How do you spell speed, compatibility, and expandability for Macintosh( and the Apple( II system? Just four letters will do it:
S-C-S-I.
Many of you are already aware of the significance of SCSI. The SCSI port on the back of the Macintosh Plus was, after all, widely heralded as one of the machine's most significant new features.
But for those who wondered what all the talk was about over something called "scuzzy," and for Apple II owners who wondered what might be in it for them, here's a quick explanation of what SCSI is, and why it's important to Apple users.
Fast and Flexible
SCSI stands for Small Computer Systems Interface. Simply put, it's a way to connect computers to peripherals. But there's a whole lot more to SCSI's than that.
To begin with, SCSI is a bus, or a way of moving information. And it's a very fast bus at that. The SCSI bus transports signals from the "host" computer to its peripherals. And because it's a true bus, rather than just a simple connection, SCSI can make it possible for up to eight devices to share a single SCSI connection. With the Macintosh Plus, for example, you can daisy-chain up to seven SCSI peripherals and control them all with one SCSI-equipped computer--and that includes printers as well as hard-disk drives, tape drives, optical drives, and more.
The SCSI bus is fast too, because it travels a parallel "route" (or connection) rather than serial, that means thatthe SCSI bus can transfer data at speeds up to six times faster than that possible through a serial connection.
Moreover, SCSI is an industry-wide standard, so it means it expands your peripheral options to include all devices using the SCSI standard .
So now that you know why the Macintosh's SCSI interface generated so much interest, here's some good news especially for Apple II Plus, IIe, and IIGS owners.
SCSI For the Apple II System
With the new Apple II SCSI Card, you can give your Apple II Plus, IIe, or IIGS the ticket they need to hop aboard the SCSI bus. That opens up a whole new world of peripheral options and performance improvements for Apple II users. Like the Apple Hard Disk 20SC, for example. If you've been searching for an alternative to shuffling through floppy disks, the Apple Hard Disk 20SC--with 20 megabytes of storage capacity--will let you store several software applications plus data filesall on one disk. And because the Apple Hard Disk 20SC uses the SCSI interface, you'll be able to transfer your data much faster. If there are other SCSI peripherals you'd like to add, you can easily daisy-chain up to three additional devices if you're using an Apple II system with ProDOS, or up to six additional devices with the Macintosh Plus.
So as we've seen, the SCSI interface enhances and expands the universe created by Apple technology, and opens the door wider to future developments, as well.
Please note: an Apple SCSI System Cable (M2556) is required for use with the Apple II SCSI Card.
MEET LARRY TESLER
New VP of Advanced Technology
In a move demonstrating a commitment to the development of leading edge micro computer technology, Apple Computer, Inc. has appointed Larry Tesler to the newly-created position of vice-president of Advanced Technology.
Apple's Advanced Technology Group focuses on the technologies, architectures, and standards that will shape Apple's product development for the future. "I'm looking for wish lists or suggestions that may take years to implement," says Tesler, "and many times, I get that information by reading network bulletin boards and user group newsletters, and by attending user group meetings. We learn a lot from the user groups."
With more than 25 years experience as an engineering manager and researcher, Tesler is best known for his work in programming languages, and for his advocacy of the "modeless" concept--the fundamental principle underlying the Macintosh user interface. He was an early contributor to development of artificial intelligence, computer graphics, desktop publishing, and the use of personal computers in education.
Tesler came to Apple six years ago to manage the development of the user interface and applications for the Lisa(. For the past three years, he has managed research and advanced development projects.
APPLE IIGS PRODUCT COMPATIBILITY UPDATE
Recently we sent each User Group The 1986 Apple II Products
Compatibility Guide, in which over 300 products were tested
by Apple for compatibility with the Apple IIGS.
Some software products were listed as not working on the
Apple IIGS when in fact they do. The following Third Party
software products have been tested by Apple and DO work on
the Apple IIGS:
PRODUCT COMPANY PHONE
Triple Dump Beagle Brothers 619 296-6400
BPI General Accounting BPI (Version 2.3.1 - ProDos 512 248-5400
Ernie's Quiz Children's Television Network 212 595-3456
Alphabet Circus DLM 214 248-6300
Computer SAT Prep. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 512 440-5700
* The Apple Color RGB Color Monitor does NOT work with
the Apple IIe.
* Testing results listed under IIc in the compatibility guide
are for the increased memory option and not for the
standard IIc.
PLEASE NOTE: The products listed in The 1986 Apple II
Products Compatibility Guide reflect only those products that
have been tested by Apple. There are thousands of Apple II
products that were not tested. If you have a question about
a product that is not listed in the guide, please contact
the product's manufacturer.
THE FULLY ENHANCED LASERWRITER( PLUS
Apple is now offering the LaserWriter Plus printer as a fully-configured unit, rather than as an upgrade kit requiring installation.
Features included in the new unit are:
* An additional megabyte of ROM.
* Sixteen 512K ROM chips containing 11 built-in type families.
* Seven new typefaces: ITC Avant Garde*, ITC Bookman*, Helvetica Narrow, New Century Schoolbook, Palatino, TC Zapf Dingbats*, and ITC Zapf Chancery*.
Note: The LaserWriter and the LaserWriter Plus Kit will continue to be available as separate components.
Contact your local Authorized Apple Dealer for more information.
LIBRARIANS UNITE
Librarians world-wide exchange computer-related information through the Apple Library Users Group Newsletter. The Newsletter
is packed with articles highlighting the many ways Apple II's and the Macintosh make work easier for librarians in schools, universities, and public and corporate libraries.
For more information on the Apple Library Users Group, the Newsletter, and an AppleWorks* template catalogue recently compiled by the Users Group, contact Monica Ertel, Apple Computer, 10381 Bandley Drive, M/S 8-C, Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 973-2552
