novice GS/ROM00 question

[eckert@delos.informatik.uni-erlangen.de (Toerless Eckert)]

Hi

I have obtained an old apple2gs for free and now i am wondering what
i can do with it. Though i've worked with apple(+,e) in the early eighties,
i never actually used an apple2gs with apple2gs software, and the
machine i received has neither 3.5 floppies nor any gs software with it.

I've read the apple2 FAQ, and the first thing i am wondering about is,
what kind of apple2gs i have. After booting, it only says "Apple2gs" -
similar to the older models of the apple2. I am thus fearing that this
machine has got ROM00 version, which - if i correctly read the FAQ - 
can not be used with current software.

Can someone tell me, if my indication of havin a ROM00 version is correct ?
If it's a ROM00 version, what is actually the difference between ROM00 and
ROM01 or ROM03 ? What apple2gs software can i use with the ROM00, which
software can i not use ? Is it possible to swap the parts on the motherboard
that have to be upgraded myself ? Will apple do it ? What would be the price ?
What's the neweset OS that i can still run with ROM00 ?

Why the hell is there this damned ROM00/ROM01 difference anyway ? ;-))

I've got a couple of other questions too, but i think this is enough
for a single article. Thanks a lot to anyone responding in advance.

---
             Toerless.Eckert@informatik.uni-erlangen.de
    /C=de/A=dbp/P=uni-erlangen/OU=informatik/S=Eckert/G=Toerless/
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