RE: SEE YOU IN THE MARKET
RE: SEE YOU IN THE MARKET
Sent: 5/27/96; 8:48:57 AM
From: AlanHoutze@aol.com
>PPPS: The power to bundle doesn't mean as much as it used to. People who > use the net like to download software. It's fresher stuff!
This is an excellent point, which I haven't heard stated before. I think there is a lot of truth in it, but that there is still a place for bundling. Case in point: Apple Internet Connection Kit. Apple says they will start putting it on all new CPUs (or was it just for consumer market?). Anyway, I think this is a good strategy because people are stilll just getting onto the internet. It's still a difficult thing to do, if someone doesn't get you started with a set of tools and some hand-holding. A bundle like this is good for beginners.
I picked up a copy of AICK more for curiosity than anything else. I was already on the net. Now the AICK CD is outdated and on my shelf. It had Netscape's 1.12 Navigator. I downloaded 2.0, then 2.01. Then AICK 1.1 came out, with Navigator 2.01 on it. I thought about ordering an update CD from Apple, just so I would have have a back-up copy of my browser software on a CD -- just in case. Then version 2.02 was ready for downloading, and beta versions of 3.0. And, of course, AICK 1.1 comes with the new MacPPP2.5, but I already was using the newer and better FreePPP2.5. Apple could never keep up. What they can do is give people a boost to help them get onto the net for the first time. AICK is good for that.
How did *I* get on? Well, I already had an AOL account, so I could get onto the net through their really slow gateway. I wanted to get on, but didn't know how to get an ISP. Eventually, I started looking at Wired magazine, and found some ads for ISPs. I found one with access around the country (I travel some, and wanted to stay connected), and signed on. They said they had no Mac software in stock, but could send me instructions. So I used America Online to download Netscape Navigator, and I was ready.
My point, again, is that getting wired for the first time, without guidance, is not trivial. Macs are supposed to make computing trivial. So I'm in favor of bundling software with new Macs. Including ClarisWorks -- it gets you started being productive. But you're right that Apple should not even try to keep the whole Mac internet community up to date. Just provide the best platform for productivity. Getting started should be trivial. And get someone to show Andy Rooney how to get onto the net easily with a Mac (did you see 60 Minutes, last night?)!
_______________________________________________________________________ Alan R. Houtzer, Systems Engineer Arthur Andersen Technology Solutions I've developed DOS/Windows software since 1985, because that's what I'm paid for. Used Macintosh since 1987, because I know better! I program PCs from my Mac because even *that* works better! I'd love to write Mac software -- Hire Me!
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