Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!cbatt!ihnp4!ihwpt!knudsen
From: knudsen@ihwpt.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.m6809
Subject: Level 2 OS9 Comments, HInts
Message-ID: <1576@ihwpt.ATT.COM>
Date: Mon, 6-Apr-87 19:07:25 EST
Article-I.D.: ihwpt.1576
Posted: Mon Apr  6 19:07:25 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Apr-87 23:36:56 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Naperville, Illinois
Lines: 49
Keywords: Coco3 OS9 boot terrific TSEDIT

Level 2 for the Coco3 finally arrived near Chicago on
April 2, and I think I got the 1st or 2nd one sold.
In summary, it is GREAT!

1. Windows are very useful and easy to customize.
Windowing modules are included in the $80 price.

2. So is BASIC09, which has all the old stuff plus
a new interface for the HiRes "H" graphics.

3. 100% graphics compatibility with Level 1.
TSEdit works perfectly (try TSEDIT file #32K).

4. Double sided 40 and 80-track disks are finally
supported!  And OS9GEN and COBBLER know how to
make boots onto them.  Bye bye BOOTFIX.

5. The 2+" thick manual is much improved.  You get
a mini 3-ring binder like with IBM PCs.  Typesetting
and printing is much more readable, the writing is much
clearer with more examples and hints, and there are several
indices and tables of contents.  The first day I was using
info that is probably in the old 3-manual Level 1 set
but I never found it there.

6.  MONTYPE command to set all screens for Mono,
Comp, or RGB.

7. Tremendous support for the new graphics hardware.
Includes the ability to PUT and GET parts of the graphics
screen as in RS-BASIC, plus you can XOR, AND, or OR the PUT.
Can draw Arcs and Ellipses.  Can load software-defined fonts--
manual tells how to make your own.

8.  Multitasking really works now.  I started a disk backup
in one window, went to another and did a DIR with only slightly
slower typing response.  Fun to hear the disks break the
backup rhythm and do the DIR, then go back to backup!
Just think what you can do during formats and DSAVEs too.
Strangely there is no TSMON or LOGIN supplied, now that it
would be useful.

9.  Boot disks must have CMDS containing SHELL and GRFDRV,
since Shell isn't in the bootfile any more for good reasons.

Time to leave -- to be continued.
-- 
Mike J Knudsen    ...ihnp4!ihwpt!knudsen  Bell Labs(AT&T)
>>>DRUGS are for WIMPS who can't handle SCIENCE FICTION<<<