Here's more you can do with an old Apple II
by Gareth Jones
Copyright (c) 1995 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Source: Apples BC News, Vol.16, No.5, May 1995.
Deals, Deals, Deals!
I have seen some people in the past couple of years decide to change from a IIgs computer system to a Mac or IBM one. They've shared a problem, too: They can't sell the IIgs system for a reasonable price.
Consider a IIgs system with a hard drive, perhaps an accelerator, and tons of capable software and classic games. This represents perhaps $3500 in original prices. Discount that by half to clear it, and it still won't sell because a new Macintosh or IBM compatible sells for the same price, or less.
What I deduce from this is that the next few years will see IIgs systems going for just a few hundred dollars, despite their capabilities. This is an opportunity for people who may not currently have a computer. It also is something to think about for people who own a IIe or IIc.
Taking Advantage
There are advantages and disadvantages to getting an orphaned computer, such as a IIgs. The big advantage, as I've hinted, is cost. The big disadvantages are difficulty getting help, finding software and hardware to buy, and finding sufficiently powerful software for your needs. I will discuss what you can do to offset these disadvantages.
Anyone reading this has already taken the biggest step to combatting the lack-of support problem: joining a User Group. For those with problems finding software, my own group has a library of everything conceivable for the IIgs on over 400 disks. Trouble finding help? A group typically has a list of kind souls who volunteer to help out with hardware and software problems. Most of these are especially happy to help beginners, because their problems are so easy.
The second and third places to get help and programs are Apple II electronic bulletin boards (BBS's) and the Internet. Either of these requires a modem and a telecommunication program. Lean on your user group until your computer gains the freedom of the phone lines.
The hardware supply for a IIgs isn't what it once was, but it is not a hopeless situation, either. Depending on your needs and what was included with your system, you may not need to buy anything extra.
A IIe on Steroids?
Let's take the simplest case. You have bought a IIgs computer, a keyboard, a disk drive, a monitor, and that's all. No hard drive, and no added memory. What can you do with this terribly limited system?
Well, consider that the computer has from two to five times the memory of a IIe or IIc and two and a half times its speed, right out of the box. If you run programs that were designed for a 128K Apple II, your limited computer suddenly becomes fast, powerful tool.
The bare-bones IIgs system I've described also has the capacity for self-expressive fun. For example, if you have a colour monitor, experiment with text, background, and border colours. I usually have white letters on a deep blue background, for example, but I am now typing black letters on aquamarine.
The most commonly used software on an Apple II is AppleWorks. Version 5.0 will fit the bill perfectly for a bare-bones IIgs system. It supplies word processing, outlining, spreadsheet, and database tools, plus a great macro language to cut your programming skills on. Or, if your resources are too tight for AppleWorks, use the industrial-strength database program dbMaster 5.0 ($45 shareware) and Apple Writer 2.1 for absolutely free word processing. You will need a book to learn the ins and outs of Apple Writer, so if your local library doesn't have one, get one through interlibrary loan. Another alternative is an excellent word processor called "MouseWrite" that Alltech Electronics is currently selling for ten American dollars.
A Mac on a Diet?
Many people intend to use IIgs's as super IIe's but are seduced by the idea of running the Macintosh-like IIgs operating system, GS/OS. That requires extra equipment, however: more memory, more storage, and more software.
The computer will need at least 2 megabytes of added memory. Four megabyte memory cards are available from several sources for about US$120 They provide sufficient memory for almost any computing job.
Next, the computer needs some capacious place to store the operating system and programs. GS/OS version 6.0.1 (the latest version) can fit onto a 3.5" disk, but barely. In order to do the fun things that the operating system is capable of, including adding a variety of fonts and funny sounds, you will need between one and six megabytes just for the operating system. That means buying a hard drive.
The most popular type of hard drives for Apple II's is called "SCSI" (pronounced "scuzzy"). Macintoshes use the same type of drive. You can use a SCSI hard drive with an Apple SCSI card (about US$110) or a RamFAST SCSI card (about US$150). The cost of the hard drive itself depends on how much it stores, but you can expect to pay $200 to $400.
The most popular hard drives for the IBM are called IDE. IDE drives can be attached to an Apple II with a card called "Turbo IDE." I do not have the current price of the card (which varies with the value of the Deutschmark), but it has always been competitive with the SCSI cards, and the drives themselves tend to be a little cheaper.
So far, I've recommended spending about $500 to upgrade a truly basic IIgs system to one that can run GS/OS programs comfortably. At this point you can have a lot of fun, or become terribly productive, depending on your priorities and definitions.
Once you are at that point, it is legitimate to worry about where you will find programs to run on this orphan computer. Start by installing Apple's own programs, such as Teach, Archiver, SynthLAB, and HyperCard IIgs, then learning to use them. Only then do you have to think about actually buying any software.
It is important to point out that there are still developers who are creating GS/OS programs. New releases include Animasia 3D (an animation program), Quick Click Calc (spreadsheet), Financial Geniu$ (personal finance), Faxination (send-and-receive fax software), and Spectrum 2.0 (telecommunications). There are also new games in development. Finally, there are excellent older programs still available, including ProSel 16 (utilities), Platinum Paint (art), AppleWorks GS (integrated software) and HyperStudio (multimedia). Investigate what is available.
Besides the newest and best software, IIgs owners get used to the joys of buying pre-owned software for $10 or $20 a pop at Computer Fairs and Swap Meets, from the Buy and Sell newspaper, and by looking into an Internet "Usenet Group" called "comp.sys.apple2.marketplace". People with newer and faster computers may think of this activity as "bottom feeding," but when one of the hottest games for other computers is a new release of "Donkey Kong" (the original Apple II version is now selling for under US$7), I think that we can afford to laugh back.
II Infinitum
Older computers don't lose their abilities or attractiveness just because new ones are available. If you want to play with Myst, SimEarth, or PhotoShop, then the IIgs won't satisfy you. If, however, you merely need to relax with a nice game of Tetris or chess, learn how computers work, write a doctoral thesis on evolutionary biology, or check the figures in the federal budget, then a IIgs is an appropriate tool for the job.
You will see CS systems available for a good price. When you do, think. Think about what you'd like to do with a computer. Think about doing it with a IIgs.
Suppliers
Here are the names and addresses of some of the companies which carry articles for the Apple II. Many others exist, but these should get you started.
For the Turbo IDE card or the Blue Disk Card, you should contact the designer, Joachim Lange, at:
SHH Systeme
(Joachim Lange)
Bergstrasse 95
Stockdorf 82131 Germany
+(89) 8577040
The place to go for programming languages or for the Quick Click Calc spreadsheet is:
The Byte Works 8000 Wagon Mound Drive, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 (505) 8983183
Unlike the specialised companies I have mentioned, the following businesses carry wide ranges of Apple II material, but some are better than others for particular products. Quality Computers is the place to ask about AppleWorks 5.0, AppleWorks GS, or Platinum Paint. Sequential Systems carries mostly hardware, such as memory cards and RAMfast SCSI controllers, but is also the best place to ask about using CD-ROMs with your IIgs. Alltech also has a wide range of products, but has two unique ones: the Visionary card for turning video signals into pictures and the SoundMeister card to give your IIgs amplified stereo sound. Ask Roger Wagner Publishing about HyperStudio if you are interested in multimedia.
Quality Computers
20200 Nine Mile Road
P.O. Box 349
St.Clair Shores, M148080 USA
(810)774-7200
Roger Wagner Publishing
1050 Pioneer Way, Suite P
El Cajon, California 92020 USA
(619)442-0522
Sequential Systems
1200 Diamond Circle
Lafayette, CO 80026 USA
(303)666-4549
Alltech Electronics
2618 Temple Heights Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056 USA
(619)724-2404
Jeff Schuurman at II Series Software is a source closer to home. II Series Software are the Australian Distributors of Seven Hills Software products such as Spectrum, SuperConvert, and The Manager. Jeff also carries products from Big Red Computer Club, Quality Computers, Vitesse and Sequential Systems. He can also help you track down an elusive piece of software or hardware.
II Series Software
PO Box 1
West Hoxton NSW 2171
(02)606-9343

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