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Bits and Bytes Volume 11, No. 05 (1989-11)(Apple Computing Enjoyment Society)(Side A).zip
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FILLER.OF.NOTE.txt
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1996-12-24
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A FILLER OF NOTE YOU MIGHT ENJOY
The following item is republished with permission from Miami's Big
Apple 305-948-8000. Contributed by Bob Sherman.
From: (Dave Harvey)
Date: 8 Aug 89 19:01:30 GMT
Subject: A2-Central Developers Conference
The August/September, 1989 issue of THE ROAD APPLE ($9.95/year, 6
issues, from 1121 NE 177th, Suite B, Portland, OR 97230 tel. (503)
254-3874), included a five page special edition on the A-2 Central
Developers' Conference. It covered the conference in quite a bit of
detail. Below are some excerpts from that issue:
Friday Afternoon
Apple II update and feedback forum or , "Other than that, Col.Custer*,
how did you like your visit to the Montana Territory?"
Jonathan Eder, Jonathon Fader and Steve Glass of Apple, Inc's 7th
Cavalry were ambushed by the Developers' tribe led by Barney "Chief
Crazy Horse-Sitting Bull" Stone in a no-holds barred verbal
free-for-all that left all emotionally drained.
The Apple, Inc. reps opened the session with prepared statements.
One of Apple, Inc.'s twisted sense of logic was the statement that
they "lower the price" of their products by offering new machines with
more "value" (add ons) at the same price and reduce the cost of new
products in development. You figure that one out as you scan the
prices of products that have been in existance for some time. Also,
there was the statement that you "shouldn't ask Apple, Inc. about
specific new releases; just look back and see the future."?! Huh?
Or, try this one: It was quoted that Apple Products President
Jean-Louis-Gassee's philosophy is that "They (the consumers) have my
money in their pockets." Sounds more like the wisdom of a mugger than
it does of a 20th century corporate leader.
After a droning corporate pitch of the wisdom of the home/education
only niche for the Apple II line, complete with full color
transparencies and the comment that sales of the Apple II brings in a
billion dollars a year and so Apple, Inc. will never abandon the Apple
II, a simple, quiet question from the floor about programs for the
handicapped opened the flood gates.
Sounding the battle cry not unlike "We're mad as hell and we're not
going to take it anymore!" from the movie NETWORK, Barney Stone
challenged the corporate stance. His premise was that home/education
only marketing strategy was too narrow and that the Apple II computers
can run business software as well. He further stated that if Apple,
Inc. continues its present course, the billion dollar sales figure
will shrink to a half-billion, instead of growing to the two billion
it could be if only Apple, Inc.would aggressively market the computers
as a "general purpose" machine quite capable of running programs for
the home, school AND business.
Several developers jumped in supporting Barney and added that the $650
per year Apple, Inc. charges them for tech support is too much
considering that most of what they get is for the Macintosh. Many
vowed not to renew this August. The biggest problem, they said, was
they could only contact Apple, Inc. through AppleLink, etc. and not by
phone. Each emotional speech was punctuated by enthusiastic applause.
THE ROAD APPLE made the point that the Apple IIe did for personal
computing what the DC-3 airplane did for the airline industry. It's
been 45 years since the last DC-3 was built and yet, according to the
December '88 issue of Smithsonian, 10% of all DC-3's ever built are
still flying and making money in aviation situations never dreamed of.
45 years from now I'll bet that a lot more than 10% of the Apple IIs
will be churning out computer production. It's time that Apple, Inc.
broaden its view and actively support the Apple II line.
There was a question of why AppleLink is mostly in the Macintosh
format. The response generally pointed out that there were more
Macintosh users than Apple II users. Apple, Inc. also stated that "we
need to improve to a more attractive platform (of computers in the
future) because the customer picks his best choice." Which brought
the question from the audience, "Based on what?" and the charge that
"You (Apple, Inc.) don't believe in the Apple II yourself."
The Apple, Inc. reps were clearly out-numbered and ill prepared for
the verbal offense. To their credit, they stood in there and took it.
It was, perhaps, the first time that the developers as a group have
had a chance to tell Apple, Inc. leaders what they really thought face
to face. It was a time of venting pent-up emotions based on what they
perceived to be cavalier treatment by the corporation.
After the session, a number of small groups broke off and met at
various parts of the lobby and halls.
--*His real rank at the time of death. The rank of General earned in
the Civil War, was temporary.
Friday night
The Russians are here
During the afternoon I had met two Russians from Moscow. Both
Vladamir Fedorov and Alexander Surovegin have Ph.D. degrees in physics
and have been working with a Bulgarian made Apple IIe type computer of
their design in spectrographic research of environmental pollution in
the Soviet Union. Fluent in several languages, these two gentlemen
were the hit of the conference and I treasure the time I spent with
them. Besides their scientific work mentioned, they also had to
develop the software; these were two sharp guys who had a great time
at the conference.
I had also met Haywood Gulley, a free-lance writer from St. Louis, who
was likewise enchanted with our Russian visitors. We suggested that
Vladamir and Alexander join us for dinner and they quickly agreed.
After ordering a taxi, we batted off down the road for several miles
to the Plaza section of Kansas City, where we enjoyed an excellent
meal at Starker's (highly recommended). Vladamir was introduced to
deep fried onion rings and scarfed them up like there was no tomorrow.
He also tied into his spinach salad with great enjoyment.
Throughout the meal, we enjoyed lengthly discussions on a wide range
of topics, especially the life in both our countries. We returned to
the dorm late and the Russians treated us to vodka (Stolichnaya, of
course), smoked sardines and black bread from Moscow, all consumed
Russian style. It was a great ending to a wonderful evening. There
was an exchange of small gifts for which I was unprepared, but did the
best I could.
To Apple, Inc.'s credit, the Russians were given the technical
documentation for the IIe and the tech handbooks, something they
sorely needed. All in all it was great trip for them and a treat for
me.
INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER CLUB established
The Moscow USSR based International Computer Club, whose motto is,
"Information science at the service of international dialogue," has
been set up as a non-governmental international organization "
...guided by the principles of the United Nations Organization..." is
seeking contacts from all over. The club's purpose is to establish
communication, information, trade, education and computer science
links between nations.
As I understand it, there is a direct satellite link between Moscow
and San Francisco that can be used by anyone with a modem who wishes
to communicate with ICC.
Both Vladamir and Alexander are seeking contacts with user groups here
in the United States and would like to receive a copy of your club's
newsletter. Send it to:
USSR, 101813
Moscow, Centre
Proyezd Serova, 4
ICC, A2LINK, Fedorov
Their phone number is 921-09-02 and FAX, connected between 3:00 PM and
5:00 AM, GMT, is (096)921-09-02. TELEX is 411630. If you do write,
I'd appreciate it if you mentioned that you read this in THE ROAD
APPLE. [How about some ACES member contacting that address and seeing
about an exchange? We'll see about getting the actual Bits and Bytes
to Moscow!]
If you want further information on ICC, just send me a stamped,
self-addressed envelope and I'll send a photo copy of their brochure.
LUNCH
The menu wasn't as exciting as the unscheduled meeting, though the
ribs were good. The developers formed an ad hoc group and elected six
directors including Barney Stone, Roger Wagner and Tom Weishaar.
Their purpose is to unify and solifify their relationship between them
and Apple, Inc. They want to speak directly to Apple, Inc. about their
concerns and resolve apparent differences. Final affirmation of the
directors is to take place by AppleFest San Francisco.
I look for good things for all of us to come out of this. It was very
positive.