mitchell@tci.UUCP (Rob Mitchell) (08/28/90)
Hello GSers, I'm still kinda new to GS (coming from Mac and Unix world) and am having trouble distinguishing the difference between GS/OS and file systems like ProDos 8 or 16. What does ProDos 8 or 16 do? Are these just file systems of different block sizes or what? Does GS/OS have the Finder, Desktop, System, etc. files located in it? I don't have a copy of GS/OS, ie. it didn't come with my new Apple IIGS; I've been looking at some game s/w that can boot from the floppy drive. What's a good source of overall GS descriptions and explanations? I didn't get any manuals from the Computer Store, either. Thanks in advance!!! Rob Mitchell Technology Concepts Inc. Sudbury, MA. 01776 (508) 443-7311 Bitnet: ...!uunet!tci!mitchell Internet: mitchell@tci.bell-atl.com America Online: RobertM308 Steep and Deep ... The only way!! These are my opinions only.
toddpw@tybalt.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel) (08/28/90)
mitchell@tci.UUCP (Rob Mitchell) writes: > What does ProDos 8 or 16 do? Are these just file systems of >different block sizes or what? Both Prodos 8 and 16 use the same, .5K block filesystem. Prodos 8 is designed to run on the older 8-bit Apple //'s, from the ][+ to the //c+, as well as on the GS in its 'emulation mode' which means it is pretending that it is an enhanced Apple //e. Prodos is really just a 'disk operating system', meaning that it manages disks (and clocks, incidentally) but by and large leaves everything else to the application. Prodos 16 is simply a GS native version of Prodos, and does not include all the graphics things normally associated with the finder et al. either -- it showed some inklings of real O/S'ness and was defined fairly well, but it really does not deliver because you are still on your own when it comes to anything the toolbox can't handle. (Which is quite a lot, but only the foundations of a real O/S are provided along with the desktop, sound, and system tools.) GS/OS is the _real_ O/S. It provides file-system-independent O/S functions, full character and block device driver support, and probably a few other goodies that I don't know about, because I haven't got my hands on GS/OS ref 1 yet. >GS/OS have the Finder, Desktop, System, etc. files located in it? GS/OS is more the equivalent of System. Finder is a GS/OS application like any other, and the Desktop file is implemented in a totally different manner than the Mac. (If anybody at Apple is listening: does the Finder or the FST handle the desktop data implementation? If it's Finder, than naughty naughty, it should be the FST!!) > I don't have a copy of GS/OS, ie. it didn't come with my new >Apple IIGS; I've been looking at some game s/w that can boot from the >floppy drive. Blech! Do you have FTP? > What's a good source of overall GS descriptions and explanations? >I didn't get any manuals from the Computer Store, either. Double Blech. What kind of Computer Store is this? Maybe you should shell out the $45 to order GS/OS new -- you get two really nice manuals telling you how to use the system, although most of it will be old hat from the mac. It will probably help, though, because certain things are implemented differently (improved, I could say, but that's my opinion) than the mac. Todd Whitesel toddpw @ tybalt.caltech.edu
jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Desdinova) (08/28/90)
In article <498@tci.UUCP> mitchell@tci.UUCP (Rob Mitchell) writes: >Hello GSers, > > I'm still kinda new to GS (coming from Mac and Unix world) and am >having trouble distinguishing the difference between GS/OS and file >systems like ProDos 8 or 16. Technically, P8, P16 and GS/OS support the same file system. P16 was the first version of ProDOS written specifically for the Apple IIgs. The 16 refers to the GS's 16-bit processor, P8 got the '8' stuck on afterwards to differentiate between it (for older Apple IIs) and the IIgs-specific operating system. ProDOS 16 is now obsolete, having been significantly improved and renamed GS/OS. They all do basically the same thing, handling Disk and screen I/O (among other things). GS/OS just does it better than ever before. > What does ProDos 8 or 16 do? Are these just file systems of >different block sizes or what? Nope, all use block sizes of 512 bytes. > Does GS/OS have the Finder, Desktop, System, etc. files located >in it? I don't have a copy of GS/OS, ie. it didn't come with my new >Apple IIGS; I've been looking at some game s/w that can boot from the >floppy drive. You SHOULD have a copy of GS/OS. It's cleverly disguised as "Apple IIgs System Disk". The system disk comes with the Finder, but the finder is not necessary for a program to use GS/OS. If you DIDN'T get even the System Disk, it's time to raise some hell down at the dealership. > What's a good source of overall GS descriptions and explanations? >I didn't get any manuals from the Computer Store, either. *NO* manuals? I'd go back and demand at least the Owner's Guide. Other books that came with MY GS include: "A Touch of Applesoft BASIC", "Setting Up Your Apple IIgs", "Apple IIgs System Disk User's Guide". If you're looking for somewhat technical information (about programming, or hardware schematics, or whatever) then the following books are recommended: "Technical Introduction to the Apple IIgs" "Apple IIgs Hardware Reference" "Apple IIgs Firmware Reference" "Programmer's introduction to..." "Apple IIgs ToolBox Reference, Vols 1 - 3" Then, there are miscellany manuals about specific programming environments that Apple supports through APDA. Others here on the net would be more qualified to describe that. There are many less technical books on the GS. Just go to your local B-Dalton, WaldenBooks/Waldensoftware to find 'em. > Thanks in advance!!! Ya know, I had this strange feeling of goodwill flow through me today, about an hour before I read your message! :-) >Rob Mitchell Technology Concepts Inc. Sudbury, MA. 01776 (508) 443-7311 > Internet: mitchell@tci.bell-atl.com -- Jawaid Bazyar | Blondes in big black cars look better wearing Senior/Computer Engineering | their dark sunglasses at night. (unk. wierdo) jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu | The gin, the gin, glows in the Dark! | (B O'Cult)
johnmac@fawlty.towers.oz (John MacLean) (08/29/90)
In article <1990Aug28.014507.20308@laguna.ccsf.caltech.edu> toddpw@tybalt.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel) writes: >GS/OS is more the equivalent of System. Finder is a GS/OS application like any >other, and the Desktop file is implemented in a totally different manner than >the Mac. (If anybody at Apple is listening: does the Finder or the FST handle >the desktop data implementation? If it's Finder, than naughty naughty, it >should be the FST!!) > >Todd Whitesel >toddpw @ tybalt.caltech.edu Why should the FST handle the desktop data file - it is an APPLICATION file, just like any other application file. The finder is just another application (as you said). If Prosel wrote out a data file into each directory, or I write a utility that writes a data file into each directory, then why should the FST translate this (I presume this is what you meant - if not, what?). IMHO the Finder data files between the Mac and the GS should have been made compatible from the start, as should the toolbox interfaces, and the PICT format, etc, etc. Now as Apple tries to merge the lines (or at least make them talk to each other much more easily) they have real problems. Sure they made things better in a lot of areas, but they could of done this in a way backwardly compatible with the old Macs in many areas (like they did with color QD on the Mac). They should have only deviated where they really had to, to support better features, or where things are really bad (like no taskmaster). It is a real pain swapping parameters, dereferencing pointers/handles, changing function names etc when moving code from a GS <-> Mac. John MacLean. I know - its easy for me to say this now. -- This net: johnmac@fawlty.towers.oz.au Phone: +61 2 427 2999 That net: uunet!fawlty.towers.oz.au!johnmac Fax: +61 2 427 7072 Snail: Tower Technology, Unit D 31-33 Sirius Rd, Home: +61 2 960 1453 Lane Cove, NSW 2066, Australia.
kgreen@pro-angmar.UUCP (Kevin Green) (08/29/90)
In-Reply-To: message from mitchell@tci.UUCP Rob ProDOS 8,16 & GS/OS are basically all the same animal in different stages of evolution. All use pseudo-Unix tree style directories,etc. ProDOS 8 is for the 8-bit based machines (ie the //e,//c,//c+,//+ with 64K), ProDOS 16 was a ProDOS 8 based operating system for the //GS and is a couple of years old. GS/OS is a true 16bit operating system that takes full advantage of the GS abilities. It supports forked files just like you are used to from your Mac days. You can pick up the System software at any Apple Dealer for around $35, or go to your local user group meeting and they will probably give you a copy for a minimum price (but sans the manuals that come with the full package).