Re: OS for Apple //

[dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <434sii$gp@nightfly.pip.net>, Fred Fraley <ffraley@pip.net> wrote:
>
> 	At any rate, is there any way I can DL a freeware OS and get it
> somehow from my 486 to the old apple?

Not directly.  A PC cannot read or write Apple II disks, and an Apple
II cannot read or write PC disks (unless you have special hardware,
which is unlikely).

To get up and running, you will need to get an appropriate Apple II
operating system on floppy from somewhere.  Given the operating
system, communcations software, a serial card (if necessary) and a
modem, you should be able to get anything else you need.

What type of machine is it?  A IIc or IIgs has built-in serial ports,
which makes it a little easier to get data in or out of the machine.

For a IIe or II+, you need to install a serial card to be able to use
communications software.  There are many more options here for an
enhanced 128k IIe than for an unenhanced and/or 64K IIe, or for a II+.

> I have two elementary school daughters and think they would get a
> kick out of trying to program in BASIC.

Applesoft BASIC is built into the ROM, so it is possible to use it
without an operating system.  You can't save anything to disk, though.

If it is a IIe or II+, you could save your work to cassette tape.  :-)
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand