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Bits and Bytes Volume 11, No. 05 (1989-11)(Apple Computing Enjoyment Society)(Side A).zip
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Bits and Bytes Volume 11, No. 05 (1989-11)(Apple Computing Enjoyment Society)(Side A).po
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ARTICLES
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GUEST.EDITORIAL.txt
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1996-12-24
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AN EDITORIAL FROM "THE ROAD APPLE"
As you know, ACES receives newsletters from many users' clubs and
takes bits and pieces from some to round out our Bits & Bytes. This
editorial appeared in a special edition of THE ROAD APPLE and I
thought it worthy of direct quotation. THE ROAD APPLE is an
independent publication, not the voice of any users' group.
"For the past few years, the growing distrust of Apple, Inc's support
for the II line has been growing; the distrust is universal and at all
levels. How come? What has caused this situation? Was it a vicious,
unfounded rumor started by someone, perhaps a disenchanted former
Apple, Inc. employee or an MS-DOS oriented person spreading disinform-
ation? Maybe greedy Macintosh dealers met in some dark room to sow
the seeds of discontent.
"The problem originated with Apple, Inc. by accident or by design.
There is no question the "word" came from the top that the Macintosh
would be Apple, Inc.'s number one computer, period.
"Development and marketing shoved the Macintosh down our throats.
Dealers made more money on one Mac sale than on several Apple II
sales. Apple, Inc. leaned toward Macintosh software development.
Now, the Mac is a good computer. Hell, all computers are good, but
they are no better than their software and corporate support. It was
clear to everyone that Apple, Inc.'s stance sent the message that 'we
don't support the Apple II as much as we support the Mac.'
"Apple, Inc. made 6 big mistakes, all of which were detrimental to the
Apple II line:
1. Not lowering the price on machines in current production like
the IIe and IIc. Apple, Inc. has already made back its investment
many times over. Why not encourage first-time buyers with price
cutting incentives?
2. Claiming that profits from sales of established machines are
plowed back into research and development. Maybe for the develop-
ment of the Macintosh, but how much R & D have you seen in the new
IIe machines?
3. Promoting the home/education only image for the Apple line.
4. Not directing that Apple II advertising dollars go to a 'general
purpose' computer campaign (home/school/business use).
5. Charging developers of Apple II products, regardless of company
size, huge sums for licensing rights and tech support.
6. Generally not velieveing in the Apple ii line themselves.
"It's difficult, if not impossible, for Apple, Inc. to have any
credibility when their actions drown out waht they say. Their 'trust
me' public relations line carries all the sincerity and believability
of a verbal warranty on a used car.
"There is hope, however. The formation of the Apple developers' group
will give real muscle to pleas that have gone a-begging in the past.
Apple, Inc. is committed to listen to this group. It's a step in the
right direction and a major one at that.
"THE ROAD APPLE urges Apple, Inc. to consider restructuring the corp-
oration along the lines of General Motors where a number of similar
products compete vigorously in the free market place. Each division
has its own production, distribution, advertising, marketing and
research, yet all are joined together for a common good. Just as
there are GM dealers who handle more than one make of car, the Apple
dealers can certainly take care of all of the product lines. If a
dealer wants to specialize, let him do it. THE ROAD APPLE thinks that
an Apple II-only store would be very successful if allowed to compete
openly.
"Despite any past efforts to the contrary, the Apple II line is alive
and well and will continue to grow. We hope that Apple, Inc. will
wake up and smell the coffee.
"Cream and sugar, anyone?"
And another view from the Richmond, VA Users' Group"
ROTTEN APPLES
By Chris Coplan, from TART
Well, we all have our problems with how Apple does business. We've
all known about the IIGS plus for AGES now, but Apple (as a company)
fails to recognize that it exists. Do they think we are stupid?? We
understand the business sense behind this, but don't you think it's
time you guys just admit to it and stop this foolishness?
My biggest gripe with Apple has to do with product support and
dealerships. I've always had a personal grievance with the idea of
dealerships for ANY type ... (restraint of trade I say) but Apple
really takes the cake. They will not sell to anyone (with intent to
resell) UNLESS they are an authorized dealer; hence the high prices
dealers can get for such an overpriced product. When the individual
dealers (authorized) get their dealership, they are REQUIRED to
purchase a certain quantity of each product. They sometimes get a
stockpile of inventory in a certain area, and so they like to dump
that stock on the market, so they don't have to "carry" that inventory
on their books. Why should they tie up their assets in slow selling
merchandise, when they can buy the higher volume items?
As I said, what they do is dump those items. Mail order houses, which
can NOT buy directly from Apple (Apple would not THINK of authorizing
a PRICE COMPETITIVE firm for their product), love to eat up this
stock. Unfortunately, the dealers don't want that stock traced back
to them (they could have their license pulled for breech of contract)
and then they'd be out of business, so they take out the old exacto
knife, and cut off Apple's serial number from the stock before turning
it over to the mail order house.
The mail order house then puts its own serial number on the item (it
is illegal to sell electronic equipment without a serial number in
California, and probably other states) and resells it to us bargain
shoppers. This is all well and good (capitalism, what our country was
founded on) but let the buyer beware. I would never have purchased an
Apple if I knew what I know now. DO NOT ACCEPT ANY MAIL ORDER APPLE
EQUIPMENT WITHOUT AN AUTHENTIC APPLE SERIAL NUMBER! The dealer will
neither upgrade it, repair it if it becomes defective, nor sell you
the parts to repair it yourself. Luckily for me, I purchased half of
my system from one store, and half from another. Hence, half with
true Apple serial numbers, half without. I now have a 3.5" that's
going bad. My printer does not have a serial number, so as soon as
any part of that goes, there is my $500 down the drain.
Since I had no luck getting my 3.5" drive repaired at my local dealer,
I consulted Apple CR (Customer Service on AppleLink Personal Edition).
They told me essentially what I have told you, but they said they
would have someone from their service center contact my local computer
store and work something out. Well, as you might expect, that's the
last I heard of that. I'm now writing one (certified) letter to Apple
in Cupertino, and that's the end of that. Hey, Al, how much was that
Packard Bell at the Price Club?
For your future reference, 47th Street Photo, in New York City, sells
Apple Computers mail order at BARGAIN prices. All the equipment I
purchased from there had true Apple Serial Numbers. The equipment I
purchased from CDA Computer Sales in New Jersey was the equipment
without true Apple Serial numbers. Hey, Apple, this is still no
reason not to support your product. Get with the program, guys. If
you have any information on other mail order houses, let me know and
I'll keep a list. This would be a nice little item for prospective
buyers.