Hey, folks.
I've built an Apple II clones website, and one of the things I'm trying to do is gather images of all the different clones that were made. So far, I have pictures of 137 different clones but there are still a lot of clones that I don't have pictures of.
So please check out the site, and let me know if you have any pictures of clones that are not listed. I'm also looking for Apple II clone software (disk images) and copies of User Manuals, etc.
http://www.apple2clones.com
Thanks!
Ernest
That is one excellent website that you put together!
This is a "must see" for all who are interested in the
history and development of Apple Computers in general
and Apple II's in specific!
Your site layout and graphics are top notch. Navigation
is a breeze. The information is well researched and
well presented with proper credits to the people who
donated images, info, etc. Very professional!
Look forward to future contributions from you to this
forum and thread. I have bookmarked your site as a ref-
rence tool.
Ditto -- great site, first rate.
Matt
Hey man.......
That is way cool! It would be nice if you had more people responding to your site. I looked at the forum pages and there are not too many replies. This site seems to have the most people talking about Apple and related computers. Maybe you could post links to the two sites and
more people would cross over and maybe give some tech advice. Also its
possible that soem of the hackers here have a clone or two that could be posted there.
Keep up the great work! Old computers don't die, they just do less
work!
Just thought I would put up a post regarding
Ernest's Apple II Clone site. Besides it being
really good, there is a fellow that posts on
there who used to work at Franklin Computers.
Sort of like talking to the "Woz" of clones!
He has a great deal of inside knowledge about
the development, construction, programming
and marketing of the Franklin Computer line.
Take a look for yourselves. It's definitely
worth the visit.
woogie
Thanks for the compliments on the site. I still have a ton of work to do on it, but I'm happy with how its progressing. I still need to add specific information about each computer (if I have any) and I also have a bunch of additional clone related software and documentation to add. I just need to find the time for it. My main goal, initially, was to simply display the hundreds of images that I've collected (almost 700 so far!) and then to add text later. For the most part, pictures are what people wanted to see, since functionally, one clone is much like another.
The Franklin stories that Bob has uploaded are really interesting, and I think its great that he took the time to post them for us. I also think its fun to read first-hand accounts of the early days of the computer industry, and Franklin was certainly there at the beginning.
Tom Owad and I discussed something "like" this a year or two ago, and I am still open to the idea. The plan was put on the back burner for me after the economy here in Seattle crashed in 2001, and then I decided to build a site that was focused on A2 clones only, etc. I think it would be great to find a way to link our sites more closely some how, but I won't be able to work on it any time soon. I've gone back to college, and now my life is nothing but homework. Word of advice, don't ever take 16 credits during the summer. Ugh.
Thanks!
I just opened the site in March, so many people are only just now learning of it. The "site visit" statistics are certainly rising quickly, and hopefully that will mean that more people begin posting on the forum. I agree about this site being the main hang-out for Apple collectors. Its no surprise really, since everybody knows about Applefritter and AF is meant for all Apple collectors. I'm sure that over time, the clone collectors will begin adding more content to my site, both pictures and forum topics.
Hi ,keep up the good work .I can see that you are interested in Apple II clones.Do you want a Pravetz 82 (Imko).I already sent one to old computers.com .
YES!
I would love to have one of those! Thank you for offering it.
My e-mail is boby_dg at abv dot bg .
I trying upload some pictures from my spectrum ed(IIe clone) . But no way, i dont received the password in my mailbox.
I wondered why you registered several times. I didn't know that you were not receiving your confirmation emails. I'll look into it today.
You can also email the pictures to me and I will post them on the site.
ernest@apple2clones.com
Were there any other clones of Apples sold in the US other than Laser and Franklin?
Sure, there were plenty. Most of them were Taiwan boat specials, and were far too identical and compatible. Most memorable to me from the early '80s was one I saw once, which was structurally, visually, and otherwise internally not just compatible, but identical to a real Apple II+. The thing booted up exactly like the real thing, just without the banner. Looking at the motherboard belied no difference, either. Even the recess in the lid for the medallion was there, but no medallion.
Great site, Ernest. I remember the Basis 108, the PineApple, and the BAse64.