Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!rutgers!uwvax!oddjob!mimsy!umd5!umbc3!pete
From: pete@umbc3.UMD.EDU (Pete Hsi )
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Anyone using Geos ?
Message-ID: <666@umbc3.UMD.EDU>
Date: 30 Dec 87 10:14:40 GMT
References: <173@sdrc.UUCP>
Reply-To: pete@umbc3.UMD.EDU (Pete Hsi (C))
Organization: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Lines: 85
Keywords: geos ram exapansion


In article <173@sdrc.UUCP> crgabb@sdrc.UUCP (Rob Gabbard) writes:
>
>	I'm thinking about purchasing Geos and using it with the new
>1764 256K RAM expansion for the 64. I'm also going to purchase the 1351 Mouse
>and a 1200 baud modem (I'm still dragging around with a 1650).  I've got a 
>single 1541, a Star Gemini 10X, an old color TV and a BMC monochrome monitor.
> My
>original intent was to buy a MAC SE for word processing and telecommunications
>but I thought that this configuration would suit my needs for a while without 
>spending $2-3K. I will probably get the Writer's Workshop w/ geoWrite 2.0 also
>and possibly geoPublish.
>
>	Does anyone out there have a similar configuration ? If so, what have
>you found concerning performance, disk swapping, etc. I'd appreciate anyone's 
>input on any of the Geos software.

(I tried mailing this but my mail program barfed)

okay, my 2 cents worth on GEOS:

It is a good piece of software and you can tell a good deal of thought
went into it:
1. It speeds up your 1541.
2. It provides the icon-type environment (something to impress your friends
   when they say "and what can your computer do?")
3. GEOwrite is a "WYSIWYG" editor... you see the formatted output on the screen
    as you are typing it in... special fonts and all! Very user friendly.
4. Disk swapping: there is NONE - you must copy the programs/files you need
   to a work-disk and use that work-disk thoughout your session.
   This is because there is not enough room on the original disk to save your
   data.
   However, you must use the original disk to boot or re-boot GEOS: 
   the booter is copy protected (okay some disk swapping is required).
   (This a well thought out feature of GEOS: copy protection for the vendor
   while allowing some sort of back-up capability for the user.)

BUT I won't recommend it or the following reasons:
1. It is too gimicky - you can accomplish the same things with better
   results using "regular" programs.
2. Lifting your hand to/from keyboard and joystick/mouse is annoying and not
   natural... it breaks your rythm (sp?) and ruins your train of thought.
   This is the dark side to most user-friendly software: the "friendliness"
   becomes cumbersome as you get more proficient.
   (this is based on experience and scientific studies... no flames please).
3. The printout is just plain UGLY! GEOS supports the Gemini-10x (I got one
   too) but the print is still unacceptable. This is the main reason
   why I don't use the program anymore and it is the main reason I would not
   recommend buying it. (Laser printer is supported. See below.)
4. It has different drivers for different input devices (joystick,
   mouse, touch-tablet, etc). I have tried it with the mouse and joystick...
   pretty inaccurate and is especially fusterating to use with GEO-Draw.
   (try this: draw a circle with GEOS and try it with a Amiga or Mac...
   you will see there is a huge difference)
5. It is a disk-intensive program. Even with the 1541 speed-up feature,
   response times are not fast enough! For example, if you are writing a long
   paper with different fonts, frequent disk accesses are neccessary to
   to scroll though the buffer and to retrieve the different fonts.
   (I don't know if c64 GEOS supports the memory expension-I know c128
    GEOS supports it. if it does, then this point is moot.)
6. "GEOpublish": I would take the "desk-top" publishing point with
   a grain of  salt, considering the awful printout GEOS produces.
   Use a laser printer? DO YOU HAVE LASER PRINTER????
   Can you afford a laser printer????? :-)

All in all, the disadvantages out weigh the advantages: it is a well written
piece of software but it is limited by the capabilities of the hardware.

What I would do: before buying it, examine it first.
See if you can get use to using the joystick/mouse drivers and
see if the printout is acceptable for you ... try more than one font.

The '64 is a great machine. But if you want the ideal icon-driven desk-top
publishing system, you're better off with something faster than a '64.
Save your money and buy a good '64 word-processor.

I have more grips about GEOS but I'm sure other users will bring them up.
I hope this helps
--Pete
ARPA: pete@umbc3.umd.edu   or  pete@umbc2.umd.edu
Bitnet: pete@umbc

p.s.: get the 1200 baud modem... I just retired my 1650 and boy what a
difference! (pst! hey buddy, wanna buy a modem? :-)
p.p.s.: please don't over-react to my criticisms(sp?).... my asbestos suit is
at the cleaners ;-)