Re: Basic Commands

["Dan Yertzell" <DanY@worldnet.att.net>]

Michael Crewe <mdcrewe@cdsnet.net> wrote in article
<335F3DF7.535C@cdsnet.net>...
>      I just got an Apple II emulator about a week ago and I'd like to
> find a real one around town.  I have a PC and I'm quite proficient in
> DOS, but I don't know the first thing about basic Apple command line
> functions (i.e. INIT, HELLO, Etc.).  Does anyone know of the location of
> a simple essay somewhere on the net that describes just the "basic"
> commands and perhaps a simple primer for an eager beginner?
> 
>      Also, I am having a terrible time figuring out how to create a
> blank or empty ".dsk" image on either a floppy or my HD in order to
> store data or saved game files in.  I have two recent postings under
> the  comp.emulators.apple2  group describing my problem in great
> detail.  If someone could look at them and help me I'd really appreciate
> it.  They're titled: "Applewin and saved game files" over the last three
> days or so under my same name Michael Crewe.
> 
>      I can't seem to get anyone in that group to even create a
> "blank.dsk" file for me and e-mail it to me [Which seems to be the
> easiest solution; but then, I wouldn't learn anything. Would I ;-) ] ?
> But if someone in this group could do it I would again, be equally as
> grateful.  Thank you all.
> 
> P.S.  I'm using Applewin

Just copy an existing .dsk file to a new name.  Put it in drive 2 in
Applewin.  

Assuming you downloaded a DOS 3.3 disk image, put that in drive 1 and
"boot" Applewin.  
Under DOS 3.3, enter a short BASIC program, like 10 HOME.  Then enter INIT
HELLO,D2.  This will format the disk in drive 2.  The HELLO program is like
autoexec.bat in MSDOS, it runs automatically when you boot.  HOME just
clears the screen, like CLS in PC BASIC.  If you want you can load the
HELLO program from your DOS 3.3 disk with LOAD HELLO,D1 and then INIT
HELLO,D2.  Whatever program is in memory will be used as the HELLO program
when you INIT a disk.

Better yet, forget  DOS 3.3.  Download a PRODOS image and use that instead.
 It has a "system utilities" program to format disks, copy files, etc.  The
two use different disk formats, but the system utilities can read both and
copy files from one to the other.  Most of the old game disks are on DOS
3.3 self booting disks.

You may receive some flame messages from people here about using an Apple 2
emulator.  Some people seem to think it's some sort of crime.  Don't worry
about it.  In the long run, it's the only way old computers will survive,
thru emulation on newer machines.

Any more questions, just fire away.  I've got Applewin, ApplePC and a //gs
emulator called XGS.  I also have a real //e with 6 floppy drives and a PC
transporter card.

Dan