LisaList2

Advanced search  

News:

Want an XLerator? Please participate in the market research thread: https://lisalist2.com/index.php/topic,594.msg4180.html

Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: AppleNet and the Apple / Ethernet interface  (Read 2631 times)

ried

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Karma: +55/-0
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 264
AppleNet and the Apple / Ethernet interface
« on: August 08, 2025, 12:59:03 am »

The May, 1983 "Sales Marketing Binder" contains a wealth of information from that time. Here's a 204-page PDF file of it: http://weblog.ceicher.com/archives/LisaSalesMarketingBinder.pdf

On page 115, there's an AppleNet Q&A. Interesting to learn that "AppleNet was introduced (demonstrated) at the National Computer Conference in Anaheim May 16-19, 1983. AppleNet will be available in phases to end users in late 1983." Of course, the product was canceled and never shipped commercially. I wonder what functionality was demonstrated at the time?

On page 117, there's an Apple / Ethernet Interface Q&A. This is clearly described as a separate product, and not compatible with AppleNet - though both would be available in the same timeframe. From the binder:

Why is Apple offering both AppleNet and an Ethernet interface?
There are identified customers for Apple personal computer and personal office products who have an installed Ethernet and want Apple products to communicate on that existing network. There are also customers for Apple products who might desire network bandwidth or geographic scope beyond that of a single AppleNet. Apple wants to provide these customers with an alternative networking solution that is still an Apple product, the Ethernet interface.

Has a prototype of the Ethernet interface ever been spotted in the wild?
Logged

sigma7

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Karma: +188/-1
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 649
  • Warning: Memory errors found. Verify comments.
Re: AppleNet and the Apple / Ethernet interface
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2025, 04:06:23 am »

Has a prototype of the Ethernet interface ever been spotted in the wild?

I've not heard of one, but there is a small clue in that it states there would be a separate version for European markets... "The only difference will be the line voltage and frequency."

So evidently it involves an external box that plugs into the mains. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Logged
Warning: Memory errors found. ECC non-functional. Verify comments if accuracy is important to you.

stepleton

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Karma: +157/-1
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 515
Re: AppleNet and the Apple / Ethernet interface
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2025, 05:05:51 am »

This is a fantastic document!

On https://mg-1.uk/#mac_docs, I have scans of some early Macintosh sales and marketing materials. It is interesting to compare these with the Lisa binder: they are from a transitional time when Apple was still highlighting the Mac's "Lisa Technology". There's a bit in there where they advise the salesperson on how to help a customer navigate the choice between Lisa, Mac, Apple 3, and (maybe, IIRC) Apple 2.

Really interesting to read on PDF pages 86-87 about the intended user experience for AppleNet: basically, it aims to be the same as the postal mail or interoffice mail, at least at first. (File servers seem like they're coming later per the AppleNet Q&A.) Alex mentioned finding some vestiges of this interoffice mail system in the VCF talk, though it seemed mainly to cause the desktop to malfunction!

I might ask Charles Eicher if he would mind me mirroring this PDF on my website; it would be nice to have it there alongside the Mac docs.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up