Preservation is better for archaeologists than computer companies, or why the II GS didn't make a bigger splash.
This article from the Byte.com "Blasts from the Past" series originally appeared in the October 1986 issue. It's a Product Preview written by former senior technical editor Gregg Williams, and Rick Grehan.
It begins:
"The Apple II GS received mixed reviews. We liked its new 16-bit processor but worried that the GS cost too much and didn't offer graphics superior to the Amiga or Atari. Also, we wondered why Apple would invest such energy in preserving 10-year-old technology."
Blasts from the Past - Apple IIgs
The Macquarium Collection
This is the ultimate Macquarium resource! The Apple Collection website has assembled a page with photos and links to everything there is to know about the widespread practice of installing a permanent screensaver on your Apple. Everything from classic Macs to the Cube is covered here.
The Macquarium Collection
Becoming Tom Clancy: Letters from Tom
This is the second entry a series of four letters from author Tom Clancy. In them he describes events surrounding the publication of his first novel, The Hunt for Red October, but in this letter he describes quite extensively his thoughts on his new computer (a Macintosh 512k "Fat Mac"), Apple and personal computers in general.
Becoming Tom Clancy: Letters from Tom
Apple II Plus - Bell & Howell Model
Macgeek.org does a great job documenting this unusual variation on the beloved Apple II.
Apple II Plus - Bell & Howell Model
A Visit from Saint Woz
A poem by Marty Knight, set to "The Night Before Christmas" starring our favorite bearded jolly guy.
From Poppyfields.com, which features song and poem parodies with computer related subjects!
A Visit from Saint Woz
Apple Announces the IIc
Another cool vintage article at Atarimagazines.com. This one by George A. Miller, originally appeared in Creative Computing, Vol. 10, No. 7 / July 1984 / Page 116, and begins:
"On April 24, 1984 Apple Computer made an earthshaking announcement: the Apple IIc. The Moscone Center in San Francisco shook for nearly three minutes with the force of 6.2 on the Richter scale. The occasion for the announcement was a combined dealer/sales convention for Apple. The theme of the convention was "Apple II Forever," which neatly summarizes Apple's long range strategic plan for the Apple II."
Apple Announces the IIc
Computer Graphics Primer
The complete 1979 book "Computer Graphics Primer", by Mitchell Waite is now available online at atariarchives.org! This is a great resource, and includes a lots of Apple II information. Of particular interest is Chapter 3: Graphics Programming on the Apple II!
Computer Graphics Primer
Reality Distortion Field
In this bit of folklore at Folklore.org, author Andy Hertzfeld recalls how Bud Tribble, his new manager at the time, defines Steve's unique talent.
Reality Distortion Field
Virtual ][ Emulator Now Compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Our favorite Apple II emulator, Virtual ][ just got better with version 3.5. It's now compatible with the latest version of OS X, along with several other improvements. Try it today!
Virtual ][
So You Want to Build a Power Colour Classic?
We just can't shake this hardware tinkering kick that we're on, so let's round out the week with this page on modifying the beloved Color Classic!
From the intro:
"Definition: A Power Colour Classic is an Apple Macintosh Colour Classic computer, normally powered by a 16Mhz 68030 CPU, modified to use a logic board which contains a microprocessor from the 'Power PC' range of RISC processors, typically a 603e device. While it is possible to effect something similar by installing a logic board with a 68040 chip (e.g. from an LC575) and then adding a 601 accelerator board 'on top', such designs are highly compromised and are outside the scope of this page."
So You Want to Build a Power Colour Classic?
