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Apple II FAQs MainHall-1 Start Here!

Subject: Apple II FAQs MainHall-1 Start Here!
From: Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>
Date: 1999/06/27
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Organization: SBC Internet Services
References: <3776FFF5.2ED46AB7@swbell.net>
Reply-to: rubywand@swbell.net
Apple II Frequently Asked Questions: Main Hall-1 ... Start Here!

Csa2 FAQs-on-Ground ref: Csa21MAIN.txt  rev016 6/27/1999


The Csa2 (comp.sys.apple2) Usenet newsgroup Apple II FAQs
 originate from the Ground Apple II archive, 1997-1999.
 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 home site folder 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 Tarnover and USA2WUG sites is line-length
 formatted for on-line perusing via Netscape, 'Explorer, etc. ...

 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

                   Last updated: 27 June 1999



     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 FAQs Files & Contents area in Main Hall-2.





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?
 022- Where can I get Apple II computers, parts, boards, and software?
 023- Where can I get Apple II books and periodicals?






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.

alt.emulators.ibmpc.apple2   - Discussion about the use of Apple II
                               emulation software/hardware on a PC.

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.

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 Information and Software Sites


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 information 
  ACN Florida  ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Cabi_Mirror/.
  ACN Tarnover ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/
  for FAQs ...
  ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/FAQs.and.INFO/A2.Csa2.FAQs/

Apple2 Caltech- large collection of II/IIgs games and utilities
  ftp://apple2.caltech.edu/pub/apple2/

Apple2.org- old Csa2 FAQs by Dan DeMaggio and Nathan Mates
  http://www.apple2.org/

Asimov- #1 archive of Apple II 8-bit games and utilities in
  emulator DSK and file formats; plus emulators and emu info
  ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/

Asimov Mirrors- sites which mirror Asimov
  ACN Florida  ftp://24.96.48.134:6502/Asimov_Mirror/
  ACN Tarnover ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/asimov/
  Australia Aarnet Mirror  ftp://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/pub/apple_II/
  Georgia Mirror  ftp://mirror.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/

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 AOL A2 archives
  ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/
  for FAQs ...
  ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/Faqs/
  http://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/




Other Important Apple II Sites


AOL A2 archives on Ground- Large collection of Apple II/IIgs Software
  ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/Collections/AOL/

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 Emulator Page- Apple II emulator software and info
  http://www.saunalahti.fi/~profilon/net/emulators/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 Archive- language software, Nulib, ...
  http://net-24-42.dhcp.mcw.edu/a2pa.html

Apple II WebRing- links for several user group, etc. sites
  http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=apple2&list

Apple IIgs Gaming Memory Fairway- IIgs games in emulator
  and .shk form
  http://www.qflow.com.au/IIGS/

Apple2 U. Kentucky- A2 archive
  ftp://f.ms.uky.edu:/pub/appleII

Apple2 U. Michagan- A2 archive
  http://www.umich.edu/~archive/apple2/

Delphi- on-line service which permits A2 net access
  http://www.delphi.com/
  "A2 (Apple II)" forum  http://forums.delphi.com/apple2
  "A2Pro" Apple II Programmers  http://forums.delphi.com/a2pro
  "II Computing" forum  http://forums.delphi.com/csa2

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

Home of the Apple II- Apple II manual reprints, new user info,
  and message board
  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
  http://members.aol.com/ljsilicon/index.html

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.igd.fhg.de/~girschik/nfc/anthology.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

Russell Nielson Website- games and other Apple II software
  http://mh005.infi.net/~russell/software.html

SheppyWare Downloads- Apple II/IIgs games and utilities
  http://www.sheppyware.net/downloads.html
  FTP Downloads site
  ftp://ftp.sheppyware.net/pub/apple_iigs/

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 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.tals.dis.qut.edu.au/staff/willie/treasurechest/

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

Washington Apple Pi- Apple II and Apple III information
  http://www.wap.org/info/

XGS Project- IIgs games in emulator form, XGS utilities and FAQs, ...
  http://www.inwards.com/xgs/xgs_resources.htm

____________________________



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. --Dan DeMaggio

____________________________


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), MC Price Breakers ($14.95), and Sequential
Systems ($19.95) 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. (Upon booting, the current system
software applies in-RAM patches matched to each ROM version to achieve
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 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 Integer BASIC found in the earlier Apple
II; but, it gains the more powerful Applesoft BASIC in ROM. A II+ Reset
leaves you in BASIC looking at the "]" Applesoft BASIC prompt.


Apple IIe

     The major division is between the Enhanced and unenhanced IIe models.
Look at your computer while re-booting.  If it says "Apple ][", it is not
enhanced. The enhanced computers will say "Apple //e". You can upgrade it
yourself by getting the Apple IIe Enhancement kit. (It contains 4 chips to
replace on your motherboard.)

     Many newer programs will not work unless you have an Enhanced IIe.
(If you have a //c or GS, or a Laser 128, you have Enhanced IIe
compatibility.)  There are also some older 128k IIe's that are not capable
of 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 version). Serial #s like 820-0064-B or
820-0087-A are the plain IIe, and the version with the grey case comes
pre-Enhanced.


week 26 1983:
        820-0073-A (c) 1982   Colour killer switch soldered to open
        B-607-0664            oscillator position on PCB.

week 38 1983:
        820-0073-B (c) 1982   Colour killer switch near RHS of PCB.
        B-607-0264            All chips socketed.

week  7 1985:
        820-0073   (c) 1984   PCB marked for enhanced ROMs & 65c02
        B-607-0264           (mine had old ROMs and 6502). RAM &
                              some TTL soldered in.

     All three work with double res graphics. (Apart from the revision
letter vanishing, most chips being soldered in and the silkscreened ROM
numbers, I can see no difference between the last two PCBs mentioned.)


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.  See your dealer about getting an
upgrade (tell them that the Apple authorization number is ODL660). If it
says 0, you can do 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion
connector. If it says 3 You have the memory expansion.  If it says 4, you
have the latest model of the //c. If it says 5, you have an Apple IIc+.


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, David Empson, Jeff Blakeney, Rubywand

____________________________



018- Where can I find out about Applesoft BASIC programming on my Apple?

     There are several good places to go on the net:

Apple Cabi.net
  ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/FAQs.and.INFO/LanguagesAndProgramming/
  ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/Languages.Programming/

Apple II Lessons & Software
  http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html

Apple II Programmer's Archive
  http://net-24-42.dhcp.mcw.edu/a2pa.html

Apple2.org
http://www.apple2.org/faq/FAQ.applesoft.html

Ground
  ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/MiscInfo/Applesoft/

Home of the Apple II
  http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/

The comp.sys.apple2.programmer Usenet newsgroup


     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 latter 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

____________________________



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?

     Many Apple II users groups continue to meet, especially in major
cities and on university campi. If a local group listing is 'missing' from
your phone book, check for a Mac users group-- a number of Apple II groups
merged with their Mac counterparts.

     The Apple User Group Connection (800-538-9696 ext 500) can tell you
the closest Apple II (or Macintosh) User Group. Several web sites maintain
user group lists. One such site is ...

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Technology/AppleUsersGroup/sub/usergroups.html

     Of course, you can always post a question to Csa2 or to
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups. --Rubywand

____________________________



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. Gabriel Morales's Apple II Beginner's Guide at
http://www.concentric.net/~Togega/Apple2/, Terry Allen's Home of the Apple
II at http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/, and Charles Hartleys's Apple II
Lessons & Software at http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html are good
examples of sites featuring 'getting started' info. Charles 'Dr. Tom'
Turley is building a collection of Apple II info on Celt's Apple Cabi.net
archive at ftp://tarnover.dyndns.org/cabi/FAQs.and.INFO/.

     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://hypermall.com/byteworks/)
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.

     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

____________________________



022- Where can I get Apple II computers, parts, boards, and software?


All Electronics (800-826-5432; http://www.allcorp.com ) major surplus and
new parts seller- switches, LCD panels, connectors, transformers, caps,
IIgs-type lithium batteries, etc.

Alltech (760-724-2404; http://allelec.com  accepts on-line orders) sells
all kinds of replacement parts for Apple II's as well as the Focus Hard
Card drives, CD-ROM drives, cables, memory boards & IC's, diskettes, ... .

Apple Resource Center "The ARC" (800-753-0114; http://www.thearc.com )
sells Apple II computers and peripherals.

Auction sites which handle Apple II items on the internet 
http://www.ebay.com http://www.cityauction.com  http://www.boxlot.com 
http://www.haggle.com

AV Systems ( http://members.xoom.com/AV_Systems/  email:
73170.3546@compuserve.com) game, education, utility software for Apple II
computers

B&R Computer Services (619-225-8281; http://members.aol.com/rrbp/Home.html
) sells Apple II computers, peripherals, and software.

Stephen Buggie (505-863-2390) sells the famous Buggie Power Supplies,
Buggie Drives, and does disk drive conversions.

Byte Works (505-898-8183; http://hypermall.com/byteworks/  email:
mikew50@aol.com) sells the respected Orca series of Apple II languages and
support software including the new GS BASIC.

Catweasel ( http://members.tripod.com/~apd2/catweasl.htm ) makes and sells
a disk drive controller intended for reading A2 diskettes on non-A2
drives.

Charlie's AppleSeeds (619-566-0387; 9081 Hadley Place, San Diego CA
92126-1523; http://hometown.aol.com/chucknewby/index.html  email:
chucknewby@aol.com) sells Apple II hard disks and controllers, floppy
drives, ... and ProSel, ProSel-16 documentation.

Comp.sys.apple2.marketplace is the Csa2 newsgroup for buying and selling
Apple II hardware and software.

Creative Solutions (937-429-5759;
http://members.aol.com/CreatSltn/index.html ) Apple II hardware, software,
and repairs

Digi-Key (800-344-4539; http://www.digikey.com) IC's and general parts
supplier

DigiSoft Innovations ( http://www.hypermall.com/digisoft/digisoft/  email:
Jim Maricondo at digisoft@hypermall.com) continues to sell the Golden
Orchard CD and is working on GO-II.

Dirt-Cheap Drives (800-786-1160; http://www.dirtcheapdrives.com ) 2.5" IDE
drives

Emerald City Sales (870-743-3872; http://www.ahhz.com/ ) sells TrackStar
boards and other A2 hardware.

F. E. Systems ( http://www.magnet.ch/emutech/index.html ) sells Bernie'
IIgs emulator for Macs.

Gene Ehrich's On-Line Computer Garage Sale (email: gene@ehrich.com;
http://www.voicenet.com/~generic/ ) sells Apple II (C-64, PC, etc.)
hardware, software, manuals, and other items.

Halted Specialties (800-442-5833; http://www.halted.com ) sells electronic
parts- sockets, cables, plugs, caps, Parallax BASIC stamp, SCSI cables,
... good prices for 74xxx, 65xx, etc. IC's

Hudson's Hobby Games (P.O. Box 121503, Arlington, Texas, 76012;
817-461-0126; email: HudsonGame@aol.com) sells Old Apple II games in
original boxes

InTrec Software (888-PROTERM; http://www.intrec.com ) sells ProTerm A2 and
high-speed GS modem cable; the "InTrec Store" sells used II/IIgs hardware
and software at good prices

Jameco (800-831-4242; http://www.jameco.com ) Apple II and general parts
supplier

JDR Microdevices (800-538-5000; http://www.jdr.com ) Apple II and general
parts supplier

Kitchen Sink Software (614-891-2111; http://www.kitchen-sink.com ) sells
Awks-to-RichText software for Mac and Apple II software

KulaSoft (808-595-8131; http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kulasoft ) Eamon
Adventures, Kula Index, software collections, tutorials, and books

Steven Lichter (Apple Elite II BBS 909-359-5338; email: stevenl@pe.net)
offers GBBS/LLUCE support and software.

Lynxmotion (104 Partridge Road, Pekin, IL 61554-1403; 309-382-1816
http://www.lynxmotion.com ) sells Robot kits, Robot arms, servos,
controllers, ... for PC but adaptable for Apple II

MC Price Breakers (360-837-3042; http://www.mcpb.com ) sells memory
boards, high-speed GS modem cables, and other Apple II hardware

MECI (800-344-6324; http://www.meci.com ) surplus electronic parts- fans,
tubes, solenoids, IC sockets, 50-25 SCSI cables and adaptors, ...

Mouser Electronics (800-346-6873; http://www.mouser.com ) major IC and
general parts supplier

MPJA/ Marlin P. Jones (800-652-6733; http://www.mpja.com/ ) many power
supplies, NULL modem, Parallax BASIC stamp, misc kits, LED displays, LCD
panels, ...

Newark Electronics (800-463-9275; http://www.newark.com ) major electronic
parts supplier

Ninjaforce Entertainment ( http://www.igd.fhg.de/~girschik/nfc/ )
Ninjaforce software for IIgs

Pre-Owned Electronics (800-274-5343) sells a variety of peripherals and
accessories.

Scantron Quality Computers (800-777-3642 http://www.sqc.com ) Appleworks,
Appleworks-GS vendor.

Sequential Systems (303-666-4549; http://www.sequential.com  email:
inquiries@sequential.com)  sells 4-8MB GS memory boards, RAMfast SCSI
interface, and other peripheral boards.

Seven Hills Software (850-575-0566;
http://www.sevenhills.com/applesoftware ) develops and sells IIgs
software.

Shareware Solutions II ( http://www.crl.com/~joko/  email: joko@crl.com)
sells Convert 3200 plus games, boxed Old game originals, the Golden
Orchard CD-ROM, and other wares.

SheppyWare ( http://www.sheppyware.net/ ) software by Eric Shepherd

SHH Systeme, Germany ( http://users.ids.net/~kerwood/shh.html ) sells
Turbo IDE and other HD controller cards, Blue Disk, TWGS Accelerator
upgrades, and repairs.

Shreve Systems (800-227-3971; http://www.shrevesystems.com ) sells II
computers, peripherals, parts and accessories.

Software and More (916-725-0228; http://members.aol.com/SWMoreTP/AP.html )
sells Apple II hardware and software.

Sun Remarketing (800-821-3221; http://www.sunrem.com  accepts on-line
orders) sells Apple II parts and peripherals.

Texas II/Kingwood Micro Software (2503 Sherbrooke Lane, McKinney, TX
75070; 972-562-6335; http://members.aol.com/A2MG/ ) develops and sells
classic Appleworks v3.0-v5.1 support software.

ThinkStuff ( http://www.thinkstuff.com/main.htm ) sells Mac/IIgs hi-speed
modem and NULL modem cables.

Vernier Software (503-297-5317; http://www.vernier.com )  sells project
books and components.

Wayne's Computer (315-689-7899;
http://www.waynes.com/Business/WaynesComputer/default.htm ) sells Apple II
computers, peripherals, and software.

Western Design Center (602-962-4545; http://www.wdesignc.com ) makes and
sells 65C816 microprocessor used in IIgs and for accelerator upgrades.

William K. Bradford Co. (800-421-2009; http://www.wkbradford.com ) Apple
II educational software

--Rubywand

____________________________



023- Where can I get Apple II books and periodicals?


A2 2000 back issues in .sdk and .shk form (
ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/Monthly.Disks.Collections/A2.2000/ )

Apple II Manuals on-line in html form-- ref Terry Allen's Manual Project (
http://www.educate.net.au/~apple2/manuals/index.html )

Apple Blossom is a bi-montly mini-magazine edited by Steve Cavenaugh.
(Apple Blossom Publishing, P.O. Box 120434, Boston, MA 02112-0434;
http://people.delphi.com/appleblossom/  email: appleblossom@delphi.com)

The Applebyter newsletter (Applebyters Computer Club, P.O. Box 2092,
Davenport, IA  52809  http://helios.augustana.edu/~sbeattie/applebyters/ )
is a vintage monthly newsletter edited by Shawn Beattie.

Byte Works (505-898-8183; http://hypermall.com/byteworks/ ) major source
for Apple II series manuals, other Apple books, and Orca languages,
manuals, and support. (mikew50@aol.com)

Composition is an on-line 'zine devoted to GS MIDIsynth and synthLAB music
( http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rembrandt/2/comp.html ) published
by Gregory Heald.

Computist magazine index and Library Disks plus back issues in text and
(mainly) scanned .jpg form-- ref Celt's (celt@chisp.net) Computist Project
( ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/Monthly.Disks.Collections/Computist/ )

Dark Castle (Wolborgenmate 72, 7006 DK Doetinchem, The Netherlands;
+31-314-365145) is a quarterly mini-magazine edited by Doede Boomsma.
(dboomsma@sci.kun.nl)  Info and back issues in .shk form are available at
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Collections/DarkCastle/.

Eamon Adventurer's Guild newsletter (7625 Hawkhaven Dr., Clemmons, NC 
27012; 910-766-7490) is the quarterly journal for the famous adventuring
series edited by Thomas Zuchowski. (email: tzuchow@ibm.net or
t.zuchowski@genie.geis.com)

GEnie Lamp back issues in binscii files (
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Collections/Gelamp/ )

GS+ back issues in .shk form (
ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/Monthly.Disks.Collections/GS.PLUS/ )

GS WorldView ( http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/ ) is an Apple II/IIgs
web 'zine edited by Charles Turley

Juiced GS (2217 Lakeview Dr., Sullivan, IN  47882) is a quarterly
mini-magazine edited by Max Jones. ( http://www.wbwip.com/juiced.gs/ ;
email: juicedgs@delphi.com)

The Lamp back issues in html form ( http://lamp.sheppyware.net/backissues/
)

Nibble magazine back issues in .shk form (
ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/Monthly.Disks.Collections/NIBBLE/ )

Nuts & Volts Magazine (800-783-4624; http://www.nutsvolts.com ) not A2
specific, but good info on robot making and other interesting projects;
also, a good source for surplus electronic parts ads

Road Apples back issues in html form (
ftp://209.180.253.179/cabi/Monthly.Disks.Collections/ROAD.APPLES/ )

Shareware Solutions II (166 Alpine Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 (
http://www.crl.com/~joko/  email: joko@crl.com) is a bi-monthly
mini-magazine edited by Joe Kohn

Texas II (2503 Sherbrooke Lane, McKinney, TX 75070; 972-562-6335;
http://members.aol.com/A2MG/ ) is an Appleworks newsletter published by
Beverly Cadieux (a2mg@aol.com).


--Rubywand
References:
- Apple II Frequently Asked Questions: June 27, 1999 release
  - From: Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>
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