Re: Bill's Apple //c project

["Bill Garber" <willy46pa@comcast.net>]

"Robert Steinmetz" <not-rsteinmetz@mindspring.com> wrote in
message 405FA2CB.5070209@mindspring.com">news:405FA2CB.5070209@mindspring.com...
: Bill Garber wrote:
: > "Rob Steinmetz" <rsteinmetz@-no-mindspring.com> wrote in
message
: > 105umet1qkdnr14@corp.supernews.com">news:105umet1qkdnr14@corp.supernews.com...
: > : Bill,
: > :
: > : A while ago you were talking about an Apple//c project you
were
: > : working on. What is the status of that project. As I recall
you
: > : were developing an internal CF interface for the //c.
: >
: > Well, we're finished the design portion and are waiting
: > for prototype boards to try out the test software. Once
: > we know the board works, the firmware writer will have a
: > better grasp on what he needs to accomplish. From there
: > it's on to making some to send to beta testers. Once all
: > the bugs are worked out, I can get a quantity of boards,
: > build them and offer them to the public. Keep your toes
: > and fingers crossed. I hope to be releasing another item
: > in the near future as well for the IIgs. I'll let you all
: > know what it is, when it's confirmed that it will work.
: >
: > Thank you for showing interest,
: >
: > Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)
:
: Thanks Bill,
:
: Can you provide an updated description of what the
: product is intended to do. As I recall, there were
: several discussions and I was never clear on your
: final objective.

This device will provide you with an IDE port for
the IIc, not the IIc+(yet), which you can use to
attach a hard drive or IDE to CF card adapter. Up
to 8 volumes will be possible, maybe more, we have
not reached the point of being sure of the size of
the drive that will be possible. Your best bet will
be the CF card option, which I will be offering with
the boards.

: For example;
:
: 1) Is this intended to use the memory expansion
: connector in later model //c's?

No, this will go in the CPU socket and your CPU will
go into the board.

: 2) Is this a reimplementation of the CFFA board or is
: there different/additional functionality?

Once partitioned and formatted, it will be functionally
similar to the CFFA, but far from a reimplementation.
It hasn't been determined that it will be autoformattable,
or if we will have a separate utility with which to set
up the drive how you wish.

: 3) Will it require removal of the //c floppy?

Required, no, but if you wish, a 3.5" hard drive can be
installed in place of the floppy and a special cable
used to attach a 5.25" drive externally. The machine I
used for measuring for the design did have a Disk II
attached to the internal port, so it is quite possible
to use one and leave the floppy space free to add other
devices. I haven't figured out a workaround for those
who wish to use it without a floppy drive attached as
yet, but i think a loop-back plug may be able to be used
to simulate that a drive is attached but with no disk in
the drive.

: 4) Will it require removal of memory expansions boards?

Sorry, yes. The memory board will not fit inside with
the CFFA2C. A future innovation may be adding memory
to the board.

Bill @ GarberStreet Enterprizez };-)
Web Site - http://garberstreet.netfirms.com
Email - willy4SPAM6pa@comXcast.net
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