Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpfcso!hplvec!reid
From: reid@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Reid Trimble)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Apple /// Software and Information Needed
Message-ID: <9430007@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM>
Date: 13 Mar 91 17:19:01 GMT
References: <11838@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO
Lines: 71

tmaster@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Master) writes in response to:
c188-br@volga.Berkeley.EDU.UUCP (Calvin Cheng)
> 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.)

You should also give Sun Remarketing in Utah a call at 801-752-7631.  They
used to have all the stuff you mentioned at reasonably low prices.

> 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.

Sun had a product from Titan Technologies called the "///+//e".  It's actually
two plug in cards, but you're right about the price.  I last saw it listed
for $299 - easily more than a used //e.  If you can find it, there was a 
single board solution, also from Titan, that up'd the ][+ emulation from 48K
to 64K.  Interestingly, the board is layed out to hold 16 64K chips.  With
the appropriate driver you can have a 128K or 140K ramdisk available under
SOS.  The 128K version even survives the CTL-Reset reboot!

> ...User groups and archives...

It's been awhile, but you could try:

Third Apple Users Group (TAU)
c/o Lavona Rann
1113 Wheaton Oaks Drive
Wheaton, IL  60187

and/or:

Dave Ottalini
Washington Apple Pi
8227 Woodmont Ave., Suite 201
Bethesda, MD. 20814

and the Three's Company BBS:
804-747-8752

>I still
>have a couple of spare Apple II cards like a Microsft Softcard.  Wonder if
>it can be used safely on the /// (how about the hardware differences)? 

The I/O slot configuration between the ][ and /// is almost identical.  You
probably won't kill the /// with the softcard, but I think there were 
differences between the two.  In particular, without all the SOS specific
BIOS stuff, it wouldn't be able to tell the card was there.  Sun Remarketing
used to sell the softcard /// with software for about $50.
 
>How do I really tell the amount of memory in my ///?
 
Three Easy Pieces (3EZP), a fore-runner of appleworks tells you the amount
of free memory when you add a file to the desktop.  The /// came from apple
in 3 configurations: 96K (almost useless, maybe never shipped) 128K - common
for most early ///'s and 256K, common for later ///'s.  On Three, mentioned
above, has an accessory that can boost memory to 512K, but most applications
need to be patched to access memory above 256K directly.  I think On Three's
board also has a ramdisk driver.

> 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.

Apple supplied the modem elim. cable with the ///.  It's about 10" long
with DB-25 connectors at each end.  If you didn't get it with your recent
purchase, maybe the original owner can locate it.

    	Good Luck!
        Reid (still love my ///) Trimble