Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!rutgers!pyrnj!dasys1!tbetz From: tbetz@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Betz) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Re: Looking for Apple /// (Yes, 3!) sof Summary: I use 'em every day... some corrections. Message-ID: <8604@dasys1.UUCP> Date: 5 Feb 89 21:14:21 GMT References: <596896823@sfmag.UUCP> <139800001@cdp> Reply-To: tbetz@dasys1.UUCP (Tom Betz) Organization: Greyston Business Services, Inc. Lines: 72 Quoth sklein@cdp.UUCP in <139800001@cdp>: | |Walt Morris asked about Apple /// software and a 'disk to boot it with'. | |If I recall correctly, Apple ///s used 'disk-based ROM;' the actual ROM |in the machine was just enough code to boot a disk. You put a special |boot disk in the internal drive which loaded the 'ROM' routines into |write-protected RAM (like the Amiga 1000 Kickstart). Not quite. The internal ROM contains some 'monitor' code, the OS actually resides on disk. |The operating system is called Apple SOS (applesauce- get it?). SOS |is an abbreviation for Sophisticated Operating System. It's file structure |is compatible with ProDOS and disks and files move freely between SOS |and ProDOS but not, of course, software. SOS was actually ProDos' 'daddy'. One could say that ProDos is a bastardized SOS. The software is not compatible, but I understand from my conversations with folks who have written for both that it's a pretty simple matter to port from one to the other. |The best Apple /// program that I'm aware of is Three Easy Pieces, the |precursor to Appleworks. If I had a ///, I would definately get |/// EZ Pieces. Although I don't use it (I use stand-alone software instead, Word Juggler, Visicalc Advanced, and our own Pascal-based database) my understanding is that you are correct. I have often wished I'd gone with /// EZ Pieces. It's not as powerful as any of the stand-alones, but it will do everything one is likely to need to do with a home computer except telecommunicate. For that, I recommend Access /// (Apple's VT-52 emulator) or On Three's Communication Manager, which also incorporates Xmodem-CRC. More on this later. |The only Apple /// magazine that I'm aware of is called On-Three, |but I don't know where/how to get it. I used to have a sub, but it either ran out or the company stopped publishing it. The last address I have for them was On-Three, 4478 Market Street, Suite 701, Ventura CA 93003. Phone (orders) 800-443- 8877 or (800) 331-1418 (CA) ... or (805) 644-3514. This is from the Sept '87 issue. OnThree offered a Sidekick-like program for the /// that is highly recommended, which permitted modules (like the Communication Manager) to pop-up from within other applications (like /// EZ Pieces) when you want it. They also offered a 512K RAM upgrade. Another good source for Apple /// software and hardware is Sun Remarketing, 800-821-3221 or 801-752-7631. I have maintained between 4 and 5 Apple ///s for the last 5 years with their help. Yet another software source is Pair Software, 3201 Murchison Way, Carmichael, CA 95608. Voice: (916) 485-6525 BBS: 916-488-5184 They also offer a 512K RAM upgrade, and a wide variety of PD and non-PD software. Bill Moore used to publish the /// Magazine, and probably has back issues available. I heard from them last in Oct 1988. |The Apple /// is an underated machine. You made a good deal. I agree 100%. I've been running a business on them for 6 years, and am just now beginning to set up a Xenix system to replace them. If you'd like any more sage advice, feel free to call me. -- "Let's not be too tough on our own ignorance. It's the thing that makes America great. If America weren't incomparably ignorant, how could we have tolerated the last eight years?" ---- Frank Zappa, Feb 1, 1989 ---- Tom Betz - 914-375-1510 - cmcl2!dasys1!tbetz & cmcl2!philabs!spies!tbetz