You can buy programs to accomplish almost any task you can think of (and many you can't), so you don't need to write programs unless you want to; but many people prefer writing programs to using those available. If you think you might be one of those people, read A Touch of Applesoft BASIC. If you're content to leave programming to programmers, skip the introduction to BASIC and read the manual that came with one of the programs you got to use with your Apple IIGS.

The system disk documentation explains how to use the programs on the Apple IIGS System Disk. You'll use the System Disk to prepare blank disks for storing documents, to make copies of important disks, to delete documents you don't need any more, and to switch quickly from one program to another. A program that lets you copy, delete, and otherwise manipulate documents is called a utility program. Read the system disk documentation when you're ready to start using a program to create documents.

These manuals are designed for people who plan to use the Apple IIGS for writing, budgeting, record keeping, and things like that. If you want technical information about the Apple IIGS, see Appendix D for a list of Apple IIGS technical reference manuals.

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Preface: The Incredible Stretching Machine