bc@Apple.COM (bill coderre) (05/26/91)
rc7@prism.gatech.EDU (Richard Catrambone) writes: |I have not read the newsgroup in a while, but my quick |scan (based on headers) leads me to wonder the following: | If I get System 7.0 via ftp.apple.com (which I assume | is perfectly legal?), what do I do about documentation? It's AOK to FTP System 7 from ftp.apple.com (which is the ONLY Apple machine that has it!) and install it from there. You could buy a third-party book about System 7. I haven't read any of them. They're probably fine. You will rely on your own wiles and the Usenet for support. Or, if Georgia Tech is being keen, they might help you upgrade, which would save hours of downloading time (and leave the time for others), and they might sell the Apple documentation sets as well, for some reasonable price. They might support you, as well. Or, you could buy your upgrade from a user group. They typically want about $30 for the disks, and don't give you manuals, but might give you support. You might have to become a member. Or, your dealer might offer to let you copy System 7 from his disks. Since it's about a dozen disks, he might not. He's allowed to, but not required to, by Apple. He's also entitled to sell those disks for "reasonable cost." You'd still have to get documentation, and where you get support is up to you and your dealer. If you do buy your Personal Upgrade Kit from a dealer, though, you will get dealer support AND toll-free telephone tech support from Apple, along with all the disks from the other releases, and about 5 lbs of documentation, for $100 or thereabouts. I personally think this is a very reasonable price, and since I buy all my upgrades, I'll go get a PUK in a week or so when demand dies down. NOTE: upgrades from dealers include a "minimal" Hypercard 2.1 (minimal stacks, that is, not minimal features -- it's the same Hypercard program, just less auxiliary stacks), whereas upgrades from user groups do not. On the other hand, I'm told that Claris will send 2.1 to registered users soon. I can't wait to get mine. Even though I do have the stacks, it'll be nice to have the new documentation. COMPATIBILITY NOTE: The "Compatibility Checker" hypercard stack runs under both Hypercard 1.2 and later, and Hypercard 2 and later. OVERSEAS NOTE: System 7 is being localized to specific versions for specific countries right now. It will be released "this summer" for the most part. If you want to FTP the american System 7 right now, I don't see any reason not to. Your Apple dealer (or Apple company office) might also be able to sell/give/loan you an american 7. Support issues overseas are not resolved at this time. Ask someone there. bill coderre whose opinions are not those of the Stripey Fruit CompuCo or its subsidiaries