Re: Apple ][gs VGA Card

[ltchean@iss.nus.sg (Lim Thye Chean)]

Philip Stephens (philip@labtam.oz.au) wrote:

:   I would suggest that the resolution would be more like 640 x 256, since SHR
: mode does not use the full vertical resolution of the Apple monitor.  It's a
: small improvement to be sure, but _perhaps_ the Second Sight board offers a
: lower resolution for existing Apple monitors, and a higher resolution for
: VGA monitors?

Luckily it is like that. Or, it is actually more like that.

Finally read the reply from Jawaid that we can have 1024 x 768 x 256 colours.
Cool! Of course, if you are using just Apple IIGS monitor, you are stuck with
640 x 200 or 640 x 400 interlace. 

: >And seems like it includes only a image viewer.

:   Well, let's face it, re-engineering the entire toolbox to support new
: graphics modes is not a trivial task.  Right now I'd be happy just to have
: the board; it'll add impetus for me to write that game I've been planning
: for over a year.

Not what I am asking here. What I asked for is:

* A simple paint program.
* A simple text editor that shows true WYSIWYG.
* The support for this card in Procyon and Sequential Systems software
  /hardware.

Of course, it would takes time to develop it. I would hope there is some
developer discount for GS+, SoftDisk and us small folks. And make this card 
into the standard equipment for all of us who remains here.

:   Perhaps they mean that the quality of the output for _existing_ text and
: graphics modes on the Apple //GS will be enhanced by the Second Sight board?
: Maybe the output is crisper and clearer?  Who knows.

Not true. It does not actually get enhanced. But it should looks better due
to the double scanning.

:   Potential.  Potential for new software that _does_ use the Second Sight
: board for amazing new graphics.  Let me at it, I'll do something with it :-)

Mmm... I don't actually buy it. I won't buy a card with JUST potential. I
would like to buy a card that can at least do something productive for me
immediately. Like able to use it to paint or type text or whatever.

Actually, I think if someone can hack up something like a Finder extensions
or whatever to improve the CURRENT GS software, it would be great. Any ideas?
Some of my ideas:

* A new Finder view finder extension for viewing animation/images on this card.
* A new Twilight II module that display 256 colours animation.
* A hack on the window manager to support graphics overlay (possible?)
...

: =========== Philip Stephens, Systems Programmer, Labtam Australia ============
: ====== Owned by Motor (Mo for short), the power-purrer from Down Under =======
: === DS (B+S)t Y 2 X L  W C+++ I T+++ A+ E H+++ S+ V+ F Q+ P++ B+ PA+ PL+++ ===
: "Many views yield the truth.  Therefore, be not alone." -- Viggies' Prime Song

--
           Lim Thye Chean: Lim is my surname. My name is Thye Chean.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Research Engineer:Institute of Systems Science. GALAXIA Authoring System author
  Address: Kent Ridge PO Box 1130, Singapore 9111   Email: ltchean@iss.nus.sg