awillis@pro-angmar.UUCP (Albert Willis) (03/10/88)
Six New Products Extend AppleTalk Network System to K-12
Boston, Massachusetts. March 1, 1988. Apple Computer, Inc. today announced
six products that extend the reach and power of the AppleTalk(R) Network
System with new capabilities designed for the education market, including
AppleTalk network support for users of enhanced Apple(R) IIe and Apple
IIGS(R) computers. The products were announced here at Education
Connections, Apple's first stop in an eight-city tour targeted at top-level
educators.
The AppleTalk Network System offers a range of network service products.
New products intended for the K-12 market include Aristotle(TM) application
selector software, the Apple II Workstation Card and the AppleShare IIGS
Workstation Software for networking Apple IIe and Apple IIGS computers. New
and enhanced products for all AppleTalk systems include InterPoll(TM)
Network Administrator's Utility, a software tool for managing AppleTalk
internetworks--groups of AppleTalk networks; AppleShare(TM) File Server
version 2.0, which provides enhanced Apple IIe and Apple IIGS support; and
the AppleShare Print Server, formerly LaserShare(TM) print spooler.
"The introduction of these new products for the AppleTalk Network System
demonstrates our continued commitment to the education community with
high-quality products that meet educators' needs," said Delbert Yocam, Apple
chief operating officer. "The Apple II family of products has enjoyed
tremendous success in the K-12 marketplace for many years. Now Apple is
taking the next step and bringing these products into Apple's mainstream
network system, providing connectivity that will further enrich the learning
process."
K-12 Market Needs for Networking
School administrators and educators have a range of networking needs.
They want to share printers as well as share information between labs,
classrooms and administrative offices. In addition, administrators need to
have access to remote mainframe computers as well as be able to integrate
MS-DOS and Apple computers throughout the school.
The AppleTalk Network System products are designed to meet these needs by
providing connectivity in all of these areas. Because a school's existing
Apple IIe, Apple IIGS and MS-DOS computers can be connected over the
AppleTalk Network System, the school can protect its investment in its
existing computing equipment.
AppleShare File Server version 2.0
In addition to Macintosh and MS-DOS computers, AppleShare File Server now
supports enhanced Apple IIe and Apple IIGS computers. AppleShare-aware
ProDOS (R) applications--network versions for the AppleTalk network--can be
stored and launched from the AppleShare File Server, reducing the amount of
floppy-disk handling for easier management in computer labs and classrooms.
Other new features include on-line server administration, which allows
server administration activity such as creating new user names or groups,
while the file server remains available to users on the network. A folder
lock feature insures that only the owner of a folder can move, rename or
delete the folder. The AppleShare File Server also provides CD-ROM support,
letting AppleShare users share information on AppleCD SC drives attached to a
file server.
Aristotle
Specifically designed for schools, Aristotle gives students, teachers and
others using individual enhanced Apple IIe and Apple IIGS workstations fast
and easy access to ProDOS applications stored on an AppleShare File Server.
Aristotle application selector, an AppleShare-aware application, resides on a
server and can be shared by all enhanced Apple IIe and Apple IIGS workstation
users. Aristotle features a menu management program that lets teachers and
network administrators specify which applications each study group can
access.
Network administrators and teachers can individualize student menus and
easily modify available selections at any time.
Aristotle's menu display lets users access AppleShare-aware ProDOS
software without searching through stacks of disks or typing ProDOS commands.
Apple II Workstation Card and AppleShare IIGS Workstation Software
The Apple II Workstation Card for the enhanced Apple IIe computer and the
AppleShare IIGS Workstation Software for the Apple IIGS computer let users
connect to an AppleTalk network via LocalTalk(TM) cabling for shared access
to an AppleShare file server as well as networked LaserWriter(R) and
ImageWriter(R) printers. Users have access to all the features of the
AppleShare File Server including AppleShare-aware ProDOS applications as well
as file and print service capabilities. One Apple IIGS Workstation Software
package is required for each file server, and one Apple II Workstation Card
is required for each enhanced Apple IIe computer.
AppleShare Print Server
AppleShare Print Server, an enhanced version of LaserShare, offers
concurrent support of up to five printers. A single server can handle
combinations of networked LaserWriter, ImageWriter II and ImageWriter LQ
printers. AppleShare Print Server runs concurrently with AppleShare File
Server on the same Macintosh server, letting users continue working instead
of waiting for documents to print.
The AppleShare Print Server provides centralized print-queue management,
letting network administrators print high-priority documents immediately,
remove documents from the queue or suspend printing. The AppleShare Print
Server can be accessed from any enhanced Apple IIe, Apple IIGS, Macintosh or
MS-DOS workstation on the network.
InterPoll Network Administrator's Utility
The InterPoll Network Administrator's Utility contains tools an
AppleTalk network administrator can use to implement a network support
program. InterPoll includes an administrator's guide with suggestions for
network planning and configuration as well as tips for network maintenance
and troubleshooting; a set of network mapping tools and the AppleTalk
Responder, a Macintosh resource that lets InterPoll obtain information about
Macintosh workstations.
The InterPoll application lets network administrators generate lists
of active network devices to monitor the internetwork and to locate network
cabling breaks. InterPoll also reports Macintosh system software version
numbers and can be used to test the integrity of the network path to any
AppleTalk device.
Price and Availability
AppleShare File Server version 2.0, AppleShare Print Server, InterPoll
Network Administrator's Utility, Aristotle, Apple II Workstation Card and
Apple IIGS Workstation Software will be available this summer through
certified Apple dealers and direct from Apple. Suggested retail prices of
the products are:
AppleShare File Server, $799; AppleShare Print Server, $299; Aristotle, $199;
Apple II Workstation Card, $249; Apple IIGS Workstation Software, $99; and
InterPoll Network Administrator's Utility, $129. All products except for the
Apple II Workstation Card and InterPoll are server-based, requiring one copy
for each AppleShare File Server. InterPoll requires one application per
network administrator. Certain discounts may apply to Apple education
customers.
Apple, the Apple logo, AppleShare, AppleTalk, Apple IIGS, ImageWriter,
LaserWriter, ImageWriter, Macintosh, ProDOS, and IIGS are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
AppleCD SC, Aristotle, InterPoll, LaserShare and LocalTalk are trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc.
AppleCD SC
The AppleCD SC is Apple's first CD-ROM drive and optical media product. This
product lets Macintosh and Apple II users retrieve information from digitally
recorded CD-ROM discs.
>From one 4.72" (12 cm.) CD-ROM disc, users have access to up to 550 MB of
text, graphics, images and audio -- the equivalent of 700 floppy disks or
270,000 pages of typewritten text! Plus, this new drive has built-in audio
CD capabilites.
The AppleCD SC is a stand alone external drive styled much like Apple's SCSI
hard disks. It has a front-loading slot that enables the user to stack the
drive on or under the CPU.
The AppleCD SC features include:
-- Support for Macintosh and Apple II operating systems. Apple II users
must first install the new SCSI card, Revision C.
-- Support for the High Sierra operating system via a software upgrade
available this summer.
-- 64 K RAM buffer for improved performance with the Apple II CPU.
-- Universal power supply ensuring compatibility with worldwide electric
standards.
-- CD Caddy that encloses the disc in a protective case.
-- Headphone jack which provides convenient and private access to audio
information.
-- RCA jacks -- two audio connectors for an external amplifier and speakers
which enables the drive to produce stereophonic sound.
The AppleCD SC and the AppleCD SC Caddy will ship in May 1988. The AppleCD
SC Caddies are also available in boxes of five.
Some of the third-party CD-ROM titles for Macintosh and Apple II computers
currently available are:
-- Kwikee INHOUSE PAL by Multi-Ad Services Inc. -- a library of
encapsulated PostScript art. For information call 309-692-1530.
-- Medline Data Base by Aries Systems Inc. -- a collection of abstracts
from the National Library of Medicine which includes the contents of
three years of back issues of medical journals. For more information
call 617-689-9334.
-- RealScan Real Estate Market Information System by LaserScan Systems,
Inc.detailed public information on every piece of real estate in Broward
County, Florida. For more information on other similar systems, call
305-595-3640.
-- Available this fall for the Apple IIGS and the Macintosh is the Visual
Dictionary by Facts on File, Inc. It contains audio and graphic
representations of dictionary entries and pronounces words in both
French and English.
AppleCD SC (M2700)
AppleCD SC Caddy (M2705)
Optical Storage with CD-ROM Drive (1 of 2)
Seattle, Washington. March 1, 1988. Apple Computer, Inc. today embraced
optical storage technology by announcing AppleCD SC(TM), a compact disk,
read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive to be with individual Macintosh(R) and
Apple(R) II computers or shared by users connected to the AppleShare File
Server.
Apple announced the drive today at the opening of the Microsoft CD-ROM
Conference, a gathering of existing and potential publishers of CD-ROM discs
and others interested in the emerging CD-ROM industry.
In addition to being one of the first personal computer manufacturers to
make a CD-ROM drive available through retail stores, Apple also is launching
extensive efforts aimed at the third party development community to stimulate
a wide array of CD-ROM discs.
CD-ROMs can store the resources of a small library--providing users
access to vast quantities of pre-recorded information--including text,
digitized images and sounds such as voice and music. A single 12-centimeter
disk holds as much as 700 (800 kilobyte) Macintosh floppy diskettes--well
over 550 megabytes, or about 270,000 pages of typewritten text.
To date, publishers have used the extraordinary capacity of CD-ROMs
primarily for text and number-oriented reference materials such as
encyclopedias, catalogs and specialized databases of medical, legal and
financial information. These products have been available largely through
value-added resellers that serve specific vertical markets. By making a
CD-ROM drive readily available through retail and other sales channels, and
by providing extensive support for developers, Apple expects to
stimulate development of a much wider variety of CD-ROM products that take
advantage of the graphics and sound capabilities of its Macintosh and Apple
IIGS(R) computers and can be used as well with the Apple II.
"CD-ROM is a logical extension of Apple's unique computing platform,"
said Jean-Louis Gassee, senior vice president of research and development.
"One by one we have added capabilities that help people deal meaningfully
with information: copy-and-paste simplicity, graphics, sound, processing
power, systems integration and finally, in HyperCard(TM), a radically
different way of organizing and navigating through information. CD-ROM
complements all of Apple's other strengths by providing a cost-effective and
convenient delivery system for vast amounts and varieties of information.
It's reasonable to expect that publishers will use the tools we've provided
to build a completely new genre of information retrieval products.
"The arrival of an Apple CD-ROM drive is significant in other respects,
too," Gassee continued. "An installed base the size of Apple's gives
publishers the pool of potential customers they've been waiting for, while
its retail, education and corporate sales channels provide an efficient way
to get products to those customers."
CD-ROM applications in many markets
"We already are seeing exciting examples of the rich learning
environments that can be created with CD-ROM databases that incorporate text,
images and sound," Gassee said, referring to several projects underway at
major U.S. universities that bring together instructional curricula with
research materials. For example, Boston University and Harvard University
are collaborating on the "Perseus Project," which is integrating more than
100 megabytes of text with 10,000 images that pertain to the history,
political science, languages, art and philosophy of ancient and classical
Greece.
University of Southern California's "Project Jefferson," which combines
online
retrieval, hypermedia and curriculum development within an integrated
software package based on the U.S. Constitution, and Brown University's
"Intermedia" project, a multiuser workstation environment for scholars and
researchers, are two other examples of sophisticated information retrieval
systems that utilize CD-ROMs. Educators of younger students also are using
encyclopedia and other reference works on CD-ROM as well as developing
multimedia databases.
Currently available discs, for the AppleCD SC, outside of education, are
designed for specific professions. These include "Kwikee INHOUSE," a
graphics service for advertising layouts (Multi-Ad Services, Peoria, IL); a
medical database, "MEDLINE(TM) Knowledge Finder(TM)," (Aries Systems
Corporation, North Andover, MA); "Real-Scan(TM)" real estate management
system (LaserScan Systems, Miami, FL); and "Books in Print Plus" (Bowker
Electronic Publishing, New York), which is used in libraries as well as
bookstores.
The legal and healthcare markets are especially well-suited for CD-ROMs.
Their reference materials often are published without cumulative indices,
which makes manual data searches very cumbersome. Relational databases
published on CD-ROM discs would provide many of the benefits of on-line
information services, such as enabling users to search by key words, without
costly communications charges.
Apple also expects corporations to become significant users of CD-ROMs
for in-house publishing of manuals, catalogs and corporate databases; to
distribute reference materials (such as parts lists in the automotive
industry) and "boilerplate" documents (in insurance, for example); and
courseware and tutorials in industrial training applications. Federal, state
and local governments also could use CD-ROMs for storing and copying forms on
demand, for easy access to government policies and regulations, to store
training manuals and to distribute materials that are frequently quoted or
incorporated into documents, such as military parts specifications, building
codes, health and safety ordinances, etc.
CD-ROM titles for consumers are likely to serve home educational needs
(encyclopedias, atlases and other reference books), sound studios and
musicians (sound and special effects libraries for creating synthesized
music, for example) or work at home (word processing software and writers
reference tools, for example).
Optical Storage with CD-ROM Drive (2 of 2)
Apple facilitating CD-ROM publishing
To expedite development of CD-ROM titles in all of these markets, Apple
has designed its drive to be compatible with the International Standards
Organization's standard file format commonly known as "High Sierra." While
Macintosh and Apple II file support will be available when drives are first
shipped to customers, ISO/High Sierra support will become available in early
summer. Customers who purchase drives before this time will receive a
software upgrade free of charge.
In addition, Apple is providing extensive support to potential
publishers. Some 500 developers are scheduled to attend an Apple CD-ROM
Development Conference that is being held here on March 4 in conjunction with
the Microsoft conference. Speakers representing Apple and current CD-ROM
publishers will discuss topics such as hardware and software tools, data
preparation and designing the human interface.
Apple also plans to support developers by offering a starter kit that
will give them a cost-effective way of quickly developing prototye CD-ROM
discs. Specific elements of the starter kit --to hardware, software and
coupons for converting hard disk data to a CD-ROM disc--will be announced to
developers before the AppleCD SC ships in mid-May.
At the conference and as an on-going service to interested developers,
Apple will demonstrate how its HyperCard software can be used as part of
Macintosh CD-ROM disc. HyperCard lets users easily navigate through large
quantities of data by association and context, rather than simply by
hierarchical indexes. HyperCard provides developers with alternative to
programming with the Macintosh interface. And just as the Macintosh
development environment provides a consistent graphic interface with icons
and windows, HyperCard provides consistent elements such as cards, buttons
and stacks that can be used across applications. Users do not have to learn
new command schemes with each new disk they acquire.
HyperCard also is an open-ended development environment that can be
customized for particular projects. For example, teams on both the Perseus
and Jefferson projects have used the extension capabilities of HyperCard,
adding functions which are important for searching very large relational
databases. Apple's technical staff will work closely with publishers in
augmenting HyperCard functions.
AppleCD SC is fast and versatile
The AppleCD SC drive, which will be available in the United States in the
beginning of May for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (U.S.), features a
64-Kilobyte (K) memory buffer and Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI)
that enable it to transfer data more quickly, and an audio chip set and "desk
accessory" software that let it play audio CD tracks on CD-ROM as well as
commercial audio compact discs. The drive includes a headphone jack, two RCA
audio jacks for external speakers and amplifiers and a universal power supply
that makes it compatible with electrical standards around the world. By
early fall, Apple will ship the AppleCD SC in six language versions-- Kanji
(Japan), British, French Canadian, German, French, Dutch, Swedish and
Italian.
Discs are loaded in the AppleCD SC drive through a slot on the front of
the drive. Prior to loading, discs are placed in an Apple CD Caddy--a
sturdy plastic case that protects the disc and offers convenient storage for
the user.
The CD caddy will be available in five pack bundles. Front access allows the
drive to be stored above or below the computer without taking up additional
desk space. The AppleCD SC has the same "footprint" as Apple's other SCSI
storage products, which lets it be easily stacked with those devices.
The AppleCD SC plugs directly into the SCSI port of Macintosh Plus, SE
and II computers. With Apple IIe and IIGS, an upgraded version of the Apple
SCSI Card (Rev. C), is available today for a suggested retail price of $299
is required. The drive can be daisy-chained to as many as six other SCSI
peripherals.
In addition, both Macintosh and Apple II users can share information and
lower the cost of the AppleCD SC per user by connecting to an AppleShare File
Server (version 2.0). Plans to for A/UX, Apple's implementation of the UNIX
operating system for the Macintosh II, to support the AppleCD SC also are
underway.
The drive comes with an accessory kit that contains an Apple CD Caddy,
software drivers, Apple CD Remote Desk Accessory software--which controls
functions needed to play audio CDs; and an owner's manual.
Apple, the Apple logo, AppleShare, Apple IIGS and Macintosh are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
AppleCD SC and HyperCard are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Enhanced Apple II SCSI Card
The Apple II SCSI Card, Revision C, is an enhanced version of the Apple II
SCSI card. The enhancements of the card will be important to Apple II
customers who purchase Apple's new CD-ROM drive since it is required when
using a CD-ROM with an Apple II computer.
The Apple II SCSI Card, Revision C, was developed to:
-- Provide better performance with new and more sophisticated Apple II
software.
-- Increase the ability to handle different classes of SCSI peripheral
devices.
Apple II SCSI (A2B2087)
* All I can say: it's about time!
Al Willis
INET : awillis@pro-angmar.cts.com
UUCP : [ihnp sdcsvax nosc]!crash!pnet01!pro-sol!pro-angmar!awillis
Boston Computer Society Apple Connection: (617) 275-9422: [AL]ralphw@IUS3.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU (Ralph Hyre) (03/17/88)
OK, what's on the Apple II 'workstation' card that makes it cost $249?
Must be a processor AND an 8530, but has anyone seen one?
I'm suprised that the //c isn't supported via the SmartPort, since there
was a plan to do this at one time.
I'm disappointed that the ][+ isn't supported, either but maybe the ProDOS
software side is too big. (It's still no excuse - for $249 there should be
enough hardware to play with the bank-switching the 2K ROM space around and
have a 27c512 (64kx8) on board. [assuming there is no CPU on board and the
6502 has do to Everything.])
The enhanced SCSI card is good news, I suppose. I figure you're entitled to a
price difference upgrade from your current one if you buy the $1200 CD-Rom
drive.
Disclaimer: I don't speak for anybody except myself.
--
- Ralph W. Hyre, Jr.
Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK}
Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA
--
- Ralph W. Hyre, Jr.
Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK}
Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PArms@meccsd.MECC.MN.ORG (Roger M. Shimada) (03/20/88)
In article <1142@PT.CS.CMU.EDU> ralphw@IUS3.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU (Ralph Hyre) writes: >OK, what's on the Apple II 'workstation' card that makes it cost $249? >Must be a processor AND an 8530, but has anyone seen one? The Workstation card has a 65c02, an 8530, a 64K ROM, and (I think) 16K of RAM, and all the stuff to make it work (glue chips). >I'm suprised that the //c isn't supported via the SmartPort, since there >was a plan to do this at one time. I'm surprised that the SmartPort's lived this long. Hopefully Apple has a slotless gs in mind to replace the //c. >I'm disappointed that the ][+ isn't supported, either but maybe the ProDOS >software side is too big. Actually, the current software wants an enhanced //e. Firmware speaking, the original //e and other ][ machines don't handle interrupts very well. I believe that the 128K requirement is unavoidable with ProDOS. -- Roger M. Shimada {amdahl|hpda}bungia!meccts!rms rms@MECC.MN.ORG
gwyn@brl-smoke.ARPA (Doug Gwyn ) (03/21/88)
In article <855@meccsd.MECC.MN.ORG> rms@meccsd.UUCP (Roger M. Shimada) writes: >I'm surprised that the SmartPort's lived this long. Hopefully Apple >has a slotless gs in mind to replace the //c. If Apple provided a SCSI port, the IIGS might as well be slotless for most people. Consider: Slot 1 usurped by serial printer port Slot 2 usurped by modem port Slot 3 usurped by 80-column firmware Slot 4 usurped by mouse Slot 5 usurped by 3.5" drives on SmartPort Slot 6 usurped by 5.25" drives on SmartPort Slot 7 available, needed for SCSI hard disk On mine, I have MDIdeas's SuperSonic Digitizer in slot 2, and have to toggle back and forth via the control panel. All the other slots are pretty much dedicated to fixed uses.
ralphw@IUS3.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU (Ralph Hyre) (03/22/88)
In article <855@meccsd.MECC.MN.ORG> rms@meccsd.UUCP (Roger M. Shimada) writes: >In article <1142@PT.CS.CMU.EDU> ralphw@IUS3.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU (Ralph Hyre) writes: >>OK, what's on the Apple II 'workstation' card that makes it cost $249? >>Must be a processor AND an 8530, but has anyone seen one? > >The Workstation card has a 65c02, an 8530, a 64K ROM, and (I think) 16K >of RAM, and all the stuff to make it work (glue chips). Another Apple ][ on a peripheral card. Neato. Does anyone know which parts are soldered? It'd be interesting to try doing other things with the 8530 (like syncrhonous stuff for packet radio, and such). > >>I'm suprised that the //c isn't supported via the SmartPort, since there >>was a plan to do this at one time. > >I'm surprised that the SmartPort's lived this long. Hopefully Apple >has a slotless gs in mind to replace the //c. Me, too. It has enough built in to make it worthwhile. > >>I'm disappointed that the ][+ isn't supported, either but maybe the ProDOS >>software side is too big. > >Actually, the current software wants an enhanced //e. Firmware >speaking, the original //e and other ][ machines don't handle >interrupts very well. I believe that the 128K requirement is >unavoidable with ProDOS. Anyone know what the software interface look like? ProDOS requires a 64K ][+, but I though the upper 64K in //e's was use for a /RAM ramdisk device. I'd think that with 64K Rom, and the targeted market, (access to file servers) some ProDOS-space-saving technique like use of the already-existing smartport routines could be used. Oh well. My ][+ does reasonable jobs with interrupts, as long as you don't expect DOS 3.3 to handle it, or ProDOS to do it in any reasonable amount of time. DOS 3.3 and the interrupt firmware conflict in their use of location $45, and ProDOS interrupts latency was either 120, 240, or ~360ms, probably due to worrying about flipping page bits to get everything back to bank 0. This limits interrupt-driven I/O to ~3000 cps, which is where things (like MIDI) start happening. I though the unenhanced problem here was the 80col firmware on the original //e locking out interrupts for too long. I can imagine that if you're using Disk ]['s you have the same problem, since the RWTS stuff disables interrupts. I don't know if the protocol converter/SmartPort stuff used for the UniDisk 3.5 is any more interruptable. Hope so, since I'm designing an OS for it. If Apple is serious about supporting older machines, then maybe a ][/][+ 'enhancement kit' with 65c02 and 'better' ROMs, is called for. A third party could write the code, Anyway, thanks for the information. -- - Ralph W. Hyre, Jr. Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK} Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA -- - Ralph W. Hyre, Jr. Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK} Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA