Hendrik Boom <hend...@topoi.pooq.com> wrote:

>> I recall a lot of resistance when Apple brought out the Mac and suddenly 
>> programmers had to learn how to write programs that did what the user wanted 
>> - when the user wanted.
> 
> Sounds good.  But for the first two years the Mac was out, programmers 
> couldn't use it to write programs.  To program it you had to use a much moe 
> expensive machine, and Apple Lisa.
> 
> Not what I, a potential user, wanter.
> 
> After two years, somewone marketed a Pascal interpreter -- not even a 
> compiler.

Indeed, there were multiple issues at first - but programmers resistant to 
doing a bit of work so the user didn’t have to was one of them.
Back in 84 I was at Uni and took out out for a Test Drive and Apple was calling 
it back then - no intension or ability to actually buy one ! I do recall when I 
returned it and being asked what I thought, replying along the lines of “nice 
machine, pity they are trying to cripple it with s**t marketing” as the test 
drive program was (IMO) really horrible.

At work I have to use Windows laptops, and it’s a constant reminder of how 
Apple brought standardisation every time I try Ctrl-W and remember that in 
Outlook it’s Esc to close a window, or in IE Ctrl-W doesn’t work if it’s a PDF 
in the window. MS can’t even standardise basics within it’s own dross, so it’s 
no wonder no-one else bothers either.
We had the full set of Inside Mac back then - strange to think that the entire 
programming manuals (dead trees back then) were only about 3” thick back then ! 
But one of the 3 manuals was entirely dedicated to what the UI should look like 
and how it should work.

Was it Borland that did the Pascal first ?

Simon

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