USING classic machines - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

26 Jun 1997

...
 I see a LOT of traffic about restoring and collecting
old computers,
and the typical member here is one who has a large collection of
different machines, but except for a rare question about boot disks,
there isn't much said about using these machines.  When I turn on my
99/4A or Geneve, it isn't primarily to bask in a nostalgic glow, but
to write something or balance my budget or do some programming.
Certainly the nostalgic glow is there, and it adds a dimension to
the computing experience that peecee devotees cannot understand.  But
it IS my primary workhorse, not just a desk queen. 
That's part of what I love about my Apple IIGS. I'm the original 
owner. I know what this machine has done for me and continues to do 
for me. I love its simplicity. In the rare event of a crash, I pretty 
much know what the problem is, because I know the machine much better 
than anything Wintel came up with or any of the Macincrash line.

...
 Don't get me wrong; I love to hear about these old
machines, so keep
those messages coming.  But I would like to hear from others out there
who use their obsolete machines (I prefer "non-mainstream machines")
for practical, everyday, household computing uses. 
Well, I'm a college student, so I use my IIGS for writing papers 
(though I transfer them to a Mac to print because my Imagewriter II 
isn't in good shape - I'll get around to fixing it one of these days). 
Mainly, I use it to connect to the campus computer system. I've also 
used it to run a BBS, play games, program - more than most people do 
with their PeeCees.

...
 In fact, I'm wondering how widespread my idea is
(shared by a
few, apparently) that the smaller, simpler machines really are well
suited for home use, and you don't need a high-end peecee for nearly
everything you want to do. 
You bet it is! This machine does everything I want or need it to do 
(or at least is capable of it, if I'm too cheap to buy things like a 
laser printer).
--
Andy Brobston        brobstona(a)wartburg.edu       ***NEW URL BELOW***
http://www.wartburg.edu/people/docs/personalPages/BrobstonA/home.html
My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wartburg College
as a whole.