Letters
Copyright (c) 1995 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
G'day Andrew! Was reading your article in the Applecations (March '95) [although the cover does say '94!] in which you want some feedback from Apple II users.
In this age when all seem support seems to be disappearing for the trusty Apple IIe or IIgs (especially the former) I feel it is important to let ANYONE who supports the platform in ANY way know so that their efforts can be justified.
I am a DEDICATED user of the Apple IIe and have felt that the AUG has NOT been meeting the needs of users such as myself and has tended to abandon us for the "rich kids on the block" who can afford (or see the need) to go with the Mac. This leaves people such as myself with nowhere to turn in the event that support is needed (ie. I gave up on AppleWorks 4.n and haven't had the heart to get into AppleWorks 5 even though I've got the program).
I am a BIG user of AppleWorks and that would account for 90% of my daily computing. Even though I'm using AppleWorks 3, it is a powerful tool that rivals "Bluespower" in Works and I like it better than ClarisWorks or Works on the Mac.
I also do some programming when I get the time but that is rare these days!
In short, I've got lots of problems with the hardware side and have written letters to the editor hoping to get feedback but none get published. Going e-mail elicits NO responses as it seems the club membership has abandoned the Apple II BBS and God forbid if you ask an Apple II question on the Mac board!
In short, I feel I'm getting short changed! I remain a member only for the reason that I live in eternal hope that someone will answer me on the BBS when I post a question, to have access to the Mac forum for work, and to continue to support any person using Beagle products (I am/was a Beagle Buddy) if I am able and my email address was given as the Apple // BBS @ AUG.
Apple // forever! (But I will use the IBM/MAC if I have to!)
DeWayne Bruce
Andrew replies:
Thanks for your letter DeWayne. I've decided to print it here to open up more discussion on this topic because it is important for the future direction of the club.
The club is run by members for the benefit of members which implies that the club can only be as good as it's members. So, while I can see the point you are trying to make when you state that the AUG has tended to abandon Apple II members for the Macintosh members, I must disagree with you. In practice there are a number of people dedicated to keeping the Apple II section of the club going and we make sure that Apple II members get the same opportunities as the Macintosh members.
From my vantage point I see that the active Apple II members are dwindling in numbers. It is only reasonable therefore to expect that the emphasis of the club will change. However, the club can not be excused from meeting the needs of a section of the membership.
Your letter indicates that you currently need answers to questions that you have. I believe that the active contributors to the Apple // BBS can and will help. If you receive no reply then it is probably because nobody knows the answer rather than the perception that everyone is ignoring you.
Have you tried calling the people on the contact list from the front of the magazine? These hardy souls are glad to help and if they can't answer your question then they can generally direct you to someone who can.
In regards to your unpublished letters to the editor I'd like to make the suggestion that you send them to the Apple II Sub-editor. If Apple II related communications are opened by a Macintosh oriented person they don't generally know what to do with it (and vice versa) and hence letters gather dust until remembered.
The club warmly welcomes anyone who can help in any way and I would encourage all members to contribute. I welcome any suggestions regarding the role of the club with regards to Apple II members and I'm always looking for magazine contributions.

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