Re: More dumb questions from GS "newbie"

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote:
>Michael Elliott <cv985@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote:
>
>> I am in the process of aquiring a GS and have some "dumb"
>> questions. I have used a IIe and ProDOS 8 for years, but some
>> of the finer points of the GS elude me. I have read Nathan's
>> faq, but still am unclear about:
>> 
>> 1) How are the slots "used" when attaching devices to the
>> ports
>The exact rules for using the slots vary somewhat between slots and IIgs
>models, and also depend on the cards you intend to use.
>
>Here are a few guidelines.
>
>1. If the card does not contain any firmware or I/O in the slot address
>space, then you can put it in any slot without interfering with the
>built-in function.  An example of this are the TransWarp GS and Zip GS
>accelerators, and most IIgs stereo cards.
>
>2. If the card does not contain any firmware but does use the slot I/O,
>then you might be able to put it in slot 3 or 4 without losing the
>built-in function.  This depends on how the software for the card
>operates.  Some cards in this category can be used in other slots, and
>they dynamically switch slots while accessing the card.  (This is rare.)
>
>3. In most other cases, you must set the slot to "Your Card", and you
>lose the built-in function.


However, if you connect a modem to the modem serial port of the IIGS,
you can set the control panel to "Your Card" to use a card of your choice
in slot 2 and many (but not all) communications programs will still see
the modem.

ProTERM, Spectrum, and I believe also ANSITerm can do this.

This gives you an extra slot to use for expansion and still make use of
the modem port.

-Scott G.