A.P.P.L.E., also known as Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange was initially established in 1978 by Val J. Golding. The group provided software, hardware and support services for the Apple world until 1990. Val Golding left the group in 1984 and the group became a Co-Operative in 1985. Due to several problems with management, the Corporate based Co-Op reorganized into a users group once again. from 1990 to 2001, the group existed as a users group only providing support to local northwest computer users. In 1999, Bill Martens began to look into the possibility of preserving the information associated with the company and in contacting many of the former writers, board members and staff, found that there was an interest in preserving and rebuilding the company. Thus in February 2002, this effort began in earnest with the latest issue of the magazine being prepared for release even as this is written.
A.P.P.L.E. Today While much of the current group is still based in the Seattle area, production is now handled in Japan and Canada. A.P.P.L.E. is an all volunteer Apple / Macintosh users group. None of the members of the board or of the staff are paid and are dedicating their time to this project for the love of the computer world.
The purpose of the group is to provide information, software, hardware, documentation, and support to all levels of users regardless of the Apple computer that they are using. For those members who wish to support our efforts can check the section below on volunteering. We always encourage the enhancement of the "user helping user" concept and continue to believe that this is the best way for those who need help to gain the assistance they need.
The Apple Users group is one of the oldest in existance and specializes in providing users usable freeware and shareware. They also produce the magazine Call-A.P.P.L.E. on a monthly basis and can be found at www.callapple.org. Our production control office in Tokyo Japan handles all issues with the magazine and the web site. This allows us to provide round the clock coverage and to deal with issues during off hours. This in turn allows us to have less downtime and to allow magazine production in a timely manner. Our Winnipeg office handles subscription related issues including CD replacement and subscription renewals
Other publications over the years from A.P.P.L.E. include the Mac Tech Quarterly, the Co-Op Spirit and [Cheers!|/// Cheers!].