Dear Mr. Cook,

Congratulations on your most impressive tenure at Apple.

I have been a life-long Apple user, starting with an Apple IIe in 1984, then a IIgs in 86, then PowerMacs and today a MacBook Pro and a Mac Mini. I still have a IIe and my original IIgs, alongside my new Apple Silicon Macs.

Many are becoming involved in the retrocomputer hobby, with some content creators racking up millions of subscribers and views for digging into classic platforms like the Apple II.

You may be aware that last year Microsoft open-sourced its 6502 processor BASIC interpreter source code. This code makes up part of the ROM firmware of the Apple II, II+, IIe, IIc, and IIgs. And in 2023, Apple released the LISA operating system source code.

Given there is no ongoing commercial benefit to Apple from these ancient assets, and that it would be a boon for retrocomputer enthusiasts and a tremendous show of good faith to those who have supported Apple since its earliest days, I would like to suggest that Apple consider similarly open-sourcing the legacy Apple II firmware and operating systems. I would suggest Apple II through IIgs, to make available the complete history, for hobbyists, enthusiasts, and researchers alike.

This would greatly ease the ability of those interested in these historic platforms to utilize emulators to explore them, safely and with Apple's blessing.

Sincerely,

Apple II Infinitum - and Apple II Fans Everywhere