#GENERAL
I wasn't supporting the Amiga in schools as much as I was rejecting a IIgs.
If I had to suggest a system it would be IBM first and if that would not be
affordable then Amiga setups. While I agree there is a large catalog of
School based software available for Apple, how many teaches have apples at
home? That means they have to go to school and use the IIgs's to do their
lesson plans, gradebooks, etc..How many KIDS have Apples at home? While
the computers are used more to teach subjects than the actuall computer
systems it's a nice bonus for Jr. to be able to learn at home as well.
Also schools are converting to either IBM's, MAC, or Amigas (in that order)
VERY quickely. Most public schools (at least in Milwuakee) don't even have
Apple II's anymore.
Another reason (though not econimically feasible) for leaving Apple is the
fact that it IS old. I wish I had a dime for every parent that came into
our store asking for apple software we no longer carry, OR asking where
they can get Apple computers. Why? Becuase that's what jr. uses in
school. I don't see this much anymore becuase as I said there arn't that
many Apples in our schools (though our Libraries sure have a lot of em').
Finally, Once the commercial software dries up it's only a matter of time
before the schools change because all the students will be using IBM's at
home. My MAIN argument against the Apple II systems is that in two years
they'll be useless in all be the most special circumstances. Schools have
to plan computer buys to last more than 2 years. While I may work in a
retail store, it does not mean I do not deal with schools. We have a few
schools that have an account with our store and they look at future
hardware very carfully, most schools can't afford to buy computers every 2
years just becuase they're cheap at the time.
Craig Glaser (Software Etc Milwaukee) – via Whap!