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