philip@pro-generic.cts.com (Philip McDunnough) (03/09/90)
Let me first point out that this posting is being done on an AppleIIGS, while a previous message on the GS(and some very positive thoughts about that computer) had been made on a MacIIci. My current setup consists of a MacIIci,SE/30,GS(ROM03),LW/NT on a network. The GS has been a real gem as I indicated earlier. Many rumours have been circulating recently(and I guess for some time) concerning the future(or lack ) of the Apple//(). I am relatively new to the Apple(and Mac) world so all of this has led to to really think about the role of "proprietary" companies such as Apple(and I don't want to get into any discussion about my use of the word proprietary-take it for what it means to you). To be frank, most people where I work are not as sympathetic towards micros as one would like. Moreover they are even more leary about proprietary systems/companies. I remember(I was working as an engineer back in 1972 and experienced the micro evolution) when Apple was formed. There was something very special about the company. People who went to work for them seemed to want to do something to improve the human condition. It did not seem that the bottom line was the main issue. And the excitement showed in Apple products. People felt close to their Apple products. They weren't simply productivity tools. As Apple was/has been basically the only group making Apple//() and Macs people placed a lot of trust in the group navigating the mother ship. As such, that group of people(Apple) had/have a special responsibility towards their users that many other companies do not have to carry. For example, take an individual with an Apple//GS who does not just regard their computer as a collection of electronic parts but something much more personal. This (hypothetical) person may have a substantial collection of software which will not run on any other GS made by another company as there are none. It is fairly clear that some companies are leaving the GS market and that hypothetical person could very well find themselves with a frozen in time software collection should Apple decide to stop for whatever reasons, production of the GS(and even if Apple does not improve the GS just a little bit). Now that person finds that this would not have happened in another environment where many companies make products that will run the software collection, software houses have every reason to continue to support the software, and the person is probably not as attached emotionally to the platform. Well I guess my train of thought, rambling as it is, should be clear: the dangers of relying on a proprietary company without a soul go beyond the GS. They go right on throughout the hole product line. I find it hard to believe that a company such as Apple, which has always had something special-call it a spirit- would have subjected longterm Apple//() users to the roller coaster of rumours for such a long perriod. The Apple//() user base is a one of the finest people you will ever come across in the computer world. Call it a gentle group, one that loves their computer AND that spirit Apple. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the days of high ideals at Apple. A caring company does not treat people the way Apple//() users have been treated. I can only conclude that one should not feel close to an Apple product or the group called Apple. It must be that the correct approach is based on criteria such as price/performance and the like. It's all very sad. I have been finding it very difficult to feel close to all my Apple products. Computing will certainly be different for me at least. I guess there's a bottom line for everything. Philip McDunnough University of Toronto e-mail: philip@ utstat.toronto.edu [most assuredly my opinions]