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Apple II FAQs MainHall-1 Start Here!
Apple II Frequently Asked Questions: Main Hall 1 ... Start Here!
Csa2 FAQs-on-Ground ref: Csa21MAIN1.txt rev023 1 February 2000
The Csa2 (comp.sys.apple2) Usenet newsgroup Apple II FAQs
originate from the Ground Apple II archive, 1997-2000.
Ground Apple II Administrator: Steve Nelson
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/Faqs/
http://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/Faqs/
The Csa2 FAQs may be freely distributed.
Note: FAQs files in the main folder on Ground are pure Text files
which have no Font, Color, etc. formatting and no set line length.
This makes them ideal for printing out or for viewing via an ftp
client which places the content in a text viewer such as WordPad.
For best viewing on-line, set Word Wrap to ON and use a font such
as Roman 12cpi which maintains fixed character spacing.
Mirrors- Text on the ACN Florida, ACN Tarnover, and USA2WUG sites is
line-length formatted for on-line perusing via Netscape, etc. ...
ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Archives/FAQs.and.INFO/A2.Csa2.FAQs/
ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/FAQs.and.INFO/A2.Csa2.FAQs/
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/A2.FAQs.and.INFO/CSA2.FAQs/
Note: To correctly view tables and diagrams in Text files, use
a fixed spacing Font such as CoPilot or PCMononspaced (IIgs)
or Roman 12cpi (PC).
HTML web site versions of the FAQs are available on the II Computing
and Apple II Help Page sites ...
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
http://members.xoom.com/apple_II/faqs.html
____________________________
Csa2 Apple II FAQs Main Hall
Revision 023 Update: 1 February 2000
Welcome to the comp.sys.apple2 newsgroup Frequently Asked Questions! This
file is called "Main Hall" because it's your starting-off point for accessing
the Apple II FAQs.
You can peruse a listing of FAQs files along with lists of questions
answered; OR, you can check out some 'getting started' and 'what's where?'
Questions & Answers immediately below. Whenever you like, you can skip to the
Vendors, Publications, and FAQs Contents area in Main Hall 2.
Changes since the January 1, 2000 release include several additions and a
few corrections. Most of the revisions are to the Printer, Diskette, Telecom
Transfers, File Utilities, and Games FAQs.
Thanks to those who have suggested modifications and posted answers or
sent contributions which have been incorporated.
Best wishes to all Apple II users!
Jeff Hurlburt, 1 February 2000
rubywand@swbell.net
General Apple II and Getting Started Q&A
001- What is a FAQ?
002- What is comp.sys.apple2?
003- What software do I need to get started and how do I get it?
004- How and where do I download and upload Apple II files?
005- Where can I get Apple II software and information on the net?
006- What is an Apple II: The KIM
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple I
008- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
009- What is an Apple II: The "Black Apple"
010- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
012- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX and 'EX/2?
013- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
014- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][e Emulation Card
015- Apple "][", "Apple II", "Apple //"-- which is correct?
016- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
017- How can I tell what version my computer is?
018- Where can I find out about Applesoft BASIC programming?
019- Suppose I just want to start using my Apple II Now!?
020- Where do I find out about Apple II Users Groups?
021- How can I find out more about using my Apple II?
001- What is a FAQ?
A "FAQ" is a "Frequently Asked Question". The Csa2 FAQs is a collection of
topics files and resource files which seeks to supply answers to questions
about the Apple II series of computers and Apple II computing. --Rubywand
____________________________
002- What is comp.sys.apple2?
Comp.sys.apple2 (Csa2) is a USENET newsgroup. USENET posts originate from
your local newsreader and spread to hundreds of thousands of machines
throughout the Internet, FidoNet, ProLine BBS system, etc..
There are several newsgroups in the Csa2 family, all concerned with Apple
II series affairs. They provide a forum for users to compare notes, ask
questions, and share insights. The Csa2 groups include ...
comp.sys.apple2 (Csa2) - Discussion plus questions & answers
relating to all Apple II computers
comp.sys.apple2.comm - Communications and networking related
issues
comp.sys.apple2.gno - Discussion of GNO/ME, a UNIX-like
multi-tasking environment for IIgs
(see file gno.v...)
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace - Buying, selling, and promoting
Apple II and related products
comp.sys.apple2.programmer - Discussion relating to any aspect of
programming the Apple II
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups - Discussion relating to Apple II
usergroups
comp.emulators.apple2 - The unofficial 'Apple II games stuff'
newsgroup features discussions of
Apple II games as well as of Apple II
emulation on PC, Mac, and other
platforms.
comp.binaries.apple2 - Public Domain and Shareware Software
for all Apple II's in Text-encoded
(binscii) form.
--Dan DeMaggio, David Empson, Al Kalal, Rubywand
____________________________
003- What software do I need to get started and how do I get it?
If you bought an Apple II with no software at all, then, at the very
least, you will need to get diskettes which boot DOS 3.3 and ProDOS (which
pretty well means you need to have a disk drive). Here is a listing of basic
stuff to get ...
o- DOS 3.3: DOS 3.3 is an old but a good operating system for software on 5.25"
diskette. There is a _lot_ of Apple II software on DOS 3.3 diskettes. To write
and save programs, etc. under DOS 3.3 you want a disk which boots DOS 3.3 and
lets you get to a BASIC prompt. Once in BASIC after booting DOS you will be
able to CATALOG the diskette, and LOAD, RUN, SAVE, ... programs. DOS 3.3
commands are described in more detail in the Csa2DOSMM Q&A.
Commercial game disks often do not allow you to get to a BASIC prompt. Disks
with programs from other users, software from Apple user groups, and copies of
Apple's System Master disks will, usually, let you get to BASIC either by
exiting a program or by doing a Reset. (See Q&A 019 below for more about this.)
Note: Diskettes used with an Apple II must be double-density (DD) diskettes.
High-density (HD) diskettes sold for PC's will not work in Apple II disk
drives.
o- ProDOS: Practically all of the above applies to ProDOS. ProDOS is the newer
Apple II DOS which allows having sub-directories. It works with 5.25" and 3.5"
diskettes as well as hard disks and other large media. (See Csa2DOSMM Q&A for
more about ProDOS.)
o- Copy II Plus: This is the standard general purpose disk/file management
utility. Good versions for working with both DOS 3.3 and ProDOS disks are
Version 7.1 and 7.2.
o- A telecom utility: an Apple II telecom utility (e.g. ZLink, ProTerm, ...)
together with a serial interface board (or built-in serial port) lets you
transfer the Apple II files you download on the net from your PC or Mac to your
Apple II.
o- ShrinkIt: Most Apple II files are maintained on the net as shrinked files
(.shk files) or on shrinked disks (.sdk files). ShrinkIt v3.4 is the standard
utility for unshrinking these files; it requires a 128k Apple IIe or later
Apple II. Earlier versions of ShrinkIt work on Apple II's with less than 128k
memory.
Aside from Apple II user friends, there are many places you can get the
above, as well as all sorts of other Apple II utility, game, etc. software:
1. Apple II Users' Groups maintain software libraries of utility and games
diskettes you can copy. (See Csa2USERGRP.txt.)
2. Some schools and universities have Apple II areas where you can copy system
and utility diskettes.
3. Many sellers of original and second-hand software advertise on the
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace newsgroup and/or maintain web sites you can browse.
Be sure to check the listing of vendors presented later on.
4. If requested via email, regular posters to Csa2 will often send one or more
'getting started' diskettes which will boot DOS 3.3 and/or ProDOS and which
include some copy, telecom, etc. utilities plus games. (Expect to pay mailing
and materials costs.)
5. The Apple II archive sites listed below maintain large collections of
software which you can download via PC or Mac and transfer to your Apple II.
--Rubywand
____________________________
004- How and where do I download and upload Apple II files?
How: By far, the easiest and quickest way is to access software sites on
the net using a PC or Mac. Files can be moved to and from your Apple II via a
NULL-modem connection with the net computer. If you use a Mac, you may have the
option of transferring the files via a ProDOS or HFS diskette or an HFS Zip
disk. (For details on hardware, file transfes, downloading, and uploading, see
the Telecom-1 and Telecom-2 Q&A.)
Where: Today, most users upload software, info files, etc. to one or more
of the major Apple II ftp software archive sites. Other options include
comp.binaries.apple2 and BBS systems. The software archive sites are good
places from which to download software. In addition, some software vendors,
developers, and Apple Computer make software available for download at their
sites.
--Rubywand
____________________________
005- Where can I get Apple II software and information on the net?
Major Apple II Archives
Apple Cabi.net sites- #1 archive of IIgs game and system software;
game hints and cracks, emulators and emu support files, music
files, major collection of Apple II hardware info, and FAQs mirror
ACN Florida ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/
for FAQs ...
ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Archives/FAQs.and.INFO/A2.Csa2.FAQs/
ACN Tarnover ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/
http://tarnover.dyndns.org/
for FAQs ...
ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/FAQs.and.INFO/A2.Csa2.FAQs/
Apple II Programmer's Archive- well-organized collection of
major Apple II language software
ACN Florida: go to A2.Programmer%27s.Archive/ at ...
ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Archives/Languages.Programming/
ACN Tarnover: go to A2.Programmers.Archive/ at ...
ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/Languages.Programming/
Apple IIgs Gaming Memory Fairway- #1 archive of out-of-print
commercial IIgs games in emulator .2mg form (some also in
ShrinkIt form); includes info blurbs, pics, and hints
http://www.inwards.com/~fairway/
Apple2 Caltech- large collection of II/IIgs games and utilities
ftp://apple2.caltech.edu/pub/apple2/
Asimov- #1 archive of Apple II 8-bit games and utilities in
emulator DSK and file formats plus game docs, emulators,
and emu info, including the Emulator Resources Guide
ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/
Asimov Mirrors- sites which mirror Asimov
Georgia Mirror ftp://mirror.apple.asimov.net
ACN Florida ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Asimov_Archives/
ACN Tarnover ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/asimov/
Ground Apple2 U. Iowa- the largest Apple II archive and home site
of the Csa2 Apple II FAQs; maintains II/IIgs games, utilities,
HC/HS stacks, music files, ..., and information plus
separate collections including the famous AOL A2 archives
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/
http://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/
for AOL Collection
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/Collections/AOL/
for FAQs ...
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/Faqs/
GS WorldView 'zine- II/IIgs applications articles, games, utilities,
A2-2000 archive, and links; home site for 1WSW
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/
Uni-kl.de Apple2 U. Kaiserslautern- II/IIgs games, utilities, and
emulator wares
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/apple2/
USA2WUG- Apple II Help & FAQs Collective; Csa2 FAQs mirror
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/USA2WUG/
for FAQs ...
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/A2.FAQs.and.INFO/CSA2.FAQs/
XGS- XGS emu info; extensive archive of out-of-print commercial IIgs
software (mainly games) in emulator .2mg form; single-list
access with brief comments and file performance info.
http://www.inwards.com/xgs/
See also Csa2GAMES.txt for Game-specific software and info sites.
Other Important Apple II Sites
AOL Apple II Forum- Apple II discussions and software for AOL users
Keyword= aol://4344:1264.a2main.10029531.514525857
Apple Computer A2 Support- mainly, GS system software
ftp://ftp.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple.Software_Updates/US/
in Apple_II/ folder
Apple II Beginner's Guide- information for new Apple II users
http://www.concentric.net/~Togega/Apple2/
Apple II Emulation Page- Apple II emulator software and info
http://geta.life.uiuc.edu/~badger/apple2.html
Apple II Help Page- Info and links; Csa2 FAQs in HTML
http://members.xoom.com/apple_II/
for FAQs ...
http://members.xoom.com/apple_II/faqs.html
Apple II Lessons & Software- BASIC Lessons and A2 software
http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html
Apple II Programmer's Catalog of Languages and Toolkits- Apple II
programming software information
http://www.tclfaq.wservice.com/Misc/apple2-languages.txt
Apple II Textfiles- lots (and lots!) of basic Apple II information,
game hints/cheats, and more in text files
http://www.textfiles.com/apple/
Apple II Web Catalog- sorted links to A2 resources
http://www.iversonsoftware.com/cgi-bin/apple2.cgi
Apple II WebRing- links for several user group, vendor,
and personal sites
http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=apple2&list
Apple IIc Dsk Archive (iffy server)- //c info plus utility and game
software in emulator Dsk form (French)
http://www.multimania.com/apple2c/
Apple IIgether- Apple IIgs music projects
http://www.macinsearch.com/users/apple2gether/
Apple2 U. Michagan- A2 archive, includes Apple technotes
http://www.umich.edu/~archive/apple2/
Apple2.org- Apple II projects; hosts old Csa2 FAQs
http://www.apple2.org/
Archaic Apple- pre-Mac Apple computer pics and info; Apple III FAQs
http://205.169.182.205/archaic_apples/index.html
Arrgh- information and software for several Apple II emulators
http://www.arrgh.co.uk/hardware/appleii/emulation.html
Bret's IIgs Software- II/IIgs software (including Operation Lambda
and other games) by Bret Victor
http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~bret/iigs.html
Clairemont High School Room 110- Apple II student projects and info
http://www.n2.net/clairemont/A2/a2.html#info
Deja- access to newsgroups and communities
http://www.deja.com
Power Search- seek information in newsgroups
http://www.deja.com/home_ps.shtml
"Apple IIgs, //e, //c, //c+,II+" community- Apple II chats
http://x25.deja.com/~appleiigs/
Delphi- on-line service which permits A2 net access
http://www.delphi.com/
"A2 (Apple II)" forum http://forums.delphi.com/apple2
"A2Pro" A2 Programmers forum http://forums.delphi.com/a2pro
"II Computing" forum http://forums.delphi.com/csa2
"GSWorldView" forum- Apple II news, info, and chats
"WAUC" forum http://forums.delphi.com/wauc/start/
Don Lancaster's The Guru's Lair- info on PIC microprocessor use
(in BASIC Stamp modules, robots, ...); links; multi-platform
http://www.tinaja.com/
Douglas New Vision Center- developer of the New Vision IIgs system
with optional large-text and speech
http://www.retirement.org/rvm/newvision/newvision.htm
Edhel's Apple II Stuff- Apple II programs, pics, and info
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/USA2WUG/FOUNDING.MEMBERS/HOME.PAGES/EDHEL/
Emulation Net- information and software for several A2 emulators
http://www.emulation.net/apple2/index.html
Ewen's Home Page- IIgs telecom software and information
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ewannop/
Fadden's Junk: Apple II Files- A2 and related utils by Andy McFadden
http://www.fadden.com/dl-apple2/
GNO- Info, FAQs, and software for the UNIX-like IIgs multitasking
environment
http://trenco.myrias.com:80/%7Egno/
Home of the Apple II- Apple II manual reprints, new user info,
links, and message board; hosts old Csa2 FAQs
http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/
II Computing- Home site for Usenet Csa2 Apple II FAQs in html
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand
Interactive Fiction Archive- Infocom and other games, game
authoring/interpreter software, hints and solutions
ftp://ftp.gmd.de/if-archive/
International Apple II BBS List- A2 BBS sites and phone numbers
http://home.earthlink.net/~gabesanchez/bbs.txt
KansasFest Web Page- KansasFest information
http://www.kfest.org
KulaSoft- Stocks Eamon Adventures, A2 software, Index
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kulasoft
L.J. Silicon's Treasure Chest- Apple II software by Rudy Guy,
links, Hyper wares, GS Technotes, news, and reviews
http://members.aol.com/ljsilicon/index.html
Marinetti Home Page- Support and Download for the IIgs TCP/IP stack
http://www.apple2.org/marinetti/
Moro's Emulator Page- XGS .2MG utils, Sys6, games, and links
http://www.dgweb.com/~moro/
Niel Parker's Home Page- Apple IIgs Progamming information
http://axis.llx.com/~nparker/a2/
Ninja Force Downloads- Apple IIgs utilities
http://www.ninjaforce.com/html/products.html
Nova Scotia Apple Users Group Page- II/IIgs utilities
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Services/PDA/appleII.html
Odessa Entertainment- on-line entertainment 'zines
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rembrandt/2/comp.html
Penguin Software Archive- Penguin/Polarware games and history
http://www.inil.com/users/maxfunn/Polarware/polarware.htm
Prophet's Emulator Page- Apple II emulator software and info
http://www.saunalahti.fi/profilon/emulators/apple2.html
Russell Nielson Website- games and other Apple II software
http://members.xoom.com/russelln/
SheppyWare Downloads- Apple II/IIgs games and utilities
ftp://ftp.sheppyware.net/pub/apple_iigs/
SonkPage- IIgs utilities by S�nke Behrens; Orca/C 2.1 bug list
http://people.delphi.com/sbehrens/index.html
Terence J. Boldt's Apple II Page- ProDOS bootable ROM drive,
EPROM programmer, and other A2 hardware projects
http://www.cgocable.net/~apple2/
Texas II- Appleworks products, Y2k patches, and information;
home site for the Apple II Mail Group (A2MG)
http://members.aol.com/A2MG/
The Giant List- major listing of games and authors
http://www.dadgum.com/giantlist/list.html
The Machine Room- extensive vintage computer data base
http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~alexios/MACHINE-ROOM/
The Vault- archive of Apple II games in emulator disk image form
http://www.classicgaming.com/vault/appleiiroms-AM.shtml
Treasure Chest Project- Apple II software reclassified as freeware
or shareware; includes downloading for most items
http://www.treasurechestproject.org/
Trenco Archive- II/IIgs utilities and games; major GNO archive
ftp://ftp.gno.org/pub/apple2/
GNO archive
ftp://ftp.gno.org/pub/apple2/gs.specific/gno/
Unofficial, Unauthorized, Apple Online Museum- Apple II machine
history, anecdotes, and pictures
http://www.hughes.net/~gcifu/applemuseum/index.html
Upgrade the GS Project- Home page for input and discussion
relating to IIgs upgrades
http://members.wbs.net/homepages/m/y/n/mynameisme712/g.htm
Vintage Computer Festival- festival and VCF archive information
http://www.siconic.com/vcf/
Washington Apple Pi- Apple II and Apple III information
http://www.wap.org/info/
www.6502.org- 6502 microprocessor info and projects
http://www.6502.org/
____________________________
006- What is an Apple II: The KIM
My Ex bought a KIM in ... had to be 1976, 'cause that's the year we
split. He played Hunt the Wumpus on it. I couldn't see the point of
messing with those red LEDs at the time.
Nancy Crawford, Csa2 post on 27 December, 1995
KIM (for "Keyboard Input Monitor") was a 6502 'development system' release
in 1976 by MOS Technology. A single board with six 7-segment LED displays, it
soon had a wide following of avid experimenters who wrote programs like Jim
Butterfield's "Lunar Lander" and Stan Ockers's "Hunt the Wumpus" and published
numerous articles in magazines like Byte and KiloBaud describing hardware
add-ons. For many, KIM was the introduction to 6502 computing which would, in a
few years, lead to becoming an Apple II user. --Rubywand
____________________________
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple I
The original Apple was not much more than a board. You had to supply your
own keyboard, monitor and case. It sold for $666.66, but now they are worth
much more as a collector's item.
For pics and more information about the Apple I see GS WorldView at
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/GS.WorldView/*APPLE.HISTORY/.
--Dan DeMaggio, Charles T. Turley
____________________________
008- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
The II and II+ are the computers that launched the Apple II line. They
have the 6502 microprocessor, ability to do Hi-res and Lo-res color graphics,
sound, joystick input, and casette tape I/O. They have a total of eight
expansion Slots for adding peripherials such as the Disk ][ controller,
MockingBoard, serial I/O, and printer interface. Clock speed is 1MHz and, with
Apple's Language Card installed, standard memory size is 64kB.
The distinction between the ][ and ][+ is the installed ROMs. The ][
starts you in the Monitor program and includes in-ROM Integer BASIC. The ][+
has the AutoStart ROM which tries to locate and boot a diskette upon startup
and defaults to Applesoft BASIC which is included in-ROM. Many ][ owners
upgraded to the ][+ ROMs.
Apple ][ and ][+ computers can run thousands of games, utilities, and
other programs created to run under Apple DOS-- chiefly, DOS 3.3. Both machines
can, also, run under ProDOS through v1.9 so long as the software does not
require features of an "enhanced" 128k IIe. For instance, you can run
Appleworks if you have more than 128K RAM installed and a program called
PlusWorks. However, the ][ can not run BASIC programs under ProDOS since
Applesoft must be in ROM.
Recommended configuration: 16K "language card" (in Slot 0), an 80-column video
card (not the same as a //e Extended 80-column card), shift key modification (a
wire running from shift key to game port), modified character ROMs to display
lower case, composite color monitor, Disk ][ controller card, two 5.25" Disk ][
or compatible drives, parallel printer interface card, and parallell-interface
printer. You can add memory beyond 64k in various ways, but many programs that
"require 128K" probably will not work, no matter how much RAM you have. You can
also add accelerators like the SpeeDemon or Rocket/Zip. --Dan DeMaggio, David
Empson, Rubywand
____________________________
009- What is an Apple II: The "Black Apple"
Bell & Howell marketed the "Black Apple" made by Apple. It is an Apple II+
done in black with some extra audio/video connections to fit with projectors,
etc. made by B&H-- mainly for use in the classroom. A nice feature is the
"handle" attached to the back. It contains a few power outlets, allowing the
CPU, Monitor, etc., to be controlled with one switch. Evidently, 5000-10,000
units were produced. --Coaxial, Mike McGovern, Rubywand
____________________________
010- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
The //e comes in two flavors: Enhanced and unenhanced. When you start your
computer, the unenhanced IIe displays "Apple ][" at the top of screen; the
Enhanced IIe displays "Apple //e". Apple made an Enhancement kit to upgrade an
unenhanced to Enhanced by replacing 4 chips (CPU [65C02], Video ROM
[MouseText], and new Monitor/Applesoft ROMs). Apple Resource Center sells a IIe
Enhancement kit for $20.00.
The current IIe operating system is ProDOS-8. (The IIe can also run DOS
3.3, earlier DOS's, and Pascal.) A lot of ProDOS software requires an Enhanced
//e, and sometimes 128K, too.
A IIe Enhancement Kit does not include any extra RAM. You can expand a 64k
IIe to the standard 128k required for a fully Enhanced IIe via an Extended
80-column card. It plugs into the Aux Connector on the motherboard. Alltech
($19.00), and MC Price Breakers ($14.95) sell such cards.
Except for being able to type and display lower-case characters, the
unenhanced IIe is very similar to the II+. A 128k Enhanced IIe adds a number of
features including 80-column firmware and 16-color double-lores and double
hires display capability.
The Apple //e remains useful for four major reasons:
1) It runs AppleWorks, a simple to use, yet sophisticated Spreadsheet/Word
Processor/Database.
2) It can run many games and other entertainment software products.
3) There are many Apples in schools-- an example is Louis Cornelio's room at
Clairemont High School ( http://www.n2.net/clairemont/ )-- so there is a ton of
Apple II educational software.
4) It is was and will always be a _Personal_ computer. You can learn as
little or as much as you want, and nothing stops you from learning about every
nook and cranny in it. Ask any big name programmer in MS/DOS or Mac where they
learned to program. Most of them taught themselves on a good ol' Apple II.
Recommended configuration: Extended 80 Column card (gives you 128K) or RamWorks
(512K to 1MB RAM), Enhancement kit (for unenhanced IIe), and a composite color
monitor which can display decent 80-colume text, Super Serial card, Disk ][
controller card, two 5.25" Disk ][ or compatible drives, parallel printer
interface card, and parallell-interface printer. A Hard Drive is recommended if
you use a lot of different programs. Heavy Appleworks users should add the hard
disk, extra RAM, and a 4MHz or better accelerator (like the Rocket Chip, Zip
Chip or TransWarp). --Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
____________________________
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
The //c and IIc+ are compact 'luggable' versions of an Enhanced //e, with
many built-in 'cards'. Included are 2 serial ports, a mouse port, a disk port
and 128K of RAM. Support for the original Apple casette tape I/O is gone. The
//c has a built-in 5.25" drive while the IIc+ has a built-in 3.5" drive.
The IIc+ has a built-in accelerator that runs at 4 MHz (vs. the //c's
1MHz) making it the fastest Apple II as well as faster than any of the A2
clones. (To boot your IIc+ at 'regular', 1MHz, speed, include the Escape key in
the usual boot keypresses-- i.e. OpenApple-CTRL-ESC-RESET.) The IIc+, which was
introduced after the IIgs, also allows daisey chaining the GS Apple 3.5" drive
along with 5.25" drives.
The //c and IIc+ run just about all of the DOS 3.3, ProDOS, "128k"
software, etc. that an Enhanced //e runs plus the few //c-only software
releases. However, the use of certain locations for storing system variables
and ROM differences means that //c series machines will not run a number of old
games designed for the ][ and ][+ which the IIe and IIgs will run.
Even though //c machines don't have slots, you can still add extra memory
(there's room under the keyboard) and a hard drive (through the disk port--a
bit slow by ordinary standards, but usable. Hard to find though.. Was made by
Chinook). There is also a for-//c "D" version of MockingBoard you can plug in
to get much improved sound and music from software supporting the board, and a
module you can attach to convert output to RF for using a TV as a monitor.
Recommended configuration: A composite color monitor which can display decent
80-colume text, 1 MB RAM, and, maybe, a hard drive. For the //c, add a second
5.25" drive; for the IIc+, add a second 3.5" drive and two 5.25" drives. --Dan
DeMaggio, Rubywand
____________________________
012- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX and 'EX/2
While not made by Apple, these Lasers can run just about anything that an
Enhanced //e can run. They are as luggable as a //c and include built-in
'cards'. They are also fast; the entire motherboard runs at 3.6Mhz. If you want
to use a card in the single expansion Slot, you may have to disable the
internal UDC (for 3.5" drives) or the internal 1MB memory expansion.
Unlike the EX model, which supports one additional disk drive, the EX/2
supports as many daisychained drives as a IIgs and has a built in BRAM control
panel for saving settings. The EX/2 also has a built in 3.5" disk drive, a MIDI
port, and a video port which can support analog RGB and digital CGA monitors as
well as an LCD display. --Supertimer, Dan DeMaggio
____________________________
Related FAQs Resources: R024GSSPECS.txt (text file)
Related FAQs Resources: R002WOZGS.GIF (gif picture file)
013- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
The IIgs (or "GS") represents a giant leap in the Apple II line. It's
65C816 microprocessor can switch to 6502-emulation mode for running 8-bit
Apple II software favorites, while, in native mode, it runs 16-bit GS
applications. GS delivers new super-hires graphics modes, a toolbox in ROM, a
32-oscillator Ensoniq sound chip, and a max base speed of 2.8MHz. Base RAM
memory is 256kB (ROM-01) or 1MB (ROM 3) expandable up to 8MB.
GS built-ins include modem and printer serial ports good for up to 56k
baud, Disk Port supporting two 5.25" and two 3.5" (800k) drives, RGB and
composite video outputs, enhanced and 'old Apple' sound, ADB bus for keyboard
and mouse, game port supporting two two-button joysticks, clock/calendar, and
battery RAM to retain user settings accessible via the Control Panel. (To get
to the Control Panel press OpenApple-Control-Escape and select "Control
Panel".) There is more about Apple IIgs specifications in the FAQs resource
file R024GSSPECS.txt.
The IIgs can run DOS 3.3, ProDOS, Pascal, and any other OS the earlier
8-bit models can run. Like the //c series, it does not support the original
Apple casette tape I/O. GS is the only A2 machine which can run GS/OS. GS/OS
and Toolbox routines make it possible for the System Finder program to deliver
a sophisticated 'mouse and windows' environment which looks very much like PC's
Windows. The current version of System is System 6.0.1.
The first GS's were released in the Fall of 1986. The batches produced
until mid-late 1987 became known as "ROM 00" machines after release of the "ROM
01" models. When you boot a ROM-01 GS, the startup screen shows "ROM Version
01"; when you boot a ROM-00 GS the startup screen says nothing about ROM
version.
The original GS's came in cases marked "Limited Edition" with
SteveWozniak's signature. Often, these are referred to as "Woz GS's". (See FAQs
resource file R002WOZGS.GIF for a picture.) A relatively small number of users
chose Apple's option to upgrade their IIe's with a motherboard swap. The swap
included "IIgs" labels users could substitute for "//e" in the case insert.
At the time of the ROM-01 change-over, Apple supplied a ROM-00-to-ROM-01
upgrade service free. It consists of swapping in a new ROM and a new Video
Graphics Controller ("VGC") IC. ROM-00 machines which have not had the upgrade
can not run modern GS software-- the ROM must be upgraded. Alltech
(760-724-2404; http://allelec.com ) sells a ROM-01 'upgrade kit' consisting of
the 01 ROM for $29.00.
The VGC upgrade is not required for software compatibility, and is not
needed for all machines anyway. It is supposed to fix cosmetic problems in
monochrome double-hires graphics mode (pink flickering or fringing on what is
supposed to be a black and white screen). On some machines the VGC swap also
fixes some color combination problems in 80-column text mode.
Whether via the upgrade or original purchase of a newer GS, by late 1987
nearly all GS users were 'on the same page'. That is, we had the ROM-01
platform with its base 256kB RAM plus the official Apple 1MB Expansion Memory
Board plugged into the Memory Expansion Slot for a total of 1.25MB of
fully-accessible system RAM. For the next couple of years, practically all GS
software was designed to launch from 3.5" diskette under "ProDOS-16" and to fit
within the 1.25MB of RAM everyone was assumed to have installed.
In 1989 Apple introduced the "ROM 3" GS-- the startup screen shows "ROM
Version 3". (No ROM-02 GS was ever released). The only major improvement over
ROM-01 is more base RAM-- you get 1MB instead of 256kB. This is a very nice
benefit. It means that a ROM 3 with a 4MB Mem Exp Board will have 5MB of fully
accessible RAM whereas a ROM-01 can have 4.25MB of fully-accessible RAM. In
effect, the ROM 3 owner gets a 'free' 800kB RAM disk.
As Mitch Spector notes in his listing of ROM 3 features (in the "Hardware
Hacking" FAQs), the newer GS offers a number of other nice pluses with the only
significant minus being incompatibility with a few older GS programs. Chiefly,
ROM 3 is a 1989 re-do of ROM-01 featuring more streamlined hardware and more
built-in firmware.
Since System 5, upon booting the system software applies in-RAM patches
matched to each ROM version. The patches, located in System/System.Setup/, are
TS2 for ROM-01 and TS3 for ROM 3. This achieves nearly identical operation.
Very few ROM-01 owners felt any urge to move to ROM 3. Even today, the
vast majority of installed GS's are ROM-01 machines.
The 1990's have seen wide adoption of four major GS enhancements:
OS- After years of foot-dragging, Apple finally produced a decent 16-bit GS
operating system with release of System 5.0. Within a few years this evolved
into today's System 6 (System 6.0.1). System 6 has won wide acceptance as a
relatively stable OS which, at last, allows GS users to access many of the
features of GS computing promised back in 1986. Whereas earlier OS's can 'fit'
on a GS with 1MB of Expansion memory, System 6 really requires something like
2.5MB RAM to be worth installing.
Memory- Driven, in part, by the need for more memory to run System 6, 4MB
became the standard size of installed Memory Expansions. Except for school GS's
and GS's taken out of circulation and tucked away in closets, the old Apple 1MB
Expansion Boards have long ago been replaced with 4MB boards.
Hard Disk- As with memory, the size of newer versions of System supplied a
strong push toward adding a hard disk. Software was becoming larger, too, and
there was so much of it that making everything work from diskette became
impossibly cumbersome. Lower HD prices, attractive SCSI interfaces such as
RamFAST, and low-cost, easy single-card IDE solutions such as the Focus "Hard
Card" have helped make the hard disk a standard, expected peripheral on today's
GS.
Acceleration- Few commercial software offerings actually sought to push GS
users to higher speeds; and, as a result, users went for years feeling no great
need for Applied Engineering's expensive Transwarp accelerator. The arrival of
Zip Technology's lower-cost ZipGS board together with a clear need for more
speed to handle System 6 sparked a nearly overnight 'acceleration revolution'.
Today, an accelerator running at 8MHz or better is considered, very nearly, to
be a necessary IIgs enhancement.
Recommended configuration: ROM-01 or ROM 3 with 4MB or 8MB Memory Expansion
board-- i.e. at least 4.25MB (ROM-01) or 5MB (ROM 3) of total system RAM,
RamFAST SCSI + 120MB or larger SCSI hard disk OR 120MB or larger HD-on-a-card
IDE drive (e.g. Alltech's Focus Hard Card or SHH's Turbo IDE series) with
System 6.0.1 installed, 8MHz/32k TransWarp or 9MHz/32k ZipGS or better
accelerator board, Stereo Card, Imagewriter II printer, two 3.5" and two 5.25"
diskette drives.
A minimum GS system that will run many older wares and still deliver a decent
operating system is a ROM-01 GS with the Apple 1MB Memory Expansion board, two
3.5" drives, at least one 5.25" drive, and Imagewriter II printer, which boots
System 5.0.4 from 3.5" diskette. --Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand, David Empson,
Supertimer, Randy Shackelford
____________________________
014- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIe Emulation Card
This is a 'IIe on a card' plug-in that fits into Mac LC and some
subsequent machines that have the LC Processor Direct Slot (PDS). This includes
020, 030, and 040 machines. The card is not compatible with the Mac Quadra. It
lets one run Apple //e software.
Many of these cards are sold today without documentation. In case you've
just plugged one into your Mac Color Classic, etc., it will help to know that
pressing Command-Control-Escape gets you to the Preferences panel.
The Apple IIe Emulation Card is actually more like a //c because the card
is not an expandable machine like a //e. There is a place on the back of the
card to plug in a UniDisk 5.25" and a joystick. Because the graphics are
handled by the Mac, animation may be slow if you don't have a decent Mac. --Dan
DeMaggio, David Empson, Owen Aaland, Edward Floden, Liam Busey
____________________________
015- Apple "][", "Apple II", "Apple //"-- which is correct?
"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangably for any
model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few
usages which may provoke a correction.
"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and
II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and
distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with _old_ Apple II 's. The
"//" usage is generally associated with the c and newer e models.
About the only situation where naming is likely to produce confusion is
when an old model (non-enhanced) e is called a "//e". "Apple //e" is widely
taken as referring to an enhanced 128k e model. An "Apple IIe" may be an older
e or an enhanced model. There is no widely accepted designation for referring
exclusively to the older e model.
The plain "II" symbol is the one most widely accepted as 'okay', for all
Apple II models.
The, generally, preferred designations are ...
Apple ][ or Apple II for pre-II+ models
Apple ][+ or Apple II+
Apple IIe for non-enhanced IIe computers
Apple //e for 128k enhanced //e computers
Apple //c
Apple IIc+
Apple IIgs or GS or best (if you have the fonts for a small "GS") IIGS
Just "A2" is fairly common when referring to series-wide products or
concerns as in "Old, out-of-print A2 wares should be preserved and archived for
easy access by every user".
____________________________
016- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
Number of bits usually indicates how big a chunk of data a computer's main
microprocessor can manipulate. The Apple IIgs is based on the 65C816
microprocessor and is considered to be a 16-bit machine. Previous Apple ]['s
are based upon pure 8-bit microprocessors such as the 6502 and 65C02. These are
considered to be 8-bit machines. Sometimes II+ or IIe or IIc software is called
"8-bit software".
The 65C816 is a member of the 6502 family which includes expanded
registers and adds many new commands while retaining the ability to go into
8-bit mode. So; the GS can run most 8-bit wares designed for older Apple II
machines as well as newer 16-bit wares. Meanwhile, 8-bit machines are pretty
well limited to 8-bit wares. --Rubywand
____________________________
017- How can I tell what version my computer is?
Apple II
Upon Reset, the original Apple II starts you in the system monitor looking
at the "*" prompt. It allows step execution of machine code and has Integer
BASIC in ROM. The major division between kinds of Apple II is Revision 0 and
Revision 1. The Revision 1 motherboard adds a number of features including a
few which are easily observed:
Power-On Reset: The computer automatically does a Reset when turned On.
More hires colors: To the Black, White, Violet, and Green available on a Rev0
machine, Rev1 adds Blue and Orange.
Color Killer added: Full-text displays are black&white without the color
fringing and tinting you see on Rev0 machines.
Apple II+
All Apple II+ machines have the Revision 1 or higher motherboard and the
Autostart ROM. On power-up the Apple II+ does a Reset and displays "APPLE ]["
at the top of the screen. If a disk drive is connected, the II+ will try to
boot a diskette. The Apple II+ loses some monitor features (like instruction
stepping) and in-ROM Integer BASIC found in the earlier Apple II; but, it gains
the more powerful Applesoft BASIC in ROM. A II+ Reset normally leaves you in
BASIC looking at the "]" Applesoft BASIC prompt.
Apple IIe
You can usually tell a IIe from a II or II+ by the nameplate. On models
with the classic Apple II case but no nameplate, you can check the keyboard.
IIe models include a key embossed with the outline of an apple called the
"OpenApple" key located near the bottom left corner of the keyboard. (All later
Apple II's have this key, too; but, they do not look anything like a II, II+,
or IIe). A few IIe models produced for third parties may have some other
special-logo key in place of OpenApple.
Within the IIe series, the major division is between Enhanced and
unenhanced IIe models. Look at your computer while booting. If it says "Apple
][", it is not enhanced. The enhanced computers will say "Apple //e".
Today, "Enhanced IIe", "//e", and "128k Apple IIe" are used interchangably
because nearly every Enhanced IIe has an Extended 80-Column Card plugged into
the 60-pin Aux Slot (which adds 64kB of RAM). Technically, an Enhanced IIe is
defined by the presence of three or four IC's: the 65C02 microprocessor
(replaces the 6502), new Character (or "Video") ROM which includes MouseText
characters, and new monitor firmware in ROM.
If a IIe has the 65C02 microprocessor, it is probably an Enhanced IIe. If
your IIe is not enhanced, you can do the enhancement yourself with an
"enhancement kit" consisting of the four chips you need to swap in.
The last significant upgrade to the IIe series came in 1987 with the
release of the Extended Keyboard //e. This model is a 128k Enhanced IIe-- it
comes with an Extended 80-Column Card plugged into the Aux Slot-- which adds an
18-key 'numeric keypad'. It also replaces the eight on-motherboard RAM chips
with two 64kx4 IC's; and, it replaces the two BASIC/monitor ROMs with a single
large ROM.
Quite a lot of later 80's 8-bit software, including all double-hires
software, requires a 128k Enhanced IIe. (If you have a //c, IIc+, IIgs, Laser
128, or Franklin Ace 2000-2200, you have good to at least decent Enhanced IIe
compatibility.) Unfortunately, a small number of early-release IIe's can not
be upgraded to handle double-hires. Check the serial number on the motherboard
(in the back, by the power-on led). If it is 820-0064-A, you must change the
motherboard to upgrade (unless you have the PAL video output version).
The IIe was produced in very large numbers and sold around the world in
countries with different power systems using different video standards. So, it
is not all that unlikely that you may need to check a bargain IIe to make sure
it will work in your home using your monitor. The two major video output
formats you may run into are NTSC (used in the US, Canada, Japan, and most
countries with 60Hz power, except Brazil) and PAL (used in Australia, most of
Europe, and most countries with 50Hz power). One way to tell which video
standard a IIe uses is the location of the Aux Slot. If it is on the side of
the motherboard near the power supply, you have an NTSC model. If it is in line
with Slot 3, you have a PAL model.
Apple //c and Apple IIc+
Go into Basic and type "PRINT PEEK (64447)" and press return. If it says
255, you have a very old //c. This model is known to have problems producing
accurate baud rates for serial communications. It's been many years since the
//c was released; but, some long-time Apple dealers may still perform the
upgrade for a nominal fee. (Tell the dealer that the Apple authorization number
is ODL660.)
If PRINT PEEK (64447) displays 0, you can use 3.5" drives, but you don't
have the memory expansion connector. If it says 3, you have the memory
expansion connector and can plug in extra memory. If it says 4, you have the
latest model of the //c with the memory expansion connector and other upgrades.
If PRINT PEEK (64447) displays 5, you have an Apple IIc+. The IIc+ also
has "IIc Plus" silkscreened in dark gray onto the upper right corner of the
case.
Apple IIgs
There are 3 major versions of the GS: Check the initial power-up screen.
It will probably say ROM-01 or ROM 3. If it does not say either, you have a
ROM-00 model. You must upgrade a ROM-00 machine in order to run current system
software. The ROM-01 has 256K on the motherboard, while the ROM 3 has 1 MB on
the motherboard. Most of the enhancements of the ROM 3 are added to the ROM-01
simply by booting up with current system software. --Dan DeMaggio, CreatSltn,
Steve Leahy, Nathan Mates, Bevis King, David Empson, Jeff Blakeney, David
Wilson, Rubywand
____________________________
018- Where can I find out about Applesoft BASIC programming on my Apple?
All Apple II's come with some version of BASIC installed in-ROM on the
motherboard. The original Apple II's have Integer BASIC. Starting with the II+
model, all Apple II's have floating-point Applesoft BASIC in ROM. Owners of
early Apple II's can load in Applesoft or plug in a card with Applesoft ROMs.
There are several good places to find out about Applesoft programming:
Apple Cabi.net Programmer's Archive- see in LanguagesAndProgramming/ at
Florida- ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Archives/FAQs.and.INFO/
Tarnover- ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Archives/
Apple II Lessons & Software
http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html
Ground
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/MiscInfo/Applesoft/
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/MiscInfo/Programming/
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/apple8/Beagle.Oldies/
Home of the Apple II
http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/
http://www.xs4all.nl/~fjkraan/comp/apple2faq/
The comp.sys.apple2 USENET newsgroup and Csa2 Apple II FAQs at
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
The comp.sys.apple2.programmer USENET newsgroup and Csa2P FAQs at
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/csa2pfaq.html
Be sure to keep a look out for Apple II books on programming, DOS, and
ProDOS when you visit used book stores, swap meets, school sales, ..., or
peruse comp.sys.apple2 marketplace.
Of course, the #1 Applesoft information source is the Basic Programming
Reference Manual from Apple. Here are some other good materials to look for
...
Apple II User's Guide by Poole, Martin, and Cook
Apple II Reference Manual from Apple
Beagle Bros "Peeks, Pokes, and Pointers" (poster) by Beagle Bros
ProDOS Inside and Out by Doms and Weishaar
The DOS Manual from Apple
One of the best ways to learn BASIC programming is to find some old game
you like written in BASIC and experiment with customizing it.
Finally, if your Apple II is an enhanced //e or later machine, be sure to
get Program Writer. It's a vintage program editing utility from Beagle which
makes writing and debugging BASIC programs much easier. --Rubywand, Terence J.
Boldt
____________________________
019- Suppose I just want to start using my Apple II Now!?
Okay; suppose you have zilch info, do not feel like looking through the
FAQs, and want to start Now. The following _may_ be all you need to get going
with some game or utility from diskette:
o The Disk Controller Card for Apple ][, ][+, and IIe goes into Slot 6 (next to
last Slot on the right when viewed from the front). Drive 1 plugs into the top
connector with the ribbon side of the cable plug facing out. Plug in the
cable(s) before plugging in the card so that you are sure the connector and
plug line up correctly.
o On the IIgs, the 3.5" drive(s) plug in first, then, the 5.25" drive(s).
o Unless a hard disk is installed, most Apple II's try to boot a diskette and
start DOS 3.3, ProDOS, or GS/OS when turned ON. (On the old Apple ][ you can
type in 6 Control-P RETURN to boot from the Monitor, assuming your Controller
Card is in Slot 6. To press Control-P, press and hold Control, then P, then
release both keys.)
o Most, but not all, diskettes are bootable. If one diskette doesn't boot, try
another. If no diskettes boot, use a Radio Shack Head Cleaner diskette to clean
the drive head(s).
o If the prompt you see is ], you are in Applesoft BASIC; > indicates Integer
BASIC; and * indicates the Monitor. If both Integer BASIC and Applesoft are in
memory, you can enter FP to switch from Integer to Applesoft and INT to switch
from Applesoft to Integer. To go from either BASIC to the Monitor, enter
CALL-151. To start the current BASIC from the Monitor, enter Control-B. To go
back to BASIC with program and variables in tact from the Monitor, enter
Control-C.
o Except for the ][ and most ][+'s, you must press Control-RESET to do a Reset.
o To boot a diskette when viewing a BASIC prompt, you can enter PR#6 to boot a
drive associated with Slot 6-- usually a 5.25" drive-- and PR#5 to boot a drive
associated with Slot 5-- usually a 3.5" drive. --Rubywand, David Empson
____________________________
020- Where do I find out about Apple II Users' Groups?
See Csa2USERGRP.txt
____________________________
021- How can I find out more about using my Apple II?
You can peruse the newsgroup FAQs Q&A and check out the Apple II net sites
listed earlier. Here are a few good starting places:
Charles 'Dr. Tom' Turley's huge collection of Apple II info on the
Apple Cabi.net archives at
Florida- ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Archives/FAQs.and.INFO/
Tarnover- ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/FAQs.and.INFO/
Gabriel Morales's Apple II Beginner's Guide at
http://www.concentric.net/~Togega/Apple2/
Charles Hartleys's Apple II Lessons & Software at
http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html
Terry Allen's Home of the Apple II at
http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/
Still, there is really no substitute for having the technical manual for
your particular Apple II or clone. The manual for the ][ and ][+ is the Apple
][ Reference Manual. For the IIe and IIc you want Apple's Technical Reference
Manual for your machine. For the IIgs you will want, at least, the IIgs
Hardware Reference and IIgs Firmware Reference.
Naturally, you will want to get manuals and materials covering DOS,
ProDOS, BASIC, and many other areas relating to your Apple II. Below is a
decent 'getting started' sampling:
Applesoft BASIC and Assembly Language
Assembly Lines: The Book by Wagner
BASIC Programming Reference Manual from Apple
Programming the 65816 Including the 6502, 65C02, and 65802
by David Eyes and Ron Lichty
65816/65802 Assembly Language Programming by Fischer
DOS, ProDOS, and GS/OS
Apple IIgs GS/OS Technical Reference (Apple/ Addison-Wesley)
Beneath Apple DOS by Worth & Lechner
Beneath Apple ProDOS by Worth & Lechner
Exploring Apple GS/OS and ProDOS 8 by Little
ProDOS Inside and Out by Doms and Weishaar
ProDOS Technical Reference Manual (Apple/ Addison-Wesley)
The DOS Manual from Apple
General Apple II
Apple II Reference Manual from Apple
Apple II User's Guide by Poole, Martin, and Cook
Beagle Bros "Peeks, Pokes, and Pointers" (poster) by Beagle Bros
The Apple II Circuit Description by Winston D. Gayler
Understanding the Apple ][ by Jim Sather
What's Where in the Apple II? by William F. Luebbert
Some technical manuals and other materials can be obtained in original or
reprint form from Byte Works (http://www.byteworks.org/) and Kula Soft
(http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kulasoft/). Major book sellers, such as Amazon
(http://www.amazon.com) list many Apple II books. Though most are out of
print, the sellers will search for and, with luck, locate the book you want.
Apple II manuals and other books also turn up for sale on Csa2 newsgroups
like comp.sys.apple2.marketplace, at used book shops, and at local Users Group
swap meets; and, some manuals are now available on-line at Terry Allen's Home
of the Apple II at http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/. A few items, such as
Reference Cards and posters, can be downloaded in Text or HTML form from Apple
II archives.
You may be able to find a local Apple II users' group or a group on-line
that you like. Besides knowledgeable users, you will often find a software
library stocked with useful software. (See Csa2USERGRP.txt.)
Another good resource is a subscription to an Apple II newsletter or
magazine; and, don't overlook collections of major Apple II magazines published
through the 1980's (e.g. inCider, Nibble, Computist, etc.). They are virtual
encyclopedias covering many areas of II computing. For current publishers and
net sites which offer on-line copies of back issues see the Apple II Publishers
listing.
Often, the easiest, quickest way to an answer for some Apple II question
is to 'just ask it' on comp.sys.apple2 and/or another Csa2 family newsgroup.
There are no Csa2 rules about posting to just a newsgroup which deals with a
particular topic or making sure your question is hard enough or reading the
FAQs first. Supplying information is the main purpose of the newsgroups.
--Rubywand, David Wilson