Apple /// FAQ

[area51@earthlink.net (Adam Rumack)]

In article <4igc4c$ra8@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, davekc6ssf@aol.com
(DaveKC6SSF) wrote:
Article 20815 of comp.sys.apple2:
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From: dave.ottalini@pro-applepi.wap.org (Dave Ottalini)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: A3 FAQ
Date: 6 Jun 1995 01:24:06 -0400
Organization: Washington Apple Pi, Ltd. user group in Bethesda, Maryland
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THE APPLE /// FAQ FILE
 

SOME BASIC INFORMATION FOR ALL /// USERS
 
By David Ottalini
WAP /// SIG Co-Chairman
 
Version: 1.0
June, 1995
 


1):  WHAT IS THE APPLE ///?
 
The Apple /// (code name: SARA) is the first computer ever designed from the
ground-up by Apple Computer. It was designed to include many of the "extras"
one had to buy separately for the Apple //: an 80 column card, a serial card,
larger memory, etc.  In addition, it came with the most advanced operating
system for small computers of its day...SOS or the Sophisticated Operating
System.  It is still an advanced operating system today; so advanced, in fact
that Apple based its ProDos Operating System for the Apple //e, //c and gs on
SOS. The Macintosh's HFS, or Heirarchical Filing System was also based on a
similar system offered with the /// at its introduction in 1981.
 
Shipments of the machine started in 1981 or so and almost immediately there
were problems.  The biggest one: the chips would pop out of their sockets after
only a few hours (primarily due to heat).  This led to the famous "two-inch
drop" where owners would pick their machine up and drop it two inches to reseat
the chips. This short-term solution was not totally satisfactory, however, and
Apple ended up replacing every main circuit ("mother") board.  At about that
time, IBM came out with the PC and Apple introduced its Lisa and Macintosh
lines. A ///+ was introduced with a new //e-style keyboard and a few other
upgrades.  But in 1984, Apple ended its production run at approximately 100,000
machines.
 

2) WHAT ARE THE ///'s CAPABILITIES?
 
Keyboard Friendliness
 
1)  Arranged in a strictly traditional typewriter layout.
2)  Sculptured, stepped and angled keys.
3)  Numeric key pad. Recognized differently from main keyboard.
4)  Software definable character set.  Can be used for graphics.
5)  All characters used by programming languages.
6)  Dedicated cursor or arrow keys.
7)  Two-key method to boot a disk without powering on and off.
8)  Alpha lock key. Shift locks alphabetical keys only.
9)  The entire ASCII code.
10) Automatic repeat for all keys and the speed can be tripled.
11) Can print 224 distinct characters.
12) Little bumps on D, K and 5 keys for finger positioning.
13) Numeric keypad can be redefined into 12 special function keys.
14) Dvorak American simplified Keyboard available on file.
15) 128 byte type ahead buffer.
16) Many different fonts available on file.
17) Character set can be changed under program control at any time.
18) Up to 13 control keys.
19) Computer "ON" light.
20) Two system keys, Closed and Open Apple keys redefine others.
21) 73 total keys.
 

3) WHAT ABOUT ITS BUILT-IN FEATURES?
 
1) 80 Column display.
2) 143K internal Disk drive.
3) Interface for up to 4 disk drives.
4) RS232-C. Can be made to serve six devices with a T-switch.
5) Color   : All 16 colors with 192 lines of 280 dots per line.
6) Graphics: 16 shades of green with 192 lines of 560 dots per line.
7) Sound   : 64 volume settings and over seven octaves.
8) Speaker : of speech producing quality.
9) Monitor ports:  RGB or any video device; NTSC 80 column monocrome.
10) Real time clock (location 3-B on mother board).
11) Two Joystick ports, A&B. Silentype printer can share port A.
12) Diagnostics in ROM.
13) Audio output: SOS Audio Driver can be rewritten to your needs.
14) Built-in security mount to prevent theft.
15) 256k RAM ability, 512k potential without strain.
16) Four expansion ports.
 

4) WHAT ABOUT SOS - THE ///'S OPERATING SYSTEM?
 
1)  First ever written to be user friendly.
2)  Data base capabilities. Hierarchical file-structure.
3)  Manages ALL memory locations and I/O.
4)  One disk format for ALL allows file sharing and communication.
5)  Able to share files with Apple //e; c and gs ProDos systems.
6)  Easily updated without hurting existing compatibilities.
7)  Ability to rewrite software drivers instead of changing hardware.
8)  Will locate which drive a file is in for you.
9)  Error proof menu system.
10) Automatic date/time stamping of every file.
11) Any destruction of data requires confirmation.
12) Interrupt driven.
13) Device-independent I/O.
14) Stores information using all empty space.
15) Programs that request printing could continue while the printing
    goes on.
16) Powerful drivers for graphics, console, audio, printer and RS232.
17) Programs can run 20% faster by pressing Control-5 on keypad (no
    video).
18) Uses all available memory.
 

6) IS MY APPLE /// STILL USEFUL TODAY?
 
Despite the fact that the Apple /// was built more than 10 years ago, it is far
from useless.  To the contrary, it was designed as a business machine and it
remains one of the best Apple // family computers ever built by Apple.   In
fact, you can put together an excellent system based on the Apple
/// for about $100.00 (or less) that will provide you with powerful word
processing, data base, spreadsheet and telecommunications capabilities that are
unmatched for the price.  The bottom line here is: Can the machine do
everything you need it to do?  For almost every application, the Apple /// can
meet the test ably and at a very competative price.
 

7) WHAT OTHER HARDWARE/SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO MAKE MY /// A COMPLETE SYSTEM?
 
1) A second disk drive.  It speeds up your work considerably, makes it easier
to load and save data, etc. Also usable: 1.4 MB Superdrive and 800k Unidisk for
the /// (using Apple // interface cards and On Three drivers) and many hard
disks (Profiles and SCSI).
 
2) System Utilities disk.  This program lets you copy files, format disks and 
configure your SOS.Driver file.
 
3) /// EZ Pieces. This is an excellent integrated software program that is easy
to learn and use.  Its files are also compatible with the Apple // version
called AppleWorks. (On Three)
 
4) Printer.  The kind is up to you.  You can run it off of the RS232 port in
the back of the /// or by using a Serial or Parallel card you plug into one of
the four slots internally.  To connect your serial printer to the /// you will
need what is called a Null-Modem cable.  Local computer dealers and national
chains like Inmac sell them.
 
6) A surge protector to prevent electrical surges from destroying your machine.
 

8) WHAT'S THIS ABOUT "SOS"?
 
As mentioned earlier, the Apple /// uses an operating system called SOS, or
Sophisticated Operating System.  It is entirely ram-based. That means every
time you load a program, it loads the operating system as well.  You will find
three files on all program disks: SOS.Kernel; SOS Interp and SOS.Driver.  The
KERNEL is the operating system itself.  You want to make sure you have the
latest version: 1.3. You can tell what version you have when you boot up. You
will see a message that tells you the version along with the Apple copyright.
 
The INTERP file is the language the program uses or it may be the program
itself.  Basic and Pascal are examples of SOS.Interp files you will find.
Finally, the DRIVER file (SOS.Driver) contains the drivers that enable the ///
to talk with your printer, disk drives, modem and hard disk properly.  At the
minimum you will need the console driver, called ".Console" and you might find
others: ".Printer" to drive your printer; ".RS232" operates the RS232 port or a
serial card for telecommunications; ".Audio" lets your /// talk to you;
".Grafix" is the graphics driver.  There are many more.  You can install these
using the System Configuration Program on the System Utilities disk.  In most
instances, you want to make sure you have the 1.3 versions of the drivers
installed.
 

9)  WHAT IS BOS3?
 
BOS3 is a wonderful upgrade to SOS, released in December, 1994. Developed by
Bob Consorti. It was financed entirely by the Apple /// community.  BOS3 adds a
tremendous number of capabilities to the /// with a hard disk. They include an
easy to set-up and use menu system, disk caching, password protection, screen
saver, macro capability to run programs with just two keystrokes and
compatibility with Selector /// pathnames.  It is available from WAP.
 

10) WHAT ABOUT EMULATION MODE?
 
Your /// can operate as-is in an emulation mode to make it think it's a 48k
Apple //+ (you will need the appropriate software). Titan made a ///+// card
for the /// you might also be able to find - it increased memory up to 128K in
//+ emulation and offered a RAM disk in native mode.
 
You might also be on the lookout at computer garage sales for the "Titan
///+//e" - a set of two-card that turns your /// into a 128k //e. You'll want
to add a 65c802 CPU (in place of the 6502) to ensure compatibility with newer
Apple // programs. The cards offer a RAM disk in native mode as well.
 

11) WHERE DO I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLE ///?
 
* /// USER GROUPS
 
     A user group is a great way to obtain more information about the Apple
///.  Members are knowledgable, ready to answer questions and most offer PD
(public domain) libraries with Apple /// software. There is only one Apple ///
group still active:
 
Washington Apple Pi                       Cost: $39.00/Year
/// SIG
12022 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, MD. 20852
(301)-984-0300
 

* ONLINE SERVICES:
 
      The best place is on Compuserve, where SARAsaurs meet on board 13 of the
Micronetworked Apple Users Group (MAUG).  MAUG's Apple /// section provides a
fantastic forum for information exchange, and its Data Libraries for the ///
are full of excellent programs.
 
* INTERNET
 
     Only one real place to go here for Apple /// discussions - West Virginia
University!  Message: LISTSERV@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU and ask to be added to their
Apple /// Discussion Group so you can get other member's messages.  The ftp
address is: names.wvu.edu/pub/apple3. The group here is small - BUT it is very
knowledegable and eager to help. Jeff Fritz (JFRITZ@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU) is the
Sysop.
 

12) WHERE CAN I FIND PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE?
 
     At this point in time, WAP is your best bet for PD offerings - there are
some 250+ disks.  Costs for the software is minimal and the selection is good. 
There are some unique offerings along with many of the "old standbys." You will
get a better deal on software by joining WAP.
     Most disks are double-sided and self-booting.  WAP is the only Apple ///
group still actively developing PD software for the Apple ///. Software is also
available on the WAP TCS - an 8 system BBS that includes a complete file
download area - offering Apple /// Programs, Information and Essentials.
     On Compuserve - MAUG's Data Library contains a modest amount of Apple ///
information and PD software for downloading.  Most information is in ASCII text
file format.
     The Apple /// Listserv on the Internet at West Virginia University also
offers some files for download.
 

13) ARE THERE STILL SOURCES FOR HARDWARE AND COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE?
 
     Yes, there are still some places we can go to obtain not only the old-line
products like Visicalc, Apple Writer and /// EZ Pieces, but new hardware and
software that is still being developed for us.
 
On Three c/o Joe Consorti
1174 Hickory Ave.
Tehachapi, CA. 93561
(805)-822-8580
 
An excellent source of both software and hardware. On Three's programs include
Draw-On Three (a graphics program), DeskTop Manager (a background utility), and
Selector /// (a switching program for hard disk users).  On the hardware front,
there's a 512K upgrade, hard disks, etc.  They also sell used ///s and
peripherals. They sell the 3.5" 800k Unidisk driver too.  They have also
started to offer Apple // GS versions of some of their programs.
 
Sun Remarketing
P.O. Box 4059
150 E. 400 N
Logan, UT 84321
1-800-821-3221  (Orders only)

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/ __ `_' /        ,,,    Adam Rumack
|[====|||||||||||[:::}   area51@earthlink.net
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