Re: Got an idea but might not be able to write all of it

[BLuRry <brendan.robert@gmail.com>]

On Tuesday, October 23, 2012 10:52:31 AM UTC-5, Steve Nickolas wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Oct 2012, gids.rs@sasktel.net wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> > It sounds like the Prodos BYE program.  Make the BYE program into a 
> 
> > separate binary file and store it into the boot sectors of any DOS disk. 
> 
> > Obviously, the disk access would have to be reprogrammed to recognize 
> 
> > DOS format.  Save DOS as a separate binary file and write an installer. 
> 
> > Also change the BYE program to recognize applesoft and binary files. 
> 
> > You now have a launcher for DOS, binary programs and applesoft programs, 
> 
> > although applesoft programs would not have any disk access functions 
> 
> > without DOS installed.
> 
> 
> 
> Very much, except graphical (because it would look prettier).
> 
> 
> 
> Think more the ProDOS 16 launcher.
> 
> 
> 
> > Just out of curiousity (and maybe sheer desperation to know) what 
> 
> > programs would you run without DOS installed?
> 
> 
> 
> Single-load games, mostly.
> 
> 
> 
> My idea actually would have loaded DOS anyway (the big difference from 
> 
> Beautiful Boot), and funnelled commands to it to do the work.
> 
> 
> 
> -uso.

I use the Apple II Desktop for general disk management, and it can launch basic programs as long as there is a copy of BASIC.SYSTEM in the same directory.  It does not know how to launch binary files though, so I have to flip over to super selector for that.  And super selector isn't perfect either -- ZappaRoidz will crash on start if you try to launch it from super selector.  Either way it goes, a directory of exomized basic-load programs and Apple II Desktop is a fun way to tackle this one.

I'd love to try something like ProSel, but it is a pain in the neck to install -- or I'm just not being very careful and didn't read the instructions correctly.

-B