On Mon, 27 May 2024, Rick Bensene via cctalk wrote:
This was because if someone submitted a capital equipment request for a
"computer", bean counters would immediately reject it, while calculators
would sail right through.
Why?
Because computers were big complicated machines that required expensive,
brainy people to support, and they needed all kinds of "extras" like
special power, air conditioning, storage systems, printers, terminals,
maintenance contracts, installation fees, and other stuff that cost even
more money. At least, that was the mentality, be it right or wrong.
It has been historically documented as such in numerous books written
about that period in time.
Does anybody here have personal experience with the "Black Apple"?
I don't but read about it with interest at the time.
Apple cut a deal to market some machines through Bell and Howell ("Hell
and bowel"?)
The machine was an ordinary Apple, with a black case, non-removable power
cord, and latches, instead of velcro, for the lid, all to reduce pilferage
of parts.
Educators were having serious difficulty getting purchase requests for
computers through school district purchasing departments. However, when
the purchase request said "Bell And Howell equipment", it would sail right
through!
Around the same time, Apple wanted to "give" a machine to each and every
school and take a tax deduction. But, the IRS reasoned that if they let
Apple do it, then every other computer company would also.
It fell apart in the negotiations about the size of the tax deduction;
Apple wanted to deduct retail, or at least dealer price; the IRS said that
they could only deduct the price of the components. (not teven the labor
that Apple paid for assembly)
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com
