Re: What is it ?

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

In article <3ji1av$hnj@dumbo.cgs.fr>,
Michel Reverbel <reverbel@itmi.cgs.fr> wrote:
> 
>   what is the difference between an Apple II/e and an Apple II GS ?

There are two ways of looking at the IIgs:

1. A fast Apple IIe with lots of built-in peripherals (two serial
ports, 80-column firmware, mouse, 3.5" drive controller, RAM disk,
5.25" drive controller, AppleTalk network interface, clock) and extra
memory.

Unlike the IIc, the IIgs does have slots for IIe-compatible cards, but
in most cases using a slot will require disabling the internal
function that is mapped to the slot.

2. A 16-bit computer with a desktop user interface (very similar to the
Macintosh), also able to run 16-bit graphics and text programs, with a
much more powerful operating system than the IIe.

Many people (including me) originally bought their IIgs with the
intention of using it in its "fast IIe" aspect.  It runs nearly all
Apple II/II+/IIe/IIc software (compatibility issues are mainly the
same ones that prevent programs working properly on a IIc or enhanced
IIe).

I subsequently found that the native aspect of the computer was a
whole new world to explore, with a huge range of software (some of
which is now difficult to obtain), significantly increasing the power
and potential uses of the computer.

In addition to the graphics and text modes provided by the IIe
(including double hi-res graphics), the IIgs has its own "Super
Hi-Res" graphics mode which has a resolution of 320x200 or 640x200
with up to 16 colours per line (with some limits in 640 mode) from a
palette of 4096 colours.

By comparison, the IIe's double hi-res mode is 560x192 in monochrome,
or 140x192 with 16 fixed colours.  The IIgs's Super Hi-res mode is a
lot easier to control than double hi-res mode.

The other significant feature of the IIgs is its sound capabilities.
In addition to the "square wave" sound of the IIe, the IIgs has a
multi-voice digital sound chip which has a huge range of possible
uses, from simple playback of digitized sound through to instrument and
voice synthesis (with appropriate software).

The IIgs has a built-in "Control Panel" that allows configuration of
the computer, including the text screen colours, sound volume, system
speed (2.8 MHz or 1 MHz) setting the clock, keyboard and display
language, keyboard auto-repeat rate, slot assignments, startup slot,
printer and modem port settings, RAM disk settings and mouse
configuration.

This barely scratches the surface, but should give you enough
information to form some idea of what the computer is.  Post a
followup if there is any particuarly aspect you would like more
information about.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand