Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!evax!cs4344af From: cs4344af@evax.arl.utexas.edu (Fuzzy Fox) Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: Fastloads vs. JiffyDOS Message-ID: <1990Dec31.204111.24685@evax.arl.utexas.edu> Date: 31 Dec 90 20:41:11 GMT References: <1990Dec30.211940.15200@clmqt.marquette.Mi.US> Organization: Computer Science Engineering Univ. of Texas at Arlington Lines: 83 In article <1990Dec30.211940.15200@clmqt.marquette.Mi.US> joystyk@clmqt.marquette.Mi.US (Joystyk) writes: >I'm considering either the Super Snapshot V5 or JiffyDOS V6. First, I'll tell you my setup. I use a C128, 1571, and 1541, all with JiffyDOS ROM's installed. I also have a 1750 REU and Super Snapshot V5. Originally I had just the SSv5, and I was quite happy with it. The number of functions is astounding, and it is truly a useful tool. The printer dump functions are the best out there that I have seen, the fast loader is the fastest and most compatible that you can get in a cartridge, and the game master functions (infinite lives, sprite kill, joystick port swap) generally work well and are useful. The built in terminal program even works great with my 2400 baud modem! SSv5 has a lot to offer, but it still has one flaw that makes it not perfect for my setup. It's a *cartridge*, so it causes a few problems. First, it locks you into C64 mode until you disable it with the switch. When you do that, you lose all the features when you go to 128 mode. Now, I have a 1571, so the disk drive still moves quickly in that mode, but it is still annoying to have to enable/disable the cartridge. Also, since I have an REU and have found it to be very useful for GEOS and Maverick (disk backups), have found that more and more I *like* to have the REU plugged in. This is a major annoyance, so I am constantly unplugging and plugging in cartridges. Now, the folks at Skyles Electric Works make a wondrous device called a Skyles 2+1, which allows you to plug 3 cartridges in at the same time, one horizontally and two vertically. Thus, you can plug in an REU and two other cartridges and run them all it once, IF they do not conflict. The big difference between SSv4 and SSv5 is that v4 DOES conflict and CANNOT be used alongside an REU, while v5 DOES NOT conflict and in fact has software designed to make FULL USE of an REU for many of its file copying and disk backup programs. This would be the ideal setup for me, and in fact I own a Skyles 2+1, but for some reason my system does not work properly with this setup, even though it should. Now, on to JiffyDOS. JDOS does not have all the nifty features of SSv5 like screen dumping and monitor control and game mastering. It really has only one purpose: To speed up communication with your disk drive, and it does it exceedingly well. In fact, only recently have they added a file copier function to JDOS v6 (which I don't have). However, I have found that JDOS + SSv5 works extremely well. Whether the system loads quickly or not does not depend on whether the cartridge is in or out. The speeded up DOS functions work in both 64 and 128 modes. There is always a DOS wedge available from Basic, and it does not mess up a lot of programs like SS's wedge does. Also, SS's fastloader only works so long as the program you load does not disable it. It is a fact that cartridge fast loaders can VERY EASILY be disabled and knocked out, so that any software that wants to can kill your fastloader and go back to slow loading, usually inadvertently. With JDOS, there is NO SUCH THING as slow loading. JDOS is always there, in ROM. It never gets in the way, and it CANNOT BE DISABLED except by you, the user. It always loads fast. Always. I've written quite a bit here, so a summary is in order. SSv5 is a great cartridge. It offers some incredible features that in my opinion make it worth much more than the purchase price. It is the best of all the add-on cartridges, but it is still a *cartridge* and so it suffers from some of the small compatibility problems that are inherent to the design. In all fairness, it *minimizes* the problems, but they still appear occasionally. Usually disabling the cartridge through software (shift-F7 on reset) works just fine. JiffyDOS is more powerful than any cartridge. It suffers from almost NO compatibility problems. It is truly a wonder to watch it work, and it won't be long before you feel that you finally got your money's worth from a product for your Commodore. Soon you will not know why you put up with your machine before. It is simply amazing. The Skyles 2+1 is the best expansion board to buy if you are using an REU and SSv5 at the same time. You can take full advantage of SS's features with this expansion board, for only $30 (I think). Let this message be a lesson to those of you with NO expansions on your system: If you are still loading the old, slow way, you are NOT getting the full use of your machine, and you are probably hating it right now. Spend a few more dollars on your machine and you will start loving it again. :) -- begin 644 .signature G5&AI