I have recently begun to build an archive of old software for the Macs and began to wonder about this topic as well. Not just "how long will this Mac last" but more importantly: "How long will we care about them?"
I love working with compacts and being a college student many friends think it is odd that I will play games on my "little Macs" or work on them while there are 64-bit PowerMac G5's and 3.0+ GHz PeeCees around. As the "technology gap" widens between these machines I can't help but wonder how time will treat them. A few years ago, the SE/30 (for example) was still very impressive (ok, well - it still is) because it was so easily comparable to a PowerMac G4 running the classic Mac OS. Although Apple has done us a great service by making Mac OS X talk to the compacts via AppleTalk and maintaining a layer of compatitbility OS X is quickly taking over and the companies that were once writing 68k software (even new software) are moving on. I can't blame any of them in the least but it still seems scary that maybe the community surrounding the compacts will begin to dissappear. I am really encouraged by the Apple II community though. They have stuck by the machines and there is even new hardware developed for them(!). I can only hope that the compact Mac will keep its base. In the meantime, I will continue work on building my software archive so that even if the older Mac's support fades, I will still have resources for mine. Matt > You know, as I sit looking at my Apple IIe, pulled from a trash can, broken > keys and missing top cover, I can't help but wonder what real problems the > longevity of chips there are. > > This machine is about 22 years old(?). It boots without a moment's hesitation despite having been ravaged as described. > > I'm going to be inclined to go with Mr. LaPorte. If kept low-stressed, I can't see how these dudes can't help but keep on keeping on without any > major need to reinvent their "wheels". > > > Jeff > > > -- > Compact Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/>. > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > > Compact Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/compact.shtml> > --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; > Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/compact.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------- >>The Think Different Store > http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com > --------------------------------------------------------------- > -- Compact Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/>. Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Compact Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/compact.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/compact.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
