Re: Apple II/e newbie - please help

[none@none.com (Starflight)]

Thanks, Phoenyx, for all this information.  Between you and Rubywand,
I am beginning to learn a few things.

I have bookmarked Byteworks along with a few other hardware sites I
have come across.  As soon as I know exactly what I need, I can get
the parts ordered.

>The Applesoft prompt is a ] (bracket) it will have a cursor by
>it when you reset the machine. In forty column mode (the IIe
>default) it is normally a flashing checkerboard.

I found it :)

>The aux slot card is probably an 80 column board. To test this,

You are correct.  Typing PR#3 worked exactly as you stated.  Is that
an initialization command or something?  I also got out a flashlight
and found that down the back side of the card, it says AIIE 80COL.  I
don't know about the extra 64k of memory, yet.  I have what may be the
part number on the card to research this with.

>For Prodos, you will need a utility disk. Unlike Dos 3.3,
>ProDos can't init a disk. There are many sites with Apple II

So should I get a copy of both Dos 3.3 and ProDos?

>you need a serial card, preferably a Super Serial Card. You
>may have this already. I don't know what input that printer
>requires offhand. You will also need a null modem connection.
>This is all described in the FAQ's at Rubywand's site.

I haven't located information, yet, on the Prowriter printer.  I do
know that the printer interface card is a Grappler+ by Orange Micro,
the printer cable has 26 pins, and there are four on-off dip switches
on the card.  I doubt this tells you much, though.

>it's not that bad. When I first started out, Applesoft was all
>I had to program with. If you decide to program in it, there
>are ways to enhance it too.

Is Applesoft an easy language to learn?  I have tried C and C++, but I
can't seem to comprehend them.  I can put a system together, diagnose
and repair it, but I can't seem to grasp the programming languages.

>Many consider the II to be a toy or an old system not worth
>their time. IMHO, you have the BEST 8 bit system ever made. It
>can do almost anything you want it to even if it isn't as fast
>as the newer systems.

I started out teaching myself to build the newer systems simply
because I wanted a fast one for myself.  I am now working my way
backwards learning about and fixing the older systems.  The more I
learn, the more interesting it becomes.

>Speaking of hardware, you will most likely want to expand the
>system. It can already connect to a television via RCA plug or
>RF modulator. It can also connect to a VCR, so if you set things

The monitor/screen (or whatever the proper term is) that I purchased
with the system is made like a very small TV.  It connects just as you
describe.

>hard drive from a company called Alltech. While Dos 3.x can't

I have seen this mentioned on a couple of web sites, also.

>for the X10 home control systems, and even a simple robot that
>you could send commands to. In fact, one of our readers has
>created his own robot using Apple IIe parts and hand coded
>software.

I didn't know that.  How interesting!  This I will definitely have to
learn more about.

>I could probably go on and on about the II, but I guess I'll
>give you a break for now and let someone else brag about it.

Thanks again for the information and your help.  I really appreciate
it.