Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bu-cs!bucsb!shack From: shack@bucsb.UUCP (Randy Shackelford) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Living in the Past Summary: get with it! Message-ID: <1804@bucsb.UUCP> Date: 24 Jun 88 17:29:16 GMT Organization: Boston Univ Comp. Sci. Lines: 32 I cannot get over people who refuse to stay current. For instance, I got the //e enhancement in May '85, about two days after I found out such a thing existed. Being able to input Applesoft and monitor commands in lowercase and boot the machine from a hard disk or RAM disk and have efficient 80 column firmware was just too tempting for me, so I was among the first to run my machine down to my friendly dealer and have my buggy old firmware exchanged for good new firmware. (It was also at this time that I gave up using DOS software; forsaking the old and embracing the new is a job not to be done half-heartedly.) In my IIgs (purchased in March '87 - the first opportunity I had to get one) I also got the ROM upgrade at the first opportunity (not right away, as the only dealer in the area who even knew there was an upgrade at first only upgraded machines sold by that dealer.) This upgrade added several nifty features too, such as a built in monitor desk accessory. I cannot believe there are still people out there - in mid 1988 - that still do not have the enhancement. Much less the IIgs upgrade, since it was FREE. My point is, I APPLAUD developers who require that their software be run on up-to-date hardware. I got my //e in August '83, and at the time, every program available ran on the ][+, meaning they took advantage of no features of my machine, such as double hires, lowercase characters, and up-down arrow keys. It took years until any useful program required a 128k enhanced //e or newer machine, which is the way it should be, since, after all, it is mid 1988. By the way: if anyone decides to flame me because I am an elitist or for any other reason you think you might have from reading the previous, be aware that I know the cost of staying current; my IIgs is fifteen months old, and I still owe money on it. Also, it has had SIX different motherboards in it. I am the Apple service person's worst nightmare. I would recount my long history of hardware problems, but that would in itself be an entire article... Randy Shackelford shack@bucsb.bu.edu