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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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...
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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?
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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
=====
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?
---
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?)
---
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
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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}