Tag: 1996

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Why Macintosh? complete box set (1997)

One of my Apple collection entries includes a set of books I titled the “Macintosh Advantage Collection (1996)” that contains the following materials:

  • 50 Macintosh Advantages book (1996)
  • Why do People Prefer Macintosh? brochure (1996)
  • Why Macintosh? brochure (1996)

I recently acquired a brown cardboard shipping box measuring 11.5 x 8.75 x 6.5 inches, complete with its original shipping label to its original recipient—a former Apple sales rep. Apparently, the three items I cataloged above are a part of a larger collection for potential Apple customers that was used in late 1990s.

The shipping label refers to this box as Apple part 52241, and based upon the part numbers that follow, this box contains all its original contents. I have listed the part numbers below and matched them to their items. At the end of each part number an asterisk is followed by a number, likely indicating the quantity of each item (all quantities are “1” in this box, except for the 5 Apple logo window clings).

Curiously, two of the VHS video tapes in the box include both the NTSC and PAL formats—an odd choice since, generally, only NTSC was used in the United States.

Part number list and box contents:

  • 52241—Part number for entire box
  • L02206A—6-color Apple logo sticker set
  • L02270A—Apple’s Operating System Strategy, March 1997, VHS tape (NTSC format) L02270APAL—Apple’s Operating System Strategy, March 1997, VHS tape (PAL format)
  • L02222A—Apple and NeXT: Combining unparalleled ease of use with industrial-strength performance, Information About Apple’s OS Strategy, January 1997, 8.5 x 11-inch whitepaper, 4 pages
  • L02181A—Apple Technology Update—Mac OS 7.6, January 1997 VHS tape (NTSC format)
  • L02177A—The 1997 Apple MacAdvocate CD-ROM. (Spring 1997)
  • L01760A—Macintosh or Windows? Spring 1996 VHS tape (NTSC format)
  • L01760APAL—Macintosh or Windows? Spring 1996 VHS tape (PAL format)
  • L01856A—Personal Computer Satisfaction: An Independent Study of People Who use Both Macintosh and Windows 95 Computers (Evans Research Associates) (1996)
  • L01973B—Go figure: A Quick Look at Some Important Apple Facts, 1.97 10-panel, full-color brochure (1997)
  • L01970A—Apple logo window clings (quantity 5)
  • L01667A—Why Macintosh? booklet (1996)
  • L00440C—50 Macintosh Advantages, Why Macintosh computers are better than PCs running Windows 95. 1996, 8.5 x 11-inch booklet
  • L01749A—Why do People Prefer Macintosh? (Why people think Macintosh computers are better than PCs running Windows, in their own words.) April 1996, 8.5 x 11-inch booklet
  • Not listed on box, likely sent with Mac OS 7.6 VHS tape: L02182A—Mac OS 7.6 At a glance tri-fold brochure (2-color)

While the above books are detailed in my previous post, a fascinating new addition to my collection is the seemingly innocuous Apple and NeXT whitepaper. The 4-page document is the first printed source I have seen that describes Apple’s plan to proceed after their acquisition of NeXT. The whitepaper describes the “Rhapsody” project—the operating system that eventually becomes Mac OS X—the basis for the macOS we use today, over 25 years later. The whitepaper includes this description:

“Rhapsody is the code name of the first system software effort planned from the prospective union of Apple and NeXT. Its intent is to extend the existing strengths of both companies to provide a computing environment that is both stronger and more flexible—and, ultimately, better able to meet the needs of our customers.”

This Why Macintosh? complete box set is a fascinating glimpse into Apple’s pre-Internet communications plan with customers at a pivotal time in their history—just after Steve Jobs returned to the company.

Source: Apple

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CD-ROM discs booklet (1996)

This CD booklet has a bright red cover and is titled “CD-ROM discs” in the Apple Garamond font used between 1984–2003. The cover includes a badge-style graphic that declares “Great Value!” and “Apple #1 Computer Used in Schools.”

This booklet is made from clear vinyl and measures 7.5 x 9.25 inches. The front and back flap have internal pockets that hold paperwork such as software licenses, and the three inside pages can hold 2 CDs each.

The CD-ROMs contained in the booklet are all video games and include:

  • Bungie (the company that would eventually create the Halo video game, 1996)
  • Wing Commander 3 (4 CDs, 1995)
  • Flight Unlimited, Special Edition (1996)
  • Panzer General (1996)
  • EntoMorph: Plague of the Darkfall (1995)
  • Diamonds 3D (1995)

Source: Apple, Wikipedia

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ClarisWorks 4.0 for Macintosh (6 3.5-inch disks, 1996)

In early days of personal computers, a series of “Works” applications were released with a few traits in common. Software packages such as Microsoft Works, AppleWorks GS (for the Apple II GS), and ClarisWorks, all contained a package of simplified applications sold as a set and were usually accessed through a launcher application. For example, when launching AppleWorks, a user would launch the application and decide if they wanted to create a word processing file, a spreadsheet, a drawing document, or a database by clicking the appropriate icon.

ClarisWorks has a complicated history. In general, it began as AppleWorks (with earlier versions under different names), switched to ClarisWorks, switched back to AppleWorks, and was replaced by iWork.

This set of six 3.5-inch floppy disks contain an installer for ClarisWorks 4.0.

A fascinating history of ClarisWorks/AppleWorks is available from Bob Hearn on a page published by MIT. I wholeheartedly agree with the author who writes, “RIP ClarisWorks, ‘the best-loved application for the Mac,’ 1991–2007.”

Interestingly, this history is somewhat preserved by Apple’s iWork concept. Currently, Apple’s three productivity apps—Keynote, Pages, and Numbers—are referred to collectively as iWork. Although the apps are separate, their user interfaces and behaviors make the apps function very much as a set. This may also be the reason so many users incorrectly refer to iWork as “iWorks.”

This set of disks was among the final 3.5-inch floppy disks produced by Apple since in 1998 Apple released the iMac and officially stopped including floppy drives in their products. My collection also includes a ClarisWorks 4.0 CD installer, also from 1996.

Sources: Wikipedia (AppleWorks, floppy disk), Macintosh Garden, MIT

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Apple Cleaning Cassette (c. 1996)

This Apple Cleaning Cassette was included with Apple Workgroup Server models equipped with a DDS DAT drive. DAT, Digital Audio Tape, was a generic term used for all 4mm audio and data tapes. DDS, or Digital Data Storage, drives could store 2GB–18GB of data on a 4mm tape housed in a mini-cassette (depending upon the version of the DDS and capacity of the tape).

Apple Workgroup Servers that shipped with an optional internal DDS-2 DAT drive included one of these cleaning cassettes. According to Apple’s user manual:

“When you insert the cleaning cassette into the drive, the drive automatically loads it and cleans the heads. When the cleaning process is completed, the drive automatically ejects the cassette. Keep a record of how many times you use the cleaning cassette. After 25 uses, replace it. The interval at which you clean the tape drive depends on how often you use it. In general, if you back up daily, you should clean the drive weekly. If you back up weekly, you should clean the tape drive once a month.”

This quote is sourced from Apple’s User Manual for the Workgroup Server 8550 from 1996.

Sources: Apple, Apple History, 4crawler

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An Overview of Apple Products brochure (1996)

This quad-fold brochure from 1996 is titled “An Overview of Apple Products” with the subtitle “Choosing the system that’s right for you.” The opening 2-panel spread is an overview of the brochure with the headline “Apple Macintosh: Ease-of-use, power, compatibility, and multimedia.”

Fully unfolded, the brochure reveals 4-panel spreads that alternate between a photo featuring a product and overview, followed by a spread with a product specifications grid. The sections include: Macintosh Performa and Power Macintosh Computers, Macintosh PowerBook Computers, Displays and Printers, and Apple Servers and Services.

The end pages of the brochure shift focus to discuss ways to use Apple products. Each category uses a four-panel spread and includes Communications, Multimedia, and Publishing. These last three sections include several Apple peripherals from the time, including the GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit, the Newton MessagePad 130, AppleCD 600e/600i drives, AppleDesign Powered Speakers II, Apple ColorOne Scanners, and QuickTake 150 digital cameras.

Folded, this brochure measures 3.875 x 8.25 inches. I also have a similar version of this brochure from 1995 with product specifications from that year.

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Macintosh Advantage Collection (1996)

Apparently, 1996 was a major year for Apple to focus on the advantages of using a Macintosh over Windows. According to EveryMac, Apple released almost 50 different Macintosh models in 1996 year including 21 Performa models, 18 Power Macintosh models, six server products, two PowerBooks (1400 model), and the Newton 130.

These three “Macintosh advantage” resources used facts, quotes, and testimonials to highlight the pros of using a Macintosh.

50 Macintosh Advantages book (1996)

The book titled 50 Macintosh Advantages is unambiguously subtitled, “Why Macintosh computers are better than PCs running Windows 95.” The book is divided into four sections, including Ease of Use, Power, Advanced Multimedia, and Compatibility. Each of the 50 advantages begins with a statement and is followed by an explanation—and often includes a screen capture or other supporting visuals. Quotes and testimonials are also included throughout this two-color-printed book (printed in black and dark purple). The 50 advantages listed in the book (from the Table of Contents) include:

  1. Floppy disk management is easier with Macintosh computers.
  2. Checking memory is easier on a Macintosh.
  3. Macintosh computers offer more flexible monitor support.
  4. Changing your mouse is easier and faster on a Macintosh.
  5. Macintosh menus scroll, so they’re easier to use than Windows 95 menus.
  6. Macintosh supports plug-and-play peripherals today.
  7. Macintosh computers are easier to network.
  8. The Mac OS keeps track of files and applications over a network.
  9. Infrared networking is more powerful and more versatile with Macintosh computers.
  10. Macintosh makes Internet access and publishing easier.
  11. Filename limitations.
  12. Filename incompatibilities between Windows 95 and Windows 3.1.
  13. Pathname limitations.
  14. Macintosh files stay linked to the applications that created them with Windows 95, that isn’t always the case.
  15. Macintosh aliases are easier to work with than Windows 95 shortcuts.
  16. The complexity of the Windows 95 Registry is a disadvantage compared with Macintosh.
  17. The Mac OS provides active assistance: Windows 95 doesn’t.
  18. It’s easier to add fonts and other resources to a Macintosh.
  19. It’s easier to add an application to the Apple menu than to the Windows 95 Start Programs menu.
  20. Applications launch once on the Macintosh, with Windows 95, some applications may launch multiple times.
  21. It’s easier to cut and paste graphics between applications on the Macintosh.
  22. An advanced industrial design makes Macintosh computers easier to work with.
  23. The Macintosh desktop metaphor is easier to use.
  24. Macintosh re-sorts folders when you add a new item: Windows 95 doesn’t.
  25. The Macintosh Trash is easier to use.
  26. Easier security and customization with the Macintosh.
  27. Macintosh has easier access to alternate character sets.
  28. Macintosh computers are faster.
  29. The Macintosh speed advantage will increase.
  30. Macintosh offers 32-bit computing today, PCs don’t.
  31. With the RISC-based platform, Macintosh computers are better equipped to run more powerful applications.
  32. Macintosh has integrated scripting.
  33. Macintosh computers include features that cost extra on PCs.
  34. Macintosh is the world’s most popular platform for multimedia.
  35. It’s easier to add CD-ROM drives to a Macintosh system.
  36. Installing and using CD-ROM titles is easier with Macintosh computers.
  37. Recording and playing back desktop video works better on Macintosh.
  38. Videoconferencing is easier on the Macintosh.
  39. Macintosh computers provide better representations of color on screen, and a better match between screen images and printed output.
  40. It’s easier to cut and paste multimedia data on a Macintosh.
  41. Macintosh is ahead of Windows 95 in speech capabilities.
  42. Macintosh is much better at handling three-dimensional graphics.
  43. Virtual-reality software is more realistic on the Macintosh.
  44. Macintosh computers provide more sophisticated type and graphics capabilities.
  45. You can buy a Macintosh and still be compatible with MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1, and Windows 95.
  46. You can work with Windows 95 files on your Macintosh.
  47. You can run applications for the Mac OS, MS-DOS 6.2, and Windows 95 on a Macintosh.
  48. Macintosh computers are compatible with applications for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.
  49. You can connect a Macintosh computer to almost any network.
  50. Macintosh users are more satisfied with their computers.

This book measures 8.5 x 11 inches and has 54 pages.

Why do People Prefer Macintosh? brochure (1996)

The brochure Why do People Prefer Macintosh? is subtitled “Why people think Macintosh computers are better than PCs running Windows, in their own words.” This brochure uses many of the same “Macintosh advantages” from the source above, but presents them as case studies and testimonials by Macintosh users. Users are identified by name and state or country, and most include a photo.

This brochure measures 8.5 x 11 inches and has 35 pages.

Why Macintosh? brochure (1996)

This Why Macintosh? brochure is a marketing piece and presents bold, full-color spreads printed on glossy paper. On the first page, this brochure declares:

“More than 10 years after the debut of the Apple Macintosh computer, Microsoft released its Windows 95 operating system. But while Microsoft is just now adding to its Windows operating system features that Macintosh users have enjoyed since 1984, Apple has been busy moving Macintosh to the next generation of personal computing.”

The next four 2-page spreads each focus on an aspect of the Macintosh: Ease of Use, Power, Multimedia, and Compatibility.

This brochure measures 8.5 x 11 inches and has 12 pages.

Source: EveryMac

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Knit sweatshirt, North Central Region K12 Education (light heather gray, c. 1996)

This knit collared sweatshirt is branded as Gear for Sports, features an embroidered logo that reads “North Central Region K12 Education,” and includes the classic multicolor Apple logo. The back of the sweatshirt includes no Apple markings, but has a Gear for Sports label at top-center.

The sweatshirt is knit in light heather gray in size XXL. The collar is heather gray with a dark blue and white accent. The front of the sweatshirt has three tan buttons. The tag indicates the sweatshirt is 65% polyester, 35% cotton, and made in Taiwan.

This sweatshirt was a gift during my one-year position as a Media Center director in Cincinnati, Ohio. I received the gift in 1998, the year Apple made the transition to single-color logo to match the then-newly-released iMac.

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American Girl of Today Mini Macintosh (Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC replica, 1996)

Please note: Although this is not an official Apple product, it is a faithful replica that was officially licensed by Apple.

According to the American Girl Dolls Wiki, this Power Macintosh 5200 replica was an American Girl of Today accessory that was sold from 1996 to 1999 and cost $32. This line of American Girl dolls and accessories has been available since 1995 and has been known by several names, including American Girl of Today (1995); American Girl Today (1996); Just Like You (2006); My American Girl (2010); and Truly Me (2015). This line is “intended to reflect a more modern time than that of the Historical Characters.”

This accessory is a surprisingly detailed replica of a Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC, a Macintosh sold from 1995–96. It has a working 3.25-inch monochrome LCD display, a keyboard, a mouse, and runs on 2 AAA batteries. Users can interact with this Macintosh by clicking the keyboard (a large single button) or the mouse, both attached with thin wires. The screen displays a simulated Mac OS Desktop running what appears to be a scaled-down version of AppleWorks.

The back of the replica includes an ON/OFF switch, simulated ports that match the ports on the Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC, and the words, “PLEASANT COMPANY® MADE IN CHINA.”

The interface depicted is monochromatic and uses a menu bar with the Apple menu, File, Edit, View, Label, Special, and the Finder menu. The Desktop also shows two icons labeled Hard Drive and Trash, and a toolbar with four tools (paint bucket, eraser, pencil, and paint brush). Each click of the keyboard button reveals a paragraph of text, and each click of the mouse reveals stars until the Big Dipper is fully displayed along with a caption that reads “The Big Dipper.”

The text on the screen includes the following (with no spaces after periods):

Field Trip [file name in the top bar of the window]

My Visit to the Planetarium

There was a nice man there that
talked to us and told us about the stars.

They had a cool machine in the
middle of the room that shined the
stars up on the ceiling.It had a big
round ball with holes cut in it and a
light bulb inside.

The seats leaned way back so you
could look up at the big curved
ceiling.We learned about lots of
constellations. The Big Dipper was
my favorite.I made a drawing of it
on my computer.

It was a long bus ride to the high
school planetarium but it was
worth it.

Finally, this replica also shipped with a computer desk, chair, and mousepad. I only own the Macintosh.

Sources: American Girl Wiki, Everymac, Wikipedia

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Newton MessagePad 130 (1996)

The Newton MessagePad 130 was the fifth and final 100-series device in the MessagePad lineup. It featured a 20 MHz ARM 610 processor, 8 MB of ROM, and 2.5 MB of RAM. It had infrared-beaming capabilities for wireless file sharing. Its display was a 320×240 pressure-sensitive, backlit monochrome display that used an included telescoping stylus that was stored in the Newton’s case.

The Newton was among the world’s first Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), a term that was created to describe the Newton. The MessagePad 130 was similar to the MessagePad 120, but added a backlit textured display, more RAM, and it ran the Newton 2.0 operating system. The texture on the screen was meant to simulate paper, however, this well-used example reveals that the texture wore off with use.

The MessagePad 130 could be powered by 4 AA batteries or an AC adapter. The batteries were easily accessed on the lower-back side of the device.

Like other Newton models, the case color was dark greenish-gray. It weighed just under 1 pound (0.45 kg) and measured 8 inches high x 4 inches wide x 1.18 inches deep. This model used a built-in hinged cover to protect the screen when not in use. The stylus used a spring-loaded telescoping design and slid into the case in the upper-right corner.

Sources: Everymac, Wikipedia

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ClarisWorks 4.0 CD (1996)

In early days of personal computers, a series of “Works” applications were released with a few ideas in common. Software packages such as Microsoft Works, AppleWorks GS (for the Apple II GS), and ClarisWorks, all contained a package of simplified applications sold as a set and usually were accessed through a launcher application. For example, when launching AppleWorks, a user would launch the application and decide if they wanted to create a word processing file, a spreadsheet, a drawing document, or a database by clicking the appropriate icon.

ClarisWorks has a complicated history. In general, it began as AppleWorks (with earlier versions under different names), switched to ClarisWorks, switched back to AppleWorks, and was replaced by iWork.

This CD is an installer for ClarisWorks 4.0. Although undated, its version number places it in 1996.

A fascinating history of ClarisWorks/AppleWorks is available from Bob Hearn on a page published by MIT. I wholeheartedly agree with the author who writes, “RIP ClarisWorks, ‘the best-loved application for the Mac,’ 1991–2007.”

Interestingly, this history is somewhat preserved by Apple’s iWork concept. Currently, Apple’s three productivity apps—Keynote, Pages, and Numbers—are referred to collectively as iWork. Although the apps are separate, their user interfaces and behaviors make the apps function very much as a set. This may also be the reason so many users incorrectly refer to iWork as “iWorks.”

Sources: Wikipedia, Macintosh Garden, MIT