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Rare Docs Show How Apple Created Apple II DOS

Posted by timothy on from the won't-be-big-and-fancy-like-gnu dept.

An anonymous reader writes with a link to this "CNET story about arguably the most important technical documents in Apple's early history: the source code, contract letters, schematics and notes for the creation of the Apple II Disk Operating System (DOS). From 1977 and 1978, these documents chronicle Apple's first OS and what made the Apple II into a serious computer for the masses, able to support killer apps like Visicalc and build the PC industry."

4 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. here comes Bobby buzzkill! by Thud457 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is the Apple ][, not the Lisa.
    Therefore your attempt at humor is invalidated by being factually incorrect.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  2. the more things change... by stenvar · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The Apple II was really only one of three massively successful PC lines: the Commodore, the TRS-80 line, and the Apple line, all introduced in 1977. The Apple II and TRS-80 both received floppy drives in 1978. The Apple II did keep production costs down, but both the machines and its disk drives were pretty expensive, so Apple really didn't do anything to help the masses with its cost savings. In terms of market share, Apple II was always a smaller player relative to the others. So, like today, Apple was had a product with a smaller market share, a lot of proprietary technology, and a large profit margin. And like today, they probably received more credit for innovation than they deserve.

    1. Re:the more things change... by stenvar · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Seriously? Around 1983-1985, the market was 50% IBM PC/compatibles and 50% Apple II. How is that a smaller market share?

      Your numbers are wrong. Apple never had anywhere near 50% market share in the desktop computer market.

      And WTF is proprietary technology?

      Technology that belongs to Apple and is incompatible with everything else. Many other machines used standard floppy disk controller chips.

      Jesus Fucking Christ, you Apple Haters are really impressive.

      You Apple fanboys and your ability to falsify history are really impressive.

  3. Re:Maybe it was just my youth but... by drerwk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    CALL -151 the only command worth using