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|||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| GenieLamp Computing
|| |||||| || || |||||| RoundTable
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|| |||||| |||||||| |||||| RESOURCE!
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~ WELCOME TO GENIELAMP APPLE II! ~
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ THE REAL WORLD APPLE: Introduction ~
~ THE TREASURE HUNT: Just Like Starting Over ~
~ HUMOR ONLINE: Hack Hack Hack (song parody) ~
~ HOT NEWS, HOT FILES, HOT MESSAGES ~
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
GenieLamp Apple II ~ A T/TalkNET Publication ~ Vol.5, Issue 54
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Publisher................................................John F. Peters
Editor...................................................Douglas Cuff
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
~ GenieLamp IBM ~ GenieLamp ST ~ GenieLamp PowerPC ~
~ GenieLamp A2Pro ~ GenieLamp Macintosh ~ GenieLamp TX2 ~
~ GenieLamp Windows ~ GenieLamp A2 ~ LiveWire (ASCII) ~
~ Member Of The Digital Publishing Association ~
Genie Mail: GENIELAMP Internet: genielamp@genie.com
////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
>>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE APPLE II ROUNDTABLE? <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ September 1, 1996 ~
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY]
Notes From The Editor. Is That A Letter For Me?
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM] FILE BANDWAGON .......... [BAN]
Hack Hack Hack (song parody). Top 10 Files for July.
THE REAL WORLD APPLE .... [RWA] THE TREASURE HUNT ....... [HUN]
Introduction. Just Like Starting Over.
LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
GenieLamp Information.
[IDX]""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
READING GENIELAMP GenieLamp has incorporated a unique indexing system
""""""""""""""""" to help make reading the magazine easier. To utilize
this system, load GenieLamp into any ASCII word processor or text editor.
In the index you will find the following example:
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
Genie Fun & Games.
To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If
you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take
you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index.
MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages reprinted
"""""""""""" here in GenieLamp, you will find all the information you
need immediately following the message. For example:
(SMITH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
_____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
|Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number|
In this example, to respond to Smith's message, log on to page 475
enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
A message number that is surrounded by brackets indicates that this
message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two or more
messages that are following the same topic. For example: {58}.
ABOUT Genie Genie has pricing plans to fit almost any budget. Genie's
""""""""""" services include email, software downloads, bulletin boards,
chat lines, and an Internet gateway included at a non-prime time connect
rate of $2.75. Some pricing plans include uncharged online connect time.
As always, prices are subject to change without notice. To sign up for
Genie, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369 in the USA or 1-800-387-8330 in
Canada. Upon connection wait for the U#= prompt. Type: JOINGENIE and hit
RETURN. The system will then prompt you for your information. Need more
information? Call Genie's customer service line (voice) at 1-800-638-9636.
GET GENIELAMP ON THE NET! Now you can get your GenieLamp issues from
""""""""""""""""""""""""" the Internet. If you use a web browser,
connect to "gopher://gopher.genie.com/11/magazines". When using a gopher
program, connect to "gopher.genie.com" and then choose item 7 (Magazines
and Newsletters from Genie's RoundTables).
*** GET INTO THE LAMP! ***
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
//////////////////////////////////////// Genie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ I've seen momentary power "blips" crash my GS without /
/ affecting clocks and VCRs. The only thing I have around /
/ here that is MORE sensitive to "blips" than the GS is my /
/ old Amana microwave, which will reset its clock if you /
/ speak to it in a stern tone. :) /
//////////////////////////////////////////// GARY.UTTER ////
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
>>> "I HAD A WEE BOUT, BUT DR. MCCOY PULLED ME THROUGH" <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I got a summer vacation this year. It was my first such in five
years. I may never do it again.
The vacation itself was delightful. I was embarrassed that my
parents had to pay our airfare home--I'm still without any kind of day
job--and there was one serious hitch, but I was glad to be back in the
province where I grew up. My wife and I had a splendid four weeks, with
spectacular weather.
Coming back from the vacation was a workaholic's nightmare. I've
agreed to edit two book manuscripts--both late when I got them--and cannot
begin work on either until I finish the September GenieLamp A2. The issue
that you're reading now was already late by the time my (return) plane
landed. And I hadn't been able to work on the 'Lamp during my
vacation--praise heaven!--so I had to start work knowing that the clock was
ticking.
Before I could even begin, I had to tell my CoPilot to collect all
the messages that had been posted to the A2 RoundTable bulletin board in
the four weeks I'd been absent. I had an idea there would be a lot of
messages, so I had to move and delete files on one hard drive partition to
make room for the messages. It was a good thing I did that; there were
well over 2 megabytes worth.
Once I had collected the backlog of messages, I had to read them--all
of them--carefully--in order to produce the HEY MISTER POSTMAN message
digest. It took two full days just to read that many. I confess that I
skimmed once or twice, but not oftener. Once the messages were read, I
could begin to put together the digest. Once HEY MISTER POSTMAN was done,
I could begin to write and edit.
I hope this explains why this issue was 9 days late. Next month's
issue will be on time, since I won't be over 1000 miles away from my
computer.
Incidentally, folks, as soon as I finish uploading all five editions
of this issue, I had to start moving the back issues into the A2
RoundTable. The back issues used to live in the DigiPub RoundTable, but
that RT closed in mid-July. Look for GenieLamp A2 back issues in the A2 RT
starting very soon.
This month, Peter Brickell begins a column on the Real World Apple.
I hope it will excite you as much as it does me. Already I've got an idea
for a simple little program I can use in the kitchen....
-- Doug Cuff
Genie Mail: EDITOR.A2 Internet: editor.a2@genie.com
__________________________________________________________
| |
| REPRINTING GENIELAMP |
| |
| If you want to reprint any part of GenieLamp, or |
| post it to a bulletin board, please see the very end |
| of this file for instructions and limitations. |
|__________________________________________________________|
ASCII ART BEGINS
_____ _ _ ___ ___
/ ____| (_) | | / _ \|__ \
| | __ ___ _ __ _ ___| | __ _ _ __ ___ _ __ | |_| | ) |
| | |_ |/ _ \ '_ \| |/ _ \ | / _` | '_ ` _ \| '_ \ | _ | / /
| |__| | __/ | | | | __/ |___| (_| | | | | | | |_) | | | | |/ /_
\_____|\___|_| |_|_|\___|______\__,_|_| |_| |_| .__/ |_| |_|____|
| |
|_|
ASCII ART ENDS
[EOA]
[HEY]//////////////////////////////
HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
/////////////////////////////////
Is That A Letter For Me?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
o BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS
o A2 POT-POURRI
o HOT TOPICS
o WHAT'S NEW
o THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
>>> BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] CAT 2, TOP 16 ......... Monitor /// black & white, not green
[*] CAT 2, TOP 20 ......... Apple IIgs past the year 1999
[*] CAT 5, TOP 14 ......... Gus--IIgs emulator for Power Macs
[*] CAT 6, TOP 19 ......... Music Composer v4.00
[*] CAT 15, TOP 2 ......... Setting up IIgs "on the cheap" (software)
[*] CAT 28, TOP 6 ......... Seattle Film Works pics in Convert 3200?
[*] CAT 29, TOP 13 ......... CoPilot v2.5.6 now being tested
>>> A2 POT-POURRI <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""
_
PERFECTION IN RETROSPECT /-\nyone else catch this in last week's MacWEEK
"""""""""""""""""""""""" Mac the Knife column, first paragraph:
"Age and experience have taught the Knife that perfection is a goal
rarely attained in this world. The Velvet Underground's first album,
Barcelona's Joan Miro museum and Apple's IIGS notwithstanding, most human
endeavors fall short of the sublime. ..."
|\|ow that Apple's no longer doing any Apple II work (no one's doing
anything OFFICIALLY, anyway) I wonder if all the Apple II bashers are going
to turn around and start waxing nostalgic about the "computer that started
it all..."
-= Lunatic (:
(A2.LUNATIC, CAT5, TOP3, MSG:227/M645;1)
APPLEWORKS 5.1 WP BUG Oh my dear friends, there is a bad problem in AW.
""""""""""""""""""""" With zoom out (can't see printer options), type one
line, hit return. OA-O to insert any printer options (such as a new cpi or
margin). Now type a second line. Move the cursor to the first line, then
to the end of the line with a OA->. Now hit OA-Del (as though you wished
to remove the return character and bring the two lines together). Ooops!
To see what's happening, do it again with zoom in (see printer
options).
I ran into this when doing an outline with lots of printer options.
I was trying to condense my outline to make it a bit neater and whole lines
would disappear!
__!__
| Terrell Smith
| tsmith@ivcf.org
(T.SMITH59, CAT17, TOP27, MSG:182/M645;1)
CONNECTING H-P DESKJET 600C TO GS I recently installed an HP DeskJet 600
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" on my Rom 3. Piece of cake... You
=will= need a parallel card. I ordered mine -- the Q Print II by
Sequential Systems -- from Scantron Quality Computers. It comes with the
proper cable, so don't let anyone tell you that you need to buy a cable
when you purchase your DeskJet.
The docs that come with the DeskJet will help you set up your
printer, and the Q Print II docs will tell you what you need to know to
install the card in a IIGS slot and connect it to our printer. As soon as
you get your driver software installed and configured, you'll be all set.
Doesn't take long at all.
Good luck ...
Max
(M.JONES145, CAT12, TOP8, MSG:45/M645;1)
>>>>> Make sure you order the QPrint _II_...They sell another card called
""""" the QPrint and it won't work. There isn't a driver for it in the
Harmonie package.
OTOH, a GS + Qprint II + HP 600c = Happy Apple IIGS user.
(the other) John L.
(J.LAWRENCE9, CAT12, TOP8, MSG:49/M645;1)
>>>>> > "As for drivers, which do you recommend?
"""""
When they were new, I liked the Vitesse drivers better. But the
Sevenhills drivers were just fine. Sevenhills is still here, and working
hard to support us. I have no idea what the status of Vitesse is.
I'd say go with Sevenhills. :)
Gary R. Utter
(GARY.UTTER, CAT12, TOP13, MSG:151/M645;1)
>>>>> Major difference: the Harmonie drivers do color, the Independence
""""" drivers do not.
Ryan
A2 RTC host, assistant topic cop, and resident social worker
Will hack 8 bit assembly for food
ANSITerm and CoPilot v2.55
(R.SUENAGA1, CAT12, TOP13, MSG:153/M645;1)
FOR SALE: PARTS FOR FASTER ZIP GS After over a year of testing chips
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" from various manufacturers, I have
acquired a supply of chips which test as being reliable for use in ZipGSx
ver 1.02 accelerators at speeds above 10 mhz. At this point the highest
speed I have been able to achieve for reliable operation in a Rom 01 is
16mhz at 64k cache.
It must be noted that at high speeds it is not just the ZipGSx and
its chips that become critical for successful reliability. Every aspect of
the computer becomes more critical as speed demands are increased. As a
point of reference, the Rom 01 which I use for primary testing is generally
equipped with standard power supply, 4meg memory (Ram-GS, Sequential
Systems), RamFast Rev D with 3.01f ROM, and Sound Meister audio card. The
only modification I have made to the computer itself is removal of the RF
shield from the CPU cover. I have not found any negative effects on my
other electronics from this change, but have found a 2 - 3 mhz increase in
reliable speed.
I do swap other cards into the test machine for comparison, and nave
found that at speeds above 12 mhz I have not been able to operate with any
of the Applied Engineering memory cards which I have here. The Apple HS and
rev C SCSI cards which I have here do not seem to have negative effects on
reliability.
IOW your mileage _will_ vary, depending on your equipment. Making a
serious attempt to get maximum speed _may_ require evaluating (possibly
improving) every aspect of your system.
The setup of the ZipGSx has been previously posted by Harold Hislop.
The only changes to standard version 1.02 production cards that are
required are:
The Oscillator needs to be socketed, to enable speed changes.
The TAG memory sockets must accept narrow (300 mil) chips.
The DATA memory sockets must accept wide (600 mil) chips.
The CPU must be -14 rated. A high quality CPU connector cable from
Bill Shuff (or equivalent, if you can find one somewhere else) must be used
for best performance.
I am making tested SRAM chip sets (4 chips per set) for 64k cache
available, effective immediately. Each set will have successfully passed
testing at the stated speed, in a Rom 01 machine, for at least 3 days
before shipment.
Tested sets will be available at speeds up to 16mhz.
Prices and conditions of sale will be announced in a following
message.
Doug Pendleton, Zip Technology OnLine Support
Delivered by: ProTerm 3.1 and CoPilot v2.5.5 Offline Genie Message Manager
e-mail: Doug.P@Genie.com
This message may be reposted on other services and local boards,
provided that it is posted in it's complete form, except for message
headers.
(DOUG.P, CAT22, TOP10, MSG:38/M645;1)
<<<<< The following prices and conditions apply to 32k and 64k sets of
""""" SRAM that I am offering for use in ZipGSx version 1.02
accelerators.
Each set will be tested as a set, at the stated speed, in a Rom 01
GS, for at least 72 hours. Tests consist of (a) extended simultaneous
display of GIF images and playing of music files, (b) test of 8 bit
function (AW classic, 200k Spreadsheet calculations).
Each set 32k set consists of two chips, one 8 X 32 -20 narrow (300
mil) for use as TAG memory on the ZipGSx, and one 8 X 32 -35 wide (600 mil)
for use as DATA memory on the ZipGSx. Each 64k set consists of two 32k
sets. The ZipGSx on which these will be installed must be equipped with:
(a) socketed oscillator
(b) TAG DIP sockets capable of accepting 300 mil (narrow) SRAM
(c) DATA DIP sockets capable of accepting 600 mil (wide) SRAM
(d) WDC 65c816-14 CPU chip
The following are highly recommended for anyone attempting serious speed
improvement:
(a) a Bill Shuff ZipGSx CPU cable (e-mail W.Shuff@Genie.com)
(b) a good selection of oscillators of various speeds.
Due to wide variance in the quality and extent of equipment attached
to individual IIgs computers, I cannot guarantee that any specific system
will achieve the stated speed capability of the chips supplied, or of the
ZipGSx. The chip sets will covered by limited warranty for 6 months: the
conditions of warranty are that the chips will function at the maximum
speed your system will support, up to the rated speed. If you cannot
achieve a speed satisfactory to you the chips will be returnable for
replacement or refund, subject to a 10% service charge. If the chips will
not pass my retest after return, the 10% charge will not be applied.
Prices and availability
SPEED 64K AVAILABILITY
10mhz $50 No Delay
11mhz $60 No Delay
12mhz $75 No Delay
13mhz $95 May have delays for testing
14mhz $120 at speeds of 13mhz and
15mhz $150 higher.
16mhz $185
Doug Pendleton, Zip Technology OnLine Support
Delivered by: ProTerm 3.1 and CoPilot v2.5.5 Offline Genie Message Manager
e-mail: Doug.P@Genie.com
This message may be reposted on other commercial services and local
boards, IF it is posted in it's entirety, excluding message headers
(DOUG.P, CAT22, TOP10, MSG:39/M645;1)
GS BROWSER DESIGN I think that the best solution for a "graphical" GS
""""""""""""""""" browser would be something that runs in SHR (of course)
and displays the TEXT properly formatted, with an icon where the graphics
would be. (A lot of people run their browsers that way anyway, just to
save time.)
Gary R. Utter
(GARY.UTTER, CAT35, TOP18, MSG:134/M645;1)
>>>>> I agree, this would be the best way to do it, if anyone ever does
""""" write such a thing. Imagemaps would still be a problem, though, as
would frames, java appplets, etc. But well-designed pages would work fine.
(A2PRO.GELAMP, CAT35, TOP18, MSG:135/M645;1)
DEVELOPER SUPPORT FOR SECOND SIGHT Sequential been giving me the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" run-around for several months now.
Joseph (head honcho, I believe) told me that there is a firmware update
being worked on by a third party and keeps promising to put me in contact
with the developer but nothing has happened yet. I don't think he knows
what's going any more than anyone else there.
As a developer, trying to work with the card has been very
frustrating. There are so many problems with the current firmware and the
lack of important pieces of information or any assistance from Sequential
has greatly impaired development of SS-aware software. I certainly
couldn't recommend the purchase of a Second Sight to anyone unless you're
one of that needs to replace your IIgs monitor, and even then, a
replacement monitor is probably less than the SS.
Finally, on the QuickDraw stuff, unless someone else is working on it
as well, it won't be part of any system software update (I'm not even sure
what you are talking about here). It will be a separate commercial
product. However, unless SS gets its act together and fixes the firmware
problems, performance is going to be extremely disappointing.
Do I sound just a wee bit jaded? :-)
-- Michael
(M.HACKETT, CAT20, TOP14, MSG:120/M645;1)
CREATING _THE_ APPLE II WEB SITE > Here is the place to publicly discuss
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > other areas on the WEB that are/could
> be REALLY COOL for support of the Apple II.
On the WEB?
ARE Really Cool = there ain't none.
COULD BE Really Cool = Somebody has to create one. There is no
"home" at the present time for the Apple II on the World Wide Web. The
Mother of All Apple II Websites has yet to be invented.
My personal opinion.
David K. - Divemaster, A2 Abyss RTC, every Sat nite at 11:00 pm Eastern
(D.KERWOOD, CAT35, TOP30, MSG:2/M645;1)
>>>>> Too true (as we discussed at KFest), but it NEEDS to be done, and
""""" we need to start talking about it. This is the place. :)
Gary R. Utter
(GARY.UTTER, CAT35, TOP30, MSG:3/M645;1)
.EJECT DOT-COMMAND FOR SUPERDRIVE If anyone here is using a Superdrive
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Card with AppleWorks and is frustrated
because the .eject dot command from OPS Ampermacros Plus package doesn't
work, please be advised that I've come up with a one byte patch to fix it.
If you feel it's worthy of an upload to the A2 library, please let me
know.
BTW, the OPS dot commands were also distributed by one of the
AppleWorks disk magazines, updated for AW5.1. This patch should work with
either.
Hugh...
(H.HOOD, CAT17, TOP28, MSG:262/M645;1)
KANSASFEST 1997 Start making plans now for KFest 1997. The conference
""""""""""""""" will be on Thursday (July 31) and Friday (August 1), with
the Vendor Fair and new product demos on Saturday (August 2).
We can begin checking in the dorm on Wednesday, July 30 and have to
move out on Sunday morning, August 3, 1997.
Cindy
(KFest Big Cheese)
(CINDY.A, CAT44, TOP7, MSG:1/M645;1)
>>> HOT TOPICS <<<
""""""""""""""""""
GUS = GS EMULATOR FOR POWER MAC FWIW, According to my anonymous sources
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (who must remain anonymous):
"When run on a 'top-of-the-line' PPC type machine, GUS runs at
effectivly the same speed as a 50Mhz to 55Mhz Apple IIgs would, if such a
beast existed."
-Harold
Resident Solder Slinger
Live Free or Die - New Hampshire state motto
(HAROLD.H, CAT5, TOP3, MSG:237/M645;1)
>>>>> > Currently, using the Ensoniq chip directly does not work
"""""
Apple just had a beer bash on Friday afternoon to announce a couple
of new products. While there, I spoke to a couple members of the GuS team.
One of them is hard a work on the Ensoniq aspect of GuS, and they mentioned
some VERY good news regarding the project, but I'll let that be a
surprise...
,,,,,
(o)-(o)
( ,_, )
(FROG.MAN, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:58/M645;1)
>>>>> Well, it was a pretty good crowd in the PPC RTC last night (the
""""" special RTC dealing with Gus). One thing that kept coming up was
the concept of using disk images with Gus. Gus makes extensive use of disk
images, something that Apple II users do not often encounter.
A recent edition of TidBITS (TidBITS#339/05-Aug-96, to be exact)
contained an excellent piece by Chad Magendanz that goes a long way towards
telling the Apple IIgs aficionado everything they ever wanted to know about
Disk Images (there ain't much to know, it's a dirt simple concept, once you
think about it). Due to TidBITS restrictions on reposting articles on "for
profit" locations, I can't upload it to the library here. But what I have
done is extracted the article and attached it to the Gus Information Page
on the WWW.
Take a look. And for those of you that have registered yourselves on
the page, if you get an email notice in the next few days that the Gus page
has changed, that's what has changed (the addition of the disk image
information "faq" to the page).
Just as a reminder, the Gus Information Web Page can be found at:
http://users.ids.net/~kerwood/gus.html
or
http://www.primenet.com/~adams/gus.html
David K. - Divemaster, A2 Abyss RTC, every Sat nite at 11:00 pm Eastern
(D.KERWOOD, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:67/M645;1)
>>>>> > (3) Will GuS run "illegal" applications? (FTA stuff comes to
""""" > mind...)
I don't know about GuS, but Bright Software's GS emulator - Fast
Eddie - can currently run the European software that came with custom
loaders. At this point, that's about all Fast Eddie can run. But, it does
it, and it does it with music.
That said...I think Fast Eddie got a little side-tracked in the past
month, while Bright Software worked on Flame Station and Flame Station XL.
Once they stop laughing, maybe we'll hear some more about Fast Eddie.
Joe
(JOE.KOHN, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:76/M645;1)
>>>>> > Can I do an OA-CTRL-RESET and reboot Gus without restarting the
""""" > Mac?
No. But you can choose a menu item called "Reboot Apple IIgs" (or
something like that) which does the same thing. And you should always be
using the Finder's Shutdown command to reboot, anyway, from GS/OS. (or use
the shutdown command in ORCA, or use another program that properly calls
_OSSHutDown :)
(A2PRO.GELAMP, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:103/M645;1)
>>>>> Other key combinations, such as Apple-Control-Esc to go to the
""""" Classic Desk Accessories menu (a.k.a. Control Panel) do work,
however.
-G.T. Barnabas
(BARNABAS, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:104/M645;1)
>>>>> I had heard from Dave Kerwood at his very nice demo at the RIAG
""""" meeting last week that along with lack for serial port support and
Ensoniq support, that Gus did not support AppleTalk....
but another correspondent who is a beta tester tells me that Gus does
have AppleTalk support, and that printing to Appletalk printers is already
a reality...
So, is AT printing supported already?
Steve
(S.CAVANAUGH1, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:136/M645;1)
>>>>> Hmmm. Er. Ah. Hmmm
"""""
No.
David K. - Divemaster, A2 Abyss RTC, every Sat nite at 11:00 pm Eastern
(D.KERWOOD, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:139/M645;1)
>>>>> > Yep, CDAs will work
"""""
One big one that will NOT work is the Hierarchic configuration CDA.
Brings Gus to a crashing halt.
It is being worked on, so I hear. :)
David K. - Divemaster, A2 Abyss RTC, every Sat nite at 11:00 pm Eastern
(D.KERWOOD, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:137/M645;1)
GUS MEMORY OUTDISTANCES STOCK APPLE IIGS! Gus is a ROM 3 Apple IIgs
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" capable of up to 14MB of RAM.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Logicware, Inc.
(SHEPPY, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:75/M645;1)
>>>>> Does that mean that if the Mac has more than 14MB of ram the
""""" emulator won't work or is it that the emulator cannot access more
than 14MB? Thanks.
--SoCal Fred >>--> Delivered by the grace of God, PT 3.1, & CoPilot 2.55
(F.KRIECHBAUM, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:78/M645;1)
>>>>> the more memory in your mac, the better :) The emulator won't use
""""" more than 14 MB of RAM due to the design of the 65C816 processor.
It uses 24 bit addressing, which results in a maximum of 16 MB of memory. 1
MB is used for ROM, and another meg or so is reserved for future ROM
expansion (yeah, right) and ROM disks (never caught on) ..
The rest can be used for RAM. (Note that on a real IIgs, the
hardware design of the memory expansion slot limits you to 8 megs of RAM,
even though the 65C816 processor can access double that.)
(A2PRO.GELAMP, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:79/M645;1)
>>> WHAT'S NEW <<<
""""""""""""""""""
OPERATION LAMBDA, NEW GS GAME Bret "Slixter" Victor, the guy behind
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Opening Line, PuyoPuyo IIgs, uselessware,
and TextFighter, is now proud to present an all-new, all-original
full-length game, exclusively for the Apple IIgs.
O P E R A T I O N L A M B D A
Infiltrate each level of the space station, rescue the hostages, and
escape before your time runs out. Keep your finger on the trigger of your
laser gun, and keep your wits about you, because you'll be needing all the
mental prowess you can muster. Manipulate mirrors, deflect laser beams,
destroy power generators, solve the puzzles without frying yourself in the
process.
Operation Lambda boasts:
-> 100 levels, ranging from simple to challenging to brain-boggling
-> an original, kickin', five-song musical score
-> impressive graphics from the PowerGS staff artist and former
LiveWire IIgs art editor
-> smooth, flicker-free animation
-> three difficulty settings
-> written in 100% assembly language for speed
-> a concise, one-page printed manual
A stereo card is recommended but not required. No accelerator card
required.
Check out the shareware demo version of Operation Lambda, which lets
you play through the first ten levels of the game! Available on Genie and
the major Apple II ftp sites. Look for "LAMBDA.DEMO.BXY". (File #27653 on
Genie.)
No vaporware -- Operation Lambda is shipping NOW. To order the full,
registered version of Operation Lambda, send your name and address and a
check or money order for $25 (includes shipping anywhere) to:
Bret Victor
19253 Parkview Rd.
Castro Valley, CA 94546
If you have any questions regarding Operation Lambda, please send
them to:
Internet : bret@cco.caltech.edu
GEnie : B.VICTOR1
snailmail: Bret Victor
MSC #791 Caltech
Pasadena, CA 91126
II infintum!
(B.VICTOR1, CAT4, TOP39, MSG:16/M645;1)
THE APPLE BLOSSOM, VOLUME 2, NUMBER 4 Now on its way to 175 subscribers
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" in 41 U.S. States, Canada, Germany,
Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Mexico is the latest edition of Apple
Blossom. In this 14 page issue you'll find the following articles:
HyperTalking Getting text into and out of HyperCard IIGS how to use
'''''''''''' HyperTalk to read and write to text files.
Talking ][...Jeanne Chappel Ryan Suenaga interviews Jeanne Chappel,
''''''''''''''''''''''''''' president, sysop and Webmaster for the Apple
Bits User Group in Kansas City.
Announcements Many of which you have seen here, but including a revised
''''''''''''' date for Seven Hills special Spectrum offer, as well as new
info on the Tiger Learning Computer, among other news and press releases.
Beginner's Corner ...per reader request, we are now running a beginner's
''''''''''''''''' column, this one explaining some of the vegetable soup
that has attached itself to the world of computing.
Creating Shaped Text in GraphicWriter III ...reader Gareth Jones and and
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' I team up to show you how to
flow text inside a shape in GWIII.
A Night Out with Gus Reporting on my visit to the monthly RIAG meeting
'''''''''''''''''''' where I viewed a demo of Gus and sharing some
insights gleaned from chatting with Dave Kerwood.
Letters to the Editor ...another new column, this one has letters from a
''''''''''''''''''''' confused newbie wondering if he should jump to the
easier (sic) Windows, and from a reader with CD-ROM and Mac-to-GS
questions.
Disks Available from TAB ...we have some disks that folks might be
'''''''''''''''''''''''' interested in, including a HyperCard sampler and
a deal on "More KeyFonts for Macintosh" (a 100 TrueType/PostScript font
package).
Most newsletters were mailed out this morning, and more will be sent
on Tuesday. Look to receive them as soon as the post-holiday mail snafus
work themselves out :)
Updates to Blossom Online should proceed this weekend, so software
and info on this issue should soon be available.
Thanks for your continuing interest, support and comments.
Steve Cavanaugh
(S.CAVANAUGH1, CAT13, TOP17, MSG:22/M645;1)
JUICED.GS V1.I3 The late summer edition of Juiced.GS, a quarterly,
""""""""""""""" printed, IIGS-specific newsletter, has been mailed to
subscribers. Some of you will receive your copies as early as Friday or
Saturday.
This issue's cover story focuses on Kfest '96. In addition to the
main article, there will be several Kfest sidebars on topics of interest to
IIGS users. This issue also features a number of photographs from the
biggest Apple II event of the year!
Also in this issue (which happens to be 24 PAGES :) ... :
++ Tim Kellers takes a closer look at the Second Sight card and
supporting software, and assesses how the card has -- or has not
-- lived up to its promise and potential.
++ Shareware Spotlight shines down the Operation Lambda Demo from
Bret Victor, and the Grand Unified Patcher Program from Nathan
Mates.
++ Newsy notes from the Apple II world appear in a new installment
of DumplinGS.
++ Ryan Suenaga presents another commentary on a topic of Apple II
interest.
++ And more .... including our first advertisement!! (It comes from
a prominent IIGS software developer, but we'll keep you in
suspense as to who it is :)
Those of you who have not yet subscribed but would like to,
subscription info is contained in this Topic's header. If you would like
further information, please e-mail me at M.JONES145.
Hope everyone enjoys this issue ...
Apple II Forever!
Max Jones
Juiced.GS
(M.JONES145, CAT13, TOP43, MSG:231/M645;1)
THE APPLEWORKS GAZETTE #4
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
__________________________
| |
| The AppleWorks Gazette |
| Issue #4 |
| shipping now! |
|__________________________|
The last disks were sent this morning. North-American and European
subscribers should get their disk in a week or so, depending on how fast
first class/airmail will be.
The fourth issue of the AppleWorks Gazette contains a 55-page
newsletter, in which you will read:
- a report about KansasFest '96
- Rating the Removables: SyQuest EZ 135 vs. Iomega Zip drive
- a review of TimeOut Statistics
- AppleWorks Q & A
- New Applications for AppleWorks 3.0, 4.3, and 5.1
and much more.
The disk also contains about 500K of software and data, including a
new series of Roy Barrows' utilities.
For subscription information, send mail to 100316,14 (Chris Serreau)
or h,katz@genie.com (Howard Katz). You can also reach our World Wide Web
home page at:
http://users.ids.net/~kerwood/tag.html
(H.KATZ, CAT17, TOP18, MSG:34/M645;1)
>>> THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
VIDEOTAPE OF MARK TWAIN AVAILABLE A few months ago, I gave a presentation
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" at the GravenStein Apple User Group
about the Mark Twain IIGS Prototype computer. The proceedings were
videotaped.
I finally got a chance to view the (approximately) 90 minute video,
and it came out fine. Sort of. I'm not a professional speaker or actor
and the person shooting the video is just a video hobbyist, so it's
certainly not in the same league, quality wise, as some of Apple's
professionally produced videos.
But, the video does provide a close-up of the Mark Twain computer.
For some reason, the tape stops before we had a chance to completely
disassemble the computer, as we did that day. I guess you could think of
the video as a Semi-Guided Tour Of The Computer That Could Have Changed The
World (tm). Additional segments of the tape show a IIe Prototype, a
pre-release version of Wolfenstein 3-D and Brutal Deluxe's System 6.0.2.
A video will be available, at some point in the near-future, from the
GravenStein Apple User Group. The projected price for the video is $20,
although that could change. All proceeds from the sale of the video will
go to the treasury of the GravenStein Apple User Group.
For details (as they become known), about the video or general
information about the GravenStein Apple User Group, come visit the
GravenStein home page on the world wide web at:
http://www.crl.com/~mpearce/GSAUG/Apple.html
Joe Kohn
Vice-President, GravenStein Apple User Group
(JOE.KOHN, CAT28, TOP4, MSG:243/M645;1)
NETWORKING TO MACS AND PCS It is my understanding that GS/TCP, when
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" released, will give us the capability of
networking GSes with GSes, and GSes with Macs and PCs.
When I visited with Derek Taubert, he had a localtalk network up and
running through GS/TCP that included his IIGS, his NeXT workstation and his
wife's Windows machine across the room.
Of course, GS/TCP is not on the market yet. But it will certainly
present some interesting networking possiblities when it is.
Max
(M.JONES145, CAT8, TOP7, MSG:18/M645;1)
GAMES, GAMES, GAMES Wow.
"""""""""""""""""""
A week or so ago, Olivier Zardini sent me an e-mail saying that he
was nearly finished with the IIGS game that he's been working on since
March.
I was skeptical, since the last version I'd seen of the game was the
version I showed at KansasFest, and as all Kfest attendees can attest, that
game was far from complete.
Surprise, surprise! The version that arrived in my e-mail yesterday
is almost complete. Everything seems to be in place, and Olivier expects
that within a week or so, the game might even be ready for the beta-test
team.
It looks like Brutal Deluxe has yet another surprise in store for the
Apple IIGS community. Aren't we lucky?
Joe
(JOE.KOHN, CAT28, TOP6, MSG:157/M645;1)
>>>>> Wanna know about lucky? Wolf 3D IIgs is slated to go into a wide
""""" beta test this week or early next. <grin>
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Logicware, Inc.
(SHEPPY, CAT28, TOP6, MSG:158/M645;1)
>>>>> Really off topic mode
"""""
There's actually gonna be a =third= GS game released RSN :)
Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W.
Social Worker by Day, Apple II geek by night, KFester in July!
ANSITerm and CoPilot v2.55
(R.SUENAGA1, CAT28, TOP6, MSG:161/M645;1)
>>>>> Hmmm. What game could that be
"""""
A month or so ago, NinjaForce, the German programmers, sent me a
sample screen shot from a game that they are working on, and that one
graphic looked wonderful.
Is that the 3rd IIGS game that we can look forward to? Or, is there
yet another one?
Joe
(JOE.KOHN, CAT28, TOP6, MSG:163/M645;1)
>>>>> There's yet another one. :)
"""""
Ryan
(R.SUENAGA1, CAT28, TOP6, MSG:164/M645;1)
>>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Category 40, Topic 6
Message 183 Thu Aug 01, 1996
SHEPPY [Team PPCPro] at 13:34 EDT
It was announced at KFest that Wolfenstein 3D for the Apple IIgs will
be freeware.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Logicware, Inc.
[*][*][*]
While on Genie, do you spend most of your time downloading files?
If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin
Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of
what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area.
If you are serious about your Apple II, the GenieLamp staff strongly
urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally
thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the
world.
[EOA]
[HUM]//////////////////////////////
HUMOR ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
An Apple II Parody
""""""""""""""""""
by Steven Weyhich
[104024.432@compuserve.com]
>>> HACK HACK HACK <<<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Copyright 1993 by Steven Weyhrich
(104024.432@compuserve.com)
(to the tune of "Fun Fun Fun" by the Beach Boys)
Well, she got her dad's account
And she broke into his office mainframe, now
Seems like she forgot all about the term paper
Like she told her old man, now
And with her eye on the modem
Goes typin' just as fast as she can, now
And she'll just hack, hack, hack
'Till her daddy takes her keyboard away
Well, the sysops can't stand her
'Cause she speaks Unix just like an ace, now
(She speaks like an ace, now, she speaks like an ace)
She takes the BBS software
And really puts it through its pace, now
(Puts through its pace, now, puts through its pace)
IBM tried to catch her
But she led 'em on a wild goose chase, now
(Wild goose chase, now, wild goose chase)
And she'll just hack, hack, hack
'Till her daddy takes her keyboard away
Well, you knew all along
That the Feds were gettin' wise to you, now
(You shouldn't have tried, now, you shouldn't have tried)
And since they took your set of disks
You've been thinkin' that your fun is all through, now
(You shouldn't have lied, now, you shouldn't have lied
But you can come and work for me
'Cause we've got a lot of things to do, now
(Do you think you can help me finish debugging Windows 95??)
And we'll just hack, hack, hack
Uncle Sammy took your keyboard away
And we'll just hack, hack, hack
Now that daddy took your keyboard away...
[EOA]
[BAN]//////////////////////////////
FILE BANDWAGON /
/////////////////////////////////
Top 10 Files for July
"""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
This feature lists the ten most popular files for the month. To give
files a chance to seek their own levels, no files will be added to the list
until they've been in place at least a month. This month, we look at the
files uploaded 1-31 June 1996.
This isn't the Academy Awards ceremony, folks; it's more like the
People's Choice Awards (both of which are trademarked, by the way). The
Top 10 doesn't necessarily tell you what's new and interesting--what files
_you_ might find interesting--it simply tells you what files have been
downloaded a lot--what other people found interesting!
File # Filename Bytes DLs Short description
------ --------------- ------ --- -------------------------------------
27509 GUPP1.03.BXY 12128 137 Grand Unified Program Patcher v1.03
27502 KEYNOTE96.BXY 5588 90 KansasFest 96 Keynote speech
27516 YEARBOOK1.BXY 1483828 87 Genie Yearbook Slide Show & Music
27464 DOS33.LNCH.BXY 40880 84 Run DOS 3.3 prgms from a hard drive
27515 LASTRITES93.BXY 578692 69 Very cool Dr Mario from Corrosive
27441 ALMP9607.AW.BXY 89600 57 GenieLamp A2, July 1996 (AppleWorks)
27483 RBUNDLBANG.BXY 10624 55 rBundle Banger version 1.10
27449 KFEST96.256.GIF 47324 50 Color GIF of KFest 1996 logo
27487 SHW.BXY 54608 47 Scavenger Hunt World
27484 KB5.BXY 117096 47 Computer Keyboarding 5 - all
GUPP1.03.BXY Grand Unified Patcher Program (GUPP) v1.03 by Nathan Mates
"""""""""""" tunes up your IIgs. It patches system software and more to
make your system more stable. Includes patches for the Finder, Window
Manager, GS/OS System, Font Manager, GS/OS Device Dispatcher, Pascal FST,
and for Pointless v2.0.3, GNO/ME v2.0.4 kernel, TMTerm, and NiftyList.
Freeware.
KEYNOTE96.BXY The text of Gary Utter's keynote speech for KansasFest 96.
""""""""""""" (Not identical to the speech as delivered.) Utter makes
some very valuable observations about the strength of the Apple II
community. Shrunk text file.
YEARBOOK1.BXY This large (nearly 1.5 meg!) collection of 320x200 color
""""""""""""" graphics from Pat Kern emphasizes KansasFests, but also
features some A2 User Pics. Includes music. Best viewed with GS
Entertainment (file #23270), which organizes them properly.
DOS33.LNCH.BXY DOS 3.3 Launcher v2.2 by John MacLean, updated by Andrew
"""""""""""""" Roughan. Lets you store and run older DOS 3.3 software on
your hard drive or 3.5" floppy drives. Automatically slows to 1 mHz before
running DOS 3.3 software and resumes speed after. Now supports networks.
Freeware.
LASTRITES93.BXY A 1992 demo disk from Corrosive Software (now defunct)
""""""""""""""" that features a demo of a shoot-'em-up arcade game with a
space theme, and a completed Tetris/Columns-like game called Dr Mario.
Very funky, personal feel to both games. This is a disk archived that must
be unpacked to a blank 3.5" disk, and the disk booted.
ALMP9607.AW.BXY The July 1996 issue of GenieLamp A2, in AppleWorks word
""""""""""""""" processor format. Features "The Accidental Tourist at
KansasFest" and an unofficial update to the AppleWorks 5 delta manual.
Freeware when distributed intact.
RBUNDLBANG.BXY rBundle Banger version 1.10 by Clayburn W. Juniel, III is
"""""""""""""" a Finder extra that allows you to disable icons created
using rBundles by S16 program files. Freeware.
KFEST96.256.GIF The official logo of KansasFest 1996, created by Joe
""""""""""""""" Mugnai, in GIF format (GIF87a 714x254x256).
SHW.BXY Scavenger Hunt, World Edition by Charlie Hartley is a geography
""""""" trivia game with a slick and fast user interface. Now freeware,
thanks to the generosity of the author.
KB5.BXY Computer Keyboarding 5 by Charlie Hartley helps you learn to
""""""" touch-type. Plenty of exercises to allow for the necessary
practice and typing games to keep you interested. Formerly shareware, it
is now freeware thanks to the generosity of the author.
NOTE: Also download file #27501, which contains a bug fix.
[EOA]
[RWA]//////////////////////////////
THE REAL WORLD APPLE /
/////////////////////////////////
Connecting to the World Outside
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Peter C. Brickell
[P.BRICKELL]
>>> PART 1: VENTURING INTO THE REAL WORLD <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Since the first day I got my second-hand Apple II Plus back in 1989,
I was convinced that my computer could do more than read disks, draw
pictures on its screen, and print out my ramblings on a piece of paper.
Certainly my purchase of an old 300 bps modem and joining Genie made me
feel that the computer and I were no longer alone in the electronic jungle.
Still, I felt that my new acquisition needed to stretch out beyond the
walls of its plastic case and do some "real work" in the world.
As I cast my gaze around my apartment full of Apple II driven
devices, I can't imagine a computer that simply sits on my desk and munches
characters and numbers. Sure, my Zipped, SCSI'd, and scanner-equipped IIe
does a great job of that (after all, I've just finished producing my
Masters thesis on it), but I have discovered a whole additional side to my
Apple II's.
I would like to share that with those of you who have an interest in
computer interfacing. It is not terribly difficult and I have never had to
take tools of any kind to my beloved Apples! Everything that I have done
uses the Apple II's game I/O port for controlling and monitoring real world
devices. I am referring to the 16 pin socket which the older style
joysticks are plugged into. Unfortunately the IIc machines don't have this
connector and can't be used easily with these projects. On the bright side
however, all the devices that I have built work beautifully on a 48K Apple
II Plus. These machines can be had for a song these days; so experimenting
is not expensive.
In the following series of articles about my interfacing projects, I
will be assuming a minimal amount of electrical knowledge. You will need
to know how to solder, but the books that I will shortly recommend cover
this, the detailed plans for the projects, and also the necessary
electronic basics. In addition, some of the _real_ A2 hardware experts
here on Genie have posted advice for technical newbies on these basic
skills. So check out the A2 Libraries and RTC for additional information.
What I'm going to describe isn't rocket science, but it is a whole lot of
fun and very rewarding too!
To begin with, I'd like to give you a little taste of what is
possible with an "obsolete" 48K Apple computer. I hope this will get your
interest going so that you will go out and create your own uses for that
Apple in your closet or on your desk.
My first foray into interfacing came when my darkroom timer sang its
last song and left me in the lurch. It was a simple mechanical affair
which let me "program" any number of consecutive timing steps up to 30
minutes duration. My photographic work required up to 10 steps. A quick
trip to the local photographic store revealed that this little $25 device
was no longer made. After the salesperson showed me to a new digital timer
which could handle a whopping 3 steps at a cost of $500, I knew that I
would have to find another way!
After buying $10 worth of shielded cable and investing several hours
in Applesoft, I had rigged up an Apple darkroom timer which not only rang
at the end of each timing step, but also beeped each time I was due to
shake my developing tank or turn over a developing print. What luxury!
After that there was no turning back on the road to Apple II interfacing.
It wasn't long before I needed a reliable way to control the
temperature in my cold-water aquarium. This required measuring the water
temperature and turning on and off a chiller. The chiller was tricky,
since it could not be switched on and off quickly without damaging the
compressor. I would need some way to delay the on and off switching for a
few seconds, as well as knowing when to do it. It turned out to be no
match for Applesoft and a combination of a couple of projects described in
an Apple II interfacing workbook that I had acquired from Resource Central.
After a few months of reliable operation, I decided that what was
good enough for the fish was good enough for me. Enter the air conditioner
controller for my apartment! No longer did I have to come home to a
sweltering apartment because I had been environmentally friendly and turned
off the AC while on vacation. Now I just set the number of hours that I
would like the unit to stay dormant, and a couple of hours before my
return, the trusty ][ Plus turns on the air conditioner for me.
Thereafter, it provides precision temperature control for my living
quarters.
Similarly, when in the depths of the Canadian winter, I am no longer
subjected to poorly controlled baseboard heating. The "winter version" of
the software dutifully operates my portable heater at the same level of
precision as the air conditioning in summer.
My last interfacing project was one for the workbench. Those of you
who have Nicad battery operated tools and cleaning devices will most likely
understand the consequences of frequently partly discharging these
batteries before recharging them--the dreaded "memory effect". Worse than
this is when they are left forgotten on a fast charger. The usual result
is a trip to the repair facility for a costly new battery pack. I thought,
"Wouldn't it be nice to have one of those smart chargers which fully
discharges the batteries before charging them and then switches to a safe
trickle charge when finished?" The only problem that I could see was the
$1500 price tag for one of these babies Once again an Apple II came to the
rescue. I now have a fully functional "smart charger" for about $25 and a
time share on a ][ Plus.
I hope that this has whetted a few appetites for interfacing. Before
I finish, I must recommend the books which have made it possible for me to
do all this. I knew very little of electronics or interfacing until I got
Vernier Software's "How to Build a Better Mousetrap". This is a work book
for high school level students and teachers in the sciences and
electronics. It goes through the basic concepts and techniques needed to
build the 26 interfacing projects which are described within its pages.
Both "Mousetrap" and its sister publication "Chaos in the Laboratory" are
an excellent source of information and ideas on computer interfacing--and
they are all Apple II. My projects are either straight from the books or
are adaptations of their projects. I cannot recommend these books highly
enough (BTW, I have no affiliation with Vernier Software--only good
experiences dealing with them and their products).
In addition, some of the projects described in the books are
available from Vernier as kits. This will be a plus for those who don't
live near a ready source of electronics parts. The company can be reached
through David Vernier at "dvernier@vernier.com" for pricing and ordering of
these books. For those wanting to take only an exploratory plunge into
this field, I would recommend "How to Build a Better Mousetrap" as a good
starting point.
Next month--Getting started with timers and the game port.
[EOA]
[HUN]//////////////////////////////
THE TREASURE HUNT /
/////////////////////////////////
Yours For the Downloading
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
>>> IT FEELS JUST LIKE STARTING OVER <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
This summer, I planned on giving my parents a hard drive for their
Apple IIgs. (It didn't happen--someone let me down--but that's another
story.) My parents don't use their GS much, but their grandchildren do. I
wanted to faster disk access for the grandkids and for the grandparents.
The principal reason for buying a hard drive for my parents' computer
was to install copies of three pieces of software that were big hits with
the grandchildren, even when on slow 3.5" drives--McGee, McGee at Katie's
Farm, and McGee at the Fun Fair. My parents also own a simple word
processor, and I know they avoid it because it takes so long to load.
I didn't want to stop at tweaking the software they already have. I
wanted to show my parents that there was a whole new world waiting for
them--a lot more than word processing and McGee.
The problem was, once I had paid for a RAM card and a hard drive, I
didn't have any money left for software. The solution is obvious:
freeware and public domain software.
I scoured Genie's libraries for free software for my parents and
their grandkids. I found a lot. Then I threw away absolutely everything
that would give an Apple II critic the chance to complain about how crummy
free Apple II software really was. That didn't leave a lot, but what was
left was top-quality goods.
The experience was valuable, and you're about to reap the benefit of
it, as I list the Apple IIgs software I could not bear to be without (and
the file numbers for those who want to download it from Genie):
CLASSIC DESK ACCESSORIES I happen to love CDAs, and always have. There
"""""""""""""""""""""""" are wonderful new desk accessories as well, but
I love the classics. Their only drawback is that new computer users aren't
going to remember the Escape-Control-Command key press necessary to get to
the CDA menu... but there are ways of dealing with that.
File.A.Trix (Karl Bunker) Put this one at the top of your list. This
''''''''''''''''''''''''' file management CDA lets you type files, check
out the disk directory, delete and copy files, initialize disks, and search
for files. It works from with ProDOS, too. (File #21352, FILE.A.TRIX.BXY)
SHR.ScreenSaver (Dale T. Taylor and Tony Ward) If you have a paint
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' program, better include
this. Kids love to save screens and then mess with them. I might never
teach my parents how to use this--partly because you have to go hunting for
its SCREEN files--but I'll bet my 9-year-old nephew will use it. (File
#24116, SHR.SAVER.BXY)
I've deliberately chosen very few CDAs to keep the menu uncluttered.
There are lots of other useful but not vital CDAs I might have chosen:
Calendar, Print Screen, Calculator Demo, and Inverter. I also left out
CDAs that I thought my parents might not see the significance of: Quit To,
GameHacker, and MiniTalk.
NEW DESK ACCESSORIES You must take care when choosing NDAs for new
"""""""""""""""""""" computer users. New users may never discover the
NDA menu, so choose as many NDAs as possible that have some effect without
needing the user to activate it. For the rest, choose desk accessories
that have simple, obvious, and harmless effect.
Calculator (Dan Hitchens and Dave Lyons) This NDA is not only
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' non-threatening, it's something
even the newest computer user will admit is practical. Admittedly, turning
on--or even owning!--a GS just to get at a calculator doesn't make a lot of
sense, so expect some initial scoffing. But just wait until they've
misplaced every calculator in the house...! (Found on the System Disks,
specifically in :SystemTools1:System:Desk.Accs:)
Find.File.V1.2 (Stephen Chick) This NDA is a little technical for the
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' true beginner, but I included in my list
for two reasons. The first is that it's so much better than Apple's own
file-finding NDA, which comes with and is installed by System 6.0.1. The
second is that anyone who uses a word processor or even a text editor is
going to misplace a file. (File #10567, FINDFILE.BXY)
Hermes (Andre Horstmann) This text editor NDA not only allows new users
'''''''''''''''''''''''' to jot down notes, but it serves well in the
Finder, since it will automatically open text and AppleWorks word processor
files If a new user is confronted with the Finder, the more file types
that s/he can click on and actually have something happen, the better.
(File #25304, HERMES.BXY)
LazyPepo (Tom Tooly Software) This NDA does one thing: go to the Classic
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Desk Accessory menu. Great for those who
can't remember Escape-Control-Command. Two problems: the name doesn't
give a newbie any idea what the purpose of this NDA might be, and the
programmer didn't follow the guidelines--try selecting this one from within
Quick Click Calc, and watch the menu bar closely. (File #16911,
LAZYPEPO.BXY)
ShowMe (Dave Leffler) Looking at pictures will keep an explorer's
''''''''''''''''''''' interest for a while, but that's not the only
reason I recommend this picture-viewing NDA be installed. It also has a
Finder extra function, so that Finder newbies can click on pictures and
animations and see them. (File #23435, SHOWME1.1.1.BXY)
Some users report that having this NDA installed makes their system a
little flaky. Others report no problems. There is another option--Eye by
Chris McKinsey (file #22083, EYE1.1.BXY)--but it's a $10 shareware item.
Eye will also let you view bitmapped fonts, which ShowMe won't, and also
shows you the contents of BIN files.
SoundIt (Rolf Braun) Here's an NDA that will play rSounds, HyperStudio
'''''''''''''''''''' sounds, ACE sounds, and even raw binary sounds (file
type BIN). It also optionally functions as Finder extension, so new users
can click on these files and hear a result immediately. It doesn't play
any music files, such as synthLAB or SoundSmith. (File #25884,
SOUNDIT10.BXY)
MenuTime (Jay Krell) $5 There are plenty of NDAs that will put a clock in
''''''''''''''''''''''' the menu bar, so why am I recommending Jay
Krell's $5 shareware item? Simply because it doesn't interfere with
Spectrum... and there are darned few clocks that don't cause character loss
with that telecommunications program. If you don't use Spectrum, there are
other menu-bar clocks with more functions, but too many to list.... (File
#16722, MENUTIME.BXY V3.33)
INITS (PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY) You put Inits in System:System.Setup:, or
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" in System:FinderExtras, or sometimes in
either one. Some Inits are of no benefit to anyone who does not run the
Finder, but others are of benefit to all. Let's look at the Inits that
anyone can use:
Init Restarter (Matt Deatherage) Init Restarter (or Init Runner) allows
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' CDAs, NDAs, inits, GS/OS drivers, and
Finder Extensions to be installed "on the fly" rather than at boot time.
This makes it possible for beginners to point-and-click on still more items
from the Finder. If not using the Finder, IR can be used in conjunction
with a new desk accessory such as IRNDA to allow loading from within any
desktop program. (From the A2Pro library: file #3451, IR2.0.2.BXY)
GUPP (Nathan Mates) Mates's Grand Unified Program Patcher takes care of a
''''''''''''''''''' number of bugs, and no Apple IIgs should be without
it. It's totally invisible to the user, but makes for smoother operation.
(File #27509, GUPP1.03.BXY)
AccentIt (Rolf Braun) This small TIF forces a reset of keyboard
''''''''''''''''''''' translation to standard, making it possible to use
the extended character set while typing. This is necessary because
software seems to reset the translation to none a good deal. New users
find they can no longer use special characters, don't know why, and don't
know how to fix the problem. (File #23744, ACCENT.IT.BXY)
RemoveAltDispMod (Jay Krell) Another short TIF, this removes "Alternate
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Display Mode" from the Classic Desk
Accessory menu. This option does no harm, but often confuses new users.
If you expect the IIgs to be used to play old 5.25" games, you should NOT
install this one, because old games occasionally use this. (File #23137,
REMALTDISP.BXY)
(While you're cleaning up the Classic Desk Accessory menu, don't
forget to use the SetStart CDev to disable the programmer CDAs, Memory
Peeker and Visit Monitor. They're just confusing to new Apple IIers.)
EasyMount (Dave Lyons and Jim Murphy) New users may not use EasyMount to
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' create aliases, but they're sure
appreciate it when you set up aliases for them, so think about including
EasyMount. (Found on the System Disks, specifically in
:SystemTools:System:System.Setup:)
Quick.Launch (Steve Stephenson) QuickLaunch allows you to have a list of
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' your most frequently-used programs in the
Finder's Extras menu. Simple and quick. (File #18232, QUICKLAUNCH.BXY)
MakinCopies (Bryan Pietrzak) Most of the people I know really get a kick
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''' out of a talking computer, so you can
install this one even for users who don't watch television, let alone
_Saturday Night Live_. What it will do is play the sound of someone saying
"Makin' copies!" every time you copy a file. (File #19428,
MAKINCOPIES.BXY)
Under.the.Rug (Lunatic E'Sex) $3 This $3 shareware item is invaluable for
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' timid first-timers or for anyone who has
young children using their GS. It hides the trash can so that untrained
kids don't accidentally delete a bunch of files, or so that unruly kids
don't intentionally do so. When I set this up for my parents, I made a
conspicuous alias to the file that explains just how to get the trash can
back. (File #21062, UNDER.RUG.BXY)
GAMES When I was choosing games, I had to keep in mind that my parents'
""""" computer had no joystick and no color monitor. I chose games that
would draw the grandchildren to the computer, but I also hoped to get my
parents to play a little.
Milestones.2000 (Ken Franklin) $15 Money is always a problem, but I'll
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' gladly pay $15 to put this game on any
Apple IIgs I'm responsible for. It's not just that the money goes to help
the homeless--this is a great game, and it'll silence any scoffers. My
father used to enjoy Parker Brothers' "Milles Bornes", so I'm hoping that
this game will entice him. (File #21013, MS2000.151.BXY)
If you have an extra $10--which you probably don't, not this late in
the game--then spring for One-Armed Battle, a colorful slot machine by the
same author. (File #21011, OAB.151.BXY)
Dungeon (ORCA/C port by Doni G. Grande) Zork was a great text adventure
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' game for mainframes, except that
it began life under the name Dungeon. Here it is, and it's a dilly.
Well-written text adventures can be a real revelation to someone who has
never used a computer before--it certainly was for me. (File #16449,
DUNGEON.1.BXY, #16450, DUNGEON.2.BXY, and #17375, DUNGEON.UPD.BXY)
Rogue (IIgs version by Scott Lindsey) This Rogue clone uses the text
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' screen--MouseText characters and
all--to display a different kind of adventure game: map the dungeon,
collect the gold, and kill the monsters. The overall goal is to fetch a
magic amulet and then escape with your life. What makes this version great
is that you can have digitized sounds attached to events in the game.
Hint: an elephant trumpeting, when sped up, makes a great death screech
for the "monster death" event. (File #15496, ROGUE.BXY)
PuyoPuyo (Bret "Slixter" Victor) This Tetris-like game is simple enough
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' for children to play and still plenty
challenging for adults. The graphics are nicely cartoon-like, and the
strategy is easier to explain than with Tetris. (File #26573,
PUYOPUYO.BXY)
PixMix (Doug Happel) This program lets you create jigsaw puzzles of
'''''''''''''''''''' varying complexity from any super hi-res graphic--be
sure to include plenty child-suitable pictures with the game! A nice bonus
for Canadian parents is that the game can run either in English or French.
(File #12726, PIXMIX.BXY)
Yahtzee (David W. Buell) This classic dice game is implemented so that
'''''''''''''''''''''''' you can throw away all the score pads and enjoy
yourself. Roll five dice and try score the combinations listed: full
house, straight, three of a kind, four of a kind, and five of a kind, or
Yahtzee, and more. (File #16458, YAHTZEE.GS.BXY)
Raster Blaster (Bill Budge) This excellent pinball game is now freeware,
''''''''''''''''''''''''''' and it will run on an Apple IIgs just fine.
You don't even need a joystick--the Command and Option buttons will work as
the flipper controls. You will need to slow the GS down before playing and
speed it up again afterward. Be sure to get Larry Beam's patch, which
allows you to quit, and to flip the flipper controls. (File #21131,
RASTERBLAST.BXY and #21080, RB.PATCH.BXY [Larry Beam])
MISCELLANEOUS If you can remember how you reacted when you were
""""""""""""" introduced to the whole computing environment, you'll
remember some of your fears--make sure you quiet these fears when setting
up an Apple IIgs.
Boot6 and Boot5 (Harold Hislop) The transition from floppy drives to a
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' hard drive can be intimidating. You can
make the change easier by taking these short programs that simply boot
slots 6 and 5, and leaving a conspicuous and _meaningful_ alias on the
desktop. Let's face it, slot 6 for 5.25" disks and slot 5 for 3.5" disks
is not intuitive. Either you know it or you don't. If you create an icon
of a 5.25" disk for Boot6 and an icon of a 3.5" disk for Boot5, new
computer users will soon catch on. If they don't know the term "boot", you
can change the names of these programs to "Start6" and "Start5", or even
"Start.3.5" and "Start.5.2.5". (File #23358, BOOTS.BXY)
The great thing about the Finder is that it's free... as soon as you
have the System Disks (which you can legitimately download from Genie).
New users may react to the Finder as being more powerful than they need,
which is why I spent the time and trouble to install add-ons that make it
easy for them to point and click on pictures, sounds, documents files, and
desk accessories--and to install a utility that hides the trash can.
You might want to consider not using the Finder, to hide some of the
intimidating power. UtilityLaunch by George R. Wilde is a $10 shareware
item that might make navigating a hard drive less worrying. (You won't
need Under the Rug if you use UtilityLaunch, so you can save that $3.) You
just set up links to the programs you've installed. You can still have a
link from UtilityLaunch to the Finder, so that you don't entirely
discourage exploring.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR LIST? The free software I chose to put on the hard drive
""""""""""""""""""""" only represents my favorites. If you have a
favorite that I've left off, why not write to me and make the case for
it--perhaps we can print your letter in a coming edition of GenieLamp A2.
If you have a whole list of favorites, then I _really_ want to hear from
you--maybe I can persuade you to write an article for GenieLamp A2!
//////////////////////////////////////// Genie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "(OTOH, the GS toolbox rocks :)" /
/ /
/ "While the Mac toolbox sucks them. ;)" /
/////////////////////////////////// R.SUENAGA1 & SHEPPY ////
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
/////////////////////////////////
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