han@apple.UUCP (06/04/87)
The discussion about Apple's requirement that companies licensing and distributing the System and Finder has happened many times before. Apple is not interesting in being nit-picky and looking over every user's shoulder to see if he or she is using a licensed copy of the system and finder with the application it was distributed with. We are interested in protecting ourselves from litigation which may arise from someone who has some unfortunate incident and wants to get lots and lots of money via a lawsuit for something really beyond our control. I personally really resent Apple bashing (I am, after all, partial to them being an employee of theirs). We really care about the users of our products and to insinuate that we are out to screw people over is simply uncalled for. Maybe you want all software to be distributed without System and Finder's??? ========== Byron Han Apple Computer Inc. ucbvax!sun!apple!han All opinions and statements are my own and not necessarily those of my employers.
jww@sdcsvax.UUCP (06/05/87)
I would like to apologize if anyone (from Apple or otherwise) felt I
was 'Apple-bashing'; it was not intended. I plead guilty to lawyer-
bashing, but I don't know of anyone (other than a lawyer) who would
consider that a crime. :=)
As someone who writes for Macintosh owners and develops software to
run on Macintosh computers, I also have a stake in Apple's success;
that's how I make my living.
As an owner of Macintosh computers, I sometimes have user frustrations
about things I see Apple could do differently. It's been my experience
that at least 50% of the time, Apple will take a good suggestion that's
also feasible and deliver exactly what you asked for. Remember how
everyone wanted font changes in TextEdit? They're there in System 4.1.
Long-time readers of this group know that I am fully behind Apple's overall
goals, to increase the number of Macintoshes out there, preserve their own
distinction from the clones (in the MS-DOS world and otherwise), and to
be profitable, successful and change the world. I sometimes offer suggestions
on how they can better achieve those goals.
In the matter at hand, I think it's in Apple's interests to make sure
that every owner of a Macintosh computer manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc.
should have the latest system software as quickly as possible. There are
a lot of bug fixes and compatibility fixes in the new software and it's
a waste if no one gets it, not to mention leaving lingering support problems
and ill will for Apple, Apple dealers, Apple developers and everyone else.
It's clearly not practical for Apple to spend $10 million every year to mail
a free disk to every Macintosh owner. As I said earlier, I hope Apple does
find a distribution channel (or combination thereof) that gets these
new systems on the hard disks.
--
Joel West
{ucbvax,ihnp4}!sdcsvax!jww (ihnp4!gould9!joel if I ever fix news)
jww@sdcsvax.ucsd.edu if you mustlsr@apple.UUCP (06/06/87)
In article <3275@sdcsvax.UCSD.EDU> jww@sdcsvax.UCSD.EDU (Joel West) writes: > >It's clearly not practical for Apple to spend $10 million every year to mail >a free disk to every Macintosh owner. As I said earlier, I hope Apple does >find a distribution channel (or combination thereof) that gets these >new systems on the hard disks. There are several ways to obtain the system software. One is by downloading it from Compuserve, etc. Many private BBS also have the software, if you want to avoid the on-line charges. (The disadvantage of the private BBS is that they might not have the complete system release.) Apple has been working closely with user groups for a while now. (There is a small group devoted to user group relations, and user groups have access to AppleLink.) Apple allows user groups to license the system software and distribute it to people. (For example, the Berkeley Mac User Group has a license to distribute the software, I believe.) Finally, APDA has the software available for $15.00. (This was listed in the latest APDALog.) The description in the APDALog seems to imply that you get more info in this package that you would get otherwise (eg, developer information, known bugs, etc.) By using the APDA auto-order system, you can have the new system software sent to you automatically as it becomes available from APDA. -- Larry Rosenstein Object Specialist Apple Computer AppleLink: Rosenstein1 UUCP: {sun, voder, nsc, mtxinu, dual}!apple!lsr CSNET: lsr@Apple.com
ja1w+@andrew.cmu.edu.UUCP (06/16/87)
Okay, guys, here is an idea. (Ooh, aah) Apple says. "Hey! We support our customers, and we are going to show it! (And we'll get some extremely good press to boot) Lets get ourselves a big mainframe. Lets write a super-program that will allow even the computer neophyte to get the latest software releases from our central computer. This project's interface will be SO easy to use (and still have a 'Power Users' option) that people will say 'WOW!', and may even write home to mom about it. Heck, IBM will never recover! Who says that Big Blue is 'more reliable'?!? Apple Forever! Apple treats its customers LIKE FAMILY! I am serious about this. Apple people, please respond! Apple need not have a toll-free number with this, because by the time this thing is complete, 2400 baud modems will be extremely affordable, and US Sprint will still have the lowest rates :-). The Macintosh interface to this central machine will be like AppleLink, but MUCH MUCH MUCH more intuitive and natural. The user end should have NO computerese (unless the said 'Power User' option is enabled) blurted out at him/her. We're talking MacPaint here. And, this should be compatible with at least a 512Ke, either using a completely different program, or having the program make self-imposed limits on itself. Can you imagine the press this would get? InfoWorld: "Apple Goes All Out for Users". MacWorld: "Apple Does it Again". PC World: "Uh Oh". You get the picture. Oh, and this system will have no need for massive amounts of storage - I am not thinking of a massive message service. Maybe a 'Comments for Apple' option, but no inter-user messages or bboards. Only software that Apple wishes to distribute will be available, and more stuff for 'Power Users'. I really do feel that this would be something wonderful - Apple can do it! Netters: post whatever ideas you have about this!!! Apple: discuss this among yourselves, and respond! Thanks, Jesse Adelman JA1W@TE.CC.CMU.EDU JA1W@Andrew.CMU.EDU No 'disclaimer' no es nesecito, porque yo no trabajo mucho.