Re: You guys are NUTS !

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Phoenyx writes ...
> 
> What I meant to say, it would have the same functionality. I would much
> prefer a new version of the real thing also.
> 
> I have been giving this some thought and wonder how hard it would be to
> duplicate the GS functionality with alternate electronics. I remember
> once an A2 clone which used a completely different processor, a 68000
> or something like that. It seems to me that it would be possible to make
> a GS compatible system on a single PCB with the proper connections for
> either a bus or peripherals.
 ....

     Much depends upon what you mean by "GS compatible". For instance,
suppose we put a 20MHz (or current highest speed) 65C816, 64MB RAM, an Apple
II-like monitor in Flash ROM, and simple video interface on a new motherboard
inside a PC tower case. The board has mostly new Slots plus two or three of
the current variety to hold a disk controller, etc.. Rather than a keyboard
and mouse, the new board gets these inputs from an Apple II.

     You would still have your current Apple II. You would also have the
beginnings of the "New IIgs" or "GS+".

     If the Apple II 'front end' is a IIgs, you have IIgs compatibility.
Meanwhile, the GS+ starts knows nothing about BASIC or GS/OS or much of
anything beyond whatever smarts are built into the new monitor firmware.

     Your current GS can do more now; but, your GS+ has the potential for
doing much more. As a start, it can run at its top speed with no slowdowns
except for talking with the old Slots. And, it can slice of whatever RAM is
plugged in into any number of 8MB super banks.

     Once a good video card and support software/firmware is added, the GS+
can do SVGA graphics. The same applies to large-wavetable sound, SCSI or IDE
drives, or whatever.

     How compatible with the current GS the GS+ might become is hard to say.
Many users might welcome the opportunity to scrap a lot of compatibility in
favor of improvements like having a ProDOS which can handle GB size
partitions, an OS which is thoroughly documented and fixable, or a high
quality browser for direct net access.



Rubywand