The linchpin of local Apple distributor CED's Internet strategy has finally arrived--in the shape of the Apple Internet Connection Kit CD-ROM.
The localised version of the kit was originally commissioned for former subscribers to Apple's eWorld service, but CED will be including the disks with all new Macintoshes and making them available to ISPs and modem vendors for bundling. The CDs, which contain licensed versions of all the major Mac Internet applications, including Netscape Navigator 2.0 and Claris Emailer, will also be available retail for about $100.
The disk features a number of other "goodies", including the System 7.5 Update 2.0. Five New Zealand ISPs--Internet Express, Voyager, Actrix, Iprolink and Plains--also have their connection details pre-configured on the CD.
"There are actually more New Zealand ISPs on the disk than Australian ones," says CED product manager Chris Thompson. "There will be another disk in August and we'll keep on the most popular choices. Other companies, like Xtra and ICONZ, are keen to get on it, but we've made it easy for the user to enter the connection details for any ISP they choose. We don't necessarily expect the majority of new connections to be with the companies we've included on the disk."
In line with an international Apple strategy, CED has also announced it will be making new Macs available to Internet providers and developers at "below wholesale" prices. The Apple Internet Server Solution CD, including WebStar, PageMill and other applications, is also available from CED.