Re: Can I hook a Koala Pad up to my GS?

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article CantStandSpam@my.email.address (NoAdsOnMyStuff) writes...

>  just bought a GS at a garage sale for $5.00.  Have an old Koala pad,
>don't know where I got that.  Wondered if anyone knows whether or how
>I can hook it up to my GS?  Any info is appreciated.  Thanks.

    Well the Koala Pad basically emulates a joystick (the loose
stylus pen run over the grid determines the X/Y position) so you
plug it into the joystick port. The GS has two ports: one is on
the back of the machine which uses a DB-9 female connector, the 
other is a 16-pin DIP connector on the motherboard (it is 'J21'
on the board, a white connector marked "Game" and just in front 
of slot 4). The older style Koala Pad uses the internal connector,
but keep in mind it is oriented in the OPPOSITE direction from
the Apple II+ and IIe motherboard.

    No Apple IIgs software will make use of it, except programs
that look for a joystick, like games (that would certainly be a
great challenge to say the least!). ;-) Forget about paint/draw
programs then, unless your running 8-bit software in emulation
mode. In that situtation the Koala Pad would be useful, but you
only get fuzzy Hi-Res or Double-Hi-Res graphics with 4 or 16
fixed colors (native Super-Hi-Res graphics are definitely more
appealing). It was, afterall, designed for the Apple II+/e/c.
If you want a drawing tablet specifically for the GS, you'll
want an ADB device such as the Kurta tablet.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca