daveharv@pro-novapple.UUCP (Dave Harvey) (08/09/89)
The August/September, 1989 issue of THE ROAD APPLE ($9.95/year, 6 issues, from 1121 NE 177th, Suite B, Portland, OR 97230 tel. (503) 254-3874), included a five page special edition on the A-2 Central Developers' Conference . It covered the conference in quite a bit of detail. Below are some exerpts from that issue: Friday Afternoon Apple II update and feedback forum or , "Other than that, Col. Custer*, how did you like your visit to the Montana Territory?" Jonathan Eder, Jonathon Fader and Steve Glass of Apple, Inc's 7th Cavalry were ambushed by the Developers' tribe led by Barney "Chief Crazy Horse-Sittin g Bull" Stone in a no-holds barred verbal free-for-all that left all emotionally drained. The Apple, Inc. reps opened the session with prepared statements. One of Apple, Inc.'s twisted sense of logic was the statement that they "lower the price" of their products by offering new machines with more "value" (add ons) at the same price and reduce the cost of new products in development. You figure that one out as you scan the prices of products that have been in existance for some time. Also, there was the statement that you "shouldn't ask Apple, Inc. about specific new releases; just look back and see the future."?! Huh? Or, try this one: It was quoted that Apple Products President Jean-Louis-Gasse e's philosophy is that "They (the consumers) have my money in their pockets." Sounds more like the wisdom of a mugger than it does of a 20th century corporate leader. After a droning corporate pitch of the wisdom of the home/education only nitch for the Apple II line, complete with full color transparencies and the comment that sales of the Apple II brings in a billion dollars a year and so Apple, Inc. will never abandon the Apple II, a simple, quiet question from the floor about programs for the handicapped opened the flood gates. Sounding the battle cry not unlike "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!" from the movie NETWORK, Barney Stone challenged the corporate stance. His premise was that home/education only marketing strategy was too narrow and that the Apple II computers can run business software as well. He further stated that if Apple, Inc. continues its present course, the billion dollar sales figure will shrink to a half-billion, instead of growing to the two billion it could be if only Apple, Inc. woujld aggressively market the computers as a "general purpose" machine quite capable of running programs for the home, school AND business. Several developers jumped in supporting Barney and added that the $650 per year Apple, Inc. charges them for tech support is too much considering that most of what they get is for the Macintosh. Many vowed not to renew this August. The biggest problem, they said, was they could only contact Apple, Inc. through AppleLink, etc. and not by phone. Each emotional speech was punctuated by enthusiastic applause. THE ROAD APPLE made the point that the Apple IIe did for personal computing what the DC-3 airplane did for the airline industry. It's been 45 years since the last DC-3 was built and yet, according to the December '88 issue of Smithsonian, 10% of all DC-3's ever built are still flying and making money in aviation situations never dreamed of. 45 years from now I'll bet that a lot more than 10% of the Apple IIs will be churning out computer production. It's time that Apple, Inc. broaden its view and actively support the Apple II line. There was a question of why AppleLink is mostly in the Macintosh format. The response generally pointed out that there were more Macintosh users than Apple II users. Apple, Inc. also stated that "we need to improve to a more attractive platform (of computers in the future) because the customer picks his best choice." Which brought the question from the audience, "Based on what?" and the charge that "You (Apple, Inc.) don't believe in the Apple II yourself." The Apple, Inc. reps were clearly out-numbered and ill prepared for the verbal offense. To their credit, they stood in there and took it. It was, perhaps, the first time that the developers as a group have had a chance to tell Apple, Inc. leaders what they really thought face to face. It was a time of venting pent-up emotions based on what they perceived to be cavalier treatment by the corporation. After the session, a number of small groups broke off and met at various parts of the lobby and halls. --*His real rank at the time of death. The rank of General earned in the Civil War, was temporary. Friday night The Russians are here During the afternoon I had met two Russians from Moscow. Both Vladamir Fedorov and Alexander Surovegin have Ph.D. degrees in physics and have been working with a Bulgarian made Apple IIe type computer of their design in spectrographic research of environmental pollution in the Soviet Union. Fluent in several languages, these two gentlemen were the hit of the conference and I treasure the time I spent with them. Besides their scientific work mentioned, they also had to develop the software; these were two sharp guys who had a great time at the conference. I had also met Haywood Gulley, a free-lance writer from St. Louis, who was likewise enchanted with our Russian visitors. We suggested that Vladamir and Alexander join us for dinner and they quickly agreed. After ordering a taxi, we batted off down the road for several miles to the Plaza section of Kansas City, where we enjoyed an excellent meal at Starker's (highly recommended). Vladamir was introduced to deep fried onion rings and scarfed them up like there was no tomorrow. He also tied into his spinach salad with great enjoyment. Throughout the meal, we enjoyed lengthly discussions on a wide range of topics, especially the life in both our countries. We returned to the dorm late and the Russians treated us to vodka (Stolichnaya , of course), smoked sardines and black bread from Moscow, all consumed Russian style. It was a great ending to a wonderful evening. There was an exchange of small gifts for which I was unprepared, but did the best I could. To Apple, Inc.'s credit, the Russians were given the technical documentation for the IIe and the tech handbooks, something they sorely needed. All in all it was great trip for them and a treat for me. INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER CLUB established The Moscow USSR based International Computer Club, whose motto is, "Informatio n science at the service of international dialogue," has been set up as a non-governmental international organization " ...guided by the principles of the United Nations Organization..." is seeking contacts from all over. The club's purpose is to establish communication, information, trade, education and computer science links between nations. As I understand it, there is a direct satellite link between Moscow and San Francisco that can be used by anyone with a modem who wishes to communicat e with ICC. Both Vladamir and Alexander are seeking contacts with user groups here in the United States and would like to receive a copy of your club's newsletter. Send it to: USSR, 101813 Moscow, Centre Proyezd Serova, 4 ICC, A2LINK, Fedorov Their phone number is 921-09-02 and FAX, connected between 3:00 PM and 5:00 AM, GMT, is (096)921-09-02. TELEX is 411630. If you do write, I'd appreciate it if you mentioned that you read this in THE ROAD APPLE. If you want further information on ICC, just send me a stamped, self-addressed envelope and I'll send a photo copy of their brochure. LUNCH The menu wasn't as exciting as the unscheduled meeting, though the ribs were good. The developers formed an ad hoc group and elected six directors including Barney Stone, Roger Wagner and Tom Weishaar. Their purpose is to unify and solifify their relationship between them and Apple, Inc. They want to speak directly to Apple, Inc. about their concerns and resolve apparent differences. Final affirmation of the directors is to take place by AppleFest San Francisco. I look for good things for all of us to come out of this. It was very positive. proline: pro-novapple!daveharv uucp: crash!pro-novapple!daveharv arpa: crash!pro-novapple!daveharv@nosc.mil Internet: daveharv@pro-novapple.cts.com DIALCOM: 164:NVC100 Northern Virginia Apple Users Group >pro-novapple< 703-671-0416/300-2400 baud