Re: Where can I find the FAQ for the Apple //gs?

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

johnmcc@gte.net (John McCormick) wrote:

>Where can I find the FAQ for the Apple //gs?

http://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Faqs

I used to recommend another FAQ too, but the author of the other
FAQ turned out to be a complete jerk.  You want to avoid anything
that asshole puts out if you want to avoid getting attacked....

>I just purchased an Apple //GS ROM 01 machine with 512k RAM and an 
>external 5 1/4" drive and 3.5" disk drive.
>
>The only software I have ProDOS 8 2.03 what software would I need to take 
>advantage of the //GSs unique features?

For the majority of the software that can run under ProDOS 8,
you are not going to be able to take advantage of the IIGS'
unique features with just 512k.  I agree with another respondant
that the least amount of memory I would consider using is 2MB.
You can run many programs with less, but try doing something
like printing a big document and you're up the creek....

By far the easiest way to turn the "GS" features on is to add
extra memory, storage space, and System 6.0.1.  If you were
using a Commodore computer, I would refer you to CMD.  It
just so happens that the Apple II world has a similar one-stop
shop....Alltech Electronics (www.allelec.com).

Follow the link to http://www.allelec.com/appleii.htm and
click on "Memory" to pick up a 2MB Sirius RAM card (if you
need more memory later, you can install 1MB SIMMs on the
card all the way up to 8MB).  Click on "Hard Drive" and pick
up a Focus hard drive (on a card).

The Focus drive comes formatted with System 6.0.1 and
some freeware/shareware.  Together with your 2MB or more
of memory, you have what you need to use the IIGS' unique
capabilities.

Browse Alltech's "Software" selection for Apple IIGS titles.
Look at http://ground.isca.uiowa.edu for freeware and
shareware titles.

If you need any more help, feel free to email me....

>Also I could not format a 3.5" diskette and wonder if ProDOS 8 2.03 can 
>format one or maybe the drive is broken?

ProDOS 8 can format it with the right utilities.  Alltech also
has this on the complete ProDOS 8 utility disk.  The best
solution is to get at least 2MB and run System 6.0.1
(included on the Focus drives) Finder and format your disks
from there....