ahc@cs.ucla.edu (Andrew Colby) (06/09/91)
My mom just got a hold of an Apple II, I think it's a GS, but I'm not sure. Anyway, it does not have a hard disk, and from what I can tell talking with her over the phone, she does not have any software she finds usable. I am looking for information on the following that can run from floppy only: - a communications package that will work with a Hayes compatible external modem - a word processor - some type of graph generating software, she works in a tissue culture lab and often needs to generate graphs with logarithmic scales Any pointers to free- or share-ware will be appreciated. Also, if my best bet is to tell her to purchase a commercial package, which ones are best and how much do they run. Lastly, she has considered not bothering to learn how to use the Apple II, but instead to buy either a Mac or a DOS-compatible machine, since they are both very popular in the lab where she works. I don't know how good the selection of software for the Apple II is, so I don't what to advise her. Any comments? Thanks in advance, --Andrew Colby ahc@cs.ucla.edu
PKBRANDON@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU (06/10/91)
To do scientific analysis on an AppleIIE, the main problem would be the need for log scale graphing. The rest (wordprocessing, data management and communications could be handled by AppleWorks3.0 with BeagleBros graph and telecom add-ons. There was an old AppleII program called Scientific PlotterII which could handle all sorts of scaling, but it was slow. Don't know if it's still available, but I've got a copy of it someplace. A better approach might be to use the AppleWorks spreadsheet to rescale data so that the TimeOut Graph program (BeagleBros) could do the plotting directly from AppleWorks; TimeOut telecom also works from within AppleWorks. Hop;e this helps! ------------------------------------------------------------------ --- Paul Brandon Psychology Dept Mankato State Univ --- --- PKBRANDON@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU Mankato, MN 56001 --- ------------------------------------------------------------------
asong@pro-nbs.cts.com (Andi Song) (06/13/91)
In-Reply-To: message from ahc@cs.ucla.edu
Well, ask her to look on the case of the computer. It's bound to say "IIe"
or "//c" or "IIgs" on it somewhere. And in my opinion, the best software
for what you want isn't GS-specific, so it doesn't matter what she has:
Telecommunications: ProTERM
Word Processor: AppleWorks (if she doesn't need all those fancy
features, just a fast, simple, straightforward, bug-free WP. If she DOES
need WYSIWYG and fancy fonts, just get Beagle add-ons.)
I have a GS, and I use these 8-bit programs extensively. And since
the GS runs at 2.8mhz, the programs run FAST.
My best advice regarding computers: If she wants to make it really
easy on herself, and she has training already, buy a Mac. It won't be
flashy, but at least there will be compatibility and support wherever you
turn. If she really wants to appreciate a machine that takes love and time,
use a IIe. And if she wants II-compatibility AND great graphics and sound,
and a Mac interface, go for the IIgs.
Hope I helped....
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