 |
|
The Apple /// was the first computer designed and manufactured by Apple as a company. It was ahead of its time but suffered from many early mistakes (it was too expensive, early versions didn't work well, and people complained there wasn't enough software) that ultimately doomed it to become a footnote in Apple's history.
The Apple /// had a major impact on Apple however, since it was introduced just prior to the IBM PC. Had the /// really worked from the beginning, it may well have helped move businesses to a higher level Apple machine, and paved the way for the Lisa and Macintosh. As it was, Apple spent a lot of time and effort trying to make the /// "right" after a disastrous start in 1980. By 1983, the /// was fixed - not only did it did work as advertised, but it made money for Apple. But it was all too little, too late.
Luckily, user groups like Washington Apple Pi and a small group of vendors continued the cause long after the /// stopped production in 1983. Today, WAP as an organization no longer supports Apple II family machines, including the Apple /// (though there are members like me who do continue to provide support when needed - primarily through our Tuesday Night Clinic).
That said, WAP now offers the new Apple /// DVD Archive - 4 GB of information about the /// that includes the Pi's entire Apple /// disk library in ADT (Apple Disk Transfer) format. Please see the Pi Store for more information on ordering. See what's in the DVD in this PDF file. See the media release about the A3 DVD Archive.
Watch for our Apple
/// tutorial DVD (on two disks) with other Apple /// material on the
Pi Store as well. In December, 2003 I wrote an article about this two-set
DVD that is also available
for download as a pdf file.
If you'd like more information, feel free to email: apple3info@verizon.net.
Also check out http://www.apple3.org for a number of Apple /// files. If you're interested in joining the Apple /// Discussion Group - send an email to Jeff Marraccini at jeff.marraccini@mac.com.
The A3 FAQ file (which includes a complete Apple /// history) is currently at version 5.2. You might also find my history of the Pi's /// SIG interesting. I hope you enjoy them!
- Dave Ottalini
Apple /// SIG Chairman
Searchable Database of Apple /// ArticlesBeginning ///: System Utilities Using Apple /// System Utilities Apple /// FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) (PDF) |
![[Apple III]](saraicon.gif){kind=small}
Interested in trying out an Apple /// emulator? It's not perfect and still could use some work, but Chris Smolinski of Blackcat Systems gave it a go a few years ago. You can see what he accomplished at his Apple
III emulator site or on the new A3 Archive DVD (Pi Store).
Programmers interested in bringing the /// to other platforms are welcome to contact a3info@verizon.net.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Return to Washington Apple Pi Welcome Page
Revised March, 2007
Washington Apple Pi
URL: http://www.wap.org/a3/