Macs Only

's CompUSA Watch Page! was also updated over the weekend with reader's reports. A very disturbing trend is appearing from the reports--the Apple Stores in some CompUSA's are deteriorating through neglect and possibly through outright CompUSA employee sabotage. Remember the Pleasanton, CA, CompUSA that housed the first Apple store in a store? Well, here's an unconfirmed report from a Macs Only! reader:

"If you don't think the WinTel crowd has a very insidious training program for these sales people in effect, then you have not been to many stores. I notice the same kind of run around in a Sears store. Macs are just plain set up to look lousy and all the sales people are using negative demos and remarks to steer customers away from them. 1/1/98 I went back to CompUSA today, and the G3 is now stuck way back in the corner running an inane and boring loop which cannot be stopped. The entry to the Apple area is sort of blocked. These guys should be looking for other work by the end of this week. The whole Apple sales area is a mess and the intent is obvious."

Since Macs Only! posted its MacBest of 1997 last Friday, many readers have written asking about why no recognition was offered in certain other categories. One particularly salient category is shareware/freeware, so much a part of the Mac community's culture. The efforts of the many 'ware developers should be recognized and encouraged. However, Macs Only! receives many 'ware notices daily, posts a small subset of them that appear of potential interest to readers and tries out an even smaller subset of personal interest. Some of those and a few others eventually find their way to the Software Archive. Would it be fair to recognize only the best among these? Is there a better way? Should updates be included or just brand new applications? Please let me have your opinion here.

From Pat Berry, "Mactell Corporation today announced the addition of three new video graphic acceleration cards, Mactell Vision 3D, Vision 3D PRO, and Vision3D PRO II, to its MacOS* compatible product line. The new video graphic accelerator cards maximize video graphic capabilities for 3D/ 2D, and video desktop applications, yielding unparalleled graphic precision to MacOS* compatible systems."

From Daria Aikens, "Apple Wizards is thrilled to announce that our exciting January issue is ready for download here. This month Apple Wizards reviews Riven, Cobra Gunship, and Myrmidon 2.01. Check out our interview with Cobra Gunship artist/programmer, Peter J. Creath, and our feature article on cable modems!"