Changes

"The future looks dim right now" forTI programmers, Lannie says,'' u n l e s s a n o t h e r m a n u f a c t u r e r"unless another manufacturer decides t o to pick u p up rights t o to the TIconsole.''"Oth e r s a r e s o me w h a t m o r eOthers are somewhat more optimistic. "The market's not expanding, butthe peole people who have TlTI's will not bethrowing them away," Emory says."Hopefully, with the Phoenix themarket will expand. The people whoare out there are still buying." A TI is worth getting if it can befound, according to Dollard. "I would say that for a very cheapprice of only $50 to $100 you can pick upan excellent computer," he says."This investment for a parent with akid in school could be very important.You can learn a lot in six months athome, what would take you two yearsin college. An adult can learn whetheror not he's interested in computers for$50 or $100 before buying an IBM-PC at$2,000." "The TlTI's a special problem," Hartersays. "We don't want to give up onthe TI. There may have been two millionowners a month ago but a lot ofthose have put their computers in thecloset. T!ie The market is still very big.Many people wanted a computer andbought a $50 computer. There's noreason to get another one if youalready have this one. There's a hardcore hardcore market that will be around for along time.''" "I've had three 1972 ChevroletVegas. That car was universallypanned. Even though Chevroletstopped making them, they're stillaround. Edsel owners, too: They keeptheir cars and they love their cars.,." He notes that the TI computer willcontinue to be serviced. "They don't fall apart," he says.''"They're very well built. If other companiesfeel different and abandon TI,we'll just be in a better position." Harter says, "As long as there's placesto advertise, there'll be people sellingthings for the TI." "I definitely will stay in until I don'tbreak even ,my moreanymore," says Hughes."The TlTI's not relegated to the scrapheap by any means. There's tons ofthings you can do that haven't beendone yet. Five years from now theremay be computers that will be betterbut this one will still do a good job at avery good price. The new ones willhave more memory and more power,but they will cost $500. $600. $700. Ceratain Ceratain jobs don't need all that memory orall that power. It is like having a Ferrarirace car. You might compare theTI99/4A to the Volkswagen. Collegekids still buy them, and they work. TheTI will not all of a sudden become apiece of scrap iron." Vaughn says that with other companies"things are becoming larger,"while producing software for the TI isbecoming '' "a cottage-type industry.It's sort of a do-it-yourself computer."Sharing of programs is common, henotes, as is going to four or five source􀃊sources to get what you want for the TI.