Re: Why I like my IIe better (Was Re: Is GS/OS ...)

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

In article <1993Aug24.001141.9491@msuvx1> connolly@msuvx1.memst.edu writes:
> In article <fmlinCC7AHz.538@netcom.com>, fmlin@netcom.com (Frank M. Lin) writes:
> > 
> > How so???  :)  THe ][gs can do everything the ][e can and much more.
> 
> Not everything, I'm afraid.  A surprising number of 8-bit programs get
> sort of twitchy on the IIgs, and some won't work at all.  Granted that
> the IIgs can do more, I don't like its feel as much.  My IIe is accelerated
> and has a meg of memory, so it's awfully convenient and has better keyboard
> feel

Easy solution to that: buy a better a keyboard for the IIgs.  I have
one of Apple's original "Apple Extended Keyboards", which is a vast
improvement (IMHO).  The original "Apple Keyboard" (ADB, released at
the same time as the Mac SE and Mac II) has the same feel, without the
function keys, etc.)

The IIgs can, of course, be accelerated (and to a much higher rate
than the IIe) and have additional memory installed.

I'll concede the point about some 8-bit software.  I've only found a
very few programs which have problems, and they can usually be fixed
by running the machine at normal speed, or turning on "Alternate
Display Mode", or avoiding booting GS/OS, or installing a standard
5.25" drive controller card, ...

> to boAnd speaking of g of booting: how come the IIgs (and, for that
> matter, the IIc+) is so reluctant to reboot when I press Ctl-OApple-Reset?

What do you mean by "reluctant"?  Do you mean that it seems to behave
as if you had pressed Control-Reset (without the Apple)?

If so, it is a simple case of not holding the Apple key down for long
enough.  The IIgs and IIc+ do a lot more than the IIe during their
reset code, and it takes longer to reach the code which checks for the
Apple and Option keys (I'd say it is about half a second on an
unaccelerated IIgs).

You can avoid the problem by getting into the habit of resetting by
using the following sequence:

Press and hold down Control and Apple (and/or Option, if appropriate).
Press then release Reset.
Wait for the beep and "Apple II" message.
Release the other keys.


You eventually get the feel for the time you have to wait - you dont'
need to hold the keys down as long as I suggest here, but it
guarantees that the Apple key won't be missed.
-- 
David Empson                                                               
dempson@swell.actrix.gen.nz                                                
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand