[comp.sys.atari.st] GDOS for hard drive/GDOS query

michael@slovax.UUCP (Michael Longe) (04/28/87)

> HARDGDOS  is a very simple program to allow you to boot GDOS  from
> your Hard Disk.   Then,  when you run EasyDraw, all the fonts will
> be  loaded  from the Hard Disk,  instead of Floppy Drive  A:.   (I
> don't  know if this will work with any version of GDOS other  than
> the  one  supplied with EasyDraw v1.03.   I haven't tried it  with
> TOS in RAM either.)

Another option would be to get Easy-Draw Version 2.0. Among other things,
it comes with a new version of GDOS which supports a path spec for fonts
and drivers.


> I keep hearing about GDOS, but the only program I've seen that uses it is 
> EasyDraw.  Could someone tell me exactly what GDOS does and why we need it?
> Thanks a lot.
>                              Adam Engst

GDOS is an RAM-resident extension of GEM which handles user-selected device
drivers and fonts. The OUTPUT program and programs such as Easy-Draw need
GDOS resident to generate .GEM Metafiles (using META.SYS) and drive specific
printers (using FX80.SYS, for example). Appropriate fonts are also associated
with the devices in the text file ASSIGN.SYS. 

All of this is supposed to make different printers, displays, and fonts
interchangable, and selectable by the user. Unfortunately, its utility is
limited by the availability of drivers and fonts for various devices (plus the
fact that previous versions of GDOS only allowed ONE FONT). Up until recently,
Swiss font and Epson FX-80 printer was it. (Migraph said that the HP LaserJet
driver will be available this month, and they have released two new fonts).


Michael Longe'
R & D Associates
..!tikal!slovax!michael

(my last posting from here; "I'm on the road again...")