dimare@ucla-cs.UUCP (08/01/85)
I'm thinking on buying one of these, but I wonder how compatible it is with an IBM/PC. Can you buy expansion cards and plug them in? Can you put an 8087? What about software: would it run DBase III, Symphony, etc? I'd like to know which are the 'incompatibilities'. It surely has a nice price! Adolfo ///
slerner@sesame.UUCP (Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner) (08/11/85)
> I'm thinking on buying one of these, but I wonder > how compatible it is with an IBM/PC. > > Can you buy expansion cards and plug them in? > Can you put an 8087? What about software: would > it run DBase III, Symphony, etc? The machine is a cross between the PC and the jr. One BIG compat. problem has to do with DMA. The base machine has none, but the memory cards add DMA circuitry. The as a result, you can not use any add-in cards with memory unless you have first added a tandy memory card. since the machine only has 3 slots, this is a pain (tandy has no multi-function card for this beast last time I checked.) The keyboard is a bit different. (BTW - they don't have a scroll lock key, which some packages want (like 1-2-3), but there is a key combo that emulate it, I forget which). As a guide to compatibility, Lotus 1-2-3's IBM version can be made to run on the machine (not well, but functional). However, the hassles/ problems were significant enough that a migration for the tandy was done. With the current price trends for the IBM PC, why not wait until the next round of price cuts (this fall?? if you believe S.Katt) and get a 'fully compatible unit' :-). -- Opinions expressed are public domain, and do not belong to Lotus Development Corp. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner {genrad|ihnp4|ima}!wjh12!talcott!sesame!slerner {cbosgd|harvard}!talcott!sesame!slerner slerner%sesame@harvard.ARPA
scooper@brl-tgr.ARPA (Stephan Cooper ) (08/12/85)
In article 3625 of net.micro.pc: > as a result, you can not use any add-in cards with > memory unless you have first added a tandy memory card. since the machine > only has 3 slots, this is a pain (tandy has no multi-function card for > this... However, there are third party memory boards that DO work. The one I have (an MFB1000, by PBJ(tm)) is one such card. It comes with a clock, the capacity for 512K more, and an RS232 port. The machine itself has a built in printer port, so I still have two slots left (and I have 640K, a printer port, and an RS232 and a clock). This is definitely NOT a pain (This is definitely NOT a flame, either...just an explanation.) > The keyboard is a bit different. (BTW - they don't have a scroll lock key, > which some packages want (like 1-2-3), but there is a key combo that emulate > it, I forget which). I noticed this. Does anyone out there know what the key combo is? > With the current price trends for the IBM PC, why not wait until > the next round of price cuts (this fall?? if you believe S.Katt) > and get a 'fully compatible unit' :-). I would recommend the T1000, as it is (and probably always will be, less expensive, especioally if not bought from a Radio Shack store, but from a warehouse or computer outlet). > Opinions expressed are public domain, and do not belong to Lotus > Development Corp. These opinions are mine... Steve Cooper scooper@brl-tgr
john@moncol.UUCP (John Ruschmeyer) (08/17/85)
]From: scooper@brl-tgr.ARPA (Stephan Cooper ) ]Message-ID: <626@brl-tgr.ARPA> ]Organization: Ballistic Research Lab ] ]> The keyboard is a bit different. (BTW - they don't have a scroll lock key, ]> which some packages want (like 1-2-3), but there is a key combo that emulate ]> it, I forget which). ] ]I noticed this. Does anyone out there know what the key combo is? A little background for the PC owners and fans- The keyboard of the Tandy 1000 is an attempt at correcting some of the "faults" of the IBM PC standard keyboard. In particular it implements a working scroll lock key (labelled "HOLD"). There is also a seperate key labelled "BREAK" which is used for the Control-Break sequence. As stated above, several major packages including Lotus 1-2-3, Framework, and Sidekick use the IBM's Scroll Lock key for their own purposes. Since the HOLD key really works, the computer appears to hang rather than execute the desired function. Getting around the problem depends on how the key is tested. 1-2-3 and Sidekick appear to test the ascii code returned by the key. In this case, the ALT-BREAK combination seems to do the trick. (I assume the Lotus people will correct me if any of this is wrong.) Framework, on the other hand, seems to test the scan code. To get around the problem, it is necessary to install a Tandy-supplied driver (keycnvrt.sys) which is supplied with MS-Dos for the 1000. The user must then replace hit the HOLD key followed by the Control-HOLD combo to simulate pressing the Scroll Lock key. (Note: this solution will NOT work with 1-2-3, use ALT-BREAK for those programs.) ========================================================================= My two cents: Do not sell the 1000 short! The machine is definitely one of the most compatable of the IBM compatables. (I have found it to be more so, in some ways, than the AT&T 6300's at work.) Since it has the enhanced video and sound capabilities of the PCjr while offering such features as PC compaable expansion slots, it is in many ways the best of both (or all) possible worlds. -- Name: John Ruschmeyer US Mail: Monmouth College, W. Long Branch, NJ 07764 Phone: (201) 222-6600 x366 UUCP: ...!vax135!petsd!moncol!john ...!princeton!moncol!john ...!pesnta!moncol!john Disclaimer: Monmouth College is a mecca for diverse opinions. It is, therefore, highly unlikely that the above opinions are those of anyone but me. Silly quote: Around here we don't have cuisine. We have EATS.