THIS is Laughable!

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gsmcten's picture
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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Good Evening All,

Thought I'd toss in my two cents for this evening:

There are just too many items to list here now.
People seem to think that IIe's are worth upwards of $1000.00 or more.
IIc's are worth upward of $600.00 to $1000.00 or more.
IIgs's are worth $1500.00. or more

Yes my friends, it' the
"ATTACK of The ZOMBIE Sellers!"

One person does it and they all have to do it.
Something has eaten into their brain.

They see DrKen selling (?) his IIc units
and they think
"Well... if he can get that price, MY unit will be worth more!"

Which we all know is not the case.

Ken does a reasonable business with some of his units and other items that he sells.
I have bought several of his items myself and have been very satisfied.

But, as you know, I am up on eBay every day and I can safely say that some of his higher end items
are being relisted multiple times.

These newer sellers don't understand this, because they are not doing any research
to find out what their units are really worth.

Which is a shame

Steven :).

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Don't know if this is OT but this Lisa mouse is a bargoon at $4495.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=172109004211&alt=web

Or belbelbel is craycraycray. Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Good Morning All,

I just wanted to tell everyone that, at long last, I have decided to retire.
This will give me more time to play with what really matters...

My Apples! lol

Of course this also means that, while I'll be spending "Time" on eBay,
I won't be spending as much "Money".

There have been some interesting items showing up for sale lately,
but the prices folks are asking are astronomical.

Oh No! The "This is Laughable" thread shall continue to astound and amaze.
Hell! I may even be able to FINALLY make it to KansasFest this year!

What a concept! LOL

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Congrat's on your retirement Steven,
I'm right behind you. (say, 4 years provided the stock market doesn't totally crash)
If you find good things Apple ][ on eBay that are out of budget, (which seems
to be most everything these days...) share it with us.

Heck, maybe you can fund your retirement with all that Apple][ stuff you've collected over the years! Heh!

Happy retirement to ya.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Hello Steven,

i´d wish you best joining the bunch of "old a... b..."
i´d rather guess that the collection is not for funding retirement but instead
for using it.... time to think about making a entire list of units and condition
and planning how to get that stuff running that have been waiting for years to
get resurected.... most important: keep healthy !
Moving is not only important to the bones but also to the grey cells....
sincerely
speedyG

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Speedy and All,

I was just saying to one of the ladies I work with this morning that I have all of the Apple II and Mac computers and parts I need for quite a while.
Over 15 years of acquisitions to play with.
Time to pull the Rabbits out of the hat. lol

Yeah Speedy, I have to watch myself Health wise.
I have plenty to do and now I'll have the time to do it.

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Stay safe out in the wild Steven!

Regarding all the ebay shenanigans... The recent rash of $3000+ Apple IIe's has sent me into a sort of madness lol. I've tried contacting each of the sellers in a professional manner, explaining to them that they are over pricing their auctions by about x20. So far it's falling on deaf ears!

So, Can I please ask all the fellow fritters reading this post to kindly message these sellers... Tell them that they are over pricing their apple IIe's, and to look at ebay's completed listings. I'm hoping that multiple people contacting them will make them research their items more, so they will realize these computers are only worth maybe $200-$300. ebays completed listings prove this lol.

These are the auctions I'm talking about:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-IIe-computer-GREAT-Condition-/291686705122?hash=item43e9e1e7e2:g:9NYAAOSwDuJWw3-1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-A2S2064-APPLE-IIe-Personal-Computer-original-box-Apple-brochures-1982-/121866725429?hash=item1c5fd2a835:g:hbYAAOSwFqJWnCCD
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-Early-Apple-IIe-Computer-w-Color-Monitor-Model-AA11040B-/151986990479?hash=item2363216d8f:g:fkMAAOSwuAVWxOqK
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Early-Apple-IIe-Computer-AA11040B-lot-software-/111746162053?hash=item1a04971d85:g:cVkAAOSwHnFV0KHp

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Transwarp,

I have also done this and been called a whole lot of names that I shall not repeat.
I have also been asked if I am the "eBay Police", to which I say "No. Just a collector who has been doing this for 20 years."

It's a Domino Effect thing.
They see one person place a IIe up for $500.00 to $1,000.00 and they think "if this person is placing that price on their item, I'll get the same money!"

It's not true, but that is the thought process.

Think for a moment about the IIe Upgrade Kit.
They started out a few years ago at $25.00 or so.
They then went to the $35.00 to $50.00 Range (Sealed, New in the Box).
There is one up on eBay right now for $74.99.

$74.99???? Are they SERIOUS?

They're not THAT scarce.

Just one example.

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Hello transwarpguy,

it must be stated at this point:
among a lot o deseases, that are not treatable or curable by medicine or vacination
the desease of stupidness or greed are among of the most top at "resistance against treatment" !

We must be glad that this kind of illness does not smell like a skunk....
otherwise it would be impossible to leave the house without a gasmask....

when God was pouring out brain among the creatures born in the last decades,
most humans had umbrellas along with themselves....
LOL
speedyG

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Good Morning All,

Well, Belbelbel is at it again with a "Perfectly Preserved" Apple II Plus for
only $1500.00 to $1900.00.

His Apple II is back up again for $10k.

I am still not understanding why a II Plus is worth that much money.
It's not made out of Gold or Platinum
and the going average price is between $125.00 to $160.00.

Is a Puzzlement! LOL

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Just a thought.... He may be doing this because, depending on how you organize your listings, the most expensive ones show up at the top.

And there are people out there to whom 5K or 10K is just not a lot of money if it gets them what they want. The tech industry is littered with people like that.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Twopaddle and all,

-Twopaddle:

My searches are set up to show Newly Listed Items.

Now for your consideration is the $6,899.99 "Enhanced", Brand new, Only Opened for Inspection IIe:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Apple-IIe-Computer-31-YEARS-OLD-BRAND-NEW-IN-BOX-/231868814616?hash=item35fc755518:g:-iEAAOSwT5tWJoAd

I bring your attention to Picture #6 for the enhanced part.

Am I incorrect in saying that the "Enhanced" cover for the power light would only be there if the original IIe had had an "Enhancement Kit" installed?

Not that I am about to lay down $7k for a IIe. lol

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I'm not referring to you specifically Steven. I suspect that some people put a ridiculously high price on these things to make their listings stand out. Some folks (me inc.) arrange from most to least expensive because the more interesting things tend to be high priced, even if I have no intention of buying anything. I doubt that anybody would expect to actually get $10K for a Rev2 Apple 2. Of course, who knows?

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

On the other side of things, look at how cheap this sold for:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-APPLIED-ENGINEERING-TRANSWARP-II-ACCELERATOR-CARD-FOR-APPLE-II-/291655037732?hash=item43e7feb324%3Ag%3AeEkAAOSwYIhWjrbM&nma=true&si=DJkfTRArU5DFU4HhnsImAEV3ytE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I mean those things are fuggen rare!

God I wish I would have seen this auction. ugh I really want a transwarp II!

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

This guy has some "balls" asking this much for any empty box. Unless of course it contains what's on the front. Then it might be worth it. .

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Iie-Empty-Store-Box-only-for-collecter-Look-/262328114866?nav=SEARCH

Jay

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Whoops. Forgot to put the sarcasm tags in the text.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

$45 for a keycap!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-II-II-Power-Cap/141887161289

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Good Morning All,

Well...

I haven't kept up with what's going on the last couple of weeks due to several things happening in my life:

1. My 84 year old mother fell down and fractured her pelvis in two places, so she is in a Rehab Center getting well. She is 100 miles away and getting over to see her has been difficult.

2. I have finally decided to leave the job that was killing me. I have retired as of a week ago.

I (like SpeedyG) have joined the ranks of less money to spend on toys, but more time to play with the ones I have. lol

This also gives me more time to play Leonard Nimoy. I will be "In Search Of:" many more Laughable items.

That's it for right now.
More to come.
I appreciate all of my "'Fritter Critter" friends more than you can imagine.

Steven Smile

03/18/2016 Update:

All caught up now on past posts.
Lots of interesting Web Site Links that I've missed collected.

One of these days I will have to compile a list of sites and links for everyone.

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Good Morning All,

Found this item this morning:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152002072566?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

More on the way.

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Crazy man.. I what I find laughable is a $200 item that should, perhaps, be $50, sitting there for years. Don't they get it? It ain't selling!!?!?

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

LOL
If you think that's crazy, take a look at this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322043129885?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

$1k for a IIe???

I don't care if it says "Best Offer" or not, this seller is NUTS!

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

So I did my normal search on ebay for "Apple IIe" and sorted by newly listed and I swear the first 30 items are over priced. I don't get it. I haven't actually purchased any apple gear off ebay for more than a year now for that reason. I really do think I am going to start putting some of my extras up there and start thinning out the collection. My wife will be happy.

My daughter says I am crazy for not putting my dextra stuff up there now. She is making a killing on Pokemon cards so I should probably listen to her.

Jay

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Just one thing to think about:
the ebay fees !
even if the stuff won´t be sold....
if not sold you don´t have to pay sales provision.... but you still will have to pay the listing fee´s !
ebay even wins on that idiots that don´t sell !
just 5 cents to think about :
how much extra fees do you want to waste on a listing that does not sell ?

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

It's not like it was years back where you paid large fees just to list. You get free listings, and listings are only $0.30 if you don't have free ones.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Only valid if you don´t choose any "extra´s" and list in most simple form...
and such listings are rather more not successful.....
usually bad simple listings only drag junk bidders who want you to even pay them for bidding... LOL
lower entry limits only draw very few bidders if listing is awfull.....
and those with "extra´s draw better biddings but are more expensive .....
but if item is overpriced you pay a lot for "extras" for nothing...

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Jay, Speedy, and All,

The List for this morning:

Apple IIc listings (highest price first):

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Computers-Tablets-Networking-/58058/i.html?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH%7CSTRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH&_from=R40&_nkw=Apple+IIc&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=16

Apple IIe Listings (highest price first):

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Computers-Tablets-Networking-/58058/i.html?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH%7CSTRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH&_from=R40&_nkw=Apple+IIe&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=16

Apple IIgs listings (highest price first):

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Computers-Tablets-Networking-/58058/i.html?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH%7CSTRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH&_from=R40&_nkw=Apple+IIgs&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=16

Apple II Plus(+) Computer listings (highest price first):

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Computers-Tablets-Networking-/58058/i.html?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH%7CSTRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH&_from=R40&_nkw=apple+ii+plus+computer&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=16

Apple II Plus(+) listings (highest price first):

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Computers-Tablets-Networking-/58058/i.html?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH%7CSTRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH&_from=R40&_nkw=apple+ii+plus&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=16

Personally, I just do not understand how people can ask such outrageous prices for a used IIe or IIc.

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

The average listing fees as mentioned are either free or .30-.50
Relisting is automatic for up to three times (first listing plus two more) and you do not pay listing fees each time, only once.
Extras if you go bold AND subtitle AND multiple categories, assuming no other promotions which there almost always are, would add from $1.00 to $2.50
in extra fees. If you're listing something inexpensive it might not make sense to add all the extras but a $2.50 listing fee for a couple hundred dollar machine isn't exactly expensive.

99% of the items I list cost me a whopping .30 to list at the most, many are free, and I've sold hundreds of items.
I too get a kick out of the asking prices some people put up on items but considering nowhere else on the planet can you get as large a buyers audience as on eBay I never understood people who bitch and moan about paying to use someone else's service (in this case eBay). .30-.50 plus 10% is standard auction prices.

Back to the Main topic, I had a hilarious exchange with our favorite IIe lister Bocaraton-2013 on ebay.

I was polite, tried to ascertain if there was something not shown in pics etc. to justify the prices being asked and whoa did she freak out!

When I have time I'll post the exchange, it is quite amusing.
Apparently they (husband and wife) have a number of boxed IIe's that I apparently should have known are worth $3000-$4000 a piece!

I ended our "conversation" stating i hope she's right, because then we will all be rich people just by selling a couple plain jane IIe machines!! Smile
Zan

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Zan,

I have had several exchanges with Bocaraton about the prices
of His/Her units.
I think I kept some of more heated replies somewhere. lol

He or She, lives in La-La Land.

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Indeed! I was threatened by those jokesters for just inquiring why their prices were so high.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Zan,

I have had several exchanges with Bocaraton about the prices
of His/Her units.
I think I kept some of more heated replies somewhere. lol

He or She, lives in La-La Land.

Steven :)

I'd like to read them.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Another example of "vintagecomputermuseum" jacking up the price of a II Plus unit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151965096663?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I really do not know what these folks are doing asking almost five times what the unit is worth, even with the Integer Basic Card.

Steven Smile

Zan, I'll look them up.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Well, the white ceramic roms on the card are more rare. The unit looks clean, too. I still see a lot of pigsty units and it's refreshing to see a clean one.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

It sucks, but it sounds like you both received similar replies to the ones I got a few weeks ago. I was trying to help a few sellers out... but several sellers got super defensive! All I did was ask them to look at ebay’s completed listings page so they could see what these computers actually sell for.

A couple of them flat out lied and gave me a weak sales pitch on why their computers are so over priced.

I guess that’s what happens when someone thinks they've discovered a gold mine! They got to make crap up to justify their $4000 Apple //e!

What's really annoying is that all these overpriced Apple //e's are diluting the market.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I hate to ask this (walking into a minefield Lol but shouldn't you guys be pushing for higher prices? You all seem to have sizable collections and I would think you'd be looking for the value to increase? I would think you'd be thrilled to see the prices appreciating.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I have to agree with twopaddle. I have a pile of ][ plus units and I'm hoping to cash in on them some day.
I have a few I want to keep for myself and my kids, but watching the value go up (though much of this is
artificial right now) doesn't displease me. You folks should be happy to some degree with all this, as it
makes you appreciate what you've got. Those of us who were lucky enough to save the truly rare items will
likely never be able to afford them in future eBay auctions.

Still, I'm amused with the prices folks think these are worth and it's actually fun to watch the eBay crowd
fish for that pot of gold using cheap bait. Wink

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I absolutely wish to see values go up from a personal standpoint. I just find the outrageous asking prices for commonplace items (they made millions of Apple IIe machines) quite amusing
but I find the indignant attitudes of those asking the outrageous prices even more amusing when they are questioned about those prices!

I would hope that the more common items don't go up too much in value any time soon because it allows newcomers to the hobby the ability to get involved without major expense.

The fact that so many IIe machines are out there makes it an ideal entry into the Apple II market while at the same time being one of the most versatile and reliable Apple IIs out there.

I don't really want to see them ever go crazy, and I think their prices will always be a notch or two less than many other machines because of their accessibility/numbers.

I don't collect like some others since I have no attachment to THIS specific machine or THAT specific item. I just want to always have a couple Apple IIs (a II+ and a IIe or two) and a handful of Macs (a Plus, and SE, an SE/30 and some variant of Mac II) around to play my favorite games, add and subtract cards and peripherals as I get them. Once I'm tired of them move them out the door to buy the next one.

Emulators do not do it for me. I've used them since the first Mac MAME came out, but they leave me wanting the real thing. I rarely if ever even boot an emulator up any more.
I sell so I can buy. My habit (yes, it's a Habit, not a hobby!!!) must remain self sustaining. As long as it does that I'm good to go forever, so increasing prices can work to my advantage, as long as I can keep the few machines in my personal collection running.
Zan

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I'm not bitching about Apple values going up in general.

I'm bitching about people pricing Apple //e's at the same price level as REV 0 Apple ]['s.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

All,

So here is another to add to the list:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152002072566?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I don't care if it is new in the box,
a IIgs will never compare with an Original Apple II.

Steven Smile
And by the way...
I'm with Transwarp who said:

I'm not bitching about Apple values going up in general.

I'm bitching about people pricing Apple //e's at the same price level as REV 0 Apple ]['s.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Never say never. We may not be around to see it, but in 20 more years any 8-bit apple console could go for 10 grand.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I'm in favor of rising prices on II+ units and to a lesser extent on other units! For reasons too numerous to go into right now.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Keatah,

I cannot, in all good conscience, deny the fact
that a gradual rise on unit prices is going to happen.

That incremental raises in the price of II units will,
and are, going to and have gone up.

This is reality.

What is Not reality is the fact that some sellers
are asking outrageous prices now (Bocaratan comes to mind).
I know they are trying to make a quick buck.
I also know that they are making the used Apple II community unstable.
But they don't care.

You know all that.
That's why I started this post to begin with. lol

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

I think the bigger question (maybe for you Steven?) is; are people actually paying those prices?
Not many that I have seen but I truly don't know the answer.

The stuff I track that's on my ][+ wish list (plug-in cards in particular) with outrageous prices
remain on eBay and other sites for years. In fact, most have lowered but still remain there. I'm figuring
that they'll finally sell when inflation and the currency count rises to the price point. (Ha!) But I don't
find those outrageous prices all that disturbing. Just wishful thinkers trying to make an easy fast
buck, only it turns out to be 'not so fast' or easy. Smile

I agree that an old original Apple][ has been the most attainable for a vintage computer enthusiast,
but those days are drying up fast IMHO. Next in line is of course the Apple][ plus and I expect
those will remain relatively affordable for a little while longer. 5 years from now, I expect they'll
be in the same territory as today's original Apple][. (not plus)

I've never been a fan of the Apple][e, though I understand it to be more reliable. Soldering the
chips to the motherboard can't be beat with regard to reliability, but there's something nice about
having a socket under every chip. When the Apple ][e was released, ProDos had taken over Dos 3.3 and
I was just getting good at manipulating programs in DOS. So I hated it for a while, but ProDos
proved itself with the way it handled files in larger volumes, so I had to comply. Still, I prefer
using DOS with my original Apple]['s.
I don't see the value of an Apple][e rising significantly in the short term, mostly because there are
so many out there. I agree with others who have stated that the Apple ][e makes a good starter machine
due to it's reliability and compatibility with the older Apple]['s, and they're still relatively cheap
to buy. (sans those insane eBay auctions)

The Apple][GS is another 10 years out IMO. Dime a dozen, though the plug-in cards in many cases rival
the price of the computer.

Judging by what I've seen with the original Apple 1, it seems the price of those has topped out for
a while. If you have a spare half million kicking around, you could own one in fairly nice shape. Smile
As for now, I'll have to settle for my Mike Willegal version ...

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Re: THIS is Laughable!


When the Apple ][e was released, ProDos had taken over Dos 3.3 and
I was just getting good at manipulating programs in DOS. So I hated it for a while, but ProDos
proved itself with the way it handled files in larger volumes, so I had to comply. Still, I prefer
using DOS with my original Apple]['s.

My initial hate against ProDOS was caused by the fact that in the beginning of that days
Apple performed first time in market, what nowadays is called "rapid prototyping" which is
the now convinient way to describe the behaviour of releasing untested software to the
community....

Other old folks surely remember that at the beginning of ProDOS the versions
"updated" every six months with a new version and changing internal reference adresses
by every version and thereby driving guys like me that also performed assembler programming to
madness facing "a never ending story" with the lack of not remaining consistant with previous versions...

The same habit that later was adapted to by Microsoft with Windows releasing version not entirely
tested to the community and abuse of the customers to become "unpaid testers" that have even been
demanded to pay for later less buggy versions ....

we all remember the general rule that was raised after Windows98:
Never buy anything from Microsoft unless at least Service Pack 3 is availiable!
.......

back in Prodos times the releases from 1.0 to 1.9 have been "poured out" to the market all together
within a period of less than 3 1/2 years !

So you may say in general version 1.1.1 was for quite a while a kind of standard - till
finaly 2.08 was released.....
and the time between was just a endless string of pain to assembler programmers...

Even nowadays if programming assembler stuff you´ve got to add a routine to detect which version
really has been loaded.....

For example in that days there was a really good concept for diskdrive controllers from erphi.....
but the guys have been forced to update the firmware every 6 months due to changes in ProDOS that
caused the "autopatch" routine to crash due to the changes in the entry points....
that finally killed the company....

speedyG

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Re: THIS is Laughable!


I've never been a fan of the Apple][e, though I understand it to be more reliable. Soldering the
chips to the motherboard can't be beat with regard to reliability, but there's something nice about
having a socket under every chip.

I probably would use the Apple II Plus more often, and the compatibility is better than what some people would lead you to believe… But you hit the nail on the head there: it's hard to beat reliability, plus the feel of the Apple IIe keyboard. Since I need (want) my Apple IIe to always work because I do all my programming on it, I want a reliable machine to minimize downtime and repairs. And so far, my platinum IIe has given me just that: 100% reliability.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

@speedyG

Yes. This "rapid prototyping" was a big turn off for me, too, with ProDOS. It felt like I had to keep re-learning things over and over again. Not unlike MS Windows of today. I really liked the stability of DOS 3.3. And when we ran into a limitation we often worked around it or patched it or used a variant. But those were the olden days.

These companies need to understand that we do not have time to constantly be assimilating new information and methods from a team of 1,000 developers!

And what is even worse is that major game companies release games on like the PS4 and XBOX and other platforms in an incomplete state. They finish the game and make you sit through umpteen million updates. They even leave out parts of the game and make you pay for it later! Also known as DLC, or downloadable content.

This never happened years ago with cartridges and floppies. When a game was put out on the shelf it was complete!

And I'm currently avoiding new versions of windows, like 8 and 10, because they seem need daily updates. My message to Microsoft and other companies is simple, release your product when you get it right! Meantime I'll stick with XP and 7.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

@Steven
In one way I want to see those prices skyrocket, because then my collection is worth a fortune. On the other hand I want prices to remain affordable and reasonable so that I (and other tinkerers) can enjoy the hobby and continue to discover new things.

I believe the best defense against high prices of ebay is simply not to purchase the material. Let it sit and rot for all of eternity as far as I'm concerned.

Most ebay sellers are now getting Apple II material from estate sales. These sellers have no idea about the history or desirability or technical aspects for the things they sell. They just come across" these items and see "Apple" and start thinking $$$.

As far as an ebay seller caring about the community? They never will. It isn't their job. It's their job to churn material from estate sales.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

... it's hard to beat reliability, plus the feel of the Apple IIe keyboard. Since I need (want) my Apple IIe to always work because I do all my programming on it, I want a reliable machine to minimize downtime and repairs. And so far, my platinum IIe has given me just that: 100% reliability.

Well, I have to agree, I coveted the Apple][e keyboard back in the day SO BADLY that I bought one as a replacement part and carved up my original Apple ][ case to add one in. I also used a Videx Keyboard enhancer board with a re-programmed ROM to accommodate the keyboard changes. Gave me the best of both worlds ... an Apple][ plus with upper/lower case keyboard from a ][e with quick-key enhancements and a type-ahead buffer to boot. I built this thing when I had little money and much time. (kinda like Speedy-G) Smile I did lots of stuff like this back in the '80s and miss doing it a lot.
Since this was a personal project, you won't find another one like it. I think Woz would have been proud of me for doing this. Smile

I use this computer just as you see it today ...
Inside_Top
Inside_Top_Cover

BTW, the red button was for a fingerprint card (screen dumps, etc) though there is now a SS Card in Slot 1
and that extra slot you see (left of Slot 0) was for a Taxxan Video card that uses a signal from slot 7, and power only.
In a few years time, I'll be back at it. Just picking at stuff these days.

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Keatah,

I cannot argue with anything you are saying.

Having said that, here are a couple new examples:

1. A Disk II Drive:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162022849232?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

2. An ASCO Controller Card New In the Box (Not):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291719518760?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Steven Smile

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Re: THIS is Laughable!


Well, I have to agree, I coveted the Apple][e keyboard back in the day SO BADLY that I bought one as a replacement part and carved up my original Apple ][ case to add one in. I also used a Videx Keyboard enhancer board with a re-programmed ROM to accommodate the keyboard changes. Gave me the best of both worlds ... an Apple][ plus with upper/lower case keyboard from a ][e with quick-key enhancements and a type-ahead buffer to boot. I built this thing when I had little money and much time. (kinda like Speedy-G) Smile I did lots of stuff like this back in the '80s and miss doing it a lot.
Since this was a personal project, you won't find another one like it. I think Woz would have been proud of me for doing this. Smile

I use this computer just as you see it today ...
Inside_Top
Inside_Top_Cover


That is REALLY freakin cool! Thanks for sharing those pictures!

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Re: THIS is Laughable!

Regarding the Apple II, II+, //e, and Platinum //e -- here's my take and very narrow perspective. It's tiny peephole look at Fantasyland. It would take a book of 100+ pages to go into more detail!

The Apple II
To me this is a collectors only curiosity, a prototype. A first run. Something to baggie-chase after. The Apple II+ is what I call the completed and finished product. What with the Autostart ROM and changes to the motherboard allowing for keyboard enhancements, and sporting better video out circuitry IIRC.

The Apple II+
Like I just stated, it's the finished version. It's more user friendly and has better support for Videx products that enhance the keyboard and text display. It also has Applesoft and Autostart. I'd much rather load Integer Basic (or any other language) on demand as opposed to Applesoft. BBS were written in Applesoft and having autostart was a must.

I have great sentiments toward the II+ because I learned all kinds of computer concepts with it. Especially in the areas of modeming, bbs'ing, telecommunications, and disk & database operations. The documentation was superb all around and having a II+ was like having your own computer lab right at home.

The Apple //e
This is a product revisit and upgrade. This is when Apple included a lot of nice productivity features, like upper/lower case keyboard and character generator, 64K base memory - language card built in, single slot for another 64K & 80 Column all-in-one card, and later on an improved lower power microprocessor 65C02, MouseText symbols and other minor firmware changes. All the while maintaining excellent backward compatibility with older II and II+ software. You also got a reduced chip count for increased reliability. Though many //e consoles still used the shit Micron memory chips.

The //e also introduced double-hires graphics, or DHR or DHRG. Cool and all, but it wasn't widely used.

I really got into word processing with the //e more than ever before. Having 80 columns and lowercase "built-in" was a real hoot. And I thoroughly enjoyed the new modem protocols that ProTerm bought to the table. The //e also ushered in the era of ProDOS which enabled more sophisticated storage devices. Though I was quite happy with the Sider 10 megger on my II+ at the time.

The Apple //e Platinum
This seems to be the most reliable and most versatile of the full-size consoles. It is essentially an even further reduced-chip-count //e, using just 2 chips for the main 64k memory. And one for the firmware. Never had to replace them yet. It is also "enhanced" out of the box and has the 64k/80columns card installed at the factory too. Though many Platinum models you see on ebay have this card removed, you can get them for as little at 10 or 15 bucks.

When personally (in person) welcoming friends to the Apple II scene I always give them a Platinum //e with 2 floppies, SuperSerial Card, Grappler+ parallel interface, 64k/80col card, and a clock. Sometimes a Z80 card if I have a spare one laying around.

I go with the plat version exclusively because it has the latest firmware and is ultra reliable. It can run 99% of the 2 series software straight away. And it can support the most languages and varieties of DOS.

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