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From: tmaster@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Master)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Apple /// Software and Information Needed
Keywords: Apple ///
Message-ID: <13259@darkstar.ucsc.edu>
Date: 10 Mar 91 09:26:51 GMT
References: <1991Mar7.221706.9355@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <11838@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>
Sender: usenet@darkstar.ucsc.edu
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz; Open Access Computing
Lines: 70


In article <11838@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> c188-br@volga.Berkeley.EDU.UUCP (Calvin Cheng) writes:
>Thanks to Lorraine, I'm now the proud owner of an Apple ///.  That should be
>a nice companion to my II Plus and Mac.  To get myself started however, I need
>important pieces of software and information on this babe.  So I'm looking
>for the full Apple /// Pascal, the Apple II Emulation Mode software (I think
>there's a IIe emulation software but it's not by Apple) and the Apple ///
>Business Basic.  I also need a communication program to allow the Apple ///
>to be linked to the Mac via a serial link so I can perform file transfers.
>Since I'm totally new to the Apple /// world, I'd like suggestions on turning
>this wonderful machine into something that a longtime Apple II user can
>feel comfortable with (like the good old APple II monitor or Macsbug).
>
  Well, much of the software you mentioned is copyrighted, which makes 
distribution questionable on the legal side.  On Three (1802 Mitchell Road,
Lake Stevens, Wa, 98528) sells some of the things you mentioned (you would
also get manuals then.).  Order number is 206-334-8001 (tech info/support
is 312-338-2202 between 5-9 pm CST M-F and 10am-6pm CST on weekends.)

 There is no apple //e emulation mode that I know of done by software.  There
is a card that will allow this, but the price is equal or greater than that
of just buying a used //e.  There are some hacks of the normal emulation disk
to give you lowercase, and other to allow you to access some of the other
apple /// features, but you pretty much get a 48k 40 col // or //+.

>I'm wondering if file archives still exist for the Apple /// (I'll need a 
>terminal program in the first place).  How about user groups or newsletters
>devoted to the ///?  What about recommended books for techies?
>

 Well, I mentioned On Three above.  They have a terminal program
that does some real transfer protocols.  I wrote a simple one which will do
text transfers/recieves.  As for technical information, once again On three
could probably help you out.  Sos referance manuals might be a starting
point, along with the pascal manuals.  Device Drivers guide could also be
useful, depending on what you plan to do.

>Lastly, I wonder if the DB25 connector for the RS232 is standard?  I still
>have acouple of spare Apple II cards like a Microsft Softcard.  Wonder if
>it can be used safely on the /// (how about the hardware differences)?  And
>can I hook the Apple /// directly to an ImageWriter II?  How to I really
>tell the amount of memory in my ///?
>

 The DB25 connector is RS232-C.  Apple // cards will function, but the apple
/// in native mode won't do anything with them unless they have a driver
for them (The peripheral slot pinouts are close to the same or
exactly the same (I use an apple // rev C scsi card with no problems.)). One
hardware difference which  will affect some things is that the apple /// 
normally runs at 2 mhz, so the timing to the cards is at 2 mhz.  There is
a softswitch to go to 1 mhz, but it would be the drivers responsibilty to
make that switch.

 There is no reason you can't hook an imagewriter to the apple ///.  You
may need a modem eliminator (crossover) cable to do so however.

 You can tell the amount of memory a few ways.  One is to remove the mother
board and look at the piggyback ram card.  Or, with some software, it may
give you a free memory count which will also tell you (In business basic,
do something like print fre would give free memory.  Figure around 30-60k
for OS and other stuff.).  There is some software way (someplace is contained
the highest memory bank in the system.)  But this may be difficult to get
to.

>Calvin Cheng
><< The Best is Yet to Be >>


	The Master
	tmaster@ucscb.ucsc.edu