The Next Generation
By Andrew Roughan
Copyright (c) 1996 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Those Apple II computers that are taking up space in your closet or gathering dust in the basement have the potential to be cherished by a someone new.
Most of the members of the club have a fair idea of what a computer is and what it can do (if not, they are hopefully well on the way after joining the club). However, there are millions more people in the world who have not had the opportunity to use a computer because the price of purchasing one has made it a luxury that they could not afford. Now that the latest machines are rolling out at an extraordinary pace (one new model a week?) at cheaper prices than the older models, the prices of second hand machines are plummeting. This means that those who can not afford a new machine but are still interested in learning about computers can pick up a bargain.
The Apple II as a robust and easy to use computer must surely be the best choice for anyone, however, it is almost impossible to pass this recommendation on to a prospective buyer. (I'll leave the reasons up to you to think about, I'd love to hear from anyone who thinks otherwise. Perhaps you could turn your thoughts into an article?)
Unfortunately, most second hand computers sold will probably be devoid of documentation and software. The difference between an enthusiast and a frustrated user could be a couple of disks.
I was contacted recently by a new owner of an Apple II+. The computer had been purchased from a school and came with no software or manuals. The new owners were computer illiterate and were looking for some information and software that would allow their son to use their computer as a tool rather than just as a doorstop.
I responded enthusiastically and immediately sent a couple of manuals which I had (Apple's own "A Touch of AppleSoft BASIC" and "Kids and the Apple" which teaches elementary programming) and the public domain disks which I myself started using on my Apple II+ so many years ago (hands up who remembers "Apple Contributed Programs" disks one through five?).
Here is an extract of the letter which I received soon afterwards:
Dear Mr Roughan,
[snip] Thank you for your help. [snip]
The books proved very useful and gave my son, Stefan, new interest, he will always remember you as the man who taught him how to use his computer. He has a chance of upgrading to a late model IBM [snip] he will then sell his computer to his sister for her sons to use so it will stay in the family, this way, all the help you have given us shall not be lost. [snip]
Yours Sincerely,
K Kaltenbach.
(I believe that Stefan's parents will probably consider the IBM a backward step after the Apple II when he gets hold of some games.... anyway, that's not the issue.)
The manuals that I'd so carefully kept have finally been of use for someone and the software that I had treasured is again being treasured by someone new rather than collecting dust and slowly losing magnetic particles.
The next generation of Apple II users are out there and all they may need is a small helping hand from one of us who have trodden the path before.

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
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THIS PAGE COPYRIGHT © 2007, ANDREW ROUGHAN