From: joshua@sun.lclark.edu (Joshua Rochester)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm
Subject: Re: Lets Screw Apple!!!
Date: 13 Nov 92 14:08:49 GMT
Article-I.D.: lclark.1992Nov13.140849.11658
Organization: Lewis & Clark College, Portland OR

In article <BxM37H.K6C@Novell.COM> mwalker@novell.com (Mel Walker) writes:
. . . 
>I read this with the same attitude as another posting I read recently
>that was in the "anti-selling-system-7" vein. That posting said that
>"someone" should develop a cheap replacement OS for the mac, but without
>any offers to help in the endeavor. I thought that if it was worth that
>much to someone that they wanted to get it for free or almost free, they
>should offer to help writing it themselves. It certainly couldn't hurt to
>try.
>
>In my experience, "please release it as shareware" _generally_ translates
>to "please give me something for (almost) nothing." Sad, but true. This
>may not be your experience. In addition, there is already at least one
>low-cost solution to the problem: old versions of MacTCP and system
>software.
. . .
>
>--Mel Walker

Those who have argued angrily against the idea of producing a PD or Shareware
version of MacTCP are complaining that we (the unprogramming masses) are
asking, yet again, for something for free. We want our software for free
(and we pirate), we want our System 7.1 for free, and gall-darn it, we
probably want our hardware for free too.

With the recent bandwidth leviathan of the 7.1 argument, this is an
understandable complaint, but it does not address the real rationalle
for a free version of MacTCP.

MacTCP is an incredible developer's aid. It allows multiple applications
to have conflict-free access to the TCP/IP universe. Hopefully. It is a
tool that is utterly useless to the average user and utterly indespensible
for a developer. Like the quickdraw toolbox. Or the sound manager. In
order for there to be a real selection of useful TCP/IP applications (like
the one that is currently being created by our network heros such as Steve
Dorner), there needs to be a consistent platform of TCP protocols. I do
not ask that this be free.

Unfortunately, Apple's new pricing policy requires that we pay for an
INCONSISTANT platform of TCP protocols. By charging us for every upgrade,
different versions will be spread around everywhere. And not just because
people cannot afford to upgrade. With the blatantly buggy System 7, a lot
of installations have learned the lesson: "If it ain't broke, don't fix
it--especially for a $100 upgrade fee."

The new charge for Sys7.1 can be justified and, while I don't like it, I
support it. Unfortunately, for an untamed and buggy beast (at best) like
MacTCP, free and quick upgrades must be available to the entire user base.
Otherwise, Apple's greatest strength--it's networking--will become its
downfall.

If Apple refuses to make MacTCP free, those of use who are committed to
these charming little machines on our desk must take up where Apple drops
off. It is in the developer community's (of which I am not a part) best
interest to have a CONSISTANT platform of TCP protocols. If Apple won't
provide that (due to pricing, or to any other factor), then it is in the
interest of those people who produce TCP network applications to
collaborate to make a new standard.

Josh Rochester
joshua@lclark.edu

"whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is
the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute new
government."
The Declaration of INDEPENDANCE. 


From: joshua@sun.lclark.edu (Joshua Rochester)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm
Subject: Re: Lets Screw Apple!!!
Distribution: world
Organization: Lewis & Clark College, Portland OR

In article <BxM37H.K6C@Novell.COM> mwalker@novell.com (Mel Walker) writes:
. . . 
>I read this with the same attitude as another posting I read recently
>that was in the "anti-selling-system-7" vein. That posting said that
>"someone" should develop a cheap replacement OS for the mac, but without
>any offers to help in the endeavor. I thought that if it was worth that
>much to someone that they wanted to get it for free or almost free, they
>should offer to help writing it themselves. It certainly couldn't hurt to
>try.
>
>In my experience, "please release it as shareware" _generally_ translates
>to "please give me something for (almost) nothing." Sad, but true. This
>may not be your experience. In addition, there is already at least one
>low-cost solution to the problem: old versions of MacTCP and system
>software.
. . .
>
>--Mel Walker

Those who have argued angrily against the idea of producing a PD or Shareware
version of MacTCP are complaining that we (the unprogramming masses) are
asking, yet again, for something for free. We want our software for free
(and we pirate), we want our System 7.1 for free, and gall-darn it, we
probably want our hardware for free too.

With the recent bandwidth leviathan of the 7.1 argument, this is an
understandable complaint, but it does not address the real rationalle
for a free version of MacTCP.

MacTCP is an incredible developer's aid. It allows multiple applications
to have conflict-free access to the TCP/IP universe. Hopefully. It is a
tool that is utterly useless to the average user and utterly indespensible
for a developer. Like the quickdraw toolbox. Or the sound manager. In
order for there to be a real selection of useful TCP/IP applications (like
the one that is currently being created by our network heros such as Steve
Dorner), there needs to be a consistent platform of TCP protocols. I do
not ask that this be free.

Unfortunately, Apple's new pricing policy requires that we pay for an
INCONSISTANT platform of TCP protocols. By charging us for every upgrade,
different versions will be spread around everywhere. And not just because
people cannot afford to upgrade. With the blatantly buggy System 7, a lot
of installations have learned the lesson: "If it ain't broke, don't fix
it--especially for a $100 upgrade fee."

The new charge for Sys7.1 can be justified and, while I don't like it, I
support it. Unfortunately, for an untamed and buggy beast (at best) like
MacTCP, free and quick upgrades must be available to the entire user base.
Otherwise, Apple's greatest strength--it's networking--will become its
downfall.

If Apple refuses to make MacTCP free, those of use who are committed to
these charming little machines on our desk must take up where Apple drops
off. It is in the developer community's (of which I am not a part) best
interest to have a CONSISTANT platform of TCP protocols. If Apple won't
provide that (due to pricing, or to any other factor), then it is in the
interest of those people who produce TCP network applications to
collaborate to make a new standard.

Josh Rochester
joshua@lclark.edu

"whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is
the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute new
government."
The Declaration of INDEPENDANCE.