Derek_Isobe%SFU.Mailnet%UBC.MAILNET@mit-multics.arpa (02/07/87)
Apple or IBM.
A Discussion Paper For Disabled People.
By
R. Derek Isobe
Department Of Psychology,
Simon Fraser University.
January, 1987.
As a disabled student, my main concerns in choosing a com-
puter system were five fold. 1) What do I need a computer for?
Will I be using the computer as a word processor, for graphics
applications, for communicating with other systems (mainframes
and BBS's) or for other purposes? 2) Will the system I choose
meet all or most of my needs? 3) Is the system compatible with
external and internal peripherals such as printers, graphic cards
and modems. 4) How easy is the system to operate? (It does not
make sense to have a system which is too difficult to handle.) 5)
How much is the system going to cost? This discussion will deal
with each of the concerns in turn.
Use
Each person will have to decide for himself/herself what
they will need a computer for. All I can do here is tell you what
my uses are and hopefully it will give you an idea of the many
applications a computer system can be put to. However, despite my
positive feelings toward these machines, I must warn you that
computers are not the wonder machines that some people claim them
to be. They can be (to the novice and pro alike) hard to set up
and take apart, frustratingly precise, easily crashed, user
unfriendly and in general, terribly annoying. On the other hand,
they are great tools. They can speed up one's work, make it
easier to store and retrieve information, make it easier to com-
municate, and can make a great entertainment medium. Possibly
this last item is the most popular but least useful item in
terms of the computer's potential. However, I am generally in
favor of the disabled using computers. In fact, I could not have
hoped to cope with my work load without mine. What concerns me
is that some people consider the computer a panacea and it is
really not.
Currently I use two systems - an Apple //e and an IBM XT
compatible. Both are good machines although I prefer the IBM to
the Apple because of its clear display and its floating keyboard.
The reason that I decided the XT clones were worth the effort
in learning a new computer system was that when I decided I
needed a second computer, I checked out the Apple compatibles and
did not like their performance. I did not have the money to spend
on a true IBM or Apple System so I decided on a IBM Compatible.
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This choice caused problems in file exchanges between the Apple
and XT, and the problem was easily solved as I will explain in a
later section.
My main applications for the computers are word processing,
data storage and analysis, communications (mainly through the
modem), graphics, basic programming and games. Of course you will
have to evaluate your own needs and chose the software accord-
ingly. However, remember this - the software you choose should be
easy for you to use as well as being expandable to be meet cur-
rent as well as future needs of the user.
System Requirements
After deciding what your needs are, you can choose your sys-
tem. I will only talk about the Apple 2 series computer and the
IBM. I have not worked with a so called "32 bit" machines such as
the MacIntosh, so I cannot comment on them.
The Apple // series computers (Apple ][ plus, //c and //e)
are eight bit (binary digit) machines. This means that, in
general, it takes eight bits to define one byte of information.
A byte represents a basic unit of data, or more simply put, one
character on a keyboard. An Apple can range in capabilities from
a games computer to a respectable machine that will do most any-
thing you ask of it. The eight bit CPU (Central Processing Unit)
means that larger programs load into memory and run slowly. The
speed problem may cause some frustrations - especially when using
a worksheet program with a large data file. The program's per-
formance may also be limited because of the eight bit nature of
the machine. For example editing three files at the same time is
almost impossible for an Apple to do.
Another factor which should be considered is the machine's
data storage capabilities. Since most Apple II series machines
use single-sided disk drives, their data storage capacity is
limited to 128K (kilobytes) of storage or approximately a 60 page
document per diskette. This may seem adequate storage however,
depending on the program used it may prove not to be enough. For
example, Wordstar (a word processing program) automatically makes
copies of its data files which cuts the diskette's storage in
half. Two solutions are the 3 1/2 inch floppy disk drives and
the hard disk drive technology. The 3 1/2 inch drives will give
you up to 720K of storage space per diskette but they are only
available for the Apple //e and the 32 bit MacIntosh. The hard
disk drives will give you up to 20 megabytes (20,000,000 bytes)
of storage space per disk. However, they may be very expensive
for an Apple system. Both these alternatives minimize the neces-
sity to change disks - especially when using large programs -
which is of benefit to the disabled user.
Finally the Apple 2 series computer family is good for word
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processing, but for complex graphics does not fare well. Their
displays are grainy and unclear, and even some of their text
displays (especially some clones) are very blurred. If you need
a very crisp and clear text display, or your applications include
complex graphics (graphics other than plotting) your best choice
would be an IBM or good compatible.
A basic Apple system would consist of the Apple computer
with 64 to 128 kilobytes of RAM (Random Access Memory) and
several expansion slots, 80 column display, 2 disk drives with
controller card, computer monitor and printer with interface. Of
course depending on the model, some of the hardware will have to
be purchased separately. This basic system will run most any
program while having the flexibility to be expanded to meet fu-
ture needs, such as communications or extra memory.
IBM (PC, PC Jr., XT, and Convertible) are 16 bit
machines. This 16 bit capacity means programs load into memory
and run faster, and one can use larger and more complex programs
with less trouble. The 16 bit nature also means that you get
better graphics display. This is a decided advantage if you need
a clear, crisp display for text processing or if your applica-
tions include some sort of complex graphics.
Disk storage is doubled due to the use of the double-sided
diskette technology. As well as using the 5 1/4 inch diskettes,
the 3 1/2 and 8 inch diskettes can be used with some models.
Hard drives up to 80 megabytes can also be used with all models
except the IBM PC. This choice of storage devices is a great ad-
vantage to those people who have limited coordination - espe-
cially when dealing with programs that require more than one dis-
kette.
As stated before, visual display of text and graphics is
much better than the Apple. The only drawback is that you need
two graphics cards - one for text and one for colour graphics.
However, this is not a major problem as there is hardware which
will allow the user to combine the two.
A basic IBM system could consist of the IBM computer with 64
to 256 kilobytes of RAM memory and several expansion slots,
graphics display, multifunction card, 2 disk drives with control-
ler card, computer monitor and printer. Depending on the model of
IBM, some of the hardware will have to be purchased separately.
This basic system will run most any program while having the
flexibility to be expanded to meet future needs, such as com-
munications or extra memory.
What about the compatibles? Some Apple clones are 100% com-
patible with Apple software, others are not. Some machines per-
form as well as the real thing, others are lemons. The best way
to find a good machine is to try it out at the store and to talk
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to users. IBM compatibles seem to have better track records than
do Apple clones. They seem to give consistently better perfor-
mance. They run as well as the true IBM machines, have fewer
breakdowns and are able to run most IBM software. Still you
should be careful when considering buying a compatible.
Generally my recommendations are that if you need the com-
puter to do word processing and for entertainment, then the
Apple systems will suit your needs nicely. However, if you need
a machine that will do nice graphics and run large programs
fast, then the IBM systems are for you. Of course both system are
able to be modified to accept special devices such as extra
large keyboards or dot-dash code devices however, these I/O
(input/output) devices are expensive and really slow the user
down in terms of data entry. Another I/O device available for the
IBM and Apple is the Mouse. A mouse will make computer use easier
if the person has a fair amount of hand-eye coordination, but if
not then the user may find the mouse of little help.
Compatibility
There are two types of compatibility - hardware and
software. Hardware compatibility refers to whether or not a sys-
tem will run any external or internal peripherals such as prin-
ters, memory cards, modems, and so on. As a rule, external
peripherals are quite compatible with both Apple and IBM systems.
A brand name printer for example, that runs on an Apple will run
on an IBM as well. Internal peripherals are a different story.
Internal peripherals such as modems, memory cards, interfaces and
graphic cards are designed for specific machines and systems. For
example, an internal modem designed for the Apple system will
not run on an IBM system because of the differences discussed
above. The same modem also will not run in an Apple //c because
there are no expansion slots to put it into.
Software compatibility refers to whether or not software
packages will run on a particular system. Since software packages
are written with a particular system in mind, there is no com-
patibility between software written for Apple and software writ-
ten for IBM. Even within the Apple or IBM product lines, there
are compatibility problems due to hardware or software dif-
ferences such as key code differences or protection schemes. For
example, games that use the Escape Key on an Apple //e won't run
on an Apple //c because the //c has a different escape key code
than the //e. Fortunately software manufacturers make different
version of the same program to solve this problem. However, there
are some programs which run on only one machine. It is up to the
user to determine which programs work on her/his machine.
Text files transfers are quite possible between Apple and
IBM. They are usually done using a modem and the phone lines.
Another way to accomplish this is to use a system like Apple
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Turnover or Matchpoint-PC. These systems work by converting 8 bit
format into 16 bit format using special hardware and software.
Operation
Ease of operation of a computer system is one of the most
important issues facing a disabled or a non-handicapped user.
If a system seems to complex, the user may become intimidated by
the computer and not use it. This is the reason for user friendly
programs. However, no amount of "user friendliness" is going to
help if the hardware or software is too difficult for the person
to master.
The Apple system is one of the easier systems to install and
get running. The inside of the computer is easily accessed and
the cards are easily put in and pulled out. Depending on the
machine the disk drives are in plain view and easy to operate.
The only problems are with the displays and the keyboard design.
The unclear display is more due to the limits of the 8 bit
machine than due to any hardware problems. For a non-handicapped
person with head and eye coordination, the display may not be a
problem. However, for a disabled person without such coordina-
tion, this clarity issue becomes very important. The keyboard
is a problem because, on an Apple 2 series computer, the keyboard
is fixed to the machine. This may make it difficult to reach cer-
tain keys or find a comfortable position while typing. More im-
portantly, the amount of programmable keys available to a
software package for use in long command sequences is very
limited on the Apple keyboard. This may increase the chance of
an user making a disastrous error while typing in one of these
command sequences manually.
IBM computers are easier to use because of their clear dis-
plays and their floating keyboards. The keyboard has more
programmable keys available thus decreasing the need for the user
to manually enter commands. Installation of the IBM may be more
difficult then with the Apple. Although the inside is readily ac-
cessible, the cards and ports need to be screwed down. The cards
also are extremely delicate. One bump could damage a card beyond
repair.
I prefer the IBM to the Apple because of its display,
keyboard, data storage capabilities, and speed. However, Apple
has the most software, and is a solid machine.
Price
This may be the deciding factor in your decision whether to
purchase an IBM or an Apple. Currently a basic Apple system will
cost from $2,500.00 to $3,000.00 and up, depending on the model.
A basic IBM system will cost from $3,500.00 and up, depending on
the model. Compatibles range from $1,000.00 and up, for Apple;
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and $1,400.00 and up, for IBM. The Compatible prices are for
quality products. There are cheaper clones but the quality is
questionable.
Whatever the machine you decide to buy, the main thing is
that the machine does what you want it to do and is easy for you
to use. If it meets these criteria you will be happy with the
computer.
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