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From: SEWALL@UCONNVM.BITNET
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Apple II forever?
Message-ID: <8707111622.aa01579@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 11-Jul-87 15:27:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: SMOKE.8707111622.aa01579
Posted: Sat Jul 11 15:27:00 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 26-Jul-87 04:45:40 EDT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Distribution: world
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 44

It seems "forever" isn't as long as it used to be.  My friends
at the H.U.G.E. Apple (II & Macintosh) computer club tell me
that Compuserve is alive with rumors that Apple is about to
announce the demise of the venerable II line (OR perhaps they'll
not announce the demise and keep the production line rolling, but
there won't be any further product development effort within Apple).

Most of the comment seems to have been instigated by the shake-up
in Apple's "evangelist" group and, apparently, an attitude that the
new "evangelists" are conveying to clubs that says "we only speak
Macintosh" (or a "what are you still here?" response to Apple II
owners).

Were I Apple, I too would put most of my chips on the Mac.  IBM has
handed Apple the marketing opportunity of the century, but it's a
real question whether Apple will be able to mobilize to take advantage
of it (best guess is it will be about 18 months before the PS/2
catches up to where the Mac is today).  However, Apple is crazy if
they forget that 40% of new computer buyers already own a computer.
Do they really want Apple II owners trading up to Amigas and Atari ST's
instead of Macintoshes (it's not so far fetched a notion)?  In the
struggle with IBM, does Apple really want LOTS of negative word of
mouth from a national network of Apple II owners?

Remember a month or two ago there was a note on INFO-APPLE about
Apple's fan introducing hum into IIgs sound?  Have you seen the
editorial in the August A+ (which includes Apple's "back of the
hand" response -- Apple II owners' gripes tend to become widely
dissiminated VERY quickly)?

The signs seem to be saying that Apple's "on again, off again"
attitude toward the II and user groups is "off again."  And if
that's not bad enough, I've just heard that the only local source
for the Macintosh II is (are you ready for this?) Computerland.
That's a revolting prospect.  Apple touts its dealer network and
then turns its back on the few good dealers it does manage to
attract.  Computerland LOVES IBM (and maybe Compaq) and boy do they
have an undue interest in relieving the customer of his(her) money!

Apple is in contact with the largest Apple clubs in the country.
We get lots of sales pitch and hoopla from Apple but not many
questions.  I guess Mr. Sculley doesn't like us telling him too
many Apple dealers seem to be failed shoe salesmen.  The fact that
it's the truth seems to have escaped his attention.