Re: Apple 3.5" drive questions

["Charlie" <charlied@NOSPAMbboard.com>]

"Eric Smith" <eric-no-spam-for-me@brouhaha.com> wrote in message
qhptp67okv.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com">news:qhptp67okv.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com...
> "Charlie" <charlied@NOSPAMbboard.com> writes:
> > Ok, I agree with what you have said.  I suppose I didn't make myself clear
> > though.  What I am getting at is the use of software to directly send the
> > signals (MFM) to the 3.5" drive through the smartport/IWM firmware and/or
by
> > directly controlling the softswitches.
>
> The Apple II doesn't have the ability to "send the signals".  The interface
> to the drive goes through the controller, and the controller can't do MFM.
>
> Anyhow, the 6502 isn't fast enough to bit-bang MFM at 500 Kbps.

Thanks Eric.
It sometimes takes a while for things to sink into my head, but I think I
understand now.

Charlie