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Re: Apple ][e - Getting started (DITTO!!!)
cv436@torfree.net (Jeffery Thomas) wrote:
>: I just bought a Apple IIc with monitor...my first Apple experience
>
>Well hey, I just got a IIc+ from a co-worker who didn't want it any
>more. Came with a very nice crisp mono monitor. I like it very much,
>but it's not the first Apple i've ever used.
>
>: > When we turn it on, all we see is "Apple ]["
>: WOW, I was gonna ask the same exact question! Except when it says
>: "Check Disk Drive",...and I turn it off and on again, I get some
>: jibberish but a prompt does appear where I can enter a BASIC program.
>: But when you do an infinite loop like GOTO same line number, there is no
>: RUN/STOP button! I'm new to Apple computers too my friend, but very
>: interested like yourself.
>
>Control-G or was it Control-C, darn this computer didn't come with it's
>instructions <sigh>.
Control-C. Think C for cancel. ;-)
If you ever encounter UNIX or the older BASIC for DOS PC,
this command also works.
Here are the specs for the IIc Plus:
1. Make and Model:
Apple IIc Plus (Refined and improved Apple IIc)
2. Released:
1988
3. Follows:
Apple IIGS
4. Followed by:
N/A
5. CPU:
Western Design Center (not to be confused with Western
Digital, the hard drive maker) 65C02 running at 4Mhz
with 8k of cache RAM.
6. ROM:
64k -- Contains Applesoft BASIC and monitor
7. RAM:
128K standard with built in socket for a 1MB memory
expansion card
8. Case:
Standard Apple platinum ABS impact resistant plastic.
Case has handle that doubles as a prop to raise the
rear of the computer for easy typing.
9. Keyboard:
Full layout keyboard without numeric keypad. Keys
are sculptured. Excellent tactile response with a
slight click on each keystroke. Switch selectable
QWERTY or DVORAK layout.
10. Display:
The Apple IIc Plus has all the graphics modes found on
the Apple IIc.
--Text mode: 40x24 and 80x24. Characters are formed
by a 7x8 pixel matrix. Character set has special
MouseText symbols for drawing the Apple Human
(also called "Macintosh") Interface in text.
--Low Resolution: 40x48 pixels in 16 colors.
--Double Low Resolution: 80x48 pixels in 16 colors.
--High Resolution: 280x192 pixels in 6 colors
--Double High Resolution: 560x192 pixels in 16 colors.
--Combinations/Variations: 4 lines of text mode can
be mixed with a truncated Low Resolution or High
Resolution mode graphic. The text in mixed mode can
be either 40 column or 80 column.
11. Audio:
Simple beeper driven by the CPU. Because the
Apple IIc Plus operates at 4Mhz, sounds from Apple II
programs are distorted (but you can cut the speed
down to 1Mhz on start up for games).
12. Media:
The Apple IIc Plus has a built in 3.5" double-sided,
double-density floppy drive with a storage space of 800K.
The drive and the external daisy-chain floppy "SmartPort"
supports Apple IIe/IIc UniDisks (3.5" and 5.25" models)
and Apple IIGS daisy-chain 3.5" drives and Apple 5.25"
disks. It is also designed to support the Chinook
CT-series 20MB to 100MB SmartPort hard drives. An Apple
SuperDrive (high density 1.44MB) can be connected, but
because the IIc Plus has no slot for a SuperDrive
controller (for the IIe and IIGS), it can only use it
in 800K mode.
The SmartPort can support one more 800K 3.5" drive,
two 140K 5.25" drives, and one 100MB CT100 hard drive
simultaneously daisy-chained to each other.
13. Input/Output:
Two RS-232C ports (mini-DIN 8-pin; uses the same serial
cables as the IIGS and Macintosh)
Composite display output (NTSC or PAL depending on the
country)
Video expansion connector for adding an LCD flat panel
display or external RGB interface
External Drive "SmartPort" (supports Apple IIGS or
UniDisks 3.5" drives, Apple 5.25"
drives, and CT-series 20MB to 100MB
hard drives)
Joystick/Mouse port (connecting one precludes connecting
the other...mouse is the same mouse
used in original Mac to Mac Plus)
Speaker volume control
Internal RAM expansion connector for optional 1MB RAM
card...some Apple IIc Plus shipped with 256K
Internal modem connector
14. Trivia:
The Apple IIc Plus unit was a direct response to the
Laser 128EX/2. Apple retrofitted the IIc design to
try to compete with Video Technology's high speed
Apple II clone. The retrofitting is evident in the
design of the motherboard. The motherboard runs at
1Mhz, unlike the Laser 128EX/2. In order to run its
programs faster, Apple used a 4Mhz 65C02 with 8k of
high speed SRAM cache and licensed the accelerator
design from Zip Technologies (makers of the ZipChip
accelerator for the IIe and IIc). They built an
accelerator into a 1Mhz motherboard rather than
design a faster motherboard from scratch.
The designers of the Apple IIc Plus originally wanted
to make a portable IIGS. Apple's management, bent
on promoting the Mac, balked at the idea. At the
same time, the Laser 128EX/2 made a quick design
cycle mandatory. The result is an updated IIc.
The Apple IIc Plus was the finest Apple 8-bit
computer ever built, but lack of marketing, the
apparent devolution in technology compared to the
16-bit Apple IIGS, and the aggressive sale of the
Laser 128EX/2 made the IIc Plus the most short
lived of the Apple II models.
15. Emphasis:
Small business, Home, Education, Gaming, Programming
16. Net Resources:
http://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/ (1.7GB A2 knowledge and
software repository)
http://www.sequential.com/ (Video cards and storage)
http://www.allelec.com/ (Various hardware and software)