Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!toddpw
From: toddpw@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: info for the masses
Message-ID: <1991Jan25.015249.25111@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Date: 25 Jan 91 01:52:49 GMT
References: <m0iz7de-00006UC@jartel.info.com>
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Lines: 32

llee@gnh-starport.cts.com (Larry Lee) writes:

>"
>There IS a book on writing GS/OS device drivers, available from APDA
>at the moment (probably Addison-Wesley later).  There isn't any feasible
>ways to add device drivers for ProDOS or DOS 3.3.
...
>"

ProDOS can accept new block devices -- it checks the slots for them
every time it starts up. Adding arbitrary devices is a lot tougher since
you have to find uncontested memory to put the driver in, and ProDOS only
understands the concept of a block device.

>Available from APDA, but not in bookstores. Hmmm. Keeping something
>APDA-specific seems to be just like HIDING the material from people who don't
>know that it exists.

Give Apple a break. Products available only through APDA are either unfinished
(as is the case with the GS/OS driver reference) or will never be fit for
public release (i.e. experimental stuff).

All the GS and Mac programming books are available only from APDA when they are
in alpha or beta draft, and are published by Addison-Wesley (usually) when they
are completed. Beta drafts are basically stacks of photocopies with three holes
punched in them -- you put them in a three ring binder.

I have binder versions of both GS/OS references, and the published version of
volume 1 now that it is finished.

Todd Whitesel
toddpw @ tybalt.caltech.edu