User`s guide

Every IIgs user is aware that most major software vendors are not releasing
'all of that great PC stuff' in IIgs format. Too little attention is given to
the continuing strong support from sources like Beagle Bros, Roger Wagner, Byte
Works, and MECC. Nibble and SoftDisk-GS regularly release quality software and
individual programmers continue to produce useful, innovative shareware.
Two recent product releases are especially encouraging. Apple's GS/OS 5.04
may come on as "just another revision of old, familiar GS/OS" to IIgs owners
preoccupied with hardware needs. No problem; the 'Rule Book' says that if you
use a machine, you're supposed to carp about the operating system. Meanwhile,
PC/AT users are falling all over themselves in glee at the thought that they may
soon have something like GS/OS.
The other release is "Platinum Paint" from Beagle Bros. It's the kind of
product that could have "mainstream users" wondering where the mainstream is. If
the IIgs is dead, at least it's attracting some very classy flies. If it's not,
what might we look forward to when the upturn REALLY gathers steam?!
Though inCider's "Meet the Mac LC'" piece made no recommendations and was
hardly enthusiastic-- well, actually, it reads like something one might come up
with in a Mac prisoner of war camp-- even so, Roger Wagner responded with a
full-page rebuttal. One comment was especially thought provoking: "The IIgs is
the best platform with which to enter the '90's."
My first reaction was something along the lines of "Poor RW. He's finally
blown a 'higher functions' LSI chip. How can IIgs be the 'best platform' if it's
not supported?" But that, of course is RW's point. Viewed 'in itself', instead
of "Will it be around next year?", "Is it smart buy?", etc. the IIgs has
remarkable potential. For starters, it is the ONLY platform to offer both an
abundance of expansion slots AND sophisticated firmware. It is also a compact
machine widely regarded as the best looking
computer ever produced by anyone. (Well, it never hurts to be good looking.)
Granting that IIgs is in the "Best Platform" running; what's the problem?
Why isn't the Best Platform doing BP-type stuff? This one's easy. Just imagine
that you've switched-in a bigger power supply and crammed a 1MB model IIgs with
the best available performance enhancers. What is missing? Exactly! Until we can
either swap-out motherboards or plug in a card to obtain 'state of the world'
graphics capabilities, non of the other add-ons will be enough to spark a full-
scale IIgs swarming. Conversely, on
ce super graphics ARE in place, all of the other add-ons and the IIgs itself
will immediately become vastly more attractive.
Recommendations: Keep, use, enjoy, and learn about your IIgs. It could wind up
as one of the big winners in Computer Wars II. Speed-up, math co-processor, and
similar enhancements are worth a serious look, so long as you are willing to
accept the risks (i.e. future compatibility) that come with 'leading the pack'.
As to user hardware experimentation, why not? Your Apple club's IIgs VGA
card project could be THE way to crack the graphics logjam. ("What about the CRT
monitor and 'old IIgs' super-res?" Easy. We buy multi-syncs, plug them into your
new super IIgs VGA card and 'standardize' IIgs as a dual color monitor machine!
Now, what sort of programming, flight-sim, CAD, and adventure game software do
you suppose THAT would attract!!)
ISSUE 82/ II to Two