wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (09/17/84)
Various rumors have been flying around, but it appears Commodore is going to release the Commodore 16 computer at the end of the month. The C-16 is the VIC's replacement- 16K memory, 128 colors, more advanced BASIC (sorry, a contradiction in terms). However, it appears that Commoddore will be selling the machine at almost a loss-leader price. The apparent result is that Commodore is trying to go the TI-99 route; it is planning to make its money on the software. As an adjunct to this, Commodore is NOT releasing technical info or machines to the third party vendors. Initial success of the machine is very possible, as some large discount chains have agreed to carry it this Christmas. Beyond Christmas? I have my doubts. I have a VIC/64 program currently on the market, and I am trying to develop a version for the C-16 for release before Christmas. I am assuming that the '16 will be close enough to a '64 to allow use of a '64 assembler to help generate the code. Although Commodore has not been selling the computers to the third party vendors, there have been some machines released for evaluation. I am trying to get as much done on the conversion as I can, before the C-16 is available. If anyone has had any experience with these evaluation machines, or knows someone "in the know", I could really use the following information: 1. How much actual user RAM is available? How much is underlying RAM? 2. Does it use the 6502/6510? 3. It apparently doesn't have the SID chip. Is there an individual volume control for each voice, or is it like the VIC? 4. Where is the Screen/Color memory located? 5. What memory location controls character set location? Where may custom character sets be located? 6. Is the hardware interrupt vector (IRQ) located at the same place as the VIC/64? 7. Where are the screen horizontal and vertical positioning control memory locations 8. Where does the BASIC RND routine start? 9. Are there any "non-standard Commodore" operating features? Thanks in advance. Send all replies to: Ron Wanttaja (ssc-vax!wanttaja)