sklein@cdp.UUCP (12/07/88)
Walt Morris asked about Apple /// software and a 'disk to boot it with'. If I recall correctly, Apple ///s used 'disk-based ROM;' the actual ROM in the machine was just enough code to boot a disk. You put a special boot disk in the internal drive which loaded the 'ROM' routines into write-protected RAM (like the Amiga 1000 Kickstart). The operating system is called Apple SOS (applesauce- get it?). SOS is an abbreviation for Sophisticated Operating System. It's file structure is compatible with ProDOS and disks and files move freely between SOS and ProDOS but not, of course, software. The best Apple /// program that I'm aware of is Three Easy Pieces, the precursor to Appleworks. If I had a ///, I would definately get /// EZ Pieces. The only Apple /// magazine that I'm aware of is called On-Three, but I don't know where/how to get it. The Apple /// is an underated machine. You made a good deal. -Shabtai Klein ____________________________________________________________________ | There is more to life than | UUCP: uunet!pyramid!cdp!sklein \ | increasing its speed. | Internet: cdp!sklein@arisia.xerox.com | | | BitNet: cdp!sklein%labrea@stanford | | --Mohandis K Gandhi | PhoneNet: (301) 270-2250 | \___________________________________________________________________/
tbetz@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Betz) (02/06/89)
Quoth sklein@cdp.UUCP in <139800001@cdp>: | |Walt Morris asked about Apple /// software and a 'disk to boot it with'. | |If I recall correctly, Apple ///s used 'disk-based ROM;' the actual ROM |in the machine was just enough code to boot a disk. You put a special |boot disk in the internal drive which loaded the 'ROM' routines into |write-protected RAM (like the Amiga 1000 Kickstart). Not quite. The internal ROM contains some 'monitor' code, the OS actually resides on disk. |The operating system is called Apple SOS (applesauce- get it?). SOS |is an abbreviation for Sophisticated Operating System. It's file structure |is compatible with ProDOS and disks and files move freely between SOS |and ProDOS but not, of course, software. SOS was actually ProDos' 'daddy'. One could say that ProDos is a bastardized SOS. The software is not compatible, but I understand from my conversations with folks who have written for both that it's a pretty simple matter to port from one to the other. |The best Apple /// program that I'm aware of is Three Easy Pieces, the |precursor to Appleworks. If I had a ///, I would definately get |/// EZ Pieces. Although I don't use it (I use stand-alone software instead, Word Juggler, Visicalc Advanced, and our own Pascal-based database) my understanding is that you are correct. I have often wished I'd gone with /// EZ Pieces. It's not as powerful as any of the stand-alones, but it will do everything one is likely to need to do with a home computer except telecommunicate. For that, I recommend Access /// (Apple's VT-52 emulator) or On Three's Communication Manager, which also incorporates Xmodem-CRC. More on this later. |The only Apple /// magazine that I'm aware of is called On-Three, |but I don't know where/how to get it. I used to have a sub, but it either ran out or the company stopped publishing it. The last address I have for them was On-Three, 4478 Market Street, Suite 701, Ventura CA 93003. Phone (orders) 800-443- 8877 or (800) 331-1418 (CA) ... or (805) 644-3514. This is from the Sept '87 issue. OnThree offered a Sidekick-like program for the /// that is highly recommended, which permitted modules (like the Communication Manager) to pop-up from within other applications (like /// EZ Pieces) when you want it. They also offered a 512K RAM upgrade. Another good source for Apple /// software and hardware is Sun Remarketing, 800-821-3221 or 801-752-7631. I have maintained between 4 and 5 Apple ///s for the last 5 years with their help. Yet another software source is Pair Software, 3201 Murchison Way, Carmichael, CA 95608. Voice: (916) 485-6525 BBS: 916-488-5184 They also offer a 512K RAM upgrade, and a wide variety of PD and non-PD software. Bill Moore used to publish the /// Magazine, and probably has back issues available. I heard from them last in Oct 1988. |The Apple /// is an underated machine. You made a good deal. I agree 100%. I've been running a business on them for 6 years, and am just now beginning to set up a Xenix system to replace them. If you'd like any more sage advice, feel free to call me. -- "Let's not be too tough on our own ignorance. It's the thing that makes America great. If America weren't incomparably ignorant, how could we have tolerated the last eight years?" ---- Frank Zappa, Feb 1, 1989 ---- Tom Betz - 914-375-1510 - cmcl2!dasys1!tbetz & cmcl2!philabs!spies!tbetz