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From: kentsu@microsoft.UUCP (Kent Sullivan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: 80 columns Card for the C64
Summary: A dead issue
Message-ID: <7522@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 26 Aug 89 19:54:00 GMT
References: <6064@max.acs.washington.edu> <6072@max.acs.washington.edu>
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 37

In article <6072@max.acs.washington.edu>, scott@max.acs.washington.edu writes:

[long discussion about resolution problems deleted]  

> How about if we all mail a letter to Batteries Included, petitioning
> them to re-introduce the BI-80 card along with some of the softwares
> that use the BI-80? This can really work! 
...
> And the need for a 80 columns card is greater than ever. Before,
> many people bought the C64 for entertainment. But more and more users
> are using the C64 for productive work. And we require clear 80 columns
> display for wordprocessors, spread sheets and databases. Also, as
> modem has become more affortable, more and more us are using our
> C64s for telecommunication. And we require 80 columns display to
> access main frames and unix system. Moreover excellent telecommunication
> softwares like Kermit has appear which takes advantage of the
> 80 columns card.

I don't believe any letter-writing campaigns will help reinstate production
of the BI-80, or any other Batteries Included product--they have long been
out of business.  Electronic Arts bought up all of their stock and has since
closed out much of it (including Paperclip 64E).  I'm not sure where the
address in CA for BI came from, but I don't think it is reliable.

As to the need for an 80-column display for the C-64: there really is none.
I believe Ray Moody could confirm that maybe six of the hundreds of people
that have asked for Kermit from Dr. Evil Labs were doing so for use with a
BI-80.  The card was almost prohibitively expensive when available new, and
its cost would certainly be no lower these days.  The board size was large
enough that a custom case had to be manufactured--$$.  For the value, it is
much more effective to buy a C-128D (or used C-128!) to get 80 columns.

Kent Sullivan
Microsoft Corporation

The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of my employer.