MARKV@UKANVAX.BITNET (03/11/88)
I originally posted this message to INFO-Amiga and was referred here.
I do NOT have a newsfeed (this is being submitted from bitnet) so please
reply to me in person or I won't see your reply. I am looking for information
on two topics related to each other. I am relatively new to the Amiga but
I am fairly expirienced elsewhere.
1.) I need to know the general steps in writing a device driver. I want one
that is acessable from AmigaDog (like PRT: etc.).
2.) I want this information to write an AppleTalk.device for the Amiga.
AppleTalk is fast taking over lots of offices and campuses because of its
low cost. AppleTalk is driven completly from software. The AppleTalk
boxes simply interface with a normal (electrically) serial port. Everything
else is handled through software. So of course I need techincal info on the
implementaion of AppleTalk. (The Mac stuff is no help that I can find because
AppleTalk is transparent to the program.)
Here is the scenario I have in mind. First a 'Chooser' program selects the
output device. Then you have the appletalk.device 'wedged' (this is one
of the things I need to know how to do) in front of the serial and parallel
devices to catch output and route it out over AppleTalk to the
appropriate printer.
Any thoughts on this? Here are the advantages of AppleTalk as I see it:
1.) Price. Get an Appletalk Connector kit, (it has a DB9 serial connector) and
a DB9-DB25 adapter kit and that is all the hardware you need. Total
cost under $90.
2.) Ease of use. Set up the Chooser to work like the Mac chooser and half
the people on this planet know how to use it.
3.) Compatibility. If it can be set up the way I described it can be completely
transparent to the program.
4.) It would be a BIG plus to people trying to sell Amigas to businesses if
if they could say "Appletalk, no sweat." If the demand was there
maybe even some of the hot networking packages like TOPS would get
market for the Amiga.
Well let me hear any flames, thoughts, suggestions,
*******************************************************************************
Mark Gooderum Academic Computing Services
University of Kansas 512 Ellesworth Hall
MARKV@UKANVAX.BITNET Lawrence, KS 66045
"2B or not 2B ?" said the confused freshman in Fraser Hall.
*******************************************************************************NETOPRHM@NCSUVM.BITNET (Hal Meeks) (03/14/88)
The $90 that Apple charges for a few caps and a transformer can be substituted. Look at Don Lancaster's column a month or two back on cheap substitutes for the appletalk box. And there is always Faralon Phonenet... It sounds like a win to me. --hal