 |
|
|
 |
||
|
||
|
||
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Stuart
Bell
2001.03.16
Dear Sir or Madam,
I write to express my disappointment, sadness and anger that you have, apparently, required the historic Apple enthusiasts' web site www.mac512.com to desist from making available downloads of very old Mac system software - almost exclusively prior to System 6 - to other enthusiasts.
I note than none of that software was ever sold by Apple,
but was available free of charge. I note that Apple used to
distribute it free, but you no longer have it on your ftp site. I
note the the owner of 
the
site made no money from the project. I note that he did not duplicate
anything available on Apple's own ftp site. I know from my own
personal experience how useful the Mac512k site was for those with an
interest in old Macintosh computers.
There is a large number of people 'out here' who collect, restore, and use very old Macs. Very often, as in my case, those machines co-exist alongside much newer Macs, which are used for 'serious' work. Invariably, we are the people who tell friends and family to got out and buy a new Mac when they are changing their computers.
What has Apple gained from cutting off this support? How can stopping GY from distributing, for example, System 2.0/Finder 4.1, which runs nicely on my 512ke, in any way be to the benefit of Apple Computer?
It can't. All you have done is to score a massive PR own-goal among your most loyal customers, some of whom have been buying Macs since 1984.
Perhaps we enthusiasts can do nothing about this. It certainly will drive underground the passing on of copies of ancient software to support newly-found old Macs. It is also totally undermined by the huge number of academic sites across the globe whose ftp sites continue to carry this stuff.
On the other hand, my site and I were recently featured in the New York Times in an article which described the concept of the 'Power Colo(u)r Classic'. Somehow, journalists find the mix of a Church minister who also collects and modifies very old computers strangely appealing. (My current count is 25 compact Macs).
I really don't want to go back to the media with a story about 'Apple pulls the plug on old Mac collectors'.
So please don't make me. Rethink your decision about www.mac512.com.
Thank you.
Rev. Stuart Bell
Share your perspective on the Mac by emailing with "My Turn" as your subject.
Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $154 / 2GB kit $94, New 2008 iMac 2GB $46. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 / 1GB $23--Free shipping available.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
LA Computer Company: LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, Apple Displays, MacBooks, iMac's, MacBook Pros, Laptop and iPod accessories and more. Apple A/C Adapters for laptops starting at $25.00 Call 1-800-941-7654 or Click Here.
OWC: NewerTech NuPower Batteries for iBook and PowerBooks Designed+Built in USA to run longer, LAST LONGER TOO! Free Battery Recycling Return Label; Quality High-Capacity from $99.95
Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.
MacPro Memory 667Mhz With Apple Spec Heat Sink 2GB $90 / 4GB $134 / 8GB $264. Click to Maximize your Macs...
Entire Low End Mac site copyright ©1997-2008 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to the webmaster.
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Computer. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, and PowerBook are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.