Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!aurs01!davis
From: davis@aurs01.uucp (Alan Davis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: handheld msdos
Message-ID: <59570@aurs01.UUCP>
Date: 8 Feb 91 05:10:40 GMT
References: <44@atom2.LHRL.OZ.AU>
Sender: news@aurs01.UUCP
Organization: Alcatel Network Systems, Raleigh NC
Lines: 35
To: aurfs1!aurgate!uunet!cs.dal.ca!silvert
In-Reply-To: <1991Feb6.135505.4972@cs.dal.ca>
Cc:


In article <44@atom2.LHRL.OZ.AU> phil@atom2.LHRL.OZ.AU (Phil Belbin) writes:
>
>       Has anybody used an Atari Portfolio or similar machine to run msdos
>exe or com files to run compiled spreadsheets. We are looking at purchacing
>a machine and would appreciate any help or advice.
  
I have been using my port for most of a year now and have found in general
that the Messy-dos programs must conform to a 'tiny'memory profile :

	i8x86 'tiny' memory model = 64k i+d
	bios services only, no direct video write, no low level
	disk, serial or parallel port control
	doesn't check for 'known' bios signatures

If you are interested in roll-your own port apps, the basic tech kit is
only $60 from Atari, but doesn't include hotline support or CIS developer
forum access. To get full support you have to shell out about $300.

Well behaved programs may be written in C, Pascal, C++, Modula2, etc.
There is a version of BASIC available (interpreted) that can be used
with GWBASIC programs developed on the PC, with some restrictions.



-- 
Alan Davis                      aur : davis@aurw87
Alcatel Network Systems         BIX : adavis
...!mcnc!aurgate!aurfs1!davis   CIS : 72317,3661
                                internet : 72317.3661@compuserve.com

Alan Davis                      aur : davis@aurw87
Alcatel Network Systems         BIX : adavis
..!mcnc!aurgate!aurfs1!davis   CIS : 72317,3661
                                internet : 72317.3661@compuserve.com