Re: //e, //c, //gs Questions

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

Chad Choi Lin <chadlin@nyetcom.com> wrote:

>And the IIGS system
>software normally includes a remarkably Mac-style graphical environment
>(in fact, I think it is called the Finder, just like the original Mac
>user interface).

Yup, it is Finder.  But more than that, GS/OS (with appropriate
control panels) can also use the same TrueType fonts as
Macintosh.  Its programming "Toolbox" is also like Macintosh.
It supports desk accessories and even cooperative multitasking
(with the right control panel) like Macintosh.  It can even read
and write Mac and PC hard drives and 3.5" disks with the right
software.

It supports 8MB of memory expansion.

New devices are supported by just dropping in drivers.

It supports INITs and Finder extensions.  The resemblance
is pretty amazing.

There is even GNO/ME, a freeware OS add on that lets
the IIGS have preemptive multitasking and a UNIX type
command line.

>> System Expansion:
>> 
>> Are expansion cards interchangable between the //+, //e
>> and //gs?
>
>Again, my limitted exposure to the IIGS prevents me from giving a
>definitive answer. Theoretically, all Apple II models equipped with
>expansion slots ought to work with the same expansion boards and upgrade
>cards -- BUT my suspicion is that this is often not true.

It works one way.  You can usually put II+ cards in a IIGS
and it will work.  A card designed specifically for the more
advanced IIGS will not work in the II+ (such as the Visionary
12 bit frame grabber of the Apple II Video Overlay genlock
card).

>> What type of cards are used with these computers (like
>> ISA for PCs and NuBus for Macs)? Can any of these
>> systems use hard drives? Which of these systems allow
>> memory expansion?
>
>I don't even know what the official designation for an Apple II
>expansion board is, but I'm almost completely certain that only Apple
>II-specific boards will work. As far as hard drives go, even the //c can

It is called "Apple Bus."

>The IIGS is by far the most favorable system in
>this regard, as you can install an IDE controller card to use
>IDE-standard hard drives and other storage devices (such as the Iomega
>100Mb Zip drive). I've also heard that the IIGS can use SCSI equipment
>as well. Apart from certain limitations with the //c, all your Apple II

Sure it can use SCSI.  It can even use SCSI Zip and 1GB Jazz
drives with no additional software.

>systems should be upgradable as far as memory is concerned -- and, once
>more, the IIGS enjoys the greatest advantage (it can address more than
>4Mb of RAM if you install it).

http://www.allelec.com/ Alltech sells an 0-8MB memory card,
the Sirius, which takes 30 pin 1MB SIMMs up to 8MB.

>> Can the //c and //gs, since they have the Mac-like RGB
>> port, use Mac monitors?
>
>I doubt it, since the Mac video system has more lines of resolution than
>even the IIGS could handle.

Check out http://www.sequential.com/ Squential Systems.

The IIGS can use the Mac monitor with an SVGA card
called the Second Sight.  It supports 1024x768 pixels at
24 bit color.