Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!samsung!uunet!dg!dg-rtp.dg.com!dave
From: dave@mystie.webo.dg.com (David Kopper)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) of comp.sys.apple2 - part 2
Keywords: FAQ, questions and answers
Message-ID: <1268@dg.dg.com>
Date: 25 Jan 91 15:07:02 GMT
Sender: root@dg.dg.com
Reply-To: dave@mystie.webo.dg.com (David Kopper)
Organization: Data General Corporation, Westboro, MA
Lines: 716



[Last edited on January 25, 1991]

This is the second half of the frequently asked questions (and answers)
article.


========================================================================
Subject:  What is FTP?

     FTP is a program available to many schools and certain businesses
     which are connected to Internet.  This program permits file
     transfers over a high speed international network.

     Note: FTP with remote hosts is a privilege!  The remote sites can
     stop their FTP service if so they desire.  Please try to restrict
     your FTP usage to off-peak hours.


     Some basic directions to get you started with FTP follow:

     Enter the FTP program (type FTP, if you get an FTP command prompt
     then you're in the FTP program).

     Type: open <site>                  ; This command will establish
                                        ; a connection to a remote site.

     Where <site> is the name or address of the remote FTP site from
     which you are trying to retrieve files.


     You will be prompted for a username.

     Type: anonymous                    ; The username anonymous is
                                        ; recognized by many FTP sites
                                        ; as a guest account.


     You will be prompted for a password.

     Type: your electronic mail address ; The password is usually your
                                        ; Internet return mail address.
                                        ; In my case it is
                                        ;  dave@mystie.webo.dg.com


     Now you are logged onto the remote host. Some commands you might
     want to use after you log on follow:

       dir                              ; Show me a listing of the files
                                        ; in the current directory

       dir <directory> [<local filename>]; Put a copy of a listing of the
                                        ; files that are in directory
                                        ; into a file on my machine for
                                        ; later perusal.

       cd <directory>                   ; Change the current directory
                                        ; to <direcory>.  pub is typically
                                        ; where the public's files are
                                        ; stored.

       type binary                      ; Change the way a file is sent
                                        ; from the default of ASCII
                                        ; (7 bits) to binary (8 bits).
                                        ; There are sometimes other
                                        ; modes, such as tenex.

       get <filename> [<local filename>]; Retrieve a file (named
                                        ; <filename>) from the
                                        ; remote host to your local
                                        ; host.  If you supply a second
                                        ; argument, then the remote
                                        ; file is stored as that local
                                        ; filename.

       put <filename>                   ; Send a file to the remote
                                        ; host.

       mget <template>                  ; Retrieve multiple files
                                        ; according to the template.
                                        ; The README files of each host
                                        ; should explain templates.

       close                            ; Close the connection to the
                                        ; remote host.

       csh                              ; Start a local C shell
                                        ; (sometimes this is renamed
                                        ; to whatever the local command
                                        ; shell is named - here it is
                                        ; named CLI).

       bye                              ; Close any outstanding
                                        ; connection and exit the FTP
                                        ; program.




========================================================================
Subject:  What is BITFTP?

     Contrary to popular belief, FTP is available from BITNET, in a
     way.  There is a server at bitftp@pucc.BITNET (or
     bitftp@pucc.princeton.edu) which will process your requests.
     Mail a message there with the proper commands in it and it will
     attempt to FTP and send the results back to you in a mail file. 
     The files you actually get are sent as BITNET NETDATA files to
     BITNET sites, or uuencoded for non-BITNET sites.

     Anyways, a sample file would be:

       ftp tybalt.caltech.edu
       user anonymous password {which can be anything, but is
                                normally your address}
       cd pub
       dir
       cd apple2/uploads
       dir
       get cosmocade.a.bsq
       get cosmocade.b.bsq
       bye

     This will list the directories that you change into, and then
     get the files.  What you receive back will be several pieces.
     First, everyone would receive back a mail message showing BITFTP
     attempting your transaction.  Look at this closely, as any errors
     in the file names, as well as the results from the dir commands
     will be in this message.

     If you are on a BITNET site, your get commands will return the get
     files into your NETDATA queue.  Each BITNET site implementation
     varies, so the description here will be specific to the VMS
     operating system.

     To get the files from the queue, simply use the 'receive' command.
     Binary files are a little special.  They will require you to
     'receive/binary', but there is still a problem because you will
     find a carriage return after every 255 characters (or so). Use
     'EDT/FDL binftp.fdl' to edit an FDL (file definition language)
     file that has an option to turn off 'carriage control'. Finally,
     type 'convert/fdl=binftp.fdl inputfile.ext outputfile.ext'.  This
     isn't as bad as it sounds, but it's more hassle than it should be.

     For non-VMS systems, you should contact your local BITNET
     administrator for assistance.

     Obviously, you need to know what the directories are before you
     get in them, which means that each time you need to send a new
     message.  This isn't terribly exciting, but that's how it is.
     Internet's ftp is much easier, but the capability is still there
     for BITNET.


     Note: I have some reports that there are some BITNET sites that
     do support FTP.  Try the FTP command to see if you BITNET site
     has it.


[I'd like to Thank Henry Throop <THROOP@GRIN1.BITNET,
 throoph@jacobs.cs.orst.edu> for most of these answers
 and Evan R Aussenberg <erast1@unix.cis.pitt.edu> for
 the pointer that some bitnet sites do have ftp]




========================================================================
Subject:  What is Kermit?

    Kermit itself is a file transfer protocol invented by Frank
    DeCruz of Columbia University.  Typically in this group when
    one talks about kermit, they are talking about a program which
    supports the kermit protocol.  There is at least one commercial
    program which supports kermit - ProTerm.  But many folks are
    using Ted Medin's Kermit 3 (currently 3.87), a freely distributable
    version of a telecommunication program which supports kermit,
    xmodem, vt100 emulation, and many Apple II configurations.

    Kermit was written by Ted Medin <medin-t@shark.nosc.mil>

    The latest official version of kermit is available from Columbia
    University via electronic mail or ftp.  Send electronic mail to
    KERMSERV@CUVMA.BITNET, a one line message of HELP will get you
    started.  For FTP users, the site is watsun.cc.columbia.edu
    (128.59.39.2) and the Apple II files reside in the kermit/a
    directory.

    The latest version of Kermit-65 is 3.87 available at ummts as
    CO.KER387 (with the accompanying DO.KER387 doc file) and all
    other FTP sites.



========================================================================
Subject:  What is the current system disk?

                              Current
                             Revision
    Disk name                 Number
    ------------------------ --------
    DOS System Master ...... 3.3        All Apple IIs

    ProDOS 8 system disk ... 3.2        All Apple IIs with 64k or more
    IIgs System Disk ....... 5.0.4      Apple IIgs with 1Meg or more
                                        (smaller memory configurations
                                         may work, although they are
                                         not supported/tested).

    ProDOS 8 ............... 1.9        Available on the ProDOS 8 and
    Basic.System ........... 1.4.1      IIgs System Disks.


    The system disks should be available from your local Apple Computer
    dealer, a local Apple Users Group or from a commercial information
    system (GEnie, America On Line, or CompuServe).

    Also, IIgs System Sofware 5.0.4 is available from apple.com via
    ftp.



========================================================================
Subject:  What are technotes?

[Note: I want to expand this answer, but haven't had enough time]

     Technotes are short topics addressing questions that Apple's
     Apple II Developer Technical Support staff members get from
     outside developers.  Technotes are divided into various
     categories including (but not limited to):  Apple IIc hardware,
     Apple II hardwaree, Imagewriter, Memory Expansion, ProDOS 8,
     GS/OS and IIgs hardware.

     The idea of technotes is to distribute information about
     Apple computers that isn't readily available from any other
     source. The hundreds of pages are well worth the effort to get.
     DTS really does a great job with technotes! (Thanks DTS!!!)

     You can find Apple II technotes on the FTP sites, or the commercial
     information systems.  Another source of technotes is APDA, where
     one can order printed or diskette subscriptions to the technotes.

     Ftp note: Apple has not upgraded its tech notes on its FTP site
     since January 1990.  Ummts has a copy of the current tech notes,
     Tech Notes are stored as TN.xxxx.yyy where xxxx is the 4 char type
     and yyy is the number.  File Type notes are FT.xx.yyyy where xx is
     the primary type, and yyyy is the aux. type.  Indicies are stored
     as TN.!Index and FT.!Index [Thank You Todd A. Bakal!].



========================================================================
Subject: What is APDA?

[Note: This is another answer in need of more work...
       a decent explanation of Developer Express...
       next time it'll be better]

     The Apple Programmers and Developers Association (APDA) provides
     a way for developers to get development tools that are sometimes
     very difficult to find.  For a year's membership ($20), you are
     sent a quarterly catalog of all the available software, manuals,
     etc. available through APDA.

     Developer Express is a way for non-APDA members to be able to
     order items from APDA.  I don't have the details of Developer
     Express here... I believe that anyone can order Class 1 items
     (IE: XXX) from APDA through Developer Express.

     Software available through APDA include the following:

       MIDI Synth/synthLAB - MIDI Synth/synthLAB is a second
         generation note synthesizer for the Apple IIGS.  By
         integrating a completely new sequencer, MIDI interface
         and synthesizer into one programming tool, MIDI Synth
         offers developers a powerful but simple solution to
         many of their sound needs.  Because of this integration,
         most of the work required by an application is handled
         by the tool.

         synthLAB is a demo application that shows the power of
         the new MIDI Synth toolset for the Apple IIGS. synthLAB
         can be used to create the intruments needed for
         applications, either by modifying existing ones or by
         creating totally new and original ones. synthLAB's
         recorder can be used to record custom sequences used in
         applications. synthLAB is built around MIDI Synth and
         makes a great learning tool in understanding how
         MIDI Synth works.

         This package includes one 3.5" disk containing the
         MIDI Synth Tool set (tool 35) and synthLAB (a demo
         application that highlights the sheer power of the 
         MIDI Synth Tool set).  Also included is documentation
         on each of the tool calls within that Tool set, and a
         user manual for synthLAB.  The APDA part number is
         'A0250LL/A" (better known as "MIDI Synth/synthLAB
         Version 1.0B3").  The price is $25.

         [The above was stolen without permission from
         8/16-Central, they took the information from A2Pro
         on GEnie.]


       Apple II Video Overlay Card Development Kit v1.1 - This
         kit provides basic design information about the Apple II
         Video Overlay Card.  The notes include information on
         how the Apple II Video Overlay Card works with
         application programs, descriptions of the Vidio I/O
         Interface Tool Set routines for controlling the
         operation of the Apple II Video Overlay Card, and
         overview of the Apple II Video Expansion Bus (AVEB)
         architecture, and a description of the relevant new
         features incorporated into the Apple IIGS VideoMix
         desk accessory and the Apple IIe Video Setup program.

         The disk includes interfaces for the APW and MPW IIGS
         development systems and an object file for Apple IIe
         programmers. The disk also includes Tool 33 (ther Video
         Overlay Card tool), the VideoMix desk accessory (for
         the Apple IIGS), and the Apple IIe Video Setup program.

         APDA part number is 'A0221LL/B', price is $35.

         [The above is stolen from the Summer 1990 APDALog without
         permission].
       

       GSBug and Debugging Tools v. 4.0B1 - This beta version of
         Apple Computer's machine-language debugger works on any
         Apple IIGS with System Software v. 4.0 or later.

         With GSBug, you can step through your code; save a trace
         history to a file on disk; define breakpoints and insert
         them into your code; define and use memory protection
         windows; and view the debugger's master display, which
         shows the contents of the 65816 registers, breakpoints,
         and memory-protection ranges that you have set, portions
         of the stack and memory, and a disassembly of your
         program's code.

         Also included with GSBug are the Loader Dumper, Memory
         Mandler, and Scrambler classic desk accessories (CDAs).
         Loader Dumper lets you see where in memory the System
         Loader has loaded each segment of your program and gives
         you information about the various tables and variables 
         that the loader uses. Memory Mangler lets you execute
         a variety of Memory Manager routines and provides lists
         of the memory blocks that are in use, purged, and disposed
         of by the Memory Manager. Scrambler helps you find out
         whether your application has incorrectly dereferenced a
         memory handle by not having first locked the handle.

         The GS/OS Exerciser, also included with this package,
         lets you "exercise" GS/OS by practicing its calls from
         the keyboard.  This utility is supplied as both an
         application and as a CDA.

         APDA part number is 'A0037LL/A', price is $30.

         [The above is stolen from the Fall 1990 APDALog without
         permission].


       d e v e l o p - The Apple Technical Journal, contains articles
         and samples about creating hardware and software for Apple
         computers.

         The articles and code in   d e v e l o p   are intended to
         lead you into Insidr Macintosh.  Each issue contains source
         code (provided on the CD-ROM disc) that you can use in your
         application. Each journal also includes questions and answers
         from the Macintosh and Apple II Developer Technical Support
         groups.

         All of the journal articles and source code are included on
         the compact disc that comes with  d e v e l o p.  The disc
         also includes essential tools for developers: international
         versions of system software, international HyperCard,
         Developer Technical Support Notes stacks, and electronic
         versions of selected Apple developer documentation, such as
         SpInside Machintosh. If you don't have a CD-ROM drive, you
         will be able to find the contents of the disc on AppleLine,
         the Apple FTP site on the internet, and other on-line services
         in the near future.

         If you're a certified developer, Partner, or Associate, you'll
         receive one copy of  d e v e l o p  every quarter as part of 
         your developer package.

         A subscription to  d e v e l o p  is $27 for U.S. subscribers
         and $47 for international subscribers.

         The following back issues of  d e v e l o p  are available
         at a price of $10 per issue:

           M0901LL/A    d e v e l o p  issue 1      January 1990
           M0902LL/A    d e v e l o p  issue 2      April 1990
           M0903LL/A    d e v e l o p  issue 3      July 1990
           M0904LL/A    d e v e l o p  issue 4      October 1990

         [The above is stolen from the Fall 1990 APDALog without
         permission].



     APDA is run by Apple Computer.

     Address:  APDA
               Apple Computer, Inc.
               20525 Mariani Avenue, Mail Stop 33G
               Cupertino, California 95014-6299

     Phone: 1-800-282-2732 (U.S.)
            1-800-637-0029 (Canada)
            1-408-562-3910 (International)
            1-408-562-3971 (Fax)
            171-576 (Telex)

     Electronic Mail: APDA (AppleLink)
                      A.DEVELOPER3 (GEnie)
                      76666,2405 (CompuServe)
                      POSTROM (MCI)
                      APDA (MacNet)



========================================================================
Subject:  What Apple II magazines are there?

[Note: This question needs to be completed...]


     GS+ is a bi-monthly magazine for the Apple IIGS published on an
       Apple IIGS.  This magazine is not as polished as some magazines,
       but they are honest and put together very good reviews and
       software.  If they see something that is junk, they call it junk
       (just the way it should be!).  Their idea is to show what an
       Apple IIGS can do and they succeed very well at doing exactly
       that.

       Some of their software is just downright great - their EGOed
       NDA editor is great, I also like their Shuffle Init (shuffles
       the active window between all open windows).  I'm not being paid
       for this favorable point of view - I'm simply a very happy
       subscriber.

       Address: GS+ Subscription Services
                c/o EGO Systems
                P.O. Box 15366
                Chattanooga, Tennessee  37415-0366

       Voice: (615) 870-4960  (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm EST)
       FAX: (913) 469-6507
       gs-plus BBS: (615) 875-4607 (2400 baud, 8 data bits, no parity,
                                    1 stop bit)

       Electronic mail: Internet: diz@pro-gsplus.cts.com (editor)
                      

       Subscription Price: magazine $15/year,  disk+magazine $36/year
                           magazine $3/issue,  disk+magazine $8/issue
                     First class mail service for $1.50/issue, $9/year
                     Tennessee Residents add 5.5% sales tax.
                     Chattanooga Residents add 7.25% sales tax.
                     Canadian/Mexican orders add $1 extra postage.
                     All other foreign orders add $6 surface, $30 air.


     Nibble


     d e v e l o p - see the section about APDA for information on
                     d e v e l o p.



     inCider/A+ is a monthly Apple II/Macintosh magazine.

       Address: inCider/A+
                P.O. Box 56818
                Boulder, CO 80322-8618

       Subscription: $27.97/year  $43/2 years



     HyperStudio Network is a quarterly newsletter about HyperStudio.
       Membership in HSN will get you the newsletter (HyperStudio Forum),
       an annual 'Best of HyperStudio' disk of stacks and availability
       of discounts on HyperStudio accessories (including HyperStudio).
       This network seems to be a great place for teachers to get
       information/stacks.

       HyperPostCards is their current big success.  The idea is to
       get students to include information about themselves and to
       distribute the HyperStudio stacks from one school to another.
       It works much like postcards would.  I don't have more details,
       so I'm stopping.

       Address: HyperStudio Network
                Box 103
                Blawenburg, NJ 08504

       Phone: (609) 466-3196

       Subscription/Membership: $29 for 1 year, $55 for 2 years.
       Institutional Membership: $99 for 1 year, $189 for 2 years.
                                 Includes 20 copies of both HyperStudio
                                 Forum and the annual "Best of
                                 HyperStudio" disk.



     ??? - is the Basic (or was that Z-Basic) programmer's magazine
       (sorry about being vague... I just don't have the information
        with me... and never subscribed to a couple of these magazines)



     A2-Central publishes several Apple II magazines:

       A2-Central - The Apple II newsletter, there is an optional
                    disk version.  This is a monthly publication.

       All of their other publications are 3.5" disk based only.

       For the IIGS, the program to use is HyperStudio (they include
       the runtime version, in case you don't have HyperStudio).

       For other IIs, they include a text browser.  Although any text
       browser will do the job.  I don't know if this applies to all
       of the magazines or not (guess I should call again...).


       8/16-Central - Monthly Apple II programmers disk magazine.
                      8/16-Central will include programs, sources
                      and articles.

       Stack Central - HyperStudio-based disk.  Each issue is a
                      collection of HyperStudio additions.  My guess
                      is that it includes things like Clip Art/Sounds,
                      XCMDs, PD Stacks and so on.  There were some
                      articles in the demo that I saw - I can't say
                      any more than this.  Except that there are
                      two disks per issue - every other month.

       TimeOut Central - every other month - all about TimeOut
                      additions and AppleWorks.  Includes UltraMacros
                      Macros, Templates and so forth.  There is one
                      disk per issue.

       Hyperbole - Will begin in January.  This disk based publication
                      is not about computers.  It is HyperStudio based
                      stories and poetry and so on.

       Address: A2-Central (or is it Resource Central now?)
                P.O. Box 11250
                Overland Park, KS  66207

       Voice: (913) 469-6502
       FAX: (913) 469-6507

       Electronic mail on GEnie: A2-CENTRAL, UNCLE-DOS, or DENNIS.DOMS



     The Road Apple - An Apple // "End Users" Underground Newsletter

       Published six times a year.

       Address: 1121 NE 177th, Suite B
                Portland, OR 97230

       Telephone:  (503) 254-3874.

       Subscription price: $9.95 per year (6 issues)



     Computist - a publication devoted to gathering and distributing
                 information on removing copy protection from Apple II
                 software.

       Address: P.O. Box 110846
                Tacoma, WA  98411



     Softdisk and Softdisk GS - monthly disk magazines containing a
        variety of software.  Softdisk is available on 5.25" or 3.5"
        disks.  Softdisk GS is available only on 3.5" disks.

        Address: Softdisk Publishing
                 P.O. Box 30008
                 Shreveport, LA 71130-0008

        Phone: 1-800-831-2694
               1-318-221-8718

        Subscription: Softdisk: $19.95/3 months
                      Softdisk GS: $29.95/3 months
                      Both: $39.95/3 months



========================================================================
Subject: Recent Apple Computer Announcements and Changes

     The Apple IIc+ was dropped from price lists (I really liked the
     //c+, I even bought my parents one).


     ProDOS 8 1.9 was announced in September 1990.

     GS/OS 5.0.3 was announced in November 1990.

     HyperCard IIGS was announced in December at AppleFest.  It will
     become available from Apple Computer Dealers in February 1991
     for $99.  HCGS will require 1.5meg (although 2meg is recommended).



========================================================================
Subject: Future questions for the FAQ

This is the section where you get to peek into the future of the
FAQ list.  Here is where some questions that may take me a while
to incorporate correctly. Since I have the questions I thought
that I'd present them here.

Where can I find Apple II software?
Where can I get commercial hardware and/or software?
    Mention where to find listings (is there anyone doing
    decent reviews any longer?)
Where can I find out how to do XYZ? (fill in the XYZ)
Common Apple II general questions:
    Are there any free programming languages for the Apple II line?
         Mad Forth (other Forths?)
         Hyper-C - a shareware package with no one at
                   the address to receive the money?
         Applesoft and various freeware and shareware
                   extensions (mention some that are
                   available on Apple2-l and comp.*.apple2)

                   How do I get out of AppleSoft?  Type 'bye'.
         Scheme (for the IIgs).
    What versions of BASIC are available for the Apple II line?
         TML Basic, Micol Basic, Z-Basic, Beagle Compiler
    What versions of C language are available for the Apple II line?
         Orca C, APW C, Manx Aztec C
    What versions of other languages (Pascal, Forth, Scheme, etc)
         TML Pascal, Orca Pascal, GS Forth, there was a Lisp
         at one time, Pecan Power Systems Pascal, FORTRAN, and
         BASIC
    What versions of assemblers are available?
         Orca/M, Orca/M GS, APW, Merlin 8/16+, Lisa, EDASM, others?

    ByteWorks : 1-505-898-8183
                4700 Irving Blvd NW
                Suite 207
                Albuquerque, NM 87114

    Common Apple IIe specific questions:
    Common Apple IIc specific questions:
    Common IIgs specific questions:
         What does it mean when my IIgs crashes with a $0911
         unclaimed interrupt?

         Redmond Cable has an ADB Y-connector cable for separating
         your mouse from the side of your keyboard (also can be used
         to work around a failing ADB port on the keyboard).  Their
         address is: Redmond Cable Corporation, 17371-A1 NE 67th Ct,
         Redmond, WA 98052, (206) 882-2009.

         When your battery dies get a the 'Slide-On Battery Replacement
         Kit' from Night Owl Productions:
          Address: Nite Owl Productions
                   Slide-On Battery Dept.
                   5734 Lamar Street
                   Mission, KS 66202
          Phone: (913) 362-9898
          Price: 14:95 plus $2 for shipping



========================================================================
Subject: Editors Notes

     This is the fourth revision of the FAQ for comp.sys.apple2.
     I am posting it at this time because there are sites that
     have not received it at all.  This is because of its size
     which also explains why I broke it into two pieces.

     I apologize in advance for any of the errors (typographical,
     logical, or otherwise).  With your patience (and help!) this
     frequently asked questions (with answers) article will improve.

     I would appreciate hearing from you if you have an addition,
     correction, or to complain to me about what I did wrong.

     Please send me electronic mail at one of the following
     addresses:

          Internet: dave@mystie.webo.dg.com
                or: dave%dgc.mceo.dg.com@relay.cs.net
             GEnie: D.Kopper


     Apple II Forever!!!!!  David Kopper


[Last edited on January 25, 1991]