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New csa2 FAQs: Main Hall (Part 1 of 2)
Apple II Frequently Asked Questions: Main Hall
Csa2 FAQs-on-Ground file: Fxxxa2MHall.txt
This material compiled by the Ground Apple II site, 1997.
It may be freely distributed.
Note: This is a pure Text file which includes no Font, Color, etc.
formatting. To correctly view tables and diagrams on a super-res
display, use a mono-spaced Font such as CoPilot or PCMononspaced.
____________________________
Csa2 FAQs on Ground "Main Hall"
F002A2MHALL.TXT updated 26 December, 1997
Welcome to the comp.sys.apple2 newsgroup FAQs! This file is called
"Main Hall" because it's your starting-off point for accessing the csa2
FAQs.
You can peruse a listing of FAQs files along with lists of
questions answered; OR, you can check out some 'getting started'
Questions & Answers immediately below. (Whenever you like, you can skip
to the FAQs Files & Contents area which follows the 'getting started' Q
& A.)
001- What is a FAQ?
002- What is comp.sys.apple2?
003- How do I get files off the net?
004- Where can I get Apple II software on the net?
005- What is an Apple II: The KIM
006- What is an Apple II: The Apple I
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
008- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
009- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
010- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
012- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][e Emulation Card
013- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
014- How can I tell what version my computer is?
015- What programming languages are available for the Apple ][?
016- What GS programs are there for viewing/conversion of graphics?
017- What's the difference between an Apple ][, a II, and a //?
018- Where do I find out about Apple II Users Groups?
019- Where can I get Apple II parts, boards, and software?
020- Where do I get Apple II books and periodicals?
001- What is a FAQ?
A "FAQ" is a "Frequently Asked Question". The csa2 FAQs is a
collection of files which seeks to supply answers to questions about the
Apple II series of computers.
-------------------------
002- What is comp.sys.apple2?
Comp.sys.apple2 (csa2) is a USENET newsgroup. USENET posts
originate from your local newsreader and spread to hundreds of thousands
of machines throughout the Internet, FidoNet, ProLine BBS system, etc..
There are several newsgroups in the csa2 family, all concerned with
Apple II series affairs. They provide a forum for users to compare
notes, ask questions, and share insights. The csa2 groups include ...
comp.sys.apple2 (csa2) - Discussion plus questions & answers
relating to all Apple II computers
comp.sys.apple2.comm - Communications and networking related
issues
comp.sys.apple2.gno - Discussion of GNO/ME, a UNIX-like
multi-tasking environment for IIgs
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace - Buying, selling and promoting A2
related products
comp.sys.apple2.programmer - Discussion relating to any aspect of
programming the Apple //
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups - Discussion relating to Apple //
usergroups
comp.binaries.apple2 - Public Domain and Shareware Software
for all Apple //'s
For software distributed on comp.binaries.apple2 the preferred format is
a ShrinkIt archive which has been encoded using BinSCII (e.g. a .SHK
file which is, then, binscii-ed).
comp.sources.apple2 - A newsgroup for the posting of
Apple // related source code
This is a moderated group. Articles posted are handled by the moderator
(they are automatically E-Mailed to the moderator). If the moderator
accepts the article, he/she posts it to the group in a standardized
format.
alt.emulators.ibmpc.apple2 - Discussion about the use of Apple II
emulation software/hardware on a PC.
comp.emulators.apple2 - Discussion about A2 emulation on PC,
Mac, and other platforms
Comp.sources.apple2 is a newsgroup used to distribute public domain,
freeware,
and shareware Apple II source code.
Today, most users upload their wares to one of the major Apple II ftp
sites:
apple2.caltech.edu/zocalo/pub/apple2
ground.isca.uiowa.edu/apple2
ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II
ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/apple2
Wherever you upload Apple II files, let users know about your stuff
by posting a message to comp.sys.apple2.
The software upload areas are just for files. Discussions, etc.
concerning the software belong in comp.sys.apple2, comp.sys.apple2.comm,
comp.sys.apple2.programmer, etc..
--Dan DeMaggio, David Empson
--------------------------
003- How do I get files off the net?
By far, the easiest and quickest way is to use a PC or Mac and,
then, NULL-modem the files to your Apple II. If you use a Mac, you may
have the option of transferring the files via a ProDOS diskette.
Most Apple II wares are available for downloading via the internet
at one or more ftp sites. --Rubywand
--------------------------
004- Where can I get Apple II software on the net?
Major Apple II ftp software sites:
209.100.61.57
apple2.caltech.edu/zocalo/pub/apple2
ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II
ftp.apple.com/dts/aii
ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/apple2/disk_images/
ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/
--Rubywand
-------------------------
005- What is an Apple II: The KIM
KIM (for "Keyboard Input Monitor") was a 6502 'development system'
release in 1976 by MOS Technology. A single board with six 7-segment LED
displays, it soon had a wide following of avid experimenters who wrote
programs like Jim Butterfield's "Lunar Lander" and Stan Ocker's "Hunt
the Wumpus" and published numerous articles in magazines like Byte and
KiloBaud describing hardware add-ons. For many, KIM was the introduction
to 6502 computing which would, in a few years, lead to becoming an Apple
II user. --Rubywand
-------------------------
006- What is an Apple II: The Apple I
The original Apple was not much more than a board. You had to
supply your own keyboard, monitor and case. It sold for $666.66, but now
they are worth much more as a collector's item. --Dan DeMaggio
-------------------------
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
The II and II+ are the computers that launched the Apple II line.
They have the 6502, ability to do High-res and Lo-res color graphics,
sound, joystick input, and casette tape I/O. They have a total of eight
expansion Slots for adding peripherials such as the Disk ][ controller,
and a printer interface. Surprisingly, the ][+ can run some of today's
software. For instance, I've run Davex and FredWriter under ProDOS. You
can even run AppleWorks if you have more than 128K and a program called
PlusWorks.
Recommended configuration: 16K "language card" (in Slot 0), an 80-column
video card (not the same as a //e 80-column card), shift key
modification (a wire running from shift key to game port), modified
character ROMs to do lower case. You can add memory in various ways, but
programs that require 128K probably will not work, no matter how much
RAM you have. You can also add accelerators like the SpeeDemon,
Rocket/Zip. --Dan DeMaggio, David Empson
--------------------------
008- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
The //e comes in two flavors: Enhanced and Unenhanced. Apple makes
an Enhancement kit that will upgrade an unenhanced to enhanced by
replacing 4 chips (CPU [65C02], Video ROM [MouseText], and new
Monitor/Applesoft ROMs). Most current software require an Enhanced //e,
and sometimes 128K, too.
The current IIe operating system is ProDOS-8. The Apple //e is
still useful for three major reasons:
1) It runs AppleWorks, a simple to use, yet sophisticated
Spreadsheet/Word Processor/Database.
2) There are many Apples in schools, so there is a ton of educational
software for it.
3) It is was and will always be a _Personal_ computer. You can learn
as little or as much as you want, and nothing stops you from learning
about every nook and cranny in it. Ask any big name programmer in MS/DOS
or Mac where they learned to program. Most of them taught themselves on
a good ol' Apple II. Good programs for an Apple //e: AppleWorks 4.0
(Spreadsheet/Word Processor/Database from Quality Computers), Copy ][+
(file utility from Central Point), ProTerm 3.0 (communications/terminal
emulator from InSync), PrintShop (sign/card/banner printer from
Broderbund).
Recommended configuration: Extended 80 Column card (gives you 128K) or
RamWorks (512K to 1MB RAM). Enhancement kit if it was an Unenhanced
//e. A Hard Drive is reccommended if you use a lot of different
programs. You can also speed it up with an accelerator (like the Rocket
Chip, Zip Chip or TransWarp). --Dan DeMaggio
---------------------------
009- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
The //c and IIc+ are 'luggable' versions of an Enhanced //e, with
many built-in 'cards'. Included are 2 serial ports, a mouse port, a disk
port and 128K of RAM. The //c has a built-in 5.25" drive while the IIc+
has a built-in 3.5" drive. The IIc+ also has a built-in accelerator that
runs at 4 MHz making it the fastest Apple II as well as faster than any
of the A2 clones.
Even though //c machines don't have slots, you can still add extra
memory (there's room under the keyboard) and a hard drive (through the
disk port--a bit slow by ordinary standards, but usable. (Hard to find
though.. Was made by Chinook). The //c and IIc+ run just about
everything that an Enhanced //e runs.
Recommended configuration: 1 MB RAM, maybe a hard drive.
--Dan DeMaggio
---------------------------
010- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX
While not made by Apple, this clone is a cross between the //c and
an Enhanced //e. It is as luggable as a //c and has built-in 'cards',
and an accelerator. It also has a slot to expand. If you want to add a
card, you may have to disable the internal UDC (for 3.5" drives) or the
internal 1MB memory expansion. Runs almost everything that the //c and
//e runs. --Dan DeMaggio
---------------------------
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
The IIgs (or "GS") represents a giant leap in the Apple II line.
It can still run //e software, but has a better processor (16-bit), a
new super-hires graphics mode, a toolbox in ROM (just like the Mac), a
32-oscillator Ensoniq sound chip, and a base speed of 2.8MHz.
GS can run DOS 3.3, ProDOS, Pascal, and any other OS the earlier
8-bit models can run; but, it does not support the original Apple
casette tape 'OS'. GS is the only A2 machine which can run GS/OS--
currently known as "System 6". System 6 is a sophisticated 'mouse and
windows' OS which looks very much like the Macintosh OS and PC Windows.
The first GS's were released in the Fall of 1986. The batches
produced until mid-late 1987 became known as "ROM 00" machines after
release of the "ROM 01" models. (When you boot a ROM-01 GS, the startup
screen shows "ROM Version 01"; when you boot a ROM-00 GS the startup
screen says nothing about ROM version.)
At the time of the ROM-01 chage-over, Apple supplied a
ROM-00-to-ROM-01 upgrade service free. It consists of swapping in a new
ROM and a new Video Graphics Controller ("VGC") IC. ROM-00 machines
which have not had the upgrade can not run modern GS software-- the ROM
must be upgraded.
The VGC upgrade is not required for software compatibility, and is
not needed for all machines anyway. It is supposed to fix cosmetic
problems in monochrome double-hires graphics mode (pink flickering or
fringing on what is supposed to be a black and white screen). On some
machines the VGC swap also fixes some color combination problems in
80-column text mode.
Whether via the upgrade or original purchase of a newer GS, by late
1987 nearly all GS users were 'on the same page'. That is, we had the
ROM-01 platform with its base 256kB RAM plus the official Apple 1MB
Expansion Memory Board plugged into the Memory Expansion Slot for a
total of 1.25MB of fully-accessible system RAM. For the next couple of
years, practically all GS software was designed to launch from 3.5"
diskette under "ProDOS-16" and to fit within the 1.25MB of RAM everyone
was assumed to have installed.
In 1989 Apple introduced the "ROM 3" GS-- the startup screen shows
"ROM Version 3". (No ROM-02 GS was ever released). ROM-03 is,
generally, not regarded as an "upgrade". The only major improvement over
ROM-01 is more base RAM-- you get 1MB instead of 256kB. This is a very
nice benefit. It means that a ROM-03 with a 4MB Mem Exp Board will have
5MB of fully accessible RAM whereas a ROM-01 can have 4.25MB of
fully-accessible RAM. In effect, the ROM-03 owner gets a 'free' 800kB
RAM disk.
Chiefly, ROM-03 is a 1989 re-do of ROM-01 featuring more
streamlined hardware. Very few ROM-01 owners felt any urge to move to
ROM-03. (Upon booting, the current system software applies in-RAM
patches matched to each ROM version to achieve nearly identical
operation.) Even today, the vast majority of installed GS's are ROM-01
machines.
The 1990's have seen wide adoption of four major GS enhancements:
OS- After years of foot-dragging, Apple finally produced a decent 16-bit
GS operating system with release of System 5.0. Within a few years this
evolved into today's System 6 (System 6.01). System 6 has won wide
acceptance as a relatively stable OS which, at last, allows GS users to
access many of the features of GS computing promised back in 1986.
Memory- Driven, in part, by the need for more memory to run System 6,
4MB became the standard size of installed Memory Expansions. Except for
school GS's and GS's taken out of circulation and tucked away in
closets, the old Apple 1MB Expansion Boards have long ago been replaced
with 4MB boards.
Hard Disk- As with memory, the size of newer versions of GS/OS supplied
a strong push toward adding a hard disk. Software was becoming larger,
too, and there was so much of it that making everything work from
diskette became impossibly cumbersome. Lower HD prices, attractive SCSI
interfaces such as RamFAST, and low-cost, easy single-card solutions
such as the Focus "Hard Card" have helped make the hard disk a standard,
expected peripheral on today's GS.
Acceleration- Few commercial software offerings actually sought to push
GS users to higher speeds; and, as a result, users went for years
feeling no great need for Applied Engineering's expensive Transwarp
accelerator. The arrival of Zip Technology's lower-cost, improved design
ZipGS board together with a clear need for more speed to handle System 6
sparked a nearly "overnight" acceleration revolution. Today, most GS's
in regular use run at 8MHz or better.
Recommended basic configuration: 4.25MB (ROM-01) or 5MB (ROM-03) of
total system RAM; RamFAST SCSI + 200MB or larger hard disk OR 200MB
Focus Hard Card drive; 9MHz/32k ZipGS or better accelerator board;
Stereo Card; two 3.5" and two 5.25" diskette drives. --Dan DeMaggio,
Rubywand, David Empson
---------------------------
012- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIe Emulation Card
This is a 'IIe on a card' plug-in that fits into Mac LC and most
subsequent machines that have the same LC processor direct slot. It lets
one run Apple //e software.
The Apple IIe Emulation Card is actually more like a //c because
the card is not an expandable machine like a //e. There is a place on
the back of the card to plug in a UniDisk 5.25" and a joystick. Because
the graphics are handled by the Mac, animation may be slow if you don't
have a decent Mac. --Dan DeMaggio, David Empson
--------------------------
013- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
Number of bits usually indicates how big a chunk of data a
computer's main microprocessor can manipulate. The Apple IIgs is based
on the 65C816 microprocessor and is considered to be a 16-bit machine.
Previous Apple ]['s are based upon pure 8-bit microprocessors such as
the 6502 and 65C02. These are considered to be 8-bit machines. Sometimes
II+ or IIe or IIc software is called "8-bit software".
Although the 65C816 is part of the 6502 family, it includes
expanded registers and adds many new commands while retaining the
ability to go into 8-bit mode. So; the GS can run most 8-bit wares
designed for older Apple II machines as well as newer 16-bit wares.
Meanwhile, 8-bit machines are pretty well limited to 8-bit wares.
--Rubywand
---------------------------
014- How can I tell what version my computer is?
Apple //e:
The major division is between the Enhanced and unenhanced //e
models. Look at your computer while re-booting. If it says "APPLE ][",
it is not enhanced. The enhanced computers will say "Apple //e". You can
upgrade it yourself by getting the Apple //e Enhancement kit. (It
contains 4 chips to replace on your motherboard.)
Many newer programs will not work unless you have an Enhanced //e.
If you have a //c or GS, or a Laser 128, you have Enhanced //e
compatibility. There are also some older //e's that are not capable of
double-hires. Check the serial number on the motherboard (in the back,
by the power-on led). If it is 820-0064-A, you must change the
motherboard to upgrade (unless you have the PAL version). Serial #s like
820-0064-B or 820-0087-A are the plain //e, and the version with the
grey case comes pre-Enhanced.
week 26 1983:
820-0073-A (c) 1982 Colour killer switch soldered to open
B-607-0664 oscillator position on PCB.
week 38 1983:
820-0073-B (c) 1982 Colour killer switch near RHS of PCB.
B-607-0264 All chips socketed.
week 7 1985:
820-0073 (c) 1984 PCB marked for enhanced ROMs & 65c02
B-607-0264 (mine had old ROMs and 6502). RAM &
some TTL soldered in.
All three work with double res graphics. (Apart from the revision
letter vanishing, most chips being soldered in and the silkscreened ROM
numbers, I can see no difference between the last two PCBs mentioned.)
Apple IIgs:
There are 3 major versions of the GS: Check the initial power-up
screen. It will probably say ROM-01 or ROM-03. If it does not say
either, you have a ROM-00 model. You must upgrade a ROM-00 machine in
order to run current system software. The ROM-01 has 256K on the
motherboard, while the ROM-03 has 1 MB on the motherboard. Most of the
enhancements of the ROM-03 (except the 1MB, of course) can be added to
the ROM-01 simply by booting up with current system software.
Apple //c:
Go into Basic and type "PRINT PEEK (64447)" and press return. If
it says 255, you have a very old //c. See your dealer about getting an
upgrade (tell them that the Apple authorization number is ODL660). If it
says 0, you can do 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion
connector. If it says 3 You have the memory expansion. If it says 4,
you have the latest model of the //c. If it says 5, you have a //c+.
--Dan DeMaggio
--------------------------
015- What programming languages are available for the Apple ][?
Quite a few, including Apple Integer BASIC, Applesoft BASIC, MD
BASIC, ..., the BASIC-like MacroSoft from MicroSparc, and a beta version
of Apple GS BASIC. And, users who want to speed up their AppleSoft
programs can use a BASIC compiler such as TASC or Einstein.
Other Apple II languages are Apple Fortran, USCD Pascal, Orca
(ByteWorks) Pascal, Terrapin Logo, Apple Logo, two Logos from ByteWorks,
Isys Forth, Master Forth, (and many other Forths), Modula2, Aztec C,
Orca/C, ... .
To the above you can add several assemblers including Merlin,
Orca/M, an assembler from Ninja Force, and the MicroSparc Assembler.
--Rubywand
---------------------------
016- What GS programs are there for viewing/converting graphics?
The Graphics Exchange converts between many formats of graphics.
816 Paint's File Utilities work well for converting hires or
double-hires pics to GS super-res.
Prizm v1.0 Converts .GIFs, Amiga IFFs, Raw Files, and some other types
to Greyscale (very fast), 16 colors, 256 colors, and 3200 colors!
SuperConvert loads all GS formats, plus GIFS and other non-GS specific
formats and saves in all GS formats (including Finder Icon files). It
has more dithering options than most of the other programs, but you may
have to play with it to find the best one.
Platinum Paint is a commercial program that can import all GS formats
plus MacPaint. It can only save in SHR and Apple Preferred. Version 2.0
can make Animations too!
ShowPic 6 is a shareware NDA that can display most GS formats. You can
also save the resulting graphic as a IIgs SHR painting.
SuperPac is a commercial program which can create/display SuperPac
format compressed pics and pic pieces
Dream Grafix supports all 3200 color picture types and also 16 color and
256 color pictures. This is a very impressive commercial paint program.
Convert 3200 will handle several popular PC and Mac formats in up to 256
colors.
Jpeg.Viewer can be used to view JPEG images in black & white.
--Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
---------------------------
017- What's the difference between an Apple ][, a II, and a //?
None. ][, II, and // can be used pretty much interchangably for any
model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a
few usages which may provoke a correction.
"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all II's and
II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most
attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with
_old_ Apple II 's. So, ][e, ][c, etc. are very likely to be viewed as
grossly incorrect by many users. Conversely, the "//" usage is often
associated with newer e and c models. "//+" would be as much an error as
"][c".
The plain "II" symbol is the one most widely accepted as 'correct',
or, at least, 'okay', for all Apple II models.
The, generally, preferred designations are ...
Apple ][, Apple II
Apple ][+, Apple II+
Apple IIe, Apple //e
Apple IIc, Apple //c
Apple IIc+
Apple IIgs, GS
Just "A2" is fairly common when referring to series-wide products
or concerns as in "Old, out-of-print A2 wares should be preserved and
archived for easy access by every user". --Rubywand
---------------------------
018- Where do I find out about Apple II Users Groups?
Though many users groups have vanished, others continue to meet,
especially in major cities and on university campi. If your local group
is 'missing' check for a Mac users group-- a number of Apple II groups
merged with their Mac counterparts.
The Apple User Group Connection (800-538-9696 ext 500) can tell you
the closest Apple II (or Macintosh) User Group. Nancy Crawford, editor
of the monthly Applebyters Computer Club newsletter, is another good
source for users group information (319-289-4649).
Of course, you can always post a question to csa2 or to
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups. --Rubywand
---------------------------
019- Where can I get Apple II parts, boards, and software?
Alltech (619-724-2404 ) sells all kinds of replacement parts for Apple
II's as well as the Focus Hard Card drives, CD-ROM drives, and memory
boards. They are also pretty knowledgable about the II series.
(allelec.com)
Stephen Buggie (505-863-2390) sells the famous Buggie Power Supplies and
does disk drive conversions.
Byte Works (505-898-8183) sells the respected Orca series of Apple II
languages and support software. (mikew50@aol.com)
Shareware Solutions II (joko@crl.com) sells Convert 3200 plus games and
other wares.
DigiSoft Innovations (contact Jim Maricondo, digisoft@hypermall .com)
continues to sell the Golden Orchard CD and is working on GO-II.
Pre-Owned Electronics (800-274-5343) sells a variety of peripherals and
accessories.
Redmond cable (206-882-2009) makes and sells all sorts of custom cables.
(on AOL) or quality@pro-quality.cts.com.
Scantron Quality Computers (800-777-3642) sells Appleworks,
Appleworks-GS, and System 6 packages.
Sequential Systems (800-759-4549 or 303-666-4549,800-999-1717 tech,
303-666-7797 BBS) sells peripheral boards. Contact
SEQUENTIAL@genie.geis.com
Shreve Systems (800-227-3971) sells II computers, peripherals, parts and
accessories.
Sun Remarketing (800-821-3221) sells used Apples parts and books.
Vernier Software (503-297-5317) sells project books and components.
--Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
---------------------------
020- Where do I get Apple II books and periodicals?
A2.2000 is a monthly Apple II/IIgs web 'zine edited by Charles Turley
(http://www.grin.net/~cturley/A2.2000)
The Applebyter newsletter (Applebyters Computer Club, P.O. Box 2092,
Davenport, IA 52809) is a vintage monthly newsletter edited by Nancy
Crawford.
Apple Blossom (1117 Maple St., Wilmington, DE 19805) is a bi-montly
mini-magazine edited by Steve Cavenaugh. (stevec1021@aol.com)
Byte Works (505-898-8183) is now the major source for Apple II series
manuals and other Apple books. They also continue to offer the manuals
and support materials for the Orca languages. (mikew50@aol.com)
Dark Castle (Wolborgenmate 72, 7006 DK Doetinchem, The Netherlands;
+31-314-365145) is a quarterly mini-magazine edited by Doede Boomsma.
(dboomsma@sci.kun.nl)
Eamon Adventurer's Guild newsletter (7625 Hawkhaven Dr., Clemmons, NC
27012; 910-766-7490) is the quarterly journal for the famous adventuring
series edited by Thomas Zuchowski. (71214,1670@compuserve.com)
Juiced GS (2217 Lakeview Dr., Sullivan, IN 47882) is a quarterly
mini-magazine edited by Max Jones. (m.jones145@genie.com)
Shareware Solutions II (166 Alpine Street, San Rafael, CA 94901) is a
bi-monthly mini-magazine edited by Joe Kohn. (joko@crl.com) --Rubywand
________________________