[comp.sys.ibm.pc] Floptical Drive Failure... Last update

unknown@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Unknown User) (02/20/90)

  Well, I told people that requested information from me regarding the
Floptical (R) drive that it was not a done deal in getting them for
group rates. In fact, I hopefully implied that it was probably more likely
that they wouldn't let us do it.

  Alas, today I got the letter from Insite saying that they wouldn't go
along with the deal. 

  At least, in my opinion, they were nicer about it than Brier
was. I will type in the letter at the end of this message in case anyone's
interested in what they said.

  I have actually heard more about the cartridge drives recently [based
on Syquest drives], and I believe that they will work properly with 
the 'built in' SCSI drivers included with GS/OS (to the people on
other newsgroups: that's the system software for the Apple IIGS).

  I thank all of those who expressed interest in getting these drives
at a 'group rate'.. Since I have no need for all of your names and 
mail addresses, I will delete them sometime soon when I get around to it.

__The text of the letter follows:__

I do not think it would be a good idea for Insite to sell to you and 
your 99 friends on a direct basis.  The reason is that you have raised a 
number of questions (ie Power Supply issue) and assumptions (software
drivers) that will present legitimate problems for your [sic -tuu] in
the integration of our FLOPTICAL (R) drive into your computer.  Because
Insite does not specialize in dealing with these types of issues
(specifically software drivers) it would be detrimental to both parties
to try to establish a business relationship based on a foundation
that we are not experienced in.

Insite appreciates your interest in our FLOPTICAL drives and we will
fully understand if you elect to not wait for our distribution network
to become established (December 1990) and purchase an alternate product.
Best of luck.

__ end of letter__

Brier, the other company making a similar product, seemed to be much
more rude in their letter. Not rude really, that's too strong.. 
Brier's letter just sort of hit me as "We already said we won't deal
with the public, so just get off our back"..

hmm.. even though I -KNOW- I have software drivers that will work [or
at the very least I know people who will MAKE them work] they still won't
sell to us. And making/buying a power supply wouldn't be that difficult.

Once again, thanks for the interest, and I hope I didn't get too many
people's hopes up falsely. Both companies say their products are either
out (as far as my memory goes, Brier said Dec 1989) or will be out this
year in the case of Insite... I think in the $800 range will be what the
final product will cost, so I guess it's in the league of cargridge
drives....
-- 
No floptical drives. Both companies said no. GET A CARTRIDGE drive instead
to spite them.
unknown@ucscb.ucsc.edu    APPLE II FOREVER    APL24VR   GS tips? Mail me.
unknown%darkside.com@ames.arpa   Please use the former address for regular use.