dave@PRC.Unisys.COM (David Lee Matuszek) (11/09/90)
Here's my situation. I used to be an Apple II+ enthusiast, but a few years ago I bought a Mac. Since then my family's use of the Apple has declined dramatically (it declined even further when we got our first hard drive for the Mac), and I haven't bought any software for it in a couple of years. The Apple II+ still gets used occasionally, since we have a LOT of very nice software for it. One of the main things preventing us from using it is that we've all gotten spoiled by the hard drive, and it's too much of a pain in the butt to decide on and hunt up a particular floppy, instead of just browsing the hard disk. OK, we're a lazy bunch, but that's the way it is. Now that Apple is bringing out the Mac LC with an Apple IIe emulator card and a hard disk, we're going to get one. The problem is, I'll want to copy a bunch of Apple II software to the hard disk. I don't know yet what technical problems may be involved, but cracking the !@#$% copy protection is sure to be on the list. I used to use Nibbles Away, with fair but not great success, but I'm sure the state of the art has improved since I've been away. So now that I'm (soon to be) back in the fold, I have some questions: * What's the best program for breaking copy-protection schemes? * What great software (particularly games) has come out in the last, say, two years? (I have some catching up to do.) * What are the major Apple II magazines, and what is their emphasis? (I'm most interested in product evaluations.) * There are some great mail-order software houses for the Mac; is there anything comparable for the Apple II? E-mail me and I'll summarize (if I get enough info); post if you think it's of general interest. Flames to /dev/null--I'll forward them if you like. Many advance thanks for all the helpful and useful advice I expect I'll get! -- Dave Matuszek (dave@prc.unisys.com) -- Unisys Corp. / Paoli Research Center / PO Box 517 / Paoli PA 19301 -- Any resemblance between my opinions and those of my employer is improbable. < You can put a mouse on an IBM. And you can put a radio on a motorcycle. >
ericmcg@pnet91.cts.com (Eric Mcgillicuddy) (11/11/90)
Many of your CP programs will likely be in some variant of DOS 3.3. I doubt
you could put them on the LC's hard drive. You will need a 5.25" disk drive,
or hack up an connector for your Disk II's to plug into the IIe card.
Prodos programs are no problem of course.
Must haves:
Prince of Persia, Arkanoid, Ultima V, Rommel (obviously these are a matter of
personal taste)
Also Appleworks 3.0 and proterm 2.2. Both are better than, and much cheaper,
than equivalent Mac offerings.
Incider is now covering the Mac, so this is likely your best option. I
personally would not waste my money on it. A2 Central is Apple II only, and is
occasionally anti-Mac, which may rankle you, but is very good for
understanding the IIe side of things.
I use Programs Plus all the time. Great outfit. And they sell Mac stuff too.
I find that Spending $100/month on GS software makes businesses very helpful
when you have a problem. (And people say nothing is being written for the GS!
$100/month is a lot of software (well, two Mac or IBM programs a year, but
this is Apple II stuff))
UUCP: bkj386!pnet91!ericmcg
INET: ericmcg@pnet91.cts.comNOWAKO09@SNYBUFVA.BITNET (APPLE //GS - THE POWER TO BE YOUR BEST) (11/12/90)
I agree that Incider is a waste of money, every issue I've been fool
enough to throw money away on has at least two editorials telling me that I am
an idiot for owning a II and that the II sucks. What the H*LL kind of attitude
is that for a (supposed) Apple II mag? One article said if I want to save the
two then I should 'buy every bit of software available for it' and not complain
to apple...well its Apple's fault origionally for not pushing, advertising and
supporting the II! Also, I am told that I should LOOOOOVVVVEEEE the Mac because
of all the good things that get crossed over to the II line. EXCUUUUSSEEE me!
The Mac is an overpriced toy!!!! It tries to compete with the IBM (the
pickup truck of computers) when its not a business machine! Anyway...Now Incider
is going to be covering Mac huh? Well, if I where to throw my money away on that
machine WHY would I want to read a mag that covers the II and the Mac? When
there are good Mac Mags that have been out there for years already? I hope
Incider get driven into the ground....
- Joe Nowakowski