Letter to the Editor
Copyright (c) 1996 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
The Editor, Applecations
I am writing as one of the innocent victims of the apparent desire to purge the Group of those undesirables who choose to use a computer that Apple does not wish to remember.
We have paid our dues and look forward to picking up information on our machines and, more particularly, P.D. software. The comment in the latest magazine about P.D. disks no longer being produced because no-one buys them was a classic case of the self fulfilling prophecy. I for one, have regularly bought disks, including a good number of back issues, then there were a couple of months where the content was of limited appeal, so I missed out. An overseas trip caused me to miss a meeting, then the disks for that month did not appear in the magazine. By the time I found out the content, the Group had decided to wipe the IIgs owners.
I would like to thank Grant and Andrew for the great efforts that they have been making to hold things together for us; they should not be put through this ordeal because a small number of people wanted the group to be a MUG. If they really needed to put Macintosh in the name, then why not AAMUG (Apple and Macintosh Users' Group); in terms of phone book position, this would be superior to AMUG. The current name certainly would not encourage any other Apple II owners to join.
One final point, the current approach will not encourage me to move to a Mac; I would be afraid of being dumped when Apple changes direction again. I am afraid that if my trusty IIgs has to go, it will be over to an IBM clone, since I already have to use them at work.
My membership expires in March. I truly hope that some common sense returns to the scene before then.
Yours hopefully,
Bruce Copper.
The Apple II Editor replies,
Thank you for your letter Bruce.
The two people responsible for producing Apple IIgs PD disks were John Paske and Wayne Short. They both announced before the AGM in August 1995 that they were unable to continue their work in this area. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank John and Wayne for their efforts. The job has not been an easy one with the demise in popularity of the Apple IIgs, yet they managed to consistently produce PD disks with good content.
Unfortunately no-one has stepped in to continue the effort and this is largely the reason why no PD disks are being produced. If someone were willing to take up the task then I am sure that the club would happily continue to sell Apple IIgs PD. We have access to PD and we have access to copying and distribution. We simply require someone to decide what goes onto each disk. If you are able to spend a few hours evaluating PD as it becomes available, compiling a disk and writing a content description then please make yourself known to myself or the committee.
There are five disks for which content descriptions have not appeared in the magazine. I have taken steps to rectify that situation as soon as possible.
The issue about the name of the club is a sore point for some members. I personally feel that the name change was unnecessary and will do little to change the image of the club. I'll be happy to eat humble pie if there are noticeable benefits.
I must state that the club is not trying to purge itself of Apple II members. We co-exist peacefully. In fact if any analysis was done in the area it would probably be found that Apple II members have a far greater share of resource than Macintosh members (based on preferences indicated on membership forms).
There are still many benefits of club membership for Apple II owners. The latest example of this is the access that the Macintosh BBS will soon provide to Apple II related Usenet newsgroups.
With your continued support, the Apple II will continue to thrive in the Apple Macintosh Users' Group.

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
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PLEASE CREDIT THE AUTHOR AND THE SOURCE: Applecations, publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia

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