Re: Documentation Sources?

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

In article <1993Aug14.150555.5782@gboro.rowan.edu> kilroy@gboro.rowan.edu (Dr Nancy's Sweetie) writes:
> 
> Last weekend, I acquired an Apple //e with two disk drives, a monitor,
> assorted cards, and a lot of software for $50.  One of my new toys is
> a chess game called Sargon II.  I don't know if this is the latest or
> best edition, but on its higher levels it plays well enough to keep me
> interested -- and that's all I really need.
> 
> Anyway, while I got a lot of books and instructions with the //e, I do
> not have the documentation for Sargon II, or for something called `Big Mac'
> (which seems to be an assembler), or a few other things that I've figured
> out myself.  Does anyone know where I might get copies of the instructions
> for these programs?  (Or maybe just a summary of the features and how to get
> at them?)

Assuming these are legal copies, and aren't pirated (did you get
original disks?) you may be able to get a manual from the program's
author or publisher.  I don't know who wrote Sargon II.  I believe
there was also a Sargon III, but I'm not sure if an Apple II version
was released.

Big Mac is a _very_ old version of the assembler written by Glen
Bredon, which is now called "Merlin 8", and is available in versions
running under DOS 3.3 and ProDOS.  I doubt that you'd be able to buy a
manual for "Big Mac".

Merlin 8 is part of a package sold by Roger Wagner Publishing, called
"Merlin 8/16".

In addition to the two versions of Merlin 8, the package includes:

Merlin 16, which requires a IIgs or a 128k IIe/IIc which has a 65802
processor installed in place of the 6502/65C02; and

Merlin 16+, which is a native IIgs assembler (running under
GS/OS).


Merlin 8 requires a 128k IIe, IIc or IIgs (both DOS 3.3 and ProDOS
versions).


Merlin is one of the fastest assemblers available for the Apple II.
Merlin 16 is considerably faster than Merlin 8, and Merlin 16+ is even
faster.

Contact:

Roger Wagner Publishing, Inc.
1050 Pioneer Way, Suite P
El Cajon, California 92020
U.S.A.

619-442-0522


Merlin is my preferred assembler for writing 8-bit code (running under
ProDOS-8 or DOS 3.3).  Since I have a IIgs, I use Merlin 16+ for this.

When writing IIgs assembly language, I usually use ORCA/M, but also
use Merlin for some projects.
-- 
David Empson                                                               
dempson@swell.actrix.gen.nz                                                
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand