Re: Apple II Accelerator Project

[frankc <frankc@NOSPAMsrv.net>]

> : Okay, this project is not totally dead.  It has
> : been more than six months that it has been worked
> <snip>
> : thinking about it.  I would also like to hear from
> : anyone who is experienced designing accelerators
> : or understands the theory behind accelerators.  I
> : have some ideas, but I have no idea if it will
> : actually work.
>
> --> Ummm, just wondering here - as far as I know; there are
>     at least two working A2 accelerators in existance. One
>     from Applied Engineering and I think one from Checkmate
>     Technologies. Then there's the Rocket Chip, from some
>     other company that got successfully sued for infringement
>     (I think). All of these firms are out of business -
>     but their products should be available somewhere on the
>     net, if one goes looking. I think one was called the
>     Transwarp card? A bit fuzzy on my recollections. I'm
>     sure someone else can clarify and detail what existed.

So

>     What I'm getting at - is it seems (at least, to me) that
>     it would make more sense to focus on a LAN connector for
>     the 2e (for example);

Why?  You can get a localtalk card off of e-bay for pennies that will work in
the IIe.  Then you can use this to connect your IIe to the network of yours.  In
fact you can get a localtalk to ethernet adapter to put them all on an ethernet
network.

> where such a product hasn't existed
>     (again, I think so - may be wrong); rather than on a product
>     that definitely existed, made by several firms and can be
>     bought second-hand, if one wishes to accellerate their A2
>     system.

There in not, to my knowledge, any accelerator that works in the Apple II that
uses an intel x86 processor.  When there is one the ground work will be done to
speed up the accelerator to 386, 485, Pentium, Pentium II, Athlon and who knows
what else.  Practically I think a 486 66 would be a good bet.  Anything later
uses 3 volt chips and would need interfacing circuitry.

> I certainly don't mean to step on anyone's ideas
>     or enthusiasm for something - it's just that one seems to
>     be more likely to be `saleable' than the other. Just my 0.02
>
>     I'd love to be able to add my 2e and the 2gs to my 3 PC's,
>     I've got networked at home. At the very least - I'd probably
>     be able to share the inkjet printer with the 2e.

You can share your printer using localtalk.  But if you really want a IIe
ethernet connection then buy a compiler, one of the available network cards and
write the support software yourself.  That is the true essence and spirit of the
Apple II and one that continues to this day.  That is why people build network
cards, accelerators, ROM cards, etc...  Because it is fun, you learn something,
and most of all it is COOL.  Yes, grasshopper, we are attempting to approach
coolness.

Peace,
Frank