User`s guide

Volume VI
R021V6HIST.TXT
R021V6HIST.HTML
Volumes I - V are the actual history. The Appendices are in Volume VI.
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From: Rubywand
002- In 1981 it seems like 'the world' was Apple's for
the taking. What happened?! What were Apple II users
saying and feeling in the final years of the Computer
Wars?
The Computer Wars Chronicles
What follows is a series of articles I originally did for COMPUTIST
beginning in the late 80's. They chronicle the end of an era. You will find all
of the speculation, analysis, predictions, and hype one might expect in writings
which oscillate between recognition of impending reality and a crusade to oppose
it.
The pieces are, roughly, dated by Issue number. The first article appeared
in Issue 67 in the late Summer of 1989. I'm pretty sure the last article
appeared in the Fall of 1991.
This collection was recently reprinted in Tom Turley's A2-2000 on-line
'zine. Tom keeps insisting that old A2 writings will be of interest to 1990's
computer users. Maybe he's right. It may be entertaining to relive these
snapshots of Apple II history.
Jeff Hurlburt, 1997
ISSUE 67/ Revolution
The Missing Upgrade
Spring has long since sprung and my predicted "significant IIgs upgrade"
has yet to materialize. The problem, according to Western Design Center's Bill
Mensch, is not available hardware--- 65816's have been tested above 12 Mhz and
the '832 will soon be ready for prototyping--- the problem, he says, is that
Apple is not particularly interested in an upgrade, or, even, in preserving the
II series!
Unbelievable? Not at all. Neither Commodore nor IBM were willing to upgrade
their lower priced lower profit lines; if Apple lets the II stagnate into
obsolescence, it will be following a well-worn trail. Elimination of the II line
would free the company of any remaining hacker/experimenter influence, cure a
chronic case of microprocessor schizophrenia (65xxx vs. 68xxx), and release