Beta (builds I98S – I98G): Thank you for your use of Technology. In this public beta test, we hope you enjoy your time spent with the new Apple ][e. Please note that your experience is merely a public beta, thus the functionality you see will still be severely hampered by several factors noted below.
-Access. Since the ][e belongs to your brother, Gary, he will be the one interacting with it the most. Most of your time will be spent in observation of what he does.
-Non-Productive. Your use will not be productive, but rather the occasional supervised “videogame” experience. Favorite games will be Taxman, a clone of the popular Pac-Man arcade game, and Sabotage, a game where you operate an anti-aircraft gun trying to shoot down helicopters and paratroopers before they blow up your weapon.
-Noisy. Your brother, Gary, will spend vast quantities of time interacting with the ][e. The sound of him typing, followed by the sound of the dot matrix printer will lull you to sleep at night.
Version 1.0 (builds I987 - I99I): With the first full version release of the Technology, you are now interacting with it on a regular basis. There are many new features that you will enjoy in this build:
-Improved Access. Daily access is now available. Though Gary took the ][e with him to college when he left a few years ago, the ][e has returned to you now that Gary is using the Macintosh technology. (It is the hope that the Macintosh technology will work its way into later releases.) In your home, you are now able to use the ][e on a daily basis. Further access is available with “School” upgrade. Primary uses now include:
-Educational Functions. Educational software titles such as Word Munchers, Speedway Math, and Oregon Trail will play a large role in your technological experience, mostly due to the new “School” feature (see section below for more). Another favorite, EZ Logo, will be your first experience using the Technology to create art.
-Expanded Entertainment. More games are now available for your use. New favorites will include Autobahn, Night Mission, Falcons, Load Runner, Decathlon, and Karateka. Karateka will prove an especially popular favorite, resulting in your completion of the game.
-School. A new optional upgrade to your technology is the “School” feature. This feature allows you to experience and learn many new things. When the School upgrade is used in conjunction with Technology, your access will increase, as will available software. The Technology can now be used to enhance skills with reading, writing, and math. School will also make the “typing” skill module available to you. With the installation of the typing module, you now are able to interact much faster with the Technology.
-Home Entertainment. The last major new feature of this release is that of Home Entertainment. The Technology is now available with features that allow you to use it seamlessly in your home for entertaining needs.
-Video Cassette Recorder (VCR). The new addition of the VCR package allows you to watch movies at home on your own television monitor easily and cheaply. Whole new worlds of entertainment are now available for you. The VCR is also able to record television programs. However, that user interface is still undergoing development. Expect a later release to address any issues with the VCR component.
-Home Gaming Console. This optional component of the Technology is added later (build I9BB) and it allows you to now play videogames at home on your television with specially designed controllers. There are several different options for you to choose from with this upgrade, but we recommend you choose the Sega Master System option over the Nintendo Entertainment System option as your cousins already have installed the Sega option and this allows you access to their library of games as well as your own. Favorite games will include Shinobi, Double Dragon, Choplifter, California Games, Wonderboy, and Alex Kid in High Tech World.
The Sega will take a good portion of your time, but is also able to be shared with others. For the first time, your experience with Technology is able to be social. Benefits from the Sega include bonding with family and making friends.
