BRESNAHA@BCVAX3.BITNET (12/01/86)
Hello Apple ][, ][+, //e, //c and/or //GS User,
I am writing this letter to aid, ask and analyze questions and
comments posted on info-apple.
First, the alias Apple //x DOES exist. I've used it. The project
was to expand the //e design and to make a more powerful machine.
Unfortunately, the project was scrubbed with funds going to Mac research.
The //x was dumped YEARS ago, thinking about it, I'd say over 3 to 4 years
ago. (geee...the //e is that old?) Nevertheless, it looked like a //e on
the outside for those who desire to know. So, you can forget about another
// project for a good time.
Secondly, regarding Apple // periodicals: I have the following
personal opinions of A+, InCider, and Nibble.
A+ is the worst of the three. It has a Mac section that I don't use
or care about. So, there goes a quarter of the magazine right there.
Sometimes they have good cover stories, but in trying to attract the Mac
users and the ][ users, they fall short. You will _rarely_ any ready-to-type
programs in A+ for the Mac or //. (And if you do, it is very short.)
Nibble and InCider are close. I like nibble's long useful programs
that are included in each issue. They can be difficult to type in, but overall
the quality of the programs is very good. Their cover story nearly always
features a program ready either a game, utility or application program. They
have a few good reviews, but nothing to brag about. The Ask Nibble is not very
good or helpful. You see about 2 or 3 questions a month answered. There
are tutors on leaning assembly language that are strong. The high subscription
price may or may not make your choice ($26.95).
InCider is my favorite of the 3 magazines. It is all Apple //, it
has programs in each issue. It's cover articles are useful. Often on the
pros and cons of expanding you system via hardisks, or ramcards. They have
a good review section, although the game reserve is very weak. The Ask
InCider section answers many questions and has useful tips. The tutorials
running are good too. Assembly and Pascal are being taught month by month.
And you should be able to get InCider for a reasonable price ($11.95).
Now for telecom software. I would like someone who has the latest
version of DCOM by Jim Hayes to please post it on info-apple. I would
it myself, but being on BITNET, my powers are limitted. So, I'm asking
nicely, get from the net.micro.apple list (or whatever it is called now)
and put it on info-apple. This will help all of us.
Regarding reading/writing track/sector routines (RWTS), someone
had problems with ProDos. *I am totally opposed to prodos replacing
DOS 3.3* But, any Apple enthuse_}ist should have a utility like Copy ][+
that has many practical utilities available for use. I'm suggest
everyone examine a disk through the looking glass of a "sector editor"
noting neat tracks like: 11 (hex) Track 2 Sector 2 of a DOS 3.3 disk (hex)
you can learn much by playing around with the programs you have.
Finally, I'd like to ask a few questions: Is there anyone who
would not get a //GS if he/she could? Has anyone found success with a color
monitor being able to display 80cols and good graphics? Does anyone like
those cardboard insertions in magazines?
Okay. That's all folks.
--Scott Bresnahan
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Scott Bresnahan +
+ Boston College +
+ Chestnut Hill, MA +
+ BRESNAHA @ BCVAX3 (via Bitnet) +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Mly.G.Pogo%OZ.AI.MIT.EDU@XX.LCS.MIT.EDU (Bob Soron) (12/02/86)
> > Finally, I'd like to ask a few questions: Is there anyone who > would not get a //GS if he/she could? Has anyone found success with a color > monitor being able to display 80cols and good graphics? Does anyone like > those cardboard insertions in magazines? > > Okay. That's all folks. > > --Scott Bresnahan I wouldn't buy a IIGS. Apple has decided that the people who got the company on the way, owners of the ][ and ][+, like me, are not worthy of upgrades. Further, the IIGS is S......L.......O.......W. I don't have any desire to wait a day or two for a super hi-res file to load. Finally, I bought a Macintosh to do my "serious" work with, and love it; no matter what Apple had come up with for both a new computer in the II line and an upgrade path, I'd be quite happy with this. Bob -------