Re: hardware for the GS

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

In article ez041272@bullwinkle.ucdavis.edu (Truman Chiu) writes...
>
>       Hello all.  It's been a while since I've used my GS but I was
>wondering if a 14.4 modem would work on my ROM1 GS?  Will it be able to
>handle the speed?

        Any stock (2.6 MHz) Apple IIgs is capable of handling a 14.4K
modem with no problems whatsoever. The Zilog 8530 Serial Communication
Chip (SCC) has an upper limit of 57,600 bps (57.6K). The built-in
Control Panel will only let you set the ports at 1/3rd this speed,
although all current terminal software overrides that setting and
it is thus ignored. So to answer your question, a most definite: Yes.

        Actually the only requirement to use a high-speed modem is the
proper type of interface cable. You'll need a 'Hardware Handshaking' modem 
cable; no different from any other cable other than the fact the pin wiring 
inside is arranged differently. Many Macintosh HWHS cables are properly 
wired and can be found at local shops, or you can purchase one especially 
wired for the GS through mail-order.

>Also does anyone know where I can get a good com program
>for the GS?

        The most popular terminal software package (for any Apple II,
including the IIgs) is InTrec's ProTERM 3.1. It is an 8-bit software
application, but is extermely powerful and easy to use. Also the fact
that is uses ASCII text screens for displays makes it a good choice
for high-speed modems as it is quick (graphics are slow to update).

        If you want a IIgs-specific terminal program you have two
choices. ANSITerm, which is nearly equal in power to ProTERM, although
falls behind in terms of ease-of-use because the author choose to minic
a PC-like interface (ie, ProComm Plus). It does offer color graphical
displays however, perfect for emulation of ANSI-BBS and VT-100. The
other program is called Spectrum. It is useful if you need true GS/OS
terminal software (access to NDAs, HFS, multiple windows, etc) but
doesn't have many advantages beyond that.

>Oh and one more thing, what was that card which allows a ram card to be
>placed piggyback style on another to expand the total memory?  Thanks Alot!

        That sounds like the CV-Technologies memory board. It is no
longer available, although there are many alternatives. One is the
Sequential Systems 'RAM GS Plus' (actually the "CV-RAM" under a
new name) which comes with 4MB soldered-in and room to plug in another
4MB using 1MBx4 DRAMs. There is also Alltech's new 'Sirius RAM' board
which can hold up to eight 1MB SIMMs. In both cases, each board can
hold a total of 8 megabytes of RAM on a single card, without having
to piggyback.

	However, if all you need is 4MB of memory, both Alltech and
Sequential Systems offer smaller boards (fully populated) for under 
$120. This is a very affordable way to expand your total memory and
simple to install. 

Mitchell Spector
spector@vax2.concordia.ca