Okay, let’s just call this what it is: an Apple III blog. Sure, I cover Apple II stuff on occasion and even the Macintosh gets mentioned now and then. But really, the main focus here mirrors my current retrocomputing interest and lately, that’s the Apple III. The more time I spend digging and playing and tweaking around in my IIIs, the cooler they seem. Besides, there are plenty of other Apple II blogs out there. Most of them are more technical that what I can provide here, and many are better written. So if you’re looking for current, somewhat regularly updated information on the Apple II’s reviled big brother, you’ve come to the right place. If not, there are plenty of links just to the left that might better suit your interest.
I say this as much to focus my attention and hopefully help increase my creative output here, as to warn you off. The three of you who read this rag with any kind of regularity probably don’t care much either way.
That said, I’ll start off with a couple of items that I should have already covered. First, a slightly belated happy birthday to the Apple III+, which was introduced on December 26, 1983. Apple gave one last, half-hearted attempt to erase some of the damage to its reputation caused by the original III with this much improved business computer, but it didn’t live long. The III+ was discontinued in April 1984 on the same day that the IIc was introduced.
Next up, the photo caption contest. I received a total of three entries for the contest. They are:
Eric R.: “Noooooo! I was just working for 3 hours on that report, and my Apple III crashed!”
Wholly Mindless: “Dropping it did make it work!!!!”
Sean F: “After tedious hours of hacking, Lori gets Group 7 access and manages to contact Flynn”
While I found all three comments funny, I have to give it to Sean F (he of a2central.com). Not only witty, but with the release of the completely awesome Tron sequel, timely too! Congrats Sean. I have um. I don’t know. Something for you. Maybe I’ll bring it to KFest! Thanks to everyone who participated.
In other news, the latest Juiced.GS shipped recently and should by now be in the hands of readers everywhere. My Apple III article made the cover this time (woo hoo!). In it, I take a look at some of the technologies introduced in the Apple III that found more success in later Apple products. Due mainly to space considerations, several of these ended up on the cutting room floor and I’ll cover them in an upcoming blog post. Other topics I’m considering include the On Three 512K memory board upgrade for the III, and maybe some coverage on the Apple III Plus itself.
Stay tuned