bought a IIgs, I didn't buy a Lobotomy. I am not a second class citizen because of my computer of choice. My computer choice doesn't reflect on my intelligence, it doesn't reflect on my status.
I think we have all felt the eyes of computer salesmen burn holes through us when we walk into a computer store and ask for products fo the Apple IIgs. They are they eyes of Ignorance that say "you have a dead computer" or "They are going drop the Apple II."
Don't give these people power over you. Most computer salesmen (most not all) 1) don't know about the capabilities of the Apple II, and 2) don't care... they are out to get their commission.
I have a real computer. It is called the Apple IIgs. It works and it does its job well. I just have to remember that I chose the right computer. I bought a IIgs, I didn't buy or have a lobotomy because I own one.
PS. the ideas to write this post came from an article in FEMALE (Formally Employed Mothers At Loose Ends) an organization that is dedicated to helping new mothers adjust to being out of the work force. My wife is a member and I read their newsletter. the article was called "They had Babies, not Lobotomies" It is very true, my wife had a child, she didn't have her brain cut out. The same goes for my computer purchase. I bought a IIgs based on my needs, I didn't buy a crippled computer and I am not stupid for buying it. If a salesperson tells you or hints to you that you made a mistake for purchasing a IIgs... hit him very hard. That will make him think twice before opening his or her mouth again <grin>


Apple II News From MacWeek
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

MacWeek? Isn't that one of them things Mac people read to find out about Mac stuff ?
Usually. Every once in awhile, MacWeek does devote some space to Apple II stories of interest.
In a recent issue, we were blessed with two Apple II articles. The first article is in reference to HyperCard IIGS, while the second talks about Apple and the education market.
MacWeek starts out by listing the standard HyperCard GS hype. Prices, ship date, etc... They also mention that the HyperMover has not yet shipped, but will allow Apple GS users to take advantage of Macintosh stacks.
A paragraph is also devoted to discussing how HyperCard GS compares to Macintosh Hypercard version 1.2.5, and version 2.0. MacWeek favorably compares the color capability of Hypercard GS against Macintosh version 2.0, and even proclaims "Apple's HyperCard IIGS, shipping since last month, does nearly everything HyperCard 1.2.5 did but in vivid color". Not bad from a Mac based magazine...
Another article discusses the educator market, and Apples' apparent push on the LC. It starts out ("The Apple II is dead, long live the Macintosh LC" seemed to be Apple's not-so-subtle message to educators). The writer felt that this was Apple's attitude at the first leg of the nationwide Education Solutions Tour.
The Apple IIe was only seen in emulation mode on LC machines. Over 50 Macintoshes were set up showing off all sorts of stuff. Steve Scheier, Apple's K-12 director was quoted saying "We're still committed to the Apple IIGS. We're still manufacturing them, and we still support them." The article goes on to discuss many reactions that teachers and educators have about Macintosh and Apple II machines. Overall the attitude seemed to be one of Macintosh is the way of the future.
If Apple really feels this way, or if the author only got this impression, no one can truthfully say (without breaking non-disclosure). Some may consider this to be a positive sign, however, at least a Mac magazine still recognizes the Apple IIs.



Support your favorite online service?
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

This article is from Fidonews, the system wide newsletter of the Fidonet computer network.
[My apologies in advance to those readers located outside of the United States of America, because the following editorial probably won't be of much interest to you, but there is no "Zone 1" or "U.S.A. only" edition of Fidonews.]
The following item recently appeared in Communications Week, a telecommunications trade publication:
"COALITION PETITIONS FCC - A broad coalition of users and providers of enhanced services last week petitioned the FCC to declare that regulating enhanced-service providers as if they are public utilities is contrary to the public interest. Noting that the District of Columbia Public Service Commission has tentatively concluded that it has the authority to impose tariff requirements and market-entry and -exit rules on enhanced-service providers, the 16 petitioners urged the FCC to pre-empt any such state regulatory action. The District proceeding is prompting some enhanced-service providers to consider restructuring their services 'and possibly restricting offerings in the District,' the petitioners said. Among the petitioners were BT Tymnet Inc., the California Bankers Clearing House Association, CompuServe Inc., Digital Equipment Corp., IBM, the Information Industry Association, MasterCard International Inc., McGraw Hill Inc., Prodigy Services Co. and Visa U.S.A. Inc."
Now, many of us use, or have in the past used enhanced-service providers (we sometimes call them "Packet Switching Networks" or "Online Services"). And, our first inclination might be that we don't really want each of the 50 states setting different regulations and requirements for the various providers.
But, there are those of us who remember not so long ago when the enhanced-service providers were asking everyone to lobby the FCC on their behalf, so that they wouldn't have to pay the same types of access charges that voice long distance carriers have to pay to local telephone companies. Telenet (now SprintNet) in particular asked all their users, including users of their PC Pursuit service, to write the FCC on their behalf. The FCC was swamped with letters of protest (as were several congressmen), and plans to levy the access charge were dropped. And how did the enhanced-service providers reward those who had written on their behalf? Well, in Telenet's case, they changed the pricing structure on PC Pursuit so that instead of paying a flat rate for monthly service, you paid a higher rate for a service with a 30 hour cap... and very few of their promises to upgrade equipment in various cities and add new access points were kept (we were promised an indial in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan over two years ago. We're still waiting). To say that a lot of PC Pursuit users felt like they had been shafted is probably more than just a bit of an understatement!
Well, there's a pretty good chance that the enhanced-service providers may come around asking for your support again. May I offer a suggestion? Go ahead and write the FCC and urge that the enhanced-service providers be subject to Federal regulation only in all states in which they offer universal access... that is, full access to all their services at the price of a local call, from any point within the state, so that those living in suburban and rural areas are not disadvantaged. In those states where access is not universal, however, the states should have regulatory jurisdiction.
What's the rationale behind this? Well, apparently the FCC and the Federal government aren't too interested in seeing that the enhanced-service providers don't "cherry pick" - that is, offer services only in the more lucrative major metropolitan areas and medium-size cities, while ignoring the smaller cities and rural areas. However, the state governments would presumably be somewhat more responsive to the needs of all their residents, including those that live in the outlying areas.
The concept of "universal service" has been applied to the telephone industry for quite some time. In many areas, even if you can't reach an alternate long distance carrier by using "dial 1" access, you can get to their switch by using a "950-xxxx" access number, which is generally a free call from anywhere in a LATA (even if you have to dial a "1" or "0" first to make the call go through an older switch). If the long distance carriers can achieve "universal service" (or something very close to it) through use of the "950-" numbers, I wonder why the enhanced-service providers can't put some of their access ports on "950-" numbers, so as to make them available in areas outside of the major cities.
The city that I live in has a population of over fifteen thousand, a state university, the headquarters of TWO electric power utilities, the headquarters of two banks plus branch offices of several other financial institutions, and several state and federal offices, all within the local calling area. We are also THE major shopping area for folks living within a 50-mile radius. If none of the enhanced-service providers are interested in providing service here, I can just imagine how long the wait will be for those small towns that have only a couple of gas stations, a small supermarket, and a dry goods store. If the telephone companies offered service the way the packet networks do, I might have to drive 150 miles to make or receive a long distance call!
Those of you who are concerned with the environment (specifically, air pollution caused by thousands of automobiles stuck in traffic jams), and who have advocated "telecommuting" (working at home using a computer and modem) as one possible solution should be especially concerned about this. No one is going to pay several dollars an hour in long distance charges to work from their home! So because access to the packet-switching networks is not often available from the "far suburbs" of a city, the workers that have to travel the furthest (and use the most gasoline) are forced by economics to drive to work even when that work could be done from home.
So, if you are asked to write to the FCC, please consider making your support conditional upon the enhanced-service providers showing some "corporate responsibility" and not thumbing their collective noses at the smaller cities. It is high time that the enhanced-service providers realized that there is life outside the big cities, and that those folks deserve access, too. As it is, folks in some foreign countries can access U.S. online services and packet networks for less than what it costs folks in some of our own rural areas (in many countries you can access the packet network as a local call from any telephone exchange in the country!).
One final note - those of you who only call BBS's and who don't subscribe to any of the online services may wonder why you should even care about this. Well, just keep in mind that some of those great programs that you've downloaded from your favorite BBS (or that your users have uploaded to you, if you're a SysOp) may have originally reached your area through a packet-switching network or online service. The more folks that can economically access such services, the faster new software travels around the world. Besides, someday YOU may have a need to access an online service from somewhere out in the boonies!


Here is something you might want to put on a label and stick on your computer. It's a "fakideutsch" (fake German) warning . . . just say it out loud. From GEnie :
ACHTUNG! Alles Lookenspeepers! Das Komputenmachine ist nicht fur gefinger poken und mittengrabben. Isy easy der Springenwerk shnappen, blowenfusen, und mit Spitzensparken poppenkorken. Ist nicht fur bei das Dummkopfen gewerken. Das Rubberneckensightseeren die Hande in das Pocketskeepen, relaxen, und watchen das Blinkenlights.


Looking for work
by Al Martin

My good friend Valdimir Fedorov of the Soviet Union is looking for work in the United States. He has a license to work in the U.S. and I have copies of his resume and list of references.
He is looking for a position in a major computer technology corporation that would challenge his skills and experiences in computer science, software project management or computer application physics.
Vladimir has a Ph.D. in Physics and Math from Moscow State Physical/Technical Institute. He has done research in spectroscopic method for remote pollution control in sea water and multi-channel light spectroscopy.
His practical experience includes responsibility for several international projects of software development, marketing, distribution and sales. He has assisted in the organization of an international computer forum in Moscow. He also managed a group of 12 engineers and 10 subcontractors in development of a real-time software package for remote sensing laser based pollution detection systems and other projects.
He is a native speaker of Russian and fluent in English and French. He has traveled to some 14 countries and has been a frequent visitor to North America. Vladimir plans to be in the U.S. this summer seeking employment.
His address is:
Vladimir Fedorov
PO Box 506
125057 Moscow, USSR
Phone: (095) 458-5197
Fax: (095) 921-0902
INTERNET: bonny@stack.fian.msk.su
GEnie: A2.Vlad
If you would like a copy of his resume and references, please send a SASE to The Road Apple address in Portland, OR.


New ZIP products
by Al Martin

Be looking for some exciting things coming out of ZIP Technologies in the next few weeks. Mums the word right now, but exciting news is on the way.


Apple Computer, Inc.
ATTN Jim Merritt, M/S 70-AL
3515 Monroe Street
Santa Clara CA 95051

=====

Vol 4, #3

From the Publisher
by Al Martin

In a recent radio news story, Apple, Inc. plans to lay off between "several hundred and a couple of thousand" employees in an attempt to raise profits. In terms of strategic planning, that is akin to a farmer strangling his chickens in order to increase egg production. I'm no whoop-tee-do corporate exec, but I thought the purpose of Apple, Inc. was to design, manufacture and SELL personal computers. Maybe if the sales and profits are down, the problem might just somewhere in that arena and not with the people who work for the company.
In truth, the responsibility for the sad state of affairs in Cupertino lies squarely with the top management and ultimately with John Sculley. As the saying goes, "The fish stinks from the head first."
Apple, Inc. has gone from the undisputed king of the personal computer market to an also-ran in a few short years. There was a time in the not too distant past that Apple computers were THE ones to buy; no one had a firmer hammer-lock on the market. What happened was quite simple: Apple, Inc. just piddled it all away while IBM and others saw the market potential and sold hardware and software the public wanted at reasonable prices.
The Apple II computer owners were left high and dry with almost no support or research and development. The last gasp of the II line was the GS, which is still the most versatile machine around and is supported by a small cadre of fiercely loyal owners. The problem was that the poor GS hit the streets just about the same time as the Macintosh was being touted by Apple, Inc.
Advertising dollars were poured into the Macintosh line and the Apple IIs have sold mostly by word of mouth. Dealers and sales people all but refused to sell Apple IIs and shoved the Macs in our faces. The entire corporation tilted away from its cash cow work horse (interesting, biologically) II line in favor of the glitzy over-priced Macintosh. In the byzantine philosophy of Sculley's group, the Apple II computers were toys and the Macintosh was a "real" computer.
So, what went around, came around. Apple, Inc. did not support the millions of Apple II owners and thereby lost a large potential long-range market. As the II hardware market shrank, the software developers looked elsewhere. New software came from hackers through shareware in its attendant limited market. Loyal Apple II users depended on "old" software to do the day-to-day work. AppleWorks is still the integrated software program that others in any operating system environment are judged by. Customers entering the personal computer market gazed at what Apple, Inc. was doing to its customer base and looked elsewhere. Who can blame them? Would you buy from a company that has a "dump on the customer" policy?
There is no doubt that Apple, Inc. will no longer be around in a few years, at least not in the computer business unless they change their tune. Relying on a single operating system (Macintosh), will leave them alone in the cold. Success will come to computer manufactures who make their systems compatible with others. Apple, Inc. lost its leadership and IBM and its clones filled the void. Apple, Inc. continues to scale back while others grow and flourish.
John Sculley can continue to cut workers to increase profits, but for how long? Maybe until the time he ends up like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak began --- making computers in his garage.


CUE Conference
(My Vision Is Worse Than I Thought)
By Andy Stein

I was fortunate to attend the CUE conference on the weekend of Saturday May 11, in Palm Springs. This is what I found.
This educational computer conference was a combination seminar/exhibition, in which teachers, educators, and anyone interested enough (that's where I fell in) could explore new educational computer products, as well as attend conferences which interested them.
Although CUE called the exhibition a nice side benefit to the conferences, you wouldn't have known that if you saw the exhibition hall. A large room, about four-times the size of that used for AppleFest, was completely filled; so packed that I wondered if the fire marshall might stop the conference. Everyone managed to exhibit there, from Tandy, to Commodore, to Franklin, to, yes, Apple. By now you probably want to know what happened at the show.
Apple's booth, as you might have expected, was saturated and inundated with Macs. There was one Apple IIGS, and I was quite surprised that it had the ever-present "Eat My Dust Mac" sign which Zip Technology seemed to give to every exhibitor with a GS, which was, of course, Zipped to warp speed. It ran HyperCard IIGS, and was even connected to a laser disk player, which I was surprised that Apple knew was possible. The lady demonstrating it seemed very knowledgeable, but that didn't subdue the deep anger and resentment that was filling my stomach (it especially hurts when you haven't eaten all day). Almost every Mac still being made occupied Apple's booth, from the IICI, to the LC, to the Classic.
Educators were wooed by the impressive CD-ROM version of Peter Rabbit, running on a Mac IICI. For some reason, Apple never told them the price. I confronted an Apple employee about the lack of Apple II presence (desertion, if you will), who said, "If you want to take it up, take it up with Raul." He had this look on his face like I was the ninety-billionth angry Apple II user to bother him that day with such drivel. So, I went to Raul, and waited for him to finish his dramatic presentation of Peter Rabbit to a flabbergasted teacher. I asked him why there was only one Apple II in Apple's booth, and he said that they were trying to emphasize the Mac to teachers, and that they really wanted the Mac. I asked him if he weren't sure if they weren't IMPOSING the Mac on them, and he assured me that wasn't so. We got into the usual arguments and rhetoric about Apple II abysmal support, and how there was no software, and no improvements in the Apple IIGS's CPU. He asked, how, with over 10,000 programs, I couldn't be satisfied with software support. I asked him how many of those 10,000 products were released in the last year. Then, I told him how HyperCard IIGS was the only new product for the Apple IIGS this year, and said how there must have been at least 70 for the Mac in the last few months. He corrected me. It was 700 products, he said with a nervous grin, that were released for the Mac this year. I then nullified his point with one simple word: "See?" The lady standing to him, another Apple employee, quickly tried to end the conversation by saying that we had two different opinions, and that we both could believe whatever we liked. When I told her that might very well have been true, but that consumers like me would gladly pay a good deal of money for a new Apple II CPU with higher-resolution and more speed, she insisted that wasn't the direction Apple was going. I felt like I was arguing with a confused politician, but then remembered that no politician would treat a potential voter with such contempt, disregard, and disrespect.
As I started to leave, Raul reassured me, "Those who see clearly see that Apple's future is the Macintosh." I just had my sight checked last week. I'd better go in for another pair of glasses. I wonder if Apple will foot the bill.
Enough aggravation. How about some good news? One positive bit of info that I noticed was that most (keep in mind that the definition of most is "More than 50%) of the computers there were Apple IIs. In fact, if Apple's Macintoshes weren't in its booth, then there would have been about a quarter as many Macs. Every educational software company seemed to have at least one Apple II in its booth, and some had quite a few.
National Geographic had some great Apple II and Apple IIGS-specific software, including a neat GS geographic program which let the user zoom in or out on almost any map, showing closeups or overviews of countries, regions, or continents. It also had some IBM software, but it kind of made me want to laugh when I saw a clunky MS-DOS machine attached to a CD-ROM; the two really don't go together. It looks like National Geographic has many new Apple II programs, sure to delight and educate youngsters and adults all over the world.
Hartley-Courseware also had a few products which I saw demonstrated, to be available in the summer, pending violations of Murphy's Law. One program allowed children to explore a house, and asked them, via an Echo Speech Card (why they don't access the Apple IIGS's built-in speech capabilities is beyond me) where the garbage goes, where the clean dishes belong (at my place or yours?), and where you cook dinner. The student can respond by clicking on the object with a mouse or touching the picture on the screen, if a TouchScreen is available. It also had some other neat products available, but unfortunately, I can't remember them.
TimeWorks was there, passing out a bunch of brochures touting the new features of Publish It! 4.0. New additions include importation of New PrintShop graphics, auto-hyphenation, support of DeskJet and LaserJet printers at 150 X 70 DPI (don't ask me why they bothered making drivers for these high-quality, 300 DPI printers at such a low resolution), and use of Apple IIGS System/Fonts fonts. The new Publish It! 4.0 sounds great, and TimeWorks appears to be supporting the Apple II very well. Proof of this is an upgrade offer to 4.0 from 3.0 for only $30. Apparently, Publish It! 3.0 has sold EXCELLENTLY. When asked if the Apple II market were dead, one TimeWorks representative responded, "Not in desktop publishing." Encouraging, when everyone seems to be dropping the Apple II left and right, and any other known direction.
There were many other companies there backing the Apple II. Vitesse shared a booth with WestCode, which was flaunting its InWords, which seemed to work effortlessly. This is one high-class product. The representative scanned a page from a dictionary, and at only half of the maximum precision level, it didn't miss a character. Vitesse touted its Harmonie 2.0 software, which I finally bought a copy of, printing neat pictures digitized with the Lightning Scan. You really didn't believe on that, did you? They were, of course, scanned with the company's wonderful Quickie, the scanner of all scanners (actually, one of the two hand-helds on the market). The ImageWriter II printout looked better than that of some newspapers. But that isn't the reason to purchase Harmonie. While it does produce excellent ImageWriter II prints (in fact, while Vitesse representative John Pothier was trying to do a comparison between Apple's driver and theirs, it took him ten tries before Apple's own driver printer a page successfully with a 4 Megabyte Apple IIGS. I guess Harmonie wins here by default.), Harmonie's major attraction is its support of a variety of high-quality 300 DPI DeskJets and LaserJets and 360 DPI 24-pin Epson-compatible printers. The printer driver package can create wonderful, PostScript-like renderings of fonts which have a quadruple size equivalent in the Fonts folder. Vitesse is working hard on Contours, although a release date is unknown.
Zip Technology seemed to steal the show; they sure made my day. Besides offering the lowest-priced, highest-performance Apple II and IIGS accelerators on the market, Zip managed to outfit every Apple IIGS in the exhibit with a Zip GSX, and a complimenting sign reading "Eat My Dust Mac. This Apple IIGS runs faster than the new Macs introduced recently." I wonder about the expressions on Apple's employees' faces when they saw the entire exhibit hall adorned with these notices. Zip Technology apparently is selling more of these than it has, which might explain for the delay some customers have experienced waiting for their accelerators to arrive (If only they could invent a Zip U.S. Postal Service). They also managed to salvage a few to speed up their own Apple IIGS's, which ran a neat black and white graphics demo and a rotating color cube (which seemed slower with the accelerator than without). Zip Technology appears to be making a fortune in the Apple II marketplace; perhaps some other firm will wake up and join in the profits.
Roger Wagner was there, naturally, dazzling the audience (which always managed to fill the seating) with his multimedia HyperStudio extravaganza. What more can I say? You know Roger. He probably infuriated Apple. He made the Apple IIGS look good. No, make that great. He and his team of hypermedia maniacs put on show after show after show of interactive audiovisual symphony, while simultaneously selling the famed HyperStudio, as well as sample disks of a few of the HyperStudio magazines which seem to have sprung from nowhere. If it weren't for Roger, where would the Apple II be? Where Apple wants it.
Beagle Bros attended the CUE, showing its super paint program, Platinum Paint, for the Apple IIGS. It also showed the new Mac network mail program, Flash!, which it claimed to be selling extremely well (the lady representing them there also mentioned that Platinum Paint was doing quite well). A big sign announced that they would be releasing a major, big, important Macintosh product in August. When I asked if any great, new Apple II products were planned, she told me that there was nothing immediate, but handed me a sheet outlining the new features of AppleWorks 3.0 Companion Plus. I'm afraid I can't report to you on them, since it really didn't interest me in the slightest. At least they're trying. She did say that they were going to continue to support the Apple II for a long time, and that there were still projects in development.
I'll leave you with this. The only one who wants Macintoshes in schools is Apple; the teachers don't want them, since they feel rather abandoned from Apple's terrible support of the Apple II. And even if they did want them, they can't afford them; schools are on extremely tight budgets, and the large grants for computers and technology were a long time ago, when the Apple II was the only computer for education. Apple really doesn't learn. A few other companies still making Apple II products were there, including Computer Eyes (which still has awful-looking 16-color Apple IIGS digitizing software); Davidson (which will no longer be making new Apple II software. It seems they think all Apple IIs have disappeared from schools); and inCider/A+. The show was crowded with mail order companies, competing with each other for buyers' dollars. Quality Computers, Educational Resources, Learning Services, and FasTrack brought enough merchandise to drown an elephant.
The show was exciting, and there appeared to be more support for the Apple II than there was at AppleFest. Of course, Apple was the worst offender in Macintosh pollutants; if there were a law against Mac dumping, Apple would have been sued for millions by the Federal Government for illegal toxic waste disposal. I enjoyed myself, but I liked the show even more. A Dove Bar managed to curb my appetite, as well as the heartburn Apple caused me. I wonder if I can bill my insurance?

It's only early 1991, but I've already cast my ballot for some Apple II awards for the year.
First award goes to Jan Davidson, of Davidson & Associates, for worst analogy of the year. On page 54 of the June, 1991 inCider/A+, she declares "I bought a refrigerator a couple of years ago. A few months later, a better one came along. Why is it that people feel that computers should be any different?"
Second award is presented to Sharyn Fitzpatrick, of The Learning Company, for dumbest quote. Also on page 54 of the June, 1991 inCider/A+ (boy, this issue is getting to be popular), she states "The technology is what will leave them (Apple II users) behind. The technology is what's deserting them, not the publishers... We need to give kids animation, and we need 512K to do it. We're dealing with Nintendo kids. We can't get them excited on a 128K Apple II." Hasn't this lady ever heard of an Apple IIGS?


Apple IIGS tricks
by Louis Roy
Comments in brackets () by David A. Lyons.

Here is a little list of some tricks for the Apple IIGS. Perhaps you already know a few of them. Some tricks are undocumented keyboard commands. Take what you need. I took them from various magazines and books.

SYSTEM RESET:
-------------
Use it only when the computer crash and when you can't have the control even if you turn off and on the computer. It will reset the computer as if you just bought it at store --- this includes the reset of the control panel.

Press at the same time: OPTION + CTRL + RESET key.
(Option-Ctrl-Reset takes you to a menu with four choices, as described on page 109 of the Apple IIGS Owners Guide. 1=Enter Control Panel, 2=Set System Standards and 60 Hertz, 3=Set System Standards and 50 Hertz, 4=Continue restarting the system. Choosing 2 will reset the computer to the factory state. As with all Ctrl+Reset combinations hold down the Option modifier after letting go of Ctrl or Reset until you see what you're looking for.)

CHANGE CURSOR CHR:
------------------
a) Press CTRL-^
b) Press the key of the new cursor (any character)
c) Press RETURN key
(This works while you're sitting in Applesoft BASIC. Other times it will work only if the program you're running sends all your typed input directly to the screen. Most programs don't.)

APPLE IIGS CREDITS:
-------------------
Remove all disk into the IIGS. Reboot the computer. You will see an Apple icon sliding back & forth on the screen. Now press OPEN-APPLE + OPTION while holding down CTRL-N key. Voila!
(Apple-Option-Ctrl-N shows you the credits any time you have a sliding Apple error message. What the ROM is looking for is a Ctrl-N keypress with the Apple and Option keys already down; the above procedure works because Ctrl-N starts "repeating" if you hold it down.)

IIGS SELF-TEST:
---------------
Press CTRL-RESET while holding down the OPTION and OPEN-APPLE keys. Don't reset the computer when the self-test is running. If the system is ok, at the end of the test the computer will print "System Good".
(Keep Option and Apple down after releasing Ctrl or Reset, until you see the self test begin. Some people call this the "four-fingered salute" [I think Tom Weishaar, a.k.a. Uncle-DOS, coined the name]. Doing an Apple-Ctrl-Reset [a "three-fingered salute"] will reboot any time, including during the self test, but if you happen to interrupt it while the battery RAM or clock is being tested, you can mess up your control panel settings.)

NEW CDA:
--------
a) Go into monitor by CALL-151 in Applesoft
b) Type: 0=e <return>
FF/1800X <return>
CTRL-C <return>
c) Go into the control panel and voila! you have a new
desk accessory (Memory Peeker for M/L programer).
(The above works on both ROM 00 and ROM 01. The following was tacked onto the end of the file; author unknown to me.)
----------
I wanted to leave this guys text file as it was when I downloaded it, so, I'll just add these to the end.

When in monitor, instead of typing 0=e
ff/1800X
CTRL-C
Do this instead. Get to monitor, then just type a # sign. Gives you 2 new CDA's. Memory Peeker AND Visit Monitor
(To get into the monitor in the first place, type CALL-151 from BASIC's ")" prompt. The "#" command is new with ROM 01.)

6) KEYBOARD BUFFER FLUSH:
-------------------------
To cancel the keys you have typed ahead on your keyboard, press CTRL + OPEN-APPLE + DELETE keys. You may need this trick when you list an Applesoft program and when you want to use CTRL-S. If you have typed other characters before CTRL-S, the listing won't stop, so flush the keyboard
buffer.
You may also need to flush the keyboard buffe when you type ahead a command and you think you have made a mistake. Flush the buffer and retype your command.

IIGS APPLICATION PROGRAM TRICK:
-------------------------------
For some GS super hi-res desktop application programs you can access the first item of the first pull-down menu (upper-left) without using the mouse simply by pressing OPEN-APPLE + CTRL-2.

COMPUTER POWER OFF AND ON:
--------------------------
To make a computer power off and on, you don't have to do it. To simulated a power off and on, Just press the following keys at the same time: Open-Apple + CTRL + Shift + Reset. Take note you must hold down Open-Apple + CTRL + Reset during about 1 second after releasing Reset key. You must hear 2 beeps.
(Apple-Shift-Ctrl-Reset is a widely misunderstood feature. It is a feature of DiversiCache and DiversiKey from Diversified Software Research, Inc. (Bill Basham). Unless one of those products is installed in your machine, holding down the Shift key during any kind of a Reset makes no difference.)

IIGS CRASH CONTROL:
-------------------
When one of those new super-hi-res-graphics programs for the GS crashes, type CTRL-T and press Return. Doing so causes the 80 column screen to be displayed. You will see the address of the crash, the last instruction executed, and the contents of all the 65816 microprocessor's registers. The developer of the program will be interested in this information because it makes it a bit easier to track down the source of the bug that caused the crash.
(This information will tell the developer a little, but because Apple IIGS programs don't load at fixed addresses, it will be of much more use to a developer if you can describe your exact system configuration, including control panel settings, memory size, and all drivers, desk accessories, and other things installed on your boot disk. Try to duplicate the crash using a completely unmodified System Disk if you can.)
(Some additions: Shift with the "." from the numeric keypad gives you a ",". I don't know if that's useful to anybody, but I was surprised that I didn't already know everything about the keyboard layout when I learned that.
Here's one from personal experience. If you're having trouble running your IIGS's sound from the built-in connector into a stereo system, check that your plug is small enough to insert fully into the slightly-inlaid jack. I had to unscrew my jack's cover about 1/8 inch to make it work!)


Letters

May 8, 1991
Dear Sir:
I am a member of the Northeast Ohio Apple Corps User Group. I have read and enjoyed your articles which they have reprinted in their publication, Apple Bits. I love my Apple computers. I own an Apple IIGS and a IIc Plus. I use a IIe at school. These are great machines and I'm becoming more and more furious with less materials being offered for Apple II users while people are trying to thrust IBM down our throats. Last week, some men were skulking around our building because they want to put IMBs in our primary school.
I'm sorry I'm rambling but I just get so frustrated with the way the Apple II line and its users have been treated.
The main reason that I am writing to you is that I'm glad that you are out there and I would really like to subscribe you your publication. Please send me the details so that I can subscribe to it.
Thanks so much,
Sandra Havel
Cleveland, OH
(Publisher's note: See the BBS article below.)

May 1, 1991
Dear Sir:
I am an inmate aide at Union Correction Institution and during 1990 our school was able to acquire three new Apple IIGS computers. To our dismay we do not have literature that will help expand our knowledge beyond a very limited point.
Computers are a new innovation to Correction Education, especially here in Florida. It has taken a lot of ingenious planning by many individuals to get the ball rolling. Fortunately we were granted the computers, bur unfortunately funds cannot be appropriated for literature, software, etc. We would like to know if your company will donate a subscription to The Road Apple to our class.
The computer field is new to many of us and I for one would like to grow. Thank you for your time and consideration and I hope to hear from you in the near future
Sincerely,
David L. Jones
Raiford, FL
(Publisher's note: If you have any materials you would like to send to Mr. Jones, just let me know and I'll send you his address.)


Junque mail
by Al Martin

As the publisher of an Apple II newsletter, I get regular mailings of press releases from Apple, Inc. With one exception, all of the releases has puffery about the wondrous, glorious and spectacular family of Macintosh computers and how industrious, intellectual folk of obvious great taste and discrimination are making great use of these "real" computers.
The one exception? That was a March, '91 handout from the PR Department of Apple, Inc. titled "The Apple II".
With high expectations, I eagerly read the manuscript hoping to find an announcement of some great new Apple II computer or a positive change in marketing for the Apple II line from Apple, Inc. Alas, such was not the case.
What I did find was a historical review of the Apple II and from that I noted that, save for a few minor enhancements, there has not been one new Apple II CPU coming out of Cupertino in the last five years. In a two-paragraph description of the Apple II product family the only references to the uses of the IIe and IIGS are in schools and homes (sigh). However, under a section on innovative uses, we find that Apple IIs are being used well beyond the home and school, facts that are routinely ignored by Apple's press releases.
The final section describes Apple II and Macintosh co-existence. This reminds me of the saying, "When you starve with a tiger, the tiger starves last."
So, four years of intensive lobbying on the part of loyal Apple II owners has produced a privately distributed 8-page bit of fertilizer, which, in effect, pats us on the head, tells us we are good doggies and please crawl back in our holes.


KansasFest
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Many Apple II developers are aware of the A2-Central Summer Conference, also nicknamed KansasFest. This is the event to rub elbows with well known Apple II developers and have a chance to talk with many of the members of the Apple II team from Cupertino.
This will be the third annual get together of developers at KansasFest. For those who have attended the past conferences, they will find most of the schedule familiar. You can sign up for the Apple II College. This year the College will be a two day event covering four different topics. You could attend the IIGS College covering general Apple II programming information brought to you by Apple. If you'd rather learn another language, try the Pascal programming class taught by Mike Westerfield or the C programming class taught by Walker Archer and Gary Morrison. Maybe you don't like "in-depth" programming and would rather attend the HyperStudio authoring session led by Roger Wagner.
Again, following the optional College will be the actual KansasFest, where developers can sit in on a variety of seminars covering various topics and methods of "creating" software for the Apple II. In the past there have been seminars on fast animation, making sound, hints on using development tools to their fullest, and last year there was a sneak preview of HyperCard GS...what will this year bring... be there and you'll find out!
A new event has been added to the schedule. The last two days will be an Apple Central Expo. This show is being promoted as a two day Applefest type event.
A popular "Attraction" has been the bug busting room, and again this year it will be open so you can bring your programming problems to the experts and see if they can help. Apple's Developer Technical Support (DTS) team will be on hand to help out with any difficult bugs.
In the past Avila College had rooms available for attendees. Again this year they will provide rooms, and will also have the option to get a private room for a few dollars more.
If you would like to attend as an exhibitor call (800) 955-6630 or (617) 784-4531 and ask for Bob Berkowitz.
If you are a developer (or would like to attend the Apple Central Expo) you can call DaySpring Travel (800) 878-0211 for airfare, railfare, or hotel accommodations. Show attendance can be set up through A2-Central by calling (913) 469-6502.
If you're not sure about who to call, where to call, or have more questions call 913-469-6502.
The dates for this show will be July 16th - 21st.
KansasFest is being held at Avila College and at the National Office Machine Dealer's Association (NOMDA) in Kansas City, Mo. and is sponsored by A2-Central.
(Publisher's note: Dennis McClain-Furmanski, Vladimir Fedorov from the USSR and I will be attending KansasFest and presenting a workshop on total communication using the Apple II computers and available software. If you're going to be there, stop by and say "hello".)


From the BBS
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Here we are at another issue's peek through the marketing fog rolling in from Macintosh, Inc. The following series is a collection of messages from America Online. You see, it all started when someone started saying that they didn't think that Apple's claims that "educators want Macs" were true. A typical round of discussion followed, filled with claims negating Apple's claim.
The fact of it is that educators already HAVE several million Apple IIs. They want to use these machines. They know these machines and they like them. They're perfectly useful and do not need to be replaced.
What these educators DO need is support. They have a lot of equipment stuck in a time warp. Since Apple has chosen to favor the Mac at the expense of the Apple II, they have precious little new material for these machines. Is the fix for this to purchase new machines with more support? From the same company that has effectively positioned the previous models as scrap?
I find it incredibly difficult to believe that there's actually people at Apple, Inc. who think that they're going to sell Macs to replace the Apples that they've tried so hard to make useless.
I've not heard many noises from Apple lately with the "We Support The Apple II!" slant. Perhaps they've become comfortable enough with their strangle hold on the II that they think there's no need to placate those who are aware of their deceptions, but are still willing to believe marketing tripe as good faith gestures with some meaning.
The lies continue. Towards Apple users, towards educators, and towards the world in general, Apple spews forth the Maconoma virus, and waits for the disease to kill the body of Apple II. But we persist.
As someone who has spent a good part of his life selling and maintaining electronics, I can verify what many, many people already know; the best - or worst - advertising is word of mouth. Marketing makes its mark, but the long haul is finished by those with faith. I can think of few mistakes more costly to a company than to ruin its name long term by approaching the market with immediacy.
So, read on, and see for yourself the results. And pay close attention to the last of the series. There truly are faithful still in employ at Apple, and they're working in the same direction we are. There is hope as long as there are those who will try.
====================
Our school has decided to buy a lab of GS's over Macs for the art department. Our instructors like the GS programs better than the Mac. Not all educators want the Mac's.
====================
"Educators want Macs" they say. Hmmm...
I wonder if perhaps the real question being asked of "educators" is this:
"Which would you prefer: the new Mac line that we are pushing aggressively and offering at very attractive prices?... or the old IIGS that we have no intention to support with any enthusiasm and do not intend to sell as cheaply as the new Macs?"
I've had dozens of telephone calls and more dozens of comments at trade from "educators" who have the GS --- most want the GS to continue to flourish, a few are neutral, but none has expressed a preference for a "new Mac" over the GS. These folks must all be oddballs, I guess.
====================
This educator wants Apple II computers in his middle school. (And since I'm the one who recommends which computers to purchase, I almost always get what I want.)
====================
From what I can tell by talking to people around or local school system Apple's position on the Apple II has left people pretty flustered. There's been absolutely no interest in getting Macs in any of the schools, and if anything all it's done is give ammunition to those that for the past few years have been advocating a gradual phase out of Apple computers in favor of MS-DOS clones.
====================
I am very upset with Apple Corp. attempting to TELL educators what WE should be using in our classrooms. Instead of listening to the thousands of Apple educational users rave about the GS, they feel they know better. So instead of PROMOTING (notice I didn't say supporting) this computer, they have chosen to brainwash educators into DUMPING this platform and redoing all of our hardware and software. And if this concept isn't bad enough, Apple has chosen the perfect economic time to accomplish this. We are laying off educators and holding all purchases of computers because there is no money. About all this educator can tell Apple at this time is to take there idea and SHOVE IT where the sun don't shine!
====================
I am my school district's Technology Mentor Teacher. They pay me for computer services and advice in the purchase and use of computers in an educational setting. I recently made out a purchase order for 4 GSs to be used with identified Chapter I students in the fifth grade classes of our Middle School. My principal talked to our local Apple Education Rep and was told that Apple was no longer supporting the Apple II line. WE NEEDED MACS! Well, the administrator, in his infinite wisdom, believed a sales person over my advice, and we just ordered 4 Mac LCs.
This is a classic example of how Apple "experts" can directly and negatively influence sales of Apple IIs and push their Mac biases on others that don't know any better. This "expert" has no idea how the Macs will be used in an educational setting. I hope she is planning lots of support here. They won't get it from me!
====================
This space is surely ignored by Apple the same way they have ignored letters sent with similar messages but does anyone at Apple understand customer satisfaction? That Apple, Inc. folk, by limiting customer options to what THEY want to sell, make customers look elsewhere? For instance, Apple is not the only GUI around. Business and education people have homes (the home market that Apple has shrugged off to IBM clones) where computers may be purchased and owners seek game support and music software support, which MS-DOS applications (and eventually WINDOWS will) address. I wonder how many potential Apple customers, even satisfied past Apple IIGS owners like myself, have been turned off by the lack of promotion that has eroded software support so that 386 machines are the only logical choice?? I suspect hundreds and hundreds of thousands every year. And with all this talk of support, nothing has changed except protracted delays in release of IIGS system software that are meant to tantalize. Why did you release a machine that you don't want to sell? Don't you feel any commitment that is real will help Mac sales in the long run much more than this policy? Oh this is too much, Apple. Where will your customer loyalty be when you lost your loyalty to customers -- in five years, Apple will have a much smaller share of the PC market, just so their reps can get higher commissions.
====================
This folder is certainly NOT ignored by Apple. It has, in fact, provided material for one of the most popular and widely read issues of my Apple-internal newsletter, "Networkers Digest," in months! Smile! You're on Candid Camera (TM)!
Moral of the story: Don't assume too much.
Editorial (I've said this before, but it bears repeating): A company isn't some monolithic entity, as much as it might be convenient to regard it as so; a corporation's behavior is the summation of the behaviors of all of its employees and representatives. It is fair to say that, at one point, "customer satisfaction" wasn't nearly the high priority item that Sculley and the rest have deemed it to be today. The fact that Apple had to announce a renewed commitment to customer satisfaction proves this. But to make that commitment stick, not just the intention of paying attention to customer satisfaction, but the HABIT of doing so must spread to every corner of the company, every individual employee. It must become an automatic way of doing business. We're a big company, spread all over the world. Such an improvement takes a while to propagate everywhere. For our part, in Apple II land and elsewhere in the Consumer Products organization, we care very deeply about customer satisfaction (always have), and we are becoming even more vocal and effective in drawing attention to and action on Apple II customer satisfaction issues in particular. Work with us. Help build the momentum.
-Jim Merritt

=====

Vol 4, #4

Editorial

Of Sculley, the USSR and the Market Economy
by Al Martin

It is indeed strange that the current and momentary thrust of Apple, Inc. is in a single line of computers, the Macintosh, given the nature of our market economy. Personal computer consumers are being told that the Macintosh is the "real" computer for serious work and that the II line, anemic and barely visible, might be satisfactory for small children. Even official press releases from Apple, Inc. don't even give it that with issue after issue describing the "progress and successes" of Macs in schools. Apple IIs have been sold solely by word of mouth advertising, much like the efforts of street corner "pharmacists", and Apple's efforts to limit the IIs will be about as successful as the government's record of steaming the tide of available illegal mind altering substances.
Companies grow and succeed because they supply a product or service that the consumers want and are willing to support with their hard-earned dollars. Forcing one product and withholding another does not encourage consumer loyalty and the attendant revenue that follows. Forcing a single product at the expense of another runs counter to a market economy. Monopolies in any form certainly run counter to the commercial history and success of this country.
The Soviet Union, after more than seventy years of bitter experience, is finally learning the lesson of the benefits of a market economy where consumer needs and demands are met. Its historically restricted and planned consumer products system is falling like a house of cards. While the Soviet Union moves towards a free market economy and joins the rest of the world, Apple, Inc. is moving in the other direction in a marketing plan that would make a Kremlin hard-liner drool with envy.
As CEO and Board Chairman of Apple, Inc., John Sculley bears the ultimate responsibility for the current sad state of affairs. In his current position, he must accept the criticism heaped upon him though he does a masterful job of ignoring it.
At KansasFest this year, I overheard a conversation between an Apple, Inc. representative and another person. It went something like this:
Rep: "Sculley is not the enemy (of Apple IIs in Apple, Inc."
Person: "Then who is?"
Rep: "I can't tell you."
So it appears that the "Great Leader" really loves the Apple II line and the names of those who don't are carefully guarded company (state) secrets. That's convenient. It certainly frustrates any efforts to get to the ones who push the buttons and stand on the Apple II air hose in their misguided work of strangling the product line.
Sorry, but I think the whole process stinks, and, like a fish, it stinks from the head first. But, I guess that this affinity for a single product, controlled availability and a socialist-like economy from the Apple, Inc. head man should come as no surprise. After all, Pepsi-Cola is the only licensed American named soft drink widely available in the USSR, if you get my drift.
Please pass the 7up.


91 KansasFest
by Al Martin

This was the third year of A2-Central's KansasFest, a.k.a. Summer Conference or the Apple II Developers' Conference, at Avila College and the NOMDA Conference Center which are located in Missouri. It is also held in the month of July. It does get confusing.
As in past years, Apple, Inc. has thrown a crumb or two our way. This year it was the announcement of GS/OS 6.0 which is currently being tested and may be available by the end of the year. GS/OS 6.0 is impressive with an overhaul of the existing system and many more features added. Someone mentioned that there may be as many as 5 disks and a new manual will be printed. This is the product that Andy Nicholas of ShrinkIt fame has been working on and that alone should be enough to tell you that it will be a quality product.
No new GS, as if that tid-bit would surprise anyone.
A nice feature this year was the added computer expo during the two days following the conference. The space was rather small and filled up fast, but it was successful. A bit of skulduggery went on at the vacant Claris booth, but, hey, if you're gonna have a booth, you better make sure it's staffed all the time.
There is a small cadre of solid Apple II supporters still with the company and they were in attendance. There is no question that whatever dollars will go into advertising the Apple II line, they will go to the education market. I have a new 4-color broadside from Apple, Inc. entitled "The journey never ends." and shows a IIe, IIGS and a Mac LC surrounded by classroom artifacts. I guess two out of three ain't too bad considering recent history. Also, Apple, Inc. published a large 8-page pamphlet by Cynthia E. Field, Ph.D., titled "Apple II Software". Cindy is a regular contributor to inCider/A+ and a strong supporter of the Apple II line. All in all, the two advertising efforts by Apple, Inc. aren't much by comparison to the Mac blitz, but it's a helluva lot more than we've gotten from Apple, Inc. in the past few years.
This year we had a few winners and losers.
Big Loser --- Applied Engineering who explained that 900 phone numbers were really better than 800 phone numbers. Of course that is of little comfort to those in areas where 900 numbers have been blanked 'cause of phone sex, etc. AE also "proved" with stats from somewhere that Apple, Inc. will no longer produce or sell Apple II computers after 1994 and that "fact" motivated AE to reduce it's famous 5-year warranty to 1 year. AE did a great job of making just about everyone mad as hell at them.
Big Winner --- Roger Wagner, who once again proved that he is Mr. HyperStudio, is an odds-on leader in preservation of Apple II software development. His presentations were dazzling and his presence was a welcome as flowers in May.
Winner --- Rob Barnes of Apple, Inc., who drop-kicked Applied Engineering's "stats" through the roof at the Friday lunch, gave the II folks a bit of reassurance. Rob stated that some 500,000 units of Apple IIs will continue to be produced and sold during and after 1994.
Loser --- Randy Brandt who broke a bone in his right wrist during a game of "full contact" basketball at about midnight. Ice from the beer chest was sacrificed to help relieve his pain.
Losers --- those of us who stayed at the Avila dorm Friday night. The air conditioning went "belly up" at about 4:30 PM and we sweltered the rest of the night.
Winner --- Tom Weishaar, the guru of the Fest, who is keeping the Apple II alive. I do believe there will be a Fest next year. There were about the same number of people there as attended last year, but there were a bunch of familiar faces missing. Too bad.
A rumor to bet on --- inCider/A+/Macintosh magazine will switch back to an Apple II only format at the first of the year. It appears that the parent publishing company also produces a Mac mag and adding Mac stuff to inCider just made a mess of things. And so it goes.
New product --- Randy Brandt of JEM Software has released TotalControl, a supercharger for the AppleWorks 3.0 Data Base. Along with co-author Dan Verkade, Randy has come up with yet another super AW enhancement that is compatible with the TimeOut goodies.
For information, contact Randy at
JEM Software
7578 Lamar Ct.
Arvada, CO 80003
or
E-mail to BRANDT on GEnie


Epilogue
by Al Martin

In the last issue I published a letter from an inmate in a Florida prison. The prisoners have a IIGS but no software. Mark Apfelstadt called to tell me that he had a bunch of stuff to send and I gave him the address. Mark sent 5 boxes of Apple II goodies he has collected over the years. Roger Wagner agreed to send a box of software also.
Thanks, guys.


Letters to The Road Apple

May 12, 1991

Dear Al,
Some time ago I wrote to Dennis about a bunch of stuff including some of the things that I am doing with my GS. He suggested that I write them down for a possible article in TRA. ("... I'd really like to have a more detailed description of your use of the Apple in your business, for an article for TRA or maybe one of the other mags..." So here goes -
What do you say when people ask "So what do you do with your computer besides play games?" Most folks would say, well, I write letters, keep track of my investments, create Christmas cards, do a little BASIC programming, etc. So do I. But the Apple GS and Apple IIe are such versatile machines and there is so much user-modifiable software (like Beagle Utilities) that it is easy to use your computer in other more exotic areas.
For example, as a physician practcing medicine in a small rural community hospital, there are times when we need to have our patients' Xrays interpreted by a Radiologists. Our radiologists are located about 50 miles away so we need to get the Xrays sent to them for their opinion, which has usually meant one hundred miles by automobile at night on country roads. Not the best of solutions, I am sure you'll agree.
Enter the Apple IIGS. I have been BBSing for many years so I was familiar with the speed and efficiency of file transfers by modem. Why not send the Xrays to Tulsa (and the Xray specialists) by modem? I had been using ComputerEyes for the Apple IIe for a number of years for a variety of hobbyist purposes including digitizing images obtained from a video camera. I bought the GS version and I was in business... almost.
The only remaining step was the digitization process itself and the technique needed to ship the Xray graphic by modem to a waiting GS. I took a bunch of Xrays home and borrowed a small portable Xray viewing device from the hospital - really a fluorescent-back lit view box which nicely portrayed the Xray, which is viewed as gray-scale image. Using a standard family-style RCA video camera and a tripod, I sent up the "video studio" with the camera about 3-4 feet from the Xray - just about where one stands to view an Xray with the eye - took the video output from the VCR and connected it directly into the video input of the ComputerEyes digitizer. After some experimentation with the controls of the ComputereYes software - excellent programming by the way, using the desktop interface in a nice intuitive way - I was able to acquire an Xray graphic (16 levels of gray with 320 super hires mode).
Porting the image ($C1/0000) into PaintWorks plus, I added titles - name of the patient, date, etc. in a small dialogue-like information box, re-saved the graphic and I was ready for the next step. Shipping it 50 miles seemed too easy, so I contacted a friend, the sysop of the Apple GS users' group of New Orleans, 1,000 miles distant from Wagoner, Oklahoma, where the process originated. We decided to compress the image using ShrinkIt GS for two reasons. One, we halved the size of the file from 32k to 16k and by using the information option of ShrinkIt GS, I was able to add a detailed description of the particular patient's medical problem and to ask specific questions of the consulting radiologist. By clicking on "Update", the textual question was made part of the archived and shrunk file.
'Technical Note' - it is possible to send the native graphic file directly using xmodem (I use MouseTalk, by the way). But, since this protocol produces a text file, the receiving computer must change the filetype/aux from $04/0000 to $C1/0000 in order for a graphics program to view it... ShrinkIt has the double advantage of less "air" time and it can send multiple graphics (Xrays) at one transmission in a single NuFX archive.
To test the system out, my Louisiana buddy and I "played catch" with the Xray graphics sending them back and forth, de-archiving and re-archiving the file from Oklahoma to Louisiana several times and we didn't "lose a drop"! The graphic, protected in a ShrinkIt "envelope", remained intact even during bad weather. We used 1200 baud so that actual time of transmission of one graphic was under 3 minutes. On the receiving end, all you had to do after downloading the file was to bring up ShrinkIt GS, de-archive the file, dump into Paintworks Plus, which has excellent palette editing, and view the graphic in color, which seems to bring out additional detail. Hard copy can be made and the Xray and the interpretation made a permanent part of the patient's chart, which represents an innovative step from a medical record point of view.
So, in addition to using PrintShop and all the "sticky bear" features of the Apple GS - which President Sculley wishes to emphasize about the toy computer (Apple GS) - down here on the Oklahoma plains, we are using the machine to project Xray images directly onto distant receiving computers. They don't have to be Apple or Macs --- simply use SHRConvert to "gif" them and even MS-DOS machines can participate.
Sure beats me all to h--- why Apple wants to keep this machine from getting the attention it deserves outside the classroom and into the work place. Just try to figure out how much it would cost to set this simple system up on a Mac II. Perhaps that's the reason...Apple II Infinitum!
End of submission,
Fred Gise, M.D.


July 1, 1991

Dear Al,
Thank you for being so prompt in returning my call with the address of the "gentlemen in need" in Florida. There are about 5 boxes of software and hardware "goodies" packed up beside me, to be mailed tomorrow. I sure hope that involvement with Apple IIs will give those prisoners a chance to build some skills and interests to enable crime free survival when they get out. Most of your readers know that there is no better way to fill time than to try to figure out why the computer does what it does instead of what you think (or wish) it would!
I would also like to take a moment to climb on my soapbox and let some of those who might have read my 30 or so articles in Apple II-specific publications (mostly inCider and Call-A.P.P.L.E.) over the last 5 years know what I'm up to. I still have (and dearly love) my IIGS, and do occasional presentations for user's groups in the area. I even get the odd call for help from the Consultant's listings in old issues of Call-A.P.P.L.E. (out of print for 2 years!), but for me, time also marches on. About a year ago, I was faced with a decision about my computing future -- whether to go Mac or Big Blue as technology advanced. After giving all of the issues careful consideration, I wrote John Sculley a three-page letter detailing my lack of confidence in Apple Corporation's management and marketing savvy. In short, I felt no assurance that software I might write for the Mac of yesterday would be complete compatible to the Mac of tomorrow, nor did I feel like dealing with exorbitant programmer support fees just to find out about bugs in their system software.
I saddens me to say that I was deeply disappointed to receive a "non-reply" from a sub-assistant somebody, bearing out my suspicions regarding the state of affairs. As a result, I am now actively involved in working with music software for the PC, and just finished my contributions for a new book, The Musical PC, along with coauthors Bob Moog, Geary Yelton and Freff Cochran. I have also rolled up my sleeves and delved back into active programming, and am working on a set of educational software programs for young children using the PC and MIDI. Of course, at heart, I'm still an old AppleSoft BASIC hack, mentally substituting Object Calls for "ampersand routines!"
Rest assured that I am still morally loyal and true to the Apple II and IIGS (there is still no better library of music education software available for any other machine, PERIOD!). As to the rest of the product line and marketing strategies from Apple, that is what has driven me to see red and go blue!
Keep up your good work, I thoroughly enjoy it!
Sincerely,
Dr. Mark Apfelstadt


New Liberty for Apple Users
by Vlad Fedorov, Ph.D.

- 1.6M of Data on single 3.5"HD disk
- Apple II and IBM data transfer right at your Apple computer
- Mouse, Serial Card and Timer at a very low price
"... I am often asked at work and callers in similar situations if there is a way to convert files from IBM DOS to the Apple II world and vice versa. THERE ARE WAYS..."
---Cecil Fretwell, Call-A.P.P.L.E. technical editor
Two years ago I was faced with the same problem. Most of my text files have to be postprocessed in different offices, using MS-DOS machines. But I prepared them at home, with AppleWorks on my Apple IIe. More on that. I was really limited by 140K disk space of the standard disk II drives. At this time an excellent review how to transfer files to MS-DOS was published in A2-Central (Vol.5, No.9,p.5.68). The most common way was to use CrossWorks software to send files to the MS-DOS machine via serial interface. But you have to have an IBM compatible right on table with your Apple II --- or, you can use AE PC Transporter with their special 360K TransDrives --- or you can upload your files to the nearest BBS and download them at office to your IBM computer.
All these ways may work, but they are complicated, expensive and messy. For example, to use the $99.95 CrossWorks, I needed to acquire a $999.95 MS-DOS computer that I otherwise didn't have any other use for.
I could buy PC-Transporter to use Microsoft Word or WordPerfect on my Apple II ($689 value with necessary TransDrives), but I still prefer AppleWorks. If you choose the cheapest way to download files, you'll spend a lot of time trying to do that error free, especially if your text is about 100K long!
So, with all these points in mind, we designed Liberty, a drive controller card for the II+, IIe and IIGS. The Liberty card can use any type of inexpensive IBM PC-type 5.25" or 3.5" disk drive. You can hook up to two drives in whatever combination you want, DD (double density) or HD (high density). And you can use these drives as a standard ProDOS, GS/OS device or as an MS-DOS drive!
On the 3.5"HD drive you will have 1.6M on single ProDOS or GS/OS disk! Twice the storage of standard Apple 3.5" disk. And it will work on IIe also (AE 3.5"HD option is not available for IIe). Liberty drives are even 15% faster than Apple 3.5".
And if you need to transfer files to MS-DOS, it's no problem. You have to launch Liberty.Copy, a full-featured ProDOS-based disk utility program, that comes with every Liberty controller card. You can insert a new disk into the Liberty drive and format it.. for MS-DOS! You can create a standard 1.44M MS-DOS disk right on your Apple II computer. Yes, when you select a Format menu in the Liberty.Copy, you will be asked: Format to ProDOS or to MS-DOS? Once formatted, you can simply copy files from your ProDOS device (Disk II, hard drive, 3.5" Apple or AE drive, or another Liberty drive) to the MS-DOS disk. Files will be converted automatically.
One of the nice feature of Liberty is a two windows interface (like the popular Norton Commander on the MS-DOS computers). You will always see the current directory of your source and destination disks. With Liberty.Copy you can also delete, rename files, create subdirectories, etc. And you're able to do that with ProDos and MS-DOS disks. Liberty.Copy is a program selector as well, it allows you to launch an application by simply pressing <Return> on a selected file name.
Liberty drives are fully compatible with most of the ProDOS and GS/OS applications, you can use Copy II+, ProSel and all the applications, GS/OS Finder and other filing utilities. You can have a full GS/OS system on one disk and you don't need to pass a tedious process to tailoring it for your own! You can have full AppleWorks 3.0 with your TimeOut applications on a single disk, a single 1.6M 3.5" disk!
There are limitations, however. Liberty drives use IBM-like MFM physical format on disks. That means that you can't read disks formatted on Liberty drive in an Apple or AE 3.5" drive (they support 800K, not 1600K disks).
But the best feature of Liberty is its price. The package includes a controller card, Liberty.Copy software, all cables and one or two 3.5"HD drives with metal case. Introductory price for one drive package is $259, for a two drive package, $399. Compare it with the retail price of a single AE 3.5"HD drive, $339, and you will see the difference.
Liberty was announced at the Resource Central Developer Conference, in Kansas City, July 1991. At the A2-Expo we also demonstrated another product from Liberty series, the Liberty Mouse for the II+ and IIe. The package includes an IBM-type serial mouse (Microsoft, Mouse System or Genious mouse) and serial card for your Apple computer. For $79 (introductory price) you can obtain the mouse (for 'mousing around'), Point-to-Point compatible serial card (to use with your modem or printer) and a timer for your applications. The Liberty Mouse serial card has a battery powered non-volatile configuration memory and intelligent "setup centre". They allow you to quickly switch from mouse mode to serial mode.
These are the new products for Apple II family and there will be more...
If you'd like your name in our mailing list and receive more 'propaganda', contact:
Micol Systems
9 Lynch Road
Willowdale, Ontario, Canada M2J 2V6
(416) 495-6864
On Genie: A2.Vlad or Micol.System
Or send SASE to The Road Apple.


Words from the back room
by Jim Merritt of Apple, Inc.

Yes, Apple is still manufacturing, selling, servicing, and supporting the Apple II line. BTW, the bulk of Apple's new Consumer Products division is tied up in Apple II operations (although someday this will certainly no longer be the case, as new non-Apple II and non-Mac consumer products are conceived and brought to market).
Many of us who work in the Apple II Business Unit know that a lot of what has been said about the Apple II ("old technology," "obsolete," etc.) is simply untrue or irrelevant. True, the core Apple II technology (processor, data transfer bus architecture, slot design, etc.) is "mature" but that simply means that most or all of the bugs are out and you can count on it to work for a long time! . On the other hand, the High Speed DMA SCSI Card and Video Overlay Card for all Apple IIs, and the Ensoniq DOC sound chip on the Apple IIGS, not only embody comfortably recent technologies, but allow Apple II machines to do things that no other systems in the price range can The Apple IIGS toolbox and GS/OS operating system remain at the "leading edge" of Apple II development, and acquire new, useful calls with every system disk release, toward the goals of making Apple IIGS programming easier to accomplish, and making Apple IIGS computing more efficient and at the same time more fun, as time goes on. More developments are on the way.
Don't believe the hype. Believe your eyes and ears.


KansasFest, a viewpoint
by Andy Stein

You're probably wondering about Apple's presence. During the second two days of the conference (the A2-Central Conference), a few of Apple's Apple II engineers and one corporate executive gave seminars on the Apple II, its future, and multimedia, answered questions from concerned developers and angry Apple II fan(atic)s, and attended some of the many conferences held during the two days of KansasFest. Jane Lee and Ralph Russo did not show (more on that later), but Apple II Evangelist Rob Barnes did attend the show, and made a speech on the Apple II and its future, while answering, dodging, avoiding and dancing around the many verbal rocks hurled in his direction. Barnes is very good at what he is paid to do, which doesn't appear to be evangelism by the definition of the word. While he was quite frank and honest in answering most queries asked him, he had a great way of avoiding tough questions by recalling anecdotes about his days at CNN and Turner Broadcasting Company, telling jokes, and making people laugh and forget about the question. He did make it clear, however, that the Apple II's market was education, and education only. If programmers, developers and publishers wanted to make money with the Apple II, education was the only viable market.
You're most likely thinking, what about the consumer market, and what was that letter to developers really all about? So was I. So I asked him. He said that Apple had really wanted to have Christmas for us, and planned to until the company reorganization and merger with IBM. (Apple seems to reorganize more than any bankrupt company I can think of.) However, hope for the Apple II in consumers' hands should not be lost, for Apple has formed a new Consumer Products Division, and Barnes reports Jane Lee and Ralph Russo to be very busy right now formulating a plan for presenting the Apple II to the new head of the Consumer Division, some guy whose last name is Nagle, whom I can't remember at the moment. Wouldn't we rather have them working for the Apple II in Cupertino than merely discussing it in Kansas? I suppose, if that's really the situation. But, we have learned to take everything Apple says with a slice of lemon.
There has been much speculation that Apple was going to introduce a new Apple IIGS sometime within the next few months. These rumors stemmed from some marketing research that Apple did at a few of the users group conventions across the United States, in such cities as Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Rob emphatically denied that Apple had any plans for a new Apple II CPU at this time, but added that we'll see what happens with the newly formed Consumer Products Division. He wanted me to clarify this situation and the wild rumors that accompanied it for you. In each of five United States cities, Apple found ten people who had never owned personal computers, and asked them what they would like in the ideal personal computer. They almost unanimously concluded that the computer should have lots of memory. How much? About two Megabytes. And it should have one of those hard disk things, internal! How big? 40 Megabytes. It should be fast and have high resolution, say 8 MHz and 640 X 400 video capabilities. Starting to sound familiar? Independent marketing researchers did the questioning, while Apple executives watched and took notes behind a one-way glass. After the interview, Apple revealed itself to the interviewees. Then, Apple found ten people who owned Apple IIs, and asked them the same questions. They gave basically the same answers as the other group, but thought the Apple II to be dead. From this, people began spreading rumors of a new Apple IIGS, with a 40 Megabyte internal hard drive, 8 MHz system speed, and 640 X 400 video. Some people even apparently went to the extent of lying, saying that Apple showed a photograph of the new Apple II! Rumors spread and expand fast, so be careful what you believe, especially if it's not from the source's mouth. Hearsay produces many extravagant, fantastic rumors, which some people state as fact. However, Barnes assured me this was purely market research, and nothing more. It does strike as rather odd that market research would only cover 100 people (20 from each city times five cities), but that's why I'm not a marketing executive.
Anyway, you probably want to know what was new at the show. Apple released (or at least talked about) five new things for the Apple II. They showed System 6.0, which, among many other things, is much faster (eight times faster in scrolling), easier to use, and has HFS (Macintosh), Pascal and DOS 3.3 FSTs, which let the computer read those operating systems and write the Macintosh operating system (the DOS 3.3 and Pascal FSTs only allow it to read DOS 3.3 disks). Also discussed was Prodos 2.0, which will only work on enhanced Apple IIes (65C02s), but the author needed to do that for a purpose: This version of Prodos will allow one to access 14 partitions instead of the old limit of two. There was great applause when this new feature was mentioned, and you Apple IIe people should be happy about this new version. Also mentioned was an update to HyperCard IIGS, to version 1.1. I don't remember exactly what new features there were in this new version, but I think some bugs were fixed and the product has new functionality and other neat things. Apple also talked about their new Ethernet card (whopee!) for the Apple IIe and IIGS (the card will have more abilities when in the Apple IIGS), which will make Apple IIs much faster on networks, compared to the existing AppleTalk system. Ethernet is capable of operating at approximately 10,000 bits per second, or something much faster than that (anyway, it's about ten times faster than AppleTalk). The last thing introduced was the SuperDrive card (which I believe was only for the Apple IIGS), which will allow one to use 3.5" high-density disks with Apple's 1.44 Megabyte 3.5" SuperDrives. With the Macintosh HFS FST, one will be able to directly read and write all Macintosh disks, and with the SuperDrive, access to all 1.44 Megabytes will be possible. No mention was made of the new 2.8 Megabyte format which Apple is reportedly changing to with the Macintosh. It seemed as though Apple were tossing scraps of meat to a pack of ravenous dogs. We want the steak!
Roger Wagner gave the keynote address and, as usual, dazzled the audience with his display of multimedia fantasia. The presentation began with a black background, which was slowly overwritten with a white line, which crawled around the big projection screen, leaving a trail behind it. A television was formed, then a sign which read Home Sweet Home, and finally a little man appeared, dancing to a primitive tune bleeped by the Apple IIGS's little speaker. Roger stepped behind the curtain, and suddenly a digitized image of his face took the place of that primeval figure on the television screen, as he announced, "That's better!" Then, the digitized image changed to a live, full color video of our esteemed presenter, who had just demonstrated the quantum leap multimedia had taken in the last thirteen years. The audience was aghast. Then, Roger reentered the stage, as the theme to Odyssey: 2001 thunderously accompanied him. The screen then faded, with the few but immeasurably powerful words "Reintroducing HyperStudio 3.0". It's here, and in vibrant, spectacular 256 colors! Among the many new features to this already powerful package are greater ease of use, more power, scripting (which allows even the novice to program functions not already in HyperStudio, via simple pulldown menus and point and click interface), 320 mode support, and better functionality, although you really have to see it to fully grasp this new package's explosive power (and Roger isn't even paying me to write this!). Expect it to be available by the end of the year, and of course upgrades will be offered to those who did not buy the product within 60 days of its release, for the planned low price of $45 (for those who do buy the product within the specified range of time before the product's release, upgrades will be free). This program looks like it'll blow the magnetic medium out of HyperCard IIGS.
There were other products introduced at the Apple Central Expo, the actual show part of KansasFest. While the Expo wasn't produced by Resource Central, it still was a lot of fun.
Zip Technology was there, displaying not only its Zip GSX accelerator, but also the new Zip Drive. This hard drive comes in an internal and external model, the latter of which takes up no more space than Apple's 3.5" disk drive. A Zip spokesman claimed it to be faster than a hard drive operated by the RamFast SCSI Card, and also mentioned that the custom controller card could be attached to a Vulcan internal hard drive, manufactured by Applied Engineering. Hard drives seemed to be popular at this show, as Econ Technologies, a new Apple II developer, announced and presented its line of Pegasus internal hard drives for the Apple IIGS. Like its Vulcan counterpart, the Pegasus replaces the Apple IIGS's power supply, providing power and a fast hard disk for the user. The Pegasus comes in four models: 50, 100, and 200 Megabytes, and a special empty hard disk case, which allows the owner to install his own hard drive mechanism, without having to buy a preinstalled one at a higher price. A representative claimed the hard drive to be faster than one controlled by Apple's High-Speed SCSI Card, but slower than a hard disk operated by CV Technologies' RamFast SCSI. Pegasus's sister software developing company, 360 MicroSystems, is almost finished with a screen saver for the Apple IIGS that strongly resembles AfterDark on the Macintosh. The program currently is planned to come with ten modules, which create various special effects when the computer is unattended for a set period of time, or if the mouse is moved to the bottom left corner of the screen. A module which allows one to create his own animated sequences is also included. This will be part of a greater package of miscellaneous Apple IIGS utilities, mostly CDevs (called Control Panels in System 6.0), to be published by Quality Computers. I saw a vector ball module, which popped rendered, colored balls all over the screen, like bubbles. It looks great, and I've always wanted a neat screen saver toy like After Dark on the Macintosh.
Speaking of graphics, two 3,200 simultaneous color paint programs were displayed at KansasFest. One, called DreamGrafix (I wish these computer companies would spell their names like normal, human words), by DreamWorld software, was released in an almost complete version for $65, with free updates when the first real version is ready. The results of some of the pictures done were stunning, closely resembling photographic quality. The program's interface looked equally good, with flashy scrolling tool buttons at the bottom of the screen, and snazzy gray scale pulldown menus. Thinking of expansion, the programmers wisely allowed for extra tools to be written and implemented into the sliding menu at the bottom of the screen. Creative types will be able to add previously unavailable features with this innovative process. The programmers had a good method of finding the closest match for a color, a necessary feature for a 3,200 color paint program. The competition, New Concepts, had an equally impressive, although unfinished, 3,200 color paint program, called Emerald Visions. This program's interface seemed to be a little less refined. However, the program wasn't finished yet, so, by time it's released, it may be even better than DreamGrafix. Authors of both programs were amazed at their competitors' creation, and appreciated each other's work. I even heard one programmer marvel to his rival, How did you do that?!? After seeing some of the artwork done in 640 mode on the Apple IIGS, it'll be interesting to see what our creative artists can make with the 3,200 color paint programs.
New Concepts is also working on hardware for the Apple IIGS. One product, which has been known as the VGA Card, may have to find a different name. Because if the engineer does what he says he's trying to, this card will be able to display XGA-quality graphics at a lower price than the current VGA model! New Concepts is targeting a price under $200. This, coupled with the next project they are working on, could make the Apple IIGS a cheaper, better video machine than a Macintosh II. The same engineer is also working on a DSP (or whatever it's called) card which, with software written specifically for it, will make an Apple IIGS 60% faster than a Macintosh IIFX, for under $300. He's also integrating the cards to work with each other. If there's any kind of synergy I'll ever buy from Apple, it'll involve these two cards.
SevenHills software introduced a new formula writing program for the Apple IIGS. While it doesn't solve equations, it allows teachers, students, or whoever else wants to print complex formulas, which otherwise could not be easily done with ordinary word processors or desktop publishing programs. The software is intelligent, automatically extending the top line of the square root symbol over the numbers involved in the function, and easily allowing one to place roots and exponents correctly by clicking in their proper locations with the mouse.
Procyon was another new company which exhibited at the show. It was showing and selling (the American version of show & tell) a pre-beta (I guess alpha is a good word) of its multitasking environment for the Apple IIGS. Although this version was text-based and heavily resembled MS-DOS, after a number of people requested a graphical version, they considered merging with another developer's graphical desktop multitasking system. Apparently, they wanted maximum speed, which is why they chose a text environment. Also shown was a text-based tele-communications program, designed to work within the multitasking environment.
Chris McKinsey let a few people have a sneak peek at his slick, unfinished role-playing game, TimeLord, for the Apple IIGS. While the screen and characters are minuscule, the graphics are excellent and the animation incredible. This game should be great, if the programmer can find a publisher.
Another young, enterprising lad is converting a mainframe submarine game to many platforms, including the Apple IIGS. Don't become too excited, because this and a few other games he's working on for our beloved machine won't be ready until Christmas of 1992. It is said that good things come to those who wait. We've been waiting a long time... Apple?
Applied Engineering announced a faster, DMA Vulcan controller card, which will be packaged with the new Vulcans and sell separately as an upgrade for older Vulcans that did not come with the card, for the low price of $150. Also, the GS RAM III was announced. It will use the faster, cheaper Zip Chip RAM (not to be confused with Zip Technology's accelerators), which will eventually cost less than the RAM currently available for the GS RAM II. AE also announced a quadraport for the Apple IIGS, which will effectively give GS owners four serial ports. The company also said, in a special conference in the A2-Central Developers Conference, that it was committed to the Apple II, although sales were down, and the Macintosh would have to be its main platform
The mood of the Expo was energetic, although exhibitors would have liked to see more attendees. It is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 people filled the tiny exhibition hall, yet it was so crowded at times that one could hardly move. It was no AppleFest, but at least there weren't so many Macintoshes (the only Macs were in the booths of Apple, Educational Resources, Claris, CompUSA, Centrex, CompuWare and Resource Central. CompUSA, Centrex, CompuWare, and Claris were the only exhibitors not to display an Apple II in their booths. Claris didn't even have any literature on AppleWorks or AppleWorks GS.)
The only thing missing from the show was Apple's commitment and support, and I think developers felt discouraged by this, especially those who did not write or publish educational software. Indeed, there is not the air of optimism that all of last year's KansasFest attendees seemed to feel at the conclusion of last year's show. However, as in all situations, there is a glimmer of hope, the light that seeps through the jagged, suffocating rocks. Maybe those stones will open, and our murky cave will be illuminated by the rays of the Consumer Products Division. Hopefully, Jane Lee and Ralph Russo had good reason to stay home in Cupertino, and the Apple II will be a prominent part of the new division. Until then, software publishers will have a hard time staying in business making software for the Apple II, unless they shift into the educational segment of the market, which the Apple II still dominates. However, I can assure you that Apple will support the Apple II well into the 90's, with System software enhancements and minor hardware and peripherals... They say idleness and stagnation lead to deterioration and depreciation. A sitting Apple rots; an unimaginative, apathetic Apple Computer's stock drops. Anyone want to make a bet on how long they last like

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Vol 4, #5

Stone's gone
by Al Martin

The departure from the Apple II scene by Barney Stone, creator of Stone Age Technology and its flagship software, DB Master, will leave a huge void in our ever-shrinking Apple II world. Barney's II at Work tabloid was a major effort and most welcome.
I recall an AppleFest in San Francisco when Dennis McClain-Furmanski and I were staffing a publisher's booth and Barney came into the hall with a pallet of copies of II at Work to be handed out free to anyone who wanted one. Such an investment of finances and sheer effort was a measure of his dedication to the Apple II line. In a later time, it was Barney who led the battle on our behalf against Apple, Inc.'s "Macintosh Marketing Manure" at the first KansasFest two years ago this past July.
From a recent posting on the Apple II Echo:
"Requiescat in pace, Stone Age Technologies. You have been one of our most stalwart supporters. Beagle is now making Mac stuff and AE is making Mac and Amiga hardware. You held out 'til the end. We will miss you." --- Barry Austern


A fable for our times
by Al Martin

Once upon a time there was a little round company that thought that it had a technological product that people might like to own. Now, certainly this little company knew that there were other companies that were huge and powerful, but the little company saw a niche and decided to explore it. One of the huge companies, sort of bluish in color, looked down its collective suit and tie corporate nose came to the conclusion that the product of little company was not worth its time to compete over.
As time passed, the little company did quite well. In fact, the product was very popular with the people and they wanted more. The huge azure company saw that it was losing in the market place and decided to offer a similar product and thus it placed its enormous structure behind the project. However, the little company's product was so good that customers became fiercely loyal to it and new customers continued to support the product. New and improved models were introduced. The little company soon became bigger and the huge azure company saw a real threat to its dominance.
The wise old heads of the huge azure company decided to choke off the little company before it became any larger and eat into its profits. They knew this project would take a very long time and had to be carefully planned so that no one would suspect what they were up to.
The wise old heads pondered long and hard. Why not, they mused, put an out of work corporate head on our secret payroll and get him hired to lead the little company? This person could appear to compete, but in reality he could force the successful products off the market by denying their existence and insist that everyone go with yet another product that no one really wanted and was too expensive anyway. Then, when the little company was in financial trouble, there could suddenly be a marriage of the two companies, an agreement, if you will. And the little company could serve the needs of the huge azure company and everyone would be happy except the consumers. But, hey, they are too stupid to understand that we know what's best for them. Besides, we'll all get filthy rich in the process.
And so it came to pass that the little company turned its back on its friends and jumped into bed with the huge azure company and the former out of work corporate head got his payoff for killing a products that everyone wanted and liked.
Moral: When I look through a glass window, I see the whole world. When I put silver behind the glass, I see only myself.


Do you want it?
AFL Scott
from America OnLine

In a recent issue of inCider, there was reference made to user desires. In particular, they note:
"Finally, and most galling to IIGS owners, the IIe card [for the Mac LC] is just that -- a card that runs IIe software. No IIGS programs allowed. Apple has its reasons, but some provision should be made to accordant GS software -- even if it's more expensive and takes time to design and develop. There's no excuse for keeping a million or more Apple IIGS users out in the cold. Without such emulation, GS owners have little motivation to move on to a Mac." Quoted verbatim and without permission.
To place the above quote in context, it was taken from the regular feature "Bridging the Gap" where Mac/Apple II connectivity is normally discussed.
One. In my opinion, this paragraph is very misleading. It states that I would like to have a IIGS card for the Mac LC. I do not have any such desire nor do I, as one of the family of GS users appreciate the authors assumption.
Two. It states that IIGS users are out in the "cold" without such a card. By stating so, it infers that I am not happy with my IIGS. I am very happy with my IIGS.
Three. It states that without such a card, "GS owners have little motivation to move on to a Mac". I have never had that motivation.
Four. This very article was by the person who wrote the article comparing the Apple IIGS and the Mac LC in a recent issue. This "journalist" has lost his credibility with me. By "speaking" for me in his biased, uninformed appraisal of the current situation, he has misrepresented me.
the author of the article, Gregg Keizer.



Apple II development
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Once again we turn our attention to the sun rising in the west. Or maybe that's the glow of midnight oil in Andy (ShrinkIt, Finder 6.0) Nicholas's cubicle at Apple.
Lest I be the voice of Christmas-Never, I need to be on record as having said that Apple is doing some good things for us, without so much as a "too little" or a "too late".
There truly are people at Apple who care. They're working hard to bring us the best they can for the Apple II. Whether they can get it all through the bureaucracy and released remains to be seen. I have high hopes.
Recently, Apple sent the following letter to its registered developers. Yes, it looks like so many things we've seen before. Yes, you can just about predict the next sentence if you're accustom to reading releases by Apple. I don't know why I feel good about this, but I do. Read on, and take some cheer in knowing that someone is at least saying good things about us.

Dear Apple II Developer,
Apple Computer, Inc. was founded 14 years ago based on one product, the AppleII personal computer. The Apple II and IIGS contribute to our continued success. It also challenges us as a computer company.
It is important to us that you understand the motivation and vision which drives us to release new and improved products for the Apple II family. We hope to afford you a new opportunity to profit and grow with us.
We welcome and encourage your participation in the upcoming seeding programs and urge your constructive feedback on our newest Apple II products.
We believe that the mission of the Apple II Business Unit is three fold:
1. Continue to fulfill demand for affordable computers with a large software spectrum and hardware support. There remains a large market for color computers in the consumer and education price range. The Apple IIe and Apple IIGS continue to show strong demand.
2. Enhance and improve the user experience of those who have previously invested in the Apple II family. How? By providing solutions that address obstacles to many customers - such as networking, throughput and storage options.
3. Our key focus is shifting to consumers, while our support for education remains constant.
We continue to invest significant resources in achieving our goals.
We have all enjoyed the evolution of the product line from the original Apple II to the II Plus, Ile, IIe enhanced, IIc, IIGS (01), IIc Plus, and IIGS (03). Apple II evolution has not stopped. As many of you have heard, we are currently working on new enhancements and options. No seeding has taken place at this time. This letter is your invitation to continue the journey.
Over the next few months we will be seeding a number of new products that answer the needs of our market. Upcoming products provide advances in storage media options. Networking will get a boost. The IIe card for the LC will gain network, fileserver and hard disk support. Another product will answer the requests for improved speed, more consistent user interface performance, and a host of user features that enhance the Apple IIGS experience.
There are plenty of details to follow. Your signature on the non-disclosure-agreement is the key to making these details available to you.
As developers, you have already made an intellectual and financial investment in products for the Apple II Family. Your investment can generate improved incremental revenue. By making the relatively small investment in time and energy necessary to support these newest enhancements you will be expanding your market and allow us to include you in the promotional materials we produce. All this adds up to new marketing potential that demands your consideration.
Please take a moment to fill out the Non-Disclosure agreement included with this letter. Once we have received the signed agreement, we will provide you with useful, meaningful, tools and features to expand your business.
Even more important is our renewed focus on consumer business. New marketing opportunities are upon us. Those who address the needs of the individual user may expect renewed emphasis from our team in this area.
Someone you care about is using an Apple II computer right now. Your involvement with furthering the adventure can benefit everyone.
I look forward to hearing from you. I can confidently say that even more good news is coming.
Sincerely,
Robert Barnes, Evangelist,Apple II Business Unit

Wunnerful, wunnerful.
Perhaps more than the good wares, hard and soft, that we hope for, we should hope that the tone of the above somehow gets vented under some dealers' chairs and brings them to a boil. From the rest of what I have here, it seems that the dealers either know something we don't, or don't know that Apple is trying to act like they still have two lines of computers to sell.
You knew it was too good to last, didn't you?
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As an educator, I find my local Apple dealerships steering me away from the II line and towards the Mac line. I get stories that the II has been discontinued and they don't even have a copy of the latest system software on hand. When I ordered it from them it took 2 weeks to get the GS system software from Apple--less than 110 miles from their store. The only ads I've seen in educational magazines are for Macs and the only mail I've received from Apple talks about Macs. I hope Rob's statements means that there will be an emphasis placed on the II line for the future. That seems to be the only area that is really developing II software now as most of the other sources are dropping II software of all other types. I'll look forward to some great "II" projects from Apple. (By the way, can anyone talk some of the II developers into a true GS grade program?)
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Hello! I wanted to warn people in the Central California areas near Fresno, Stockton, Modesto And Visalia about a so-called Apple Dealer, Online Connecting Point computer centers. I bought my Apple IIGS there years ago and have dealt with them successfully until just recently. I finally decided to get GS/OS ver. 5.0.4. Well, they didn't have it at all in the Visalia store. The salesman called the Fresno store and they didn't have it either. They showed no intention of helping me, their customer, as far as getting this systems upgrade the way it was promised when I bought my computer there (they are obligated under the contract they have with Apple to give systems disks upgrades FREE to us). I got the distinct impression that they were very bothered to even have to deal with me at all. But the reason I am so angry is that one of the people I dealt with named Tony made comments to me at the store such as, "Well, no one uses GS/OS anyway because its a piece of junk and everyone knows it, its fulla bugs"; "You are the first customer who has ever asked for it, most people use something else" (in a tone as though I must be really stupid to own a GS) ; Larry said, "Well, the GS is so inferior as compared to the Mac that we don't get much call for II stuff". And when I
mentioned the fact that I bought it there they just laughed and said, "Well, we won't be carrying the GS much longer anyway". They also said, "Well, Apple has quit making the GS anyway". That's not what people at Apple have told me as of 5/25/91. If any of you ever run into any problems with an Apple Dealer it is in the best interest of all of us if you would complain to Apple at 1-800-776-2333 or 1-408-996-1010. This store had one sad GS sitting over in the corner that wasn't hooked up to speakers or anything -- I got the feeling that they didn't even know how to use it at all (I said something about the control panel and the guy said "Oh you mean the keyboard?").
This store should get the Honorary Apple Weenies of the Year Award (And I hope to be the one who GIVES it to them!). Al Wasner, Visalia, California 209-627-3653
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Al, I know exactly how you feel about the dealers in Fresno and Visalia. Living in Lemoore means a long trip to either Fresno or Visalia and having to deal with On-Line, however I was able to get 5.0.4 from the store in Fresno. I stopped in after a users group meeting and found one of the salesmen trying to sell another member 5.0 for $50 and then "giving" her a free upgrade to 5.0.4. I pointed out that he must give her 5.0.4 for free if she had her own disks (she did) and only charge if she wanted the books (she didn't). After a bit of argument he gave use 5.0.4 but mumbled the entire time. You might want to know that Boot's Electronics in Fresno is now an authorized Apple dealer.
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Dear Apple,
I originally wrote this letter to my local Apple Dealer. I have waited for several weeks, and they have given me no response. Since I wrote this letter, I walked in and asked for System Software 7.0, and the salesman refused to give it to me. He didn't even offer me the documentation for $99. I would appreciate it if you would change their policies.

To whom is may concern,
Seven years ago, my father bought me my first computer. It was an Apple //e, and he bought it in your store. We were happy with the computer, and the friendly service we'd received. We purchased all of our upgrades, memory boards, and printers from your store.
Four years later, I decided to upgrade to an Apple IIGS. My father's office was in the process of buying many new Apples, so he got me a IIGS at a great price. However, I did go to Lake Shore when I needed an extra 1.5 megabytes of RAM, and many software applications.
I'm now 18, and am going to college next year. Since I've seen how the Apple II is slowly becoming history, I decided to finally step up and buy a Macintosh. I saved some money so I could buy a Macintosh LC with 4 megabytes of RAM, Apple 12 color monitor, and an Apple Personal LaserWriter LS.
I went into your store four weeks ago with all the money in my wallet. I was planning to make a quick purchase, and then run home to work on the new system. I also planned to talk to someone about trading in my old Apple IIGS, which was equipped with 1.75 megabytes of RAM, TransWarp GS, Color Monitor, Stereo Card, and ImageWriter II.
I walked in expecting to see a friendly salesmen walk up to me. Instead I sat there in an empty show-room while watching two salesmen argue over a game of they were playing. I walked over and mentioned that I was interested in buying a new Macintosh. One of them said he'd help me in a moment. That moment turned out to be more than ten minutes.
When I finally got his attention, I explained the new Macintosh I was interested in buying, and the GS I wanted to trade in. He told me that he could only exchange old Macs for new Macs. I can understand that. However he also told me that a Mac LC is very expensive, and I probably couldn't afford one. He told me to make an appointment if I was really serious about buying. Then he went down a staircase in back, leaving me all alone, letting thousands of dollars walk out the door.
Although I'm just a single person, and I'm not purchasing computers for any large company, I don't think I should have been treated in that manner. After being a loyal customer of your store, I've decided to let CDA Computer Sales have my business. They may not trade in my IIGS, the may not have a showroom, but they have salesmen who care about their customers. My father is now interested in buying a new Mac so he can do some work at home. When he does, he'll buy it at CDA Computer Sales.
I just I'd let you know about my recent experience.
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I've seen the same type of sales treatment occur at both of the Apple dealerships where I live. Both dealerships are national chains. I have spent more than 10 minutes waiting for service and have to put up with constant verbal abuse toward my GS when any of the sales people find out that I own one. And I'm 37 years old. I called Apple Computer's customer service department and was told that there wasn't much that they could do about it. So much for Apple Computer's concern towards this customer. I haven't had any of my computer needs taken care of since I bought my GS from
an official Apple dealership. I could have done just as well if I could have purchased my GS from K-Mart or Sears. At least they care about individual sales.
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A dealer in apple's backyard, Steven's Creek Road near Cupertino,CA Directly told me that the Stylewriter was "Networkable using appletalk" This was just before taking my money. The Styewriter cannot talk to even a Macintosh over AppleTalk/LocalTalk. He lied and I am hot and stuck. I brought the thing all the way across country to discover this travesty. It was even impLIED to me that that was how it was connected and operating on their display floor. Boy was I hot when I found out. My local dealer "thinks" there may be some "future option to make it network aware". At least he didn't lie outright. My imagewriter has more capability than the Stye. Curses to them and no further business. How about that one Apple? My work number is 904-234-4897. By the way I mentioned this fact in the customer questionnaire and suggested that the IIGS should get StyleWriter drivers for LocalTalk.
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Protecting Your Investment
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

A computer system is a significant investment in technology. This investment needs to be understood and protected, or it can become a liability.
All of this equipment runs on microchip technology. These tiny devices are very fragile by nature. Just as a light bulb usually burns out during the shock of being turned on, these "chips" also fail under the stress of changes in voltage. Although they're designed to accommodate the usual changes present when being turned on or off, there are times when the flow of electricity exceeds what the chips can handle without damage.
The internal construction of all electronic devices tells of their frailty. Their basic operation relies on the fact that slightly different compounds have slightly different electrical properties. One of the simplest devices, a transistor, is made of three blocks of material. Two of them with one set of properties sandwiching a third, slightly different block. As this device operates, different voltages are applied to the various parts. As you would expect with any electrical device, this causes changes in temperature and therefore size. And on this small scale, even the changes in the magnetic fields induced by the currents cause changes of pushing and pulling. These components are designed to take these changes millions of times a second - but only within certain limits. Too much stress, and these devices can literally shake themselves apart inside, by separating from each other at the boundary between the different compositions of the material. The situation is easy to see for such a simple component. Now multiply that situation by the thousands or millions of such devices built into every processor, RAM, ROM or other chip in your computer.
On the average, every electronic device suffers three episodes per day of electric current beyond the rating of its components. These shocks can come in through electrical lines, or for those with communication devices, through telephone lines. They can come from problems or voltage fluctuation on the lines, repairs on the lines, lightening, other electrical equipment on the same circuit, or even obscure sources like microwave or radio transmissions being picked up by the wires.
These stresses can be of very short duration, on the order of thousandths or millionths of a second, causing temporary scrambling of the sensitive circuits. These are not very often damaging, usually causing things like altered characters in data or making an otherwise healthy program to crash. But they can cause severe problems if they occur at times such as while a computer is writing to a disk, corrupting the filing information of the disk and possibly causing loss of all data on that disk.
The stresses can also be of relatively long duration, hundredths or tenths of second. These often more damaging, and are called "voltage surges". If they do not actually cause a chip to burn out, they tend to put enough strain on the delicate circuity that the lifetime of the device is shortened considerably.
Either of these can ruin your information or your equipment, costing you money for lost business and for repairs.
To protect yourself from these losses, you need to protect your equipment. The cost of doing this varies with the type of equipment, from less than twenty dollars to a few hundred. But this can be the best investment you make, because it can save thousands of dollars in repairs and lost income. They are least expensive insurance you will ever purchase.
These protection devices, called "surge protectors", are available most office equipment suppliers. They are installed simply by plugging them into the wall, and plugging the equipment into them. Those for communication equipment will also have connections for the phone lines built into the unit. Both offer protection by providing a connection for the harmful signals to flow to the electrical ground of the wall outlet.
Finding the best protection for your equipment takes a bit of understanding what is available. Unfortunately, many of the specifications used by the manufacturers of these devices are not standardized, and only those which look favorable may be presented. But a bit of comparison will prove helpful.
The most important specification to look at is reaction time. It should be in the microsecond range, usually abbreviated as usec. The smaller the rating, the better, and the best are in the single digits. Also important is the clamping voltage, the range of electrical pressure to which the device reacts. It is shown as volts, and should be in the low-to-middle hundred volts. Again, the lower the rating, the better.
The frequency range of operation is also important. A well designed device will have a range of operation from the low cycles per seconds, or Hertz (Hz) to the thousands (kilohertz, KHz) or millions (megahertz, MHz). The wider range the better. For communication equipment, megahertz is definitely preferred, as it provides protection from line noise.
Perhaps more important than the specifications is the warranty offered by the manufacturer of the protection devices. Those which offer a warranty of 90 days are typically building devices based on an electronic component called a varistor. It acts as nothing more than a sophisticated fuse. It also wears out with time, and with the amount of surges it absorbs. In time, sometimes a relatively short time, it will fail, offering no protection at all. What's more, these devices will appear to be good, except under the conditions they're supposed to work.
The best warranty offered is a lifetime warranty, and covers the repair or replacement of any equipment properly connected to the protection device at the time of failure. Some even offer this protection regardless of any acts of nature which may have contributed to the failure. These devices may not offer the best among the other specifications, but they're very highly ranked among all those available.
As a professional technician, I regularly see equipment come across my bench that could still be in service, had it been adequately protected. I no more prefer to have this happen that a dentist prefers to have his patients come in with cavities. We'd both much rather have happy, healthy subjects. It's a sad waste to us when a loss occurs that could have been avoided so simply.
In today's service market, repairs and service contracts can run between ten and fifty percent of the cost of the equipment. Something that costs only a few percent of the cost of the machine, and can reduce the need for repair by as much as 75% is money very well spent. When it can eliminate possibly catastrophic downtime, it's invaluable.


Better Sound
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Here's my Andy Rooney impression for this issue:
Ever wonder why they built a computer with a 15 channel music synthesizer in it, and only stuck in a 50 cent speaker to listen to it with?
I found this quick fix for making the built in speaker sound better. I haven't tried it, but I know enough about electronics to know it works, and it won't blow your chips out of their sockets. It'd probably work on the 8 bit versions, although this was written from someone doing it on a GS. Go ahead and hack. That's what Apples a re for.
I don't know about you but I have always felt that the sound on my GS was a bit tinny (too much treble, not enough base). My friend just purchased a mac plus through USC's book store ($800, can you imagine that? brand new too) and listening to some of the same sounds that I have on his computer (modem transfer) proved this to be true. His sounds sounded much more natural and solid. Using an old stereo trick I have my GS sounding just as good now.
Go out and purchase a 20 to 30 microfarad capacitor at Radio Shack or some where else. These capacitors are used on stereo speakers to send only the treble or high frequency to the tweeters in your speakers. Solder or connect this capacitor between the two leads going to your GS's speaker. This will stop some of the high frequencies from reaching the speaker and give it more natural balance. In my opinion
this has made quite a difference in the sound quality. With all that treble missing I had to turn up the volume 1 notch to get the same apparent loudness.
A higher value on the capacitor will make this affect more towards the bass end and a lower value will retain more treble. I am using a 30 microfarad.
This is a quick and inexpensive way to get better sound.


From the Echo
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Date : 31-Mar-91 21:16
From : Shawn Lin
To : William Maslen
Subject : DHR DISPLAY
* In a message originally to All, William Maslen said:
"Can anyone tell me how to display a double hires graphic from Basic? I have created a picture with Paint 8/16 and when I try to load it from Basic it is messed up. Someone told me you have to do some memory switching or something to show DHR from Basic."
"Here's your request:
10?CHR$(4);"Pr#3"
20TEXT
30INPUT"Name of picture to load: ";N$
40GOSUB10000
50END
10000POKE49153,0:POKE49165,0:REM flip DHR switch 80-col & 80-store
10010POKE49232,0:POKE49234,0:POKE49239,0:POKE49246,0:REM Turn on DHR
10020POKE49237,0:REM Select aux mem w/page 2 switch
10030?CHR$(4);"BLOAD ";N$;",A$2000,L$2000":REM BLOAD half of pic
10040POKE49236,0:REM Select main mem with page 1 switch
10050?CHR$(4);"BLOAD ";N$;",A$2000,B$2000":REM BLOAD other half of pic
10060RETURN


Easter Eggs
by Art Umland

For some time, programmers have been putting hidden pieces of code, usually funny or surprising, into software. Here's a note someone sent me regarding a few of these "Easter Eggs" that are know on Apples, particularly on the GS. I just happen to have the list handy which tells how to get the credits displayed on the IIGS.
First, to see a list of tool version on the GS/OS operating system just hold down a key while GS/OS is booting.
After GS/OS has booted, press and hold all at the same time OA, OPTN, SHIFT, and CNTL keys and press and release the "2" key. Then click on the icons for a list of the developers or on the blank to quit.
You can also use the pull-down menu to find this hidden file by holding down the modifier keys and using the mouse to select "About The System" under the colored APPLE in the upper left hand corner of the command bar.
If you have ROM 3, click on the blank area to the right and left of the top row of text to hear a surprise.
You can also use the above key sequence of OA, OPTN, SHIFT, and CNTL and press and release the "2" key while in AppleWorks GS Version 1.1 to get a helpful info screen.
Here are some more. When exiting the Print Shop IIGS, hold the OPTN key while clicking on EXIT command to enter La La Land. Explore it for some neat surprises.
When using the PS Companion GS, click on the letters in COMPANION for special effects. Note: Do not forget to look for La La Land.
These were written up by Lyman Prior, but I forget which user group newsletter I copied it from!


More from the echo
by Al Martin

From: Art Umland
To: Al Martin
15 Sep 91
With reference to your remark that Apple, Inc. won't support its own machine...
With reference to the IIGS that remark is only partially true. Apple does continue to provide IIGS support; I am looking forward to System Disk 6.0 this fall! What is probably more accurate is to say that Apple, Inc. does not recognize and will not support a "home computer" or "consumer computer market. As far as they are concerned, everything starts and stops with education as far as the IIGS goes. Apple, Inc. does still support (grudgingly) a IIGS and older IIs in the education market. I know they could do tremendously more in promoting the Apple IIGS and it would do wonders for them. Our IIGSs are machines capable of much fun and productivity beyond what Apple, Inc. ever dreams about (just like the older Apple IIs actually).
I also think it is foolhardy to not allow another company to make clones of the Apple II or IIGS. They could sell the ROM chips (which are otherwise going to be of no value to them) and still make money with minimum cost since development has already been done. That would then allow developers and publishers to find a large enough base to stay in the market.
Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might continue to have Apple, Inc. support my IIGS. Hey, anything's worth a try!


Publish It! 4
by Al Martin

This issue of The Road Apple is formatted in the latest version of Publish It!, #4. I have used Publish It! ever since the first version came out. From the very beginning, Publish It! has been the Apple II desktop publishing program by which others are measured. Publish It! is still making new versions while many of the others have fallen by the wayside. The best feature of the software is that it is so easy to use. The only feature it lacks, in my opinion, is that it still does not have a full text wrap around objects no matter their placement.
The latest version has a feature that appeals to me and will save me a great deal of time is the ability to hyphenate the entire newsletter with a keystroke. I used to have to print a draft copy and then go through it line by line to indicate hyphenations with a pencil and then go back to the computer and complete the process using the Trial by Error method.
Other features of Publish It! 4 are the ability to format disks while in the program; you don't have to quit to format any disk. Documents can be saved as templates for easier page layout. All the objects on a page can be selected at once. Text can be saved as an ASCII file by exporting the article. Autoflow text can autoflow text and objects. If you have a long article to import, you can design one page, import the text to that page and then let Publish It! add all the pages, with frames created and linked, that the article needs. And, the latest version adds support to the Hewlett-Packard DeskJet and LaserJet printers.
It is really great to see a software publishing company to continue to support the Apple II line and they, in turn, deserve your continued support.
For more information about Publish It! 4, contact:
Timeworks, Inc.
625 Academy
Northbook, IL 60062
(708) 948-9202


Zip again
by Al Martin

There's been a bunch of chatter about the problems folks have had with Zip accelerators. My experience has been nothing but positive.
I purchased my Zip card, documentation and disk from a representative at KFest this year. Since there was a guarantee, I decided to plunk down my money and give the product a chance because the price was right.
Installation in my IIGS was a cinch and the product has been working flawlessly ever since. Though I have avoided accelerators up to this point, moving from 2.5 mHz to 8 mHz has been a joy especially when crunching numbers on large spreadsheets. The Zip really soups up Publish It! and BusinessWorks. I use BusinessWorks in my bookkeeping business and waiting for calculations was a minor pain. No more.
As a hard-core Apple IIGS user, I can firmly recommend the Zip accelerator.
For more information, contact:
ZIP Technology
5601 West Slauson Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
(213) 337-1313

=====

Vol 4, #6

10 "great" decisions of the 20th Century
by Al Martin

Let's build a nuclear plant at Chernobyl
Let's fill the Hindenberg zeppelin with hydrogen instead of helium
Let's bomb Pearl Harbor and defeat America in one stroke
Let's bomb the North Vietnamese back into the Stone Age
Let's give everybody Swine Flu shots
Let's use asbestos for cigarette filters
Let's use Thalmilamide
Let's build some houses at Love Canal
Let's import these hardy African bees
Let's replace the old Apple II computers with Macintoshes


Apple crows, then eats some
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

The following was sent to me as an e-mail message.
Sounds to me like some marketoids got caught at their job; basically, lying. Whenever behavior between adults seems odd, I mentally shrink them down to 8 year-old size. It all makes sense then.

APPLE CLAIM OF FIRST SPACE E-MAIL 08/30/91
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 AUG 30 (NB) -- Apple Computer is saying in a press release that its equipment was used to transmit "the first true electronic mail message from space" but a NASA spokesman in Houston discounts much of what was said as PR hype and said that parts of the report were wrong.
The message quoted in the press release and sent via AppleLink real-time from an Apple Portable aboard the shuttle was, "Hello Earth! Greetings from the STS-43 Crew. This is the first AppleLink from space. Having a GREAT time, wish you were here, ... send cryo and RCS! Have a nice day... Hasta la vista, baby,...we'll be back!"
AppleLink was also, according to the press release, used to send mission reports and transfer data files between the shuttle and Mission Control in Houston, Texas. Personal communications to astronauts' families were supposedly sent using "high-security AppleLink addresses created especially for the project."
Back here on Earth, the Houston Space Flight Center confirms that the e-mail transmission took place but doesn't consider the recent tests an important historical event; in fact, they aren't particularly amused with the way Apple handled the story.
Jeff Carr, Public Affairs Officer for Mission Operations at the Houston Space Flight Center, was very reluctant to talk with Newsbytes until he determined that this was a legitimate news organization, saying, "Every time we have anything from Apple connected with the shuttle, it about triples our PR load as Apple's people crowd in on us. We are flooded with calls from people who run Apple-oriented bulletin boards and call themselves journalists."
After an exchange of credentials, Mr. Carr was very helpful but said that several items in Apple's press release were very misleading or totally incorrect, such as the suggestion that a high-security message system had been created or was in use and that the astronauts had exchanged personal messages to their families via e-mail.
"Our regular telecommunications systems were used in the e-mail transmissions," Mr. Carr emphasized, "There is no special high-security transmission being used by the Macintosh computer."
Talking about Apple's involvement in the shuttle program, "This is only one of many systems we have tested," Mr. Carr said. "Apple does not have any inside track or special relationship with NASA. I can guarantee that."
"We are testing the Macintosh because of its user interface, but Apple certainly isn't the only source we are looking at."
Newsbytes contacted the AppleLink Development office at Apple for comment. When asked about Carr's complaints about the press release, Michael Elliot Silver, AppleLink Development project manager, told Newsbytes, "There were some minor errors in the Apple press release" but upheld the statement that Apple created high-security Applelink addresses. "We went to great pains to insure that," he said.
The Apple high-security feature involved setting up a dummy account name where messages addressed to the shuttle were collected. Apple says it did not promote or advertise this e-mail address as that of the astronauts, but created it as a "red herring" to divert attention away from the real e-mail address so that astronauts would not be swamped with e-mail from space enthusiasts. All messages sent back and forth on the actual mission were pre-approved by Mission Control and were only transmitted as a test of how well the Apple hardware could be electronically interfaced with the Shuttle's standard telecommunications equipment.
Regarding Apple's association with NASA, Mr. Silver had little to say on the record.
Choosing his words carefully, he gave the following statement to Newsbytes: "There is a Mac movement at NASA and an IBM movement at NASA and the IBM people make it really difficult for us. There is a lot of bureaucracy. One purpose of this whole thing was to prove that we could do more with off-the-shelf equipment than they could do with their customized equipment which cost several million dollars, and I believe that we did do that."
Apple also told Newsbytes that one of the messages was not keyed in by the shuttle crew exactly as previously agreed; therefore, the NASA statement that all messages were pre-approved was incorrect.
A source at Apple also told Newsbytes that NASA's Mr. Carr "was not telling the whole story," but refused to elaborate further.
On a related issue, how much did it cost to send the hefty Macintosh Portable into orbit than comparable lightweight notebook computers? Mr. Carr said that it was difficult to assign specific costs to particular items launched because some of the equipment was classified as "ballast".


Product update
by Al Martin

Both the Coca-Cola company and Benny & Smith learned what can happen when you mess with a successful product. Remember the cases of the "new" Coke and "new" Crayola colors? The consumer uproar was so loud that both companies decided to continue to market the "old" products.
I guess that Apple, Inc. has not learned that lesson. They continue to flood the personal computer market with the Macintosh whilst ignoring the pleas of product starved Apple II owners.
The only reason for this entrenched myopic marketing plan is that Apple, Inc. is fearful that an unleashed Apple II line will knock the socks off the Macintosh in both price and performance. The Apple II line KOed the Lisa early on and I suppose that Apple, Inc. was hell-bent to make sure that would not happen again by shutting off the life support system for the IIe, IIc and IIGS.
The reality is that what you got is what you are going to get, period. And Apple, Inc. doesn't give a damn about you unless you wake up and smell the 32-bit machine. Well, when and if my IIGS gasps its last, I'll either get out of the personal computer world all together or I'll go for an IBM clone, but never a Macintosh. There, I've said it and I'm glad.


Letter to a publisher
By Dennis McClain-Furmanski

How about some good news? This vendor is rightfully proud of the following. I'd hope that more vendors would pay this kind of attention to details like people. Unfortunately, only a few will, and many of those only after being shamed into it.

"Who is responsible for the decline in Apple II hardware and software sales?
"Some say Apple Computer, Inc. because it has treated the Apple II line with benign neglect hoping it will just go away. There is a lot of truth in that.
"Some say piracy or theft of software by illegal copying. There is a lot of truth in that too.
"But in addition to the above two reasons, I have found a third reason: Vendors are not providing good customer support! The following is a letter I just received from a customer. I have not included the person's name and address because I haven't asked for his permission to use it.

"'Raptor, Inc.
"'Enclosed is a check for $10.00 for upgrade to the new release of Second Chance V2.O.
"'I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for sending the notice to me by mail. I have purchased well over 100 programs for my Apple IIGS and faithfully send in the registration card for each item. Similarly, I mailed the registration cards for the five boards that fill slots in my computer and over a dozen accessories, scanners, and other items.
"'With all these purchases, your company is the first to ever send me a notice of an update or upgrade of their programs. Usually, I have to learn of the upgrade in a computer magazine, after the opportunity to upgrade has passed. Thank you for this excellent example of customer support.'

"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU FOLKS DOING? Your customers are your life's blood! Why do you treat them with such contempt? Do you think that you're IBM or GM or SEARS? Come on now, folks, put yourself in your customers' shoes. What would YOU like the developer of the software or hardware you bought do? Then do it!
"You do have a database of your customers, their names and addresses and what they bought and when, don't you? If not, maybe you should reconsider your desire to succeed in business.
"If you have an upgrade or a new product, MAIL THEM A NOTICE!
"What does it cost? Let's say 29 cents for a stamp and two cents for the paper and envelope. Add a few cents per copy for composition and printing. All in all, that update won't cost you more than about 50 cents per customer. That 50 cents may bring in several hundred or thousands of dollars in sales.
"Certainly not all customers will upgrade or buy your new product. Our experience at Raptor, Inc., however, is that a large majority do so. More than enough to cover the costs of sending all of them a notice.
"You don't exist in a vacuum. You have to sell your products which means that people have to buy them. Don't treat them like a bunch of idiots. They work hard for their money.
"There are over 5 million Apple IIs out there. There are well over 1 million Apple IIGSs out there. And they talk to each other! That is a very large potential customer base. Treat your customers right and they'll treat you right.
"The customers are tired of getting treated badly and ignored by American business. Why do you think the Japanese companies are doing so well in retail products? They take care of their customers and they get repeat business!
"Can you afford to throw away your customers? You say that Apple Computer, Inc. doesn't care about the Apple II or it's developers. Why do you treat your customers the same way? If you don't like the way Apple treats you, why do you think your customers will accept it if you treat them the same way?"


From the Apple Echo
by Al Martin

From : Phil Goulding
Subject : Speed
I just completed an interesting comparison of three computers, really two and two software packages, with results that are amazing. I've seen so many comparisons that I wanted to do one that showed such a difference as to get across the point that one cannot compare Apples to Oranges. I have a file of data that contains 6,138 lines of numbers. I did a numerical sort in AppleWorks with a regular IIGS that took 59 seconds. I did another sort using a ZIP gsx that took 42 seconds. I did a third sort using an IBM PS/2 model 55 using WordPerfect that took one hour and ten minutes! I couldn't fit all the data in Microsoft Works, it would only take 4,096 lines. The file fit fine into AppleWorks. I know that the IBM is not a slower machine, and that the problem lies with the algorithm used for the sort, but I do find it interesting that the data wouldn't fit in Works. Using WordPerfect was very slow in loading the data, as well as saving it. I'm having great fun with my MS-DOS using friends who are always crowing about how much better the MS-DOS is over my lowly Apple IIGS. Anyone else have any other comparisons that are ridiculous in the outcome?

From : Bobbie Beers
Subject : Apple move to Austin, TX
This message is a repeat of an article in The Dallas Morning News on Thursday, September 19, 1991. A couple of people requested it.
"Apple Computer Inc. said Wednesday it will relocate and consolidate its customer service centers to a new facility in Austin by mid-1992.
"The center will employ more than 300 people, many of whom will provide technical support to Apple customers over the telephone. About 10 to 20 percent of the employees will be moved from other Apple facilities and the rest will be hired from the Austin area, Apple USA president Bob Puette said.
"Apple, with annual sales of more than $5 billion, is the second-largest personal computer maker.
"Once the Austin facility is open, Apple's customer service center in Campbell, CA. will be closed. Mr Puette said.
"The relocation hinges on city and Travis County officials approving Apple's requests for tax abatements, Mr. Puette said.
"Austin Mayor Bruce Todd said '100 percent' of the commissioner's court and City Council members have approved those measure."

From : Joseph Annino
Subject : Re: System 6
"It's not a problem of enhancing the IIgs. Apple has designed and built many GS-prototypes over the years (w/ extended SHR modes, greater speed, added serial ports, more memory, ect..). The problem is Apple feels marketing any of the new GS's they've designed will threaten the Macintosh line --cutting into Mac profits. (Apple is rather foolish as it could be making more of a profit with enhanced Apple IIGSs!)"
I can never understand Apple's business practices. So what if the Mac falls flat on its face. (Like the Apple III and Lisa). So long as they do not lose any profits what's the big deal? If they push the two more then they will gain profits on both lines. If the Mac ever fizzles out, I doubt it would be over night. Apple has a good machine in its IIs that has a lot of life still in it. Without Apple supporting its own machines, how (will) this company last? What will happen after the IBM/Apple deal is done? They will discard all the Macs and IIs? IBM has stuck with its PC since 1981 or so, and they are doing more than fine. (Although the PC isn't the best). Apple doesn't know a good thing, even when someone shoves it down their throat.

And from GEnie:
The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") has adopted rules that will increase by up to five-fold the price of local telephone lines that use new network features to provide access to information services. The new rules could have as serious an impact as the FCC's 1987 access charge proposal, which was successfully defeated through a massive letter-writing campaign.
Any information service provider who wishes to take advantage of new network features, which are to be made available as part of the FCC's Open Network Architecture ("ONA"), must start paying the higher charges. Although the FCC would allow information service providers to continue using their existing lines at current rates, providers choosing this option would be denied the use of much existing and future network functionality. Many state regulators are compounding this problem by following the FCC's lead.
These pricing rules will needlessly inflate the costs of providing information services. Information service providers will have no option but to pass these added costs on to their subscribers in increased prices. This is bad for the information service providers, bad for subscribers, and bad for the United States. At a time when the FCC should be encouraging the widest possible use and availability of information services, the FCC has adopted rules that will have precisely the opposite effect.
It's not too late to stop the FCC from implementing its new ONA pricing rules. GEnie (through its trade associations ADAPSO and IIA), CompuServe, Prodigy, BTNA (formerly Tymnet) and others have petitioned the FCC to reconsider its rules, and the FCC is now considering whether it should grant those petitions. You can help by writing to Al Sikes, Chairman of the FCC, and sending copies of your letter to his fellow Commissioners. You should also write to Congressman Ed Markey and Senator Daniel Inouye, the Chairmen of the House and Senate Subcommittees that have jurisdiction over the FCC. (You may also wish to send copies of your letters to your own U.S. Senators and Representative).
Tell them that:
- You use information services and how you use them.
- You will curtail your use of these services if prices increase as a result of the FCC's new ONA pricing rules.
- The FCC's new ONA pricing rules will create the wrong incentives by discouraging information service providers from taking advantage of new network features.
- The FCC should reconsider the rules it adopted in Docket 89-79 and allow information service providers to use new network features without being required to pay usage-sensitive access charges that are three to five times higher than existing rates.
Write to:
Honorable Alfred C. Sikes
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 814
Washington, D.C. 20554

Honorable Sherrie P. Marshall
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 826
Washington, D.C. 20554

Honorable Andrew C. Barrett
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 844
Washington, D.C. 20554

Honorable James H. Quello
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 802
Washington, D.C. 20554

Honorable Ervin S. Duggan
Commissioner
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W., Room 832
Washington, D.C. 20554

Honorable Edward J. Markey
Chairman, Subcommittee on
Telecommunications and Finance
U.S. House of Representatives
2133 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2107

Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Chairman, Subcommittee on
Communications
United States Senate
722 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1102

Fax Numbers:
Federal Communications Commission
202-632-7092

Senator Daniel K. Inouye
202-224-6747

Congressman Edward J. Markey
202-225-8689

To the best of our knowledge, the FCC has only one fax number. If you send your letter via fax (standard fax or GE Mail-to-FAX), the body of your message should indicate that it is intended for Mr. Sikes and that copies should be provided to the other Commissioners.


Cooling fan
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Here's a quick fix for overheating, for the technically oriented. Herr Fixit's directions are so clear, even the technically challenged, if I can borrow from the ridiculously self-righteous "politically correct" faction, should be able to build one.

Subj: Making the Herr Fan
From: Herr Fixit
It looks like summer is upon us once again and our old friend Mr. Fatal Error 911 has started to grace us with his presence again.
The best way to get rid of Mr. 911 is to get your monitor off of your GS and install a cooling fan. Unfortunately all of the commercially available fan systems are expensive, don't move much air and suck dirt into your nice clean computer.
The solution is to build your own high volume cooling fan. You can get the parts to build your own fan for under $20. All it take is a little effort and a willingness to have something on your GS that doesn't look like it was made for it. (Even though it was.) :)
Parts needed:
A 4.71" cooling fan. Part # MU21 @ $11.95 new from Jameco Electronics
A 4.71" fan finger guard and filter. Part # MFF @ $1.95 from Jameco.
A fan plug cord. Part # PLC @ $.99 from Jameco
An AC power plug. Available at any hardware store for around a dollar.
A tupperware type container large enough to house the fan. Available all sorts of places for under $3.
4 6-42 x 1" nut and bolt sets to mount the fan in the container. Available at any hardware store for less than a dollar.
Assembling the fan:
1. Lay out the fan on the food container and trace out the inside circle of the fan using the fan as a template.
2. Cut out the circle you drew with a sharp X-acto knife or other sharp, narrow bladed knife. Don't worry if it's not perfect as the fan filter will cover this hole.
3. Using the fan as a template again, mark the four mounting holes and drill them for the mounting hardware
4. Assemble the power cord by attaching the AC plug to the fan plug cord and attach the plug cord to the prongs on the fan.
5. Bolt the fan and filter into place with the mounting bolts. Make sure that the removable side of the filter is up.
That does it. You might want to cut a small hole for the power cord so the container will sit nicely. You now have a filtered 70 CFM fan (Compared to a measly 17 CFM of unfiltered air with System Saver GS.) Now go out and use the money you saved on the fan to buy a good surge protector from Computer Accessories or Triplite.
Keep it cool, Walt


This note's for you
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

Before electronic music industry legends Bob Moog and Dick Hymen, computer generated music was limited to the 'beeps', 'boops' and scary monster noises found in grade B science fiction movies.
When micros came about, things began to change. An early Apple hacker noticed that when his computer was near an operating radio, and performing certain functions, it caused certain tones to be emitted. From then, the race was on to produce music in an entirely different way -- composing and playing at different times. The results have been rewarding, amazing, often surprising, sometimes funny and occasionally, truly breathtaking.
In an article in an old magazine which I've totally forgotten the name of, Jim Butterfield wrote of an instance when he had his VIC-20 perform before a small audience. When he had finished his piece, a rendition of "Dixie", he noticed a man with tears of emotion sitting in the audience.
Later, he spoke to the gentleman and said "I noticed you were choked up. Are you from the south?" The man replied "No, I'm a musician".
Throughout the history of Appledom there have been many programs and systems designed to turn the computer into a musical instrument. A notable entry was the Alpha Syntauri. It was a combination of interface board, software, and a velocity sensitive keyboard. This device was my first hands on glimpse into music's future.
With this device, you could play while the machine recorded, play back the recording and play along with it, recording the new notes, "multitracking" the music as you went along.
New machines using MIDI (more on that later) can do exactly this type of thing. But this was in 1981. What this machine allowed one to do was act as an entire orchestra, one instrument at a time. Plus, one could go back and edit the music to fix mistakes or change individual notes or entire phrases, even change a track from one sound to another. While the system cost about $3,000 in 1981 dollars, it replaced ten times that amount in recording equipment, and offered some features impossible to achieve without an entire team of musicians and technicians.
The modern Apple user has many commercial applications to draw on for music creation, composing, playback, even automated scoring from music played on a connected instrument. While these products range from pretty good to phenomenal, I'm going to focus on three lesser products, because I see these as milestones in development of electronic music. All of these are GS specific. Sorry, but there's a reason.
That reason is the chip in the GS known as the Ensoniq. Called this after the company that created it (a subsidiary of Commodore), it is within itself and 64k of dedicated memory, and entire electronic music synthesizer. All that it requires is a method of storage, and input/output. The rest of the GS serves that purpose. The actual control of the chip is open to any program that wishes to do so, in any form that it wishes to do so.
The first program I wish to spotlight is SoundSmith. Written by Huibert Aalbers of Spain, this program allows a person to enter into a spreadsheet arrangement the necessary information for the program to play back into music. Any of over 500 instruments can be used, up to 13 at a time. The program goes through the note, octave, instrument and special effect data entered at the keyboard, and will play back at a desired speed for up to an hour.
Although the method and time of data entry compared to the result is a very poor ratio (the graphic screen keyboard, and the keyboard-piano keyboard substitutes both being slower than direct data entry), this program has one outstanding feature. There is no musical instrument involved. The person plays the computer. When using the program, it seems a natural thing to do. But I find the social significance of this fact to weigh much more upon consideration.
This program is shareware, and costs $20. Except for the fact that it uses no instrument in the physical sense, it does what the Syntauri did, and the Syntauri was half of the $3,000 figure quoted, the rest being the price of an Apple II+ at the time. All of the Free Tools Association's demo programs such as Modulae and Delta Demo use SoundSmith song files. Considering the talent of that group of french programmers, I think that speak highly of this program.
Another special entry into the Apple music scene is SynthLAB from Apple's APDA (Apple Professional Developer's Association). This program was released as a demonstration of one of the GS's new toolbox routines, Tool35, the MIDISynth tool. This tool allowed a programmer to access and operate the Ensoniq through industry standard MIDI data. Here comes the digression.
MIDI means Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is an attempt by electronic musical instrument manufacturers to standardize both the physical connection of instruments, and the passing of data between these devices. The hardware end is mostly noted as the DIN-5 cables used to hook devices together, and the interfaces required for most computers to act as associated instruments. The software end however, has resulted in a standard form of musical notation in electronic form, which can be shared and transported between any devices which use the MIDI standard.
What MIDI means to computer users is that the computer can be used as a storage device for the digital data produced, and so can play the data back through the instruments later. It can also be viewed and edited at will, giving the opportunity to perfect the music after it has been played, but before it is played back. Also, this enables you to multitrack, as above, adding instruments as you go to create a full score of many pieces.
What SynthLAB and TOOL35 do for the GS is turn it into not only a MIDI "sequencer", a device for storage and playback to and from instruments, but to become a MIDI instrument in its own right. After all, the Ensoniq chip is a synthesizer. Why bother with a keyboard or other instrument if all you want to do is listen to the MIDI songs? With SynthLAB loaded in the GS, you can playback MIDI sequences (once converted to Apple format) recorded elsewhere.
SynthLAB was released as a demonstration, and it remains officially such, although it has generated an immense following of users. While it has meager support from Apple itself, and much of the song files available are recreations from other MIDI music programs on other systems, this program makes the GS the only MIDI instrument in a computer available out of the box. Every other computer requires the addition of a synthesizer.
The last program I want to speak of is really an offshoot of SynthLAB, plus a derivative of Roger Wagner's HyperStudio. Big Red Computer Club has released a HyperStudio stack called Jukebox. This is basically a stand alone stack, using the HS runtime module, so that you don't have to have the main program to run it. It contains Tool35, and other software necessary to operate as a SynthLAB music player. You can run this program and play any of the several songs on the disk, any of the songs on the other B.R.C.C. Jukebox disks, or any SynthLAB MIDI format music file anywhere on your system.
There are also a few utilities available, particularly Music Maker, a program that will convert MIDI files downloaded from anywhere into the Apple into SynthLAB format files.
All of these programs are available for downloading on America Online. SynthLAB, being a product from Apple, can only be downloaded from AOL due to licensing. It is also available from APDA for $25 including the extremely necessary documentation. All the other programs are probably available on GEnie and most other services, as well as many BBSs across the country.


A Visit from Saint Woz
by Marty Knight

'Twas the night before Christmas, no sound in the house.
My GS is dusty and so is my mouse.
My dealer's gone Mac; he's too brainwashed to care.
Apple marketing smells like that old dairy-air.

My children are nestled, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Mac LCs (ugh) dance in their heads.
The GS is dead, I've heard them all say.
They might just be right; things look pretty gray.

When all of a sudden a great noise I did hear.
I woke with a start and fell flat on my rear.
Awakened from slumber I jumped up to see
Tripped over the cat and twisted my knee.

The moon brightly shone on the new fallen snow.
I looked but saw nothing, then turning to go,
Stopped short... What's that?... Is that SynthLAB I hear?
Why yes! Yes it is! That's good reason to cheer!

I jumped and I shouted and I danced then because
I knew right away that it must be Saint Woz.
More rapid than Zip Chip, old Wozniak came.
He whistled and shouted and called out by name:

"Now Quickie! Now Allison! Now AppleWorks GS!
Go Claris! On SuperConvert! I love you Vitesse!
Platinum Paint is so cool! Twilight Screen Blanker rules!
Who needs those old Macs when you've got Apple IIs?

"If you have been true I've got presents to dole,
But if you're like inCider you'll get lumps of coal."
So up to the housetop with the Green Team he flew;
Jim Merritt, Andy Nicholas, and Saint Wozniak, too.

I kept very quiet so that I might hear
SoundSmith tunes softly playing, spreading Apple II cheer.
Then I heard a slight scrape and as I turned 'round
Down the chimney Saint Wozniak came with a bound.

He wore blue jeans and sneakers and a T-shirt that said
II-Infinitum ... II-Forever... I had nothing to dread!
A sack of great software he had slung on his back
And he looked like a hacker there searching his pack.

His eyes twinkled brightly, his dimples so merry,
His cheeks red as apples, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth smiled a smile oh so grand.
And a full bearded chin, GDL labels in hand.

A thick slice of pizza he held tight in his teeth
And the steam from it circled his head like a wreath.
A plump little face and a round little belly.
He laughed and it shook like a bowl of grape jelly.

He was chubby and plump; a right jolly old elf.
I laughed when I saw him, for he looked like myself.
He winked right at me then he twisted his head,
So I knew deep inside I had nothing to dread.

He said not a word. He went straight to work
Programming in ORCA, then he turned with a jerk.
Then placing his finger on top of that mess,
And giving a nod... GAMES for the GS!

He jumped to his sleigh and it rose from the ground.
But before it took off I saw him turn 'round
And I heard him exclaim, 'ere he flew out of sight,
"Apple II Forever, and to all a good night!"


"Santa Claus is Comming to Town"
The ANSI C version
by Dennis McClain-Furmanski

This one is for the hopelessly techie. A Christmas favorite, written entirely in C programming language.

better !pout !cry
better watchout
lpr why
santa claus <north pole >town

cat /etc/passwd >list
ncheck list
ncheck list
cat list | grep naughty >nogiftlist
cat list | grep nice >giftlist
santa claus <north pole > town
.More..

who | grep sleeping
who | grep awake
who | egrep 'bad|good'
for (goodness sake)
{ be good}