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Apple II comp.sys.apple2 FAQs 7/18/1998 MAIN HALL-1 (start here)
Apple II Frequently Asked Questions: Main Hall-1 ... Start Here!
Csa2 FAQs-on-Ground file: csa21FaqsMH.txt rev006
The Csa2 (comp.sys.apple2) usenet newsgroup Frequently Asked
Questions files are compiled by the Ground Apple II site,
1997, 1998.
ftp://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Faqs
http://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Faqs
The Csa2 FAQs may be freely distributed.
Notes: FAQs files are pure Text files which have no Font, Color,
etc. formatting. For best viewing on-line, set browser Word Wrap
to ON or copy to your favorit Text viewer and set Word Wrap.
Ex: On PC use WordPad with Options set to "Wrap to Window".
To correctly view tables and diagrams on a super-res display,
use a mono-spaced Font such as CoPilot or PCMononspaced.
____________________________
Csa2 FAQs on Ground "Main Hall"
Last updated: 18 July, 1998
Welcome to the comp.sys.apple2 newsgroup FAQs! This file is called
"Main Hall" because it's your starting-off point for accessing the Csa2
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 the Main Hall-2
file.
001- What is a FAQ?
002- What is comp.sys.apple2?
003- How do I get files off the net?
004- Where can I get Apple II software and information on the net?
005- What is an Apple II: The KIM
006- What is an Apple II: The Apple I
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
008- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
009- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
010- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
012- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][e Emulation Card
013- What advantages does the ROM 3 GS offer vs. the ROM-01 GS?
014- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
015- How can I tell what version my computer is?
016- What programming languages are available for the Apple ][?
017- What's the difference between an Apple ][, a II, and a //?
018- I'm an Apple IIgs NEWBIE. How do I get started?
019- Where do I find out about Apple II Users Groups?
020- Where can I get Apple II parts, boards, and software?
021- Where do 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 files which seeks to supply answers to questions about the
Apple II series of computers.
----------------------------
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.emmulator - Discussion of Apple II emmulators
(see file apple2.emulators...)
comp.sys.apple2.gno - Discussion of GNO/ME, a UNIX-like
multi-tasking environment for IIgs
(see file csa2.gno...)
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace - Buying, selling and promoting A2
related products
comp.sys.apple2.programmer - Discussion relating to any aspect of
programming the Apple //
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups - Discussion relating to Apple //
usergroups
comp.binaries.apple2 - Public Domain and Shareware Software
for all Apple //'s
comp.sources.apple2 - A newsgroup for the posting of
Apple // related source code
This is a moderated group. Articles posted are handled by the moderator
(they are automatically E-Mailed to the moderator). If the moderator
accepts the article, he/she posts it to the group in a standardized
format.
alt.emulators.ibmpc.apple2 - Discussion about the use of Apple II
emulation software/hardware on a PC.
comp.emulators.apple2 - Discussion about A2 emulation on PC,
Mac, and other platforms
Today, most users upload their wares to one or more of the major Apple
II ftp software archive sites:
ftp://apple2.caltech.edu/pub/apple2
ftp://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2
ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/apple2
Wherever you upload Apple II files, let users know about your stuff by
posting a message to comp.sys.apple2.
--Dan DeMaggio, David Empson, Al Kalal
----------------------------
003- How do I get files off the net?
By far, the easiest and quickest way is to download to a PC or Mac
and, then, NULL-modem the files to your Apple II. If you use a Mac, you
may have the option of transferring the files via a ProDOS or HFS
diskette. (See the FAQs files csa2T1TCOM.TXT and csa2T2TCOM.TXT.)
--Rubywand
----------------------------
004- Where can I get Apple II software and information on the net?
Major Apple II Information and Software Sites
Apple2 Caltech- large collection of II/IIgs games and utilities
ftp://apple2.caltech.edu/pub/apple2/
Asimov- #1 archive of out-of-print games and utilities in
emulator DSK and file formats; plus emulators and emu info
ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/
Asimov-GS- Major archive of old IIgs software
ftp://24.64.240.136
Asimov-GS Mirror- Mirror and major archive of old IIgs software
ftp://apple.cabi.net/pub/applegs/
Ground Apple2 U. Iowa- home site of Csa2 FAQs; games, utilities,
HC/HS stacks, music files, ..., and information in several
collections including the AOL A2 archives
ftp://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/
http://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/
GS WorldView 'zine- II/IIgs applications articles, games, utilities,
A2-2000 archive, and links; home site for 1WSW
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/GS.WorldView/
Uni-kl.de Apple2 U. Kaiserslautern-- II/IIgs games, utilities, and
emulator wares
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/apple2/
Other Important Apple II Sites
Apple2 U. Kentucky- A2 archive
ftp://f.ms.uky.edu:/pub/appleII
Apple2 U. Michagan- A2 archive
ftp://apple2.archive.umich.edu/archive/apple2/
Apple2 U. Washington- comp.binaries.apple2 access
ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/usenet/comp.binaries.apple2/
Apple II Csa2 FAQs Mirror- in folder A2.GS.FAQs.and.INFO/ at ...
ftp://apple.cabi.net/pub/applegs/Misc.Text.and%20Docs/
Apple II Software- A2 software, BASIC Lessons
http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html#53
Apple II WWW and FTP Sites- comprehensive A2 & A3 links list
http://www.cstone.net/~rbraun/apple2/a2ftp.html#web
Apple Computer- mainly, GS system software
ftp://ftp.apple.com/dts/aii
http://www.apple.com/support
Apple Computer- license information
http://developer.apple.com/mkt/registering/swl/agreements.html
Delphi- A2-oriented net access service
http://www.delphi.com/
International Apple II BBS List- A2 BBS sites and phone numbers
http://home.earthlink.net/~gabesanchez/
(see file a2bbs...)
KansasFest Web Page- KansasFest information
http://www.primenet.com/~adams/kfest.html
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
Mother of All Apple II Web Pages- links
http://www.syndicomm.com/a2web/
Odessa Entertainment- on-line entertainment 'zines
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rembrandt/2/comp.html
Texas II- Appleworks products and information; home site for
Beverly Cadieux's Apple II Mail Group (A2MG)
http://members.aol.com/A2MG/
The Apple II Classic Games Page- large listing of classic
A2 games with screenshots.
http://jones.netplace.com/apple/welcome.html
The Giant List- listing of games and authors
http://www.dadgum.com/glist/list.html
Treasure Chest Project- Willie Yeo's list of A2 software
reclassified as freeware or shareware
http://www.tals.dis.qut.edu.au/staff/willie/treasurechest/
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
USA2WUG- Home page; Apple II information and indexed FAQs
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/USA2WUG/
--Rubywand
----------------------------
005- 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
----------------------------
006- 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
----------------------------
007- 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, 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,
and a printer interface. Surprisingly, the ][+ can run some of today's
software. For instance, I've run Davex and FredWriter under ProDOS. You
can even run AppleWorks if you have more than 128K and a program called
PlusWorks.
Recommended configuration: 16K "language card" (in Slot 0), an 80-column
video card (not the same as a //e 80-column card), shift key
modification (a wire running from shift key to game port), modified
character ROMs to do lower case. You can add memory 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,
Rocket/Zip. --Dan DeMaggio, David Empson
----------------------------
008- 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). Alltech sells a IIe Enhancement kit for $29.00.
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. 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 is still 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, so there is a ton of educational
software for it.
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. Good programs for an Apple //e: classic Appleworks
(Spreadsheet/Word Processor/Database from Scantron Quality Computers),
Copy ][+ (file utility by Central Point), ProTerm-A2 3.1
(communications/terminal emulator from InTrec), PrintShop
(sign/card/banner printer by Broderbund).
Recommended configuration: Extended 80 Column card (gives you 128K) or
RamWorks (512K to 1MB RAM). Enhancement kit if it was an Unenhanced
//e. A Hard Drive is reccommended if you use a lot of different
programs. You can also speed it up with an accelerator (like the Rocket
Chip, Zip Chip or TransWarp). --Dan DeMaggio
----------------------------
009- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
The //c and IIc+ are '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. The //c has a built-in 5.25" drive while the IIc+
has a built-in 3.5" drive.
The IIc+ also has a built-in accelerator that runs at 4 MHz 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.)
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). The //c and IIc+ run just about
everything that an Enhanced //e runs.
Recommended configuration: 1 MB RAM, maybe a hard drive.
--Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
----------------------------
010- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX
While not made by Apple, this clone is a cross between the //c and
an Enhanced //e. It is as luggable as a //c and has built-in 'cards',
and an accelerator. It also has a slot to expand. If you want to add a
card, you may have to disable the internal UDC (for 3.5" drives) or the
internal 1MB memory expansion. Runs almost everything that the //c and
//e runs. --Dan DeMaggio
----------------------------
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
The IIgs (or "GS") represents a giant leap in the Apple II line.
It can still run //e software, but has a better processor (16-bit), a
new super-hires graphics mode, a toolbox in ROM (just like the Mac), a
32-oscillator Ensoniq sound chip, and a base speed of 2.8MHz.
GS can run DOS 3.3, ProDOS, Pascal, and any other OS the earlier
8-bit models can run; but, it does not support the original Apple
casette tape 'OS'. GS is the only A2 machine which can run GS/OS--
currently known as "System 6". System 6 is a sophisticated 'mouse and
windows' OS which looks very much like the Macintosh OS and PC Windows.
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 first batch of GS's came in cases marked "Limited Edition" with
Steve Wozniak's signature. Often, these are referred to as "Woz GS's". 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 "IIe" 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.
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). ROM 3 is, generally,
not regarded as an "upgrade". 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.
Chiefly, ROM 3 is a 1989 re-do of ROM-01 featuring more streamlined
hardware. Very few ROM-01 owners felt any urge to move to ROM 3. (Upon
booting, the current system software applies in-RAM patches matched to
each ROM version to achieve nearly identical operation.) 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.
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 GS/OS 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 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, improved design
ZipGS board together with a clear need for more speed to handle System 6
sparked a nearly "overnight" acceleration revolution. Today, most GS's
in regular use run at 8MHz or better.
Recommended basic configuration: 4.25MB (ROM-01) or 5MB (ROM-03) of
total system RAM; RamFAST SCSI + 200MB or larger hard disk OR 200MB
Focus Hard Card drive; 9MHz/32k ZipGS or better accelerator board;
Stereo Card; two 3.5" and two 5.25" diskette drives. --Dan DeMaggio,
Rubywand, David Empson, Randy Shackelford
----------------------------
012- 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 most
subsequent machines that have the LC Processor Direct Slot (PDS). This
includes 020, 030, and 040 machines. 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
----------------------------
013- What advantages does the ROM 3 GS offer vs. the ROM-01 GS?
The ROM 3 Apple IIgs offers many minor enhancements vs. the ROM-01
which make the machine more functional and pleasant to use:
- You get a machine that is about 5-10% faster for GUI, floppy disk
loading and RAM Disk operations (due to updated smartport firmware
and System 5 tools being in ROM).
- A machine that is more flexible when working with AppleTalk and
slots (you don't have to give up an extra slot and you can stick a
card in slot 4 and still use the mouse in GS/OS).
- A nicer text Control Panel that lets you resize RAM Disk with a
warm-boot and a cleaner way to size it too (no min/max size junk).
Also a 'Mouse' menu and other existing things cleaned up and made
better.
- A just over 1 megabyte of RAM built-in to start off with; so, you
can have 5 MB of DMA compatible memory in total.
- The MB0 signal provided in slots 1 through 6, so you can stick
in a Video Overlay Card _and_ Second Sight in together, and not
worry about having to reserve slot 3.
- Hardware shadowing of text page 2 with Alternative Display Mode
(no slowing down your system to a crawl when you see a screen full
of 2's running 8-bit software).
- A newer ADB keyboard microcontroller with built-in sticky keys,
keyboard mouse and compatibility with the indicator LEDs
on extended keyboards.
- A removable Lithum battery (in a snap case. Just pop the old one
out when your clock and Control Panel settings stop working).
- Less power consumption and electrical noise from the motherboard,
- A set of pins (location 'S1') on the motherboard to make the text
Control Panel disappear, making your GS settings tamper proof where
young children are around
There are even a couple of more goodies, like the Step/Trace
commands in Monitor or the improved disassembler. Even if you are not a
programmer, they're handy for peeking at SHR graphics still in memory
(from Monitor hit 'S' and then the return key).
Things like sticky keys and mouse keyboard come in handy too-- like
if you are eating or drinking with one hand, you can still reset the
computer using the other.
The down side is that some old GS games and demos won't run. However
many of the more worthwhile ones have been patched. -- Mitchell Spector
014- 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
----------------------------
015- How can I tell what version my computer is?
Apple //e:
The major division is between the Enhanced and unenhanced //e
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 //e Enhancement kit. (It
contains 4 chips to replace on your motherboard.)
Many newer programs will not work unless you have an Enhanced //e.
If you have a //c or GS, or a Laser 128, you have Enhanced //e
compatibility. There are also some older //e'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 //e, 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 IIgs:
There are 3 major versions of the GS: Check the initial power-up
screen. It will probably say ROM-01 or ROM-03. 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-03 has 1 MB on the motherboard. Most of the
enhancements of the ROM-03 (except the 1MB, of course) can be added to
the ROM-01 simply by booting up with current system software.
Apple //c:
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 a //c+.
--Dan DeMaggio
----------------------------
016- What programming languages are available for the Apple ][?
Quite a few, including Apple Integer BASIC, Applesoft BASIC, MD
BASIC, ..., the BASIC-like MacroSoft from MicroSparc, and a beta version
of Apple GS BASIC. And, users who want to speed up their AppleSoft
programs can use a BASIC compiler such as TASC or Einstein.
Other Apple II languages are Apple Fortran, USCD Pascal, Orca
(ByteWorks) Pascal, Terrapin Logo, Apple Logo, two Logos from ByteWorks,
Isys Forth, Master Forth, (and many other Forths), Modula2, Aztec C,
Orca/C, ... . Hyperstudio and HyperCard let you create stacks.
To the above you can add several assemblers including Merlin,
Orca/M, an assembler from Ninja Force, and the MicroSparc Assembler.
You can find more languages information at Larry Virden's page:
http://www.teraform.com/~lvirden/Misc/apple2-languages.txt .
For lessons to help learn BASIC programming check ...
http://www.iglou.com/qwerty/kb/dlfiles.html#53 .
For Orca manuals and to order the Orca languages contact Byte Works:
505-898-8183; http://hypermall.com/byteworks/bwad.html .
--Rubywand
----------------------------
017- What's the difference between an Apple ][, a II, and a //?
None. ][, II, and // can 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. So, "][e", "][c", etc. are very likely to be viewed
as grossly incorrect by many users. Conversely, the "//" usage is often
associated with newer e and c models. "//+" would be as much an error as
"][c".
The plain "II" symbol is the one most widely accepted as 'correct',
or, at least, 'okay', for all Apple II models.
The, generally, preferred designations are ...
Apple ][, or Apple II (i.e. for pre-II+ models)
Apple ][+ or Apple II+
Apple //e or Apple IIe
Apple //c or Apple IIc
Apple IIc+
Apple IIgs or GS
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". --Rubywand
----------------------------
018- I'm an Apple IIgs NEWBIE. How do I get started?
The current GS operating system, System 6.0.1, is somewhat larger
than earlier versions. Practically speaking, you will need at least the
4MB RAM expansion to run System6 from RAM disk and use popular GS wares
like Platinum Paint. (A utility named "Flash Disk" can auto-load System6
from diskettes to RAM disk at power-up.) A better setup is to run
System6 from hard disk (e.g. one of the Focus Hard Card drives from
Alltech) _and_ have 4MB RAM.
(Alltech ref. http://www.allelec.com Ph: 619-724-2404)
A minimum GS system that will run many older wares and still
deliver a decent operating system is a ROM-01 GS (either upgraded from
ROM-00 or originally ROM-01) with the Apple 1MB Memory Expansion board,
two 3.5" drives, and at least one 5.25" drive which boots GS/OS 5.04
(now called "System 5.04") from 3.5" diskette. (Still, if you buy any
memory expansion board, go ahead and get a 4MB board. Alltech sells such
a board.)
If you download a GS operating system, one of your first questions
is likely to be "How do I get it to my GS?" If your GS comes with _no_
software, the answer is, probably, that you don't. The easiest way to
transfer stuff is via a NULL modem connection between your net computer
and your GS; but, this requires running some telecom program (e.g.
ProTerm, Modem MGR, etc.) on your GS and having GS-ShrinkIt ready to
unshrink files.
I'm pretty sure Alltech still sells their Focus Hard Card drives
pre-partitioned with the current System6 installed. (If you call
Alltech, you can ask Tony Diaz to make sure.) Assuming they do, this is
a nice way to get System 6.0.1 and take care of the need for a hard
disk.
You can obtain some system software, GS-ShrinkIt, telecom programs,
and other getting-started software from a local Apple II User's group--
if there is one. Another option is to email a regular Csa2 poster and
request a disk or two of getting-started software. (expect to pay $3-$5
to cover costs).
Of course, you can order either System 6.0.1 or, for a minimum
setup, System 5.04 from Alltech or Byte Works. (I do not know whether
Tony or Mike includes GS-ShrinkIt and other basic freeware/shareware
utilities with System mailouts. It won't hurt to ask.)
(Byte Works ref. http://hypermall.com/byteworks/bwad.html ph:
505-898-8183)
Once you've got your GS running a decent operating system, it will
be much easier to add more software goodies.
Charles "Dr. Tom" Turley is building a collection of New GS User
info on his site at ...
ftp://apple.cabi.net/pub/applegs/AAA*NEW.IIgs.owners.INFO.txt .
----------------------------
019- 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. Two such sites are ...
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Technology/AppleUsersGroup/sub/usergroups.html
http://www.frostbyte.com/Apple/Apple_usergroups.html
Of course, you can always post a question to Csa2 or to
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups. --Rubywand
----------------------------
020- Where can I get Apple II parts, boards, and software?
Adrian Vance ( http://webmag.com/AVCatalog email: avance@gte.net)
website catalog of 460 disks for any Apple II computer
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.
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/bwad.html
email: mikew50@aol.com) sells the respected Orca series of Apple II
languages and support software.
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; Chuck Newby's email: ChuckNewby@aol.com) sells Apple II hard
disks and controllers, floppy drives, ... and ProSel, ProSel-16
software.
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
Effective Shareware Solutions (602-274-6905;
http://www.primenet.com/~clay1 ) Apple II music wares
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
InTrec Software (888-PROTERM; http://www.intrec.com ) sells ProTerm A2
and high-speed GS modem cable
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
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.
Kitchen Sink Software (614-891-2111; http://www.kitchen-sink.com ) Apple
II Software
KulaSoft (808-595-8131; http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kulasoft ) Eamon
Adventures, Kula Index, software collections, tutorials, and books
L.A.Trade (800-433-3726; http://www.4LATrade.com ) sells memory,
including "Zip" package 1MB x 4 DRAM used by the AE GS-RAM III 4MB
card.
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, ...
Midwestern Diskette (800-221-6332; http://www.mddc.com/mdi/disk.html )
diskettes, including 5.25" DSDD diskettes
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.ninjaforce.home.ml.org )
Ninjaforce software for IIgs
Pre-Owned Electronics (800-274-5343) sells a variety of peripherals and
accessories.
Redmond cable (206-882-2009 http://www.redcab.com ) makes and sells
standard & custom Apple II cables.
Scantron Quality Computers (800-777-3642 http://www.sqc.com )
Appleworks, Appleworks-GS vendor.
Sequential Systems (800-759-4549 or 303-666-4549,800-999-1717 tech,
303-666-7797 BBS; 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/ssii.html email:
joko@crl.com) sells Convert 3200 plus games, boxed Old game originals,
and other wares.
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.
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/index.html-ssi ) 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
--Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
----------------------------
021- Where do I get Apple II books and periodicals?
The Applebyter newsletter (Applebyters Computer Club, P.O. Box 2092,
Davenport, IA 52809) is a vintage monthly newsletter.
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)
Byte Works (505-898-8183) is now the major source for Apple II series
manuals and other Apple books. They also continue to offer the manuals
and support materials for the Orca languages. (mikew50@aol.com)
Composition is an on-line 'zine devoted to GS MIDIsynth, or synthLAB
music published by Gregory Heald. (
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/rembrandt/2/comp.html )
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)
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)
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)
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
Shareware Solutions II (166 Alpine Street, San Rafael, CA 94901) is a
bi-monthly mini-magazine edited by Joe Kohn (joko@crl.com).
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