Subject: Re: And now, from the author of the DOS Disk post, a post that actually relates to this newsgroup.
Path: lobby!newstf02.news.aol.com!audrey05.news.aol.com!not-for-mail
From: supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Lines: 112
NNTP-Posting-Host: ladder06.news.aol.com
X-Admin: news@aol.com
Date: 16 Nov 1999 07:26:54 GMT
References: <3830598e.7290825@news>
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Message-ID: <19991116022654.06325.00001605@ng-fp1.aol.com>



CUTblakeney@home.com (Jeff Blakeney) wrote:

>tturner@ecn.ab.ca () wrote:
>
>>    A heartfelt thank-you to _ALL_ that keep the A2 torch burning
>>    brightly. No matter the backgrounds - we all still care . . .
>
>Yes, comp.sys.apple2 does help to support our beloved hardware and its
>older software.  One of the big reasons I stick around here is to help
>those people who are new to the internet and don't know about
>alternate sources of Apple II info such as Delphi, Shareware Solutions
>II, Juiced.GS and others.
>
>But if only the big names in the Apple II community could hear this
>kind of thing, and hear it more often, we might have an even healthier
>software industry.  These are the people still producing and
>supporting new software but unfortunately most of them don't read
>these newsgroups anymore.  If you have a Delphi account, posting a
>message like this there would help bolster the spirits of people like
>Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd, Richard Bennett, Ewen Wannop, Geoff Weiss and
>others.

I always appreciate the developers, but they are only part
of the equation.  Jeff, that thanks in part goes to us plain
old users who help new users out right here on csa2, you
know.

I don't know about you, but I do not draw an artificial line
between developers and users.  Part of the strength of
the Apple II is the users groups it used to command.
Now, csa2 has turned into a big user group.

If you release your email program, I'd appreciate you as
a developer.  But Jeff, I ALREADY appreciate you
because of all the helpful posts you answered as a
USER of csa2.

>Even if you don't post a message telling the community how much you
>appreciate their continued support, buying stuff from the remaining
>sources is a even better way to say thanks.  Jeff Fink, who released a
>shareware fantasy role-playing game that runs on almost any Apple II
>in August has only received about 10 registrations.  I could have
>sworn there were a lot more game players still using Apple IIs out
>there.

Developers should use csa2 more often.  For example,
I found out about MUG! on csa2.  I came into contact
with Peter Watson, MUG!'s author, on csa2.  Peter got
a shareware fee in the mail because of csa2.

Now all those developers hiding out on Delphi and
not announcing their releases on csa2, why?  I'm sure
they'd get more shareware registrations if they made
their products more widely known.  It is almost like
snubbing potential customers.  Strange.

By the way, I'd like to add that Peter Watson is an
extremely helpful shareware author.  He's answered
all my emails regarding MUG!.  If you use MUG! and
like it, register and get perks like support from the
author and new more powerful versions.

Just doing my part to plug a product I find useful...

>It would also help if we could get more people developing software
>which is something I'm trying to do with the Apple II University on
>Delphi and by working on my own programs.  It is hard enough to get
>someone to teach a course in A2U let alone get people to participate

How about teaching a course on csa2?  I think all
csa2 users with properly equipped IIGS units should
get an learn HyperCard.  Didn't you do a HyperCard
course at A2 University Delphi?  HyperCard is the
real IIGS Applesoft.  GSoft has the potential to be,
but HyperCard's advantage is that the full program
is free, like Applesoft.

>in it.  As to my own programs, I have yet to get anything into a state
>where I'm comfortable releasing it.  My apologies to everyone still
>waiting on my previously announced software.

I'd love to see your email program released.  Keep up
the good work.

I also try to keep the Apple II alive in my own way,
answering user questions, helping new users get info
and software, and posting original articles to csa2.
Check out the one I just posted about converting
MP3 files to play on the IIGS.  Give it a try.  The
results may surprise you.

I mailed a sample to Max Jones a couple of months
ago, but I guess it was too much of a mess for him
to unpack several megabyte binscii segments. It
then struck me, a better way would be to write an
article about the conversion PROCESS.  And that's
what I have done.

>Boy, this message sure went in an entirely different direction that I
>originally intended but I guess I might as well leave it as is because
>it does get some stuff off my chest.  :-)

I understand and I agree.  I too think we should
support developers.  In addition, I think we should
get developers and users together.  We are all on
the same side.  The artificial line that has been
drawn because of past conflicts has hurt the
Apple II community and it is wrong to say all the
fault lies with the user side.

I know I've steered quite a few users to Alltech,
Sequential, Shareware Solutions II, and Byte Works.