4-16-18

Bob Taylor and the big PARC demonstration:

How did the Xerox PARC's Alto computer compare with the Apple II?

• graphical user interface (GUI)
• mouse
• networking
• focus was on communication
  

Why did Xerox top management not support commercialization of the Alto?

• they didn't see the potential--what would ordinary people do with a computer?
• the possibility of a paperless office didn't seem good for their business
• typing was for women
• it was a mistake to focus on wordprocessing--spreadsheets would have gotten more support
• it is hard for a large company to imagine a completely different market
  

Mike Markkula and Apple:

Jobs did not have the background to write a business plan, Wozniak had a job and wasn't interested
Markkula wrote a business plan focused on a home computer market
realized the potential and also that marketing would be key
he was rich enough to not need to work, but was intrigued by an opportunity that needed his skill

getting the computers manufactured
what are people going to do with them? particularly at a price of $1,298
there were competitors: Radio Shack/Tandy and Commodore

• inexpensive computers were possible because of the microprocessor
• a microprocessor is it is a way to put a bunch of circuits with transistors (that you have designed to do something) onto a single chip that can be mass produced
  

education market!  Apple Education Foundation gave money for educational research
Markkula, Scott and Carter were all in their mid to late 30s with business experience

Apple created a software bank and offered gift certificates to people who developed games and other software
how to load that software? invention of the 5 1/4 inch floppy disk drive

it isn't clear that Apple can stay ahead of the competition

• initial strategy: education market, encourage development of software
• more reliable, better quality
  
• they are going to have an easier to use interface, but they aren't there yet
• gets a reputation as artist friendly--when?