Re: Apple ][ using PC floppy

[Eric Rucker <bhtooefr@gmail.com>]

On Dec 31, 1:50 pm, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> vladitx wrote:
> > Just by memory, I think with my firmware I have achieved very good
> > transfer speed (better than CFFA??), and it can be further increased
> > by skipping CRC. Only DMA can provide faster transfer.
>
> And if you unroll the data transfer loop, you can go even faster.
>
> >> And this is NOT a sales pitch. I tried hard to discourage the last few
> >> people who wanted to get it. The volume is way too low for
> >> professional assembly and I don't enjoy hand-soldering this stuff.
>
> > I have developed alternative firmware for PD8, which was written from
> > scratch.  There were prepared some nice options and it was roughly at
> > a 50% completeness. Haven't touched it for about 7-8 months, but I can
> > return and finish it, provided there is:
> >   - enough interest in people already owning it
> >   - people wanting to try newer firmware and provide testing/feedback
> >   - developers wanting to (ab)use it as a co-processor
> >   - some new folks to try it
>
> > Please state your opinions here, as they will shape the PD8's fate -
> > new firmware/features, board re-spin, etc.
>
> I have a board and would be interested in experimenting with new
> firmware and applications.
>
> I really don't have any use for DOS, but would like it to be an
> SD-based "CFFA", since CF cards under 4GB are getting scarce and
> SD cards are very plentiful and inexpensive (often free after rebate).
>
> -michael
>
> ******** Note new website URL ********
>
> NadaNet and AppleCrate II for Apple II parallel computing!
> Home page:  http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon/
>
> "The wastebasket is our most important design
> tool--and it's seriously underused."

The CFFA has a 40-pin IDE connector, and the Focus has a 44-pin IDE
connector... so you could use an SD to IDE adapter. They're not that
expensive - I found a SD to 44-pin IDE adapter for $12 on eBay, IIRC.
(But, I had already ordered a CF to 44-pin IDE adapter, when I found
it.)