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A2 Exp. FAQ v.02
APPLE II EXPANSION, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Version 0.2, 4 October 1995
*** DEVELOPMENT NOTES: Thanks for the wonderful responses
to the first two posts for this Expansion FAQ. I have
included in some form all suggestions that were posted in
the comp.sys.apple2 newsgroup and those sent to me via
e-mail as of 1 October 1995. (Happy New Fiscal Year!)
I'll be responding to everyone's comments via e-mail as time
permits. This has been a most rewarding experience to date
and it shows signs of continuing to be.
Please continue the comments. If sentence, phrase, or word
choice is confusing or wrong, please let me know. I have no
preconceived notion that I "know it all". Actually, I am a
little in shock at the diversity of expansion options I have
encountered this far, and I know I have only started to
scratch the surface. I thought that I knew this machine!
I have marked some sections with *** in the first three
character positions to identify items that I need particular
help with.
Enough chat. Here is what I am working on next.
Objectives:
1. Finalize the Content Format for general information, and
identify specialized content needed for some categories.
[i.e.- RAM Expansion: Chip specifics: speed (ns), type
(4164, 41256, SIMM), etc.?]
2. Start descriptions for the Categories and
Sub-categories. The included descriptions are very rough
draft, and most just plain don't exist yet. I have little
experience with some of the categories (like sound cards ,
and need some specialized help. (Hint, hint :)
3. Get volunteers for specialized CONTENT data. Several
people have suggested that we gather as many digitized
images of as many cards as possible in GIF format
(initially). Also, it has been suggested that ASCII art
representations be made to aid those without the means of
viewing images. Both would be valuable for an HTML version
of this document, as they would allow both GUI and ASCII
browser support.
If anyone can digitize images, or has a talent for ASCII
art, let me know. Later in this project I plan on asking
for photos of cards (on white backgrounds) that I can send
on to get digitized or ASCIIed. (Unless you can do this
yourself for the cards you own... hint, hint again ;)
Apple ][ Forever!
Deven D. Atkinson
<technoid@prairienet.org>
_,.-'~'-.,_,.-'~'-.,_,.-'~'-.,_,.-'~'-.,_,.-'~'-.,_,.-'~'-.,
CONTENT FORMAT
I. BASIC INFORMATION
Name: [Full Name]
Manufacturer: [Them who made it]
Production Date(s): [Date (range) item was produced]
Apple ][ model(s): [List all models it works on]
Connection: [slot, chip, (m)other card, port
Compatible Hardware: [List of hardware that can be
connected to this card]
Power needs: [internal consumption, external source
requirements]
Physical Description: [includes:
Printing on item, words, dates, etc.
Size/Space needs
Prominent chips
Connectors/Cables
DIPs
Jumpers
Other distinguishing features]
Included Documentation:[Manuals, etc. shipped with item]
Included Software: [Software shipped with item]
Other Software: [Comparable to Included Software]
Use Narrative: [What item is used for]
Compatible Software: [Location of a list of actual or type
of software that is compatible with
the use provided by the item.]
Graphic Location: [ASCII graphic or GIF image (name of
txt and/or bin file?)]
Detailed Information: [List of detailed information about the
item, should include DIP, jumper
setting definitions.
Availability: [Manufacturer address or other retail
availability and addresses, if any.]
II. CATEGORY SPECIFIC INFORMATION
*** Now, what data elements are needed for each of the
categories? [i.e.- RAM Expansion: Chip specifics: speed
(ns), type (4164, 41256, SIMM) and etc.]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EXPANSION CATEGORY LIST
I. STORAGE MEDIA
This section contains the list of any of the relatively
permanent forms of medium used in storing data and programs.
A. Floppy Disk Controllers
Floppy disks are probably the most common forms of
storage media. This section focuses on the controllers used
to operate these devices. Individual drive units/mechanisms
that operate with a particular card will be listed with the
data for that card. Physical size and storage capacity will
be included with the data.
1. Standard Apple (includes GCR)
2. MFM
3. IDE?
4. Other
B. Non-SCSI Device Controllers
Before the advent of the Hard Drive interface
standards, several interface methods were used. These
methods usually tie one brand of Hard Disk, and sometimes
individual models of Hard Disks to a particular controller
card. Additionally, hard drive standards normally
considered foreign to the Apple II line have been developed.
1. IDE
2. SASI
3. Unique
a. Profile (e.g.)
4. Hard Cards
a. FOCUS (e.g.)
C. SCSI Device Controllers
With the creation of the SCSI interface standard,
controllers were developed that would allow Apple IIs to use
devices that adhered to this standard. The SCSI standard
has been enhanced over time, and some newer SCSI devices
will not work with some of the older SCSI controllers.
1. SCSI
*** 2. Are there SCSI-2 or 3 compatible controllers???
D. Cassette Tape Storage
*** Okay, here is an opportunity for someone to show their
real dedication to this machine. Who remembers the cassette
interface storage, etc., and can provide me with some info?
The only time I saw a cassette being used was for the demo
of a sound digitizer program that took input via the
cassette port. Are there any other uses for this port other
than hooking a cassette recorder up to it?
II. RAM EXPANSION
*** I think I have decided to break this category out by
the physical connection type. The methodology used to
implement the RAM (bank-switched, slinky, ?) will be listed
as internal data. It is obvious that this category will
need to be cross-referenced heavily to allow ease of lookup
via Apple II model, etc.)
A. Standard Slot
1. Language Card
2. Slinky
B. //e Auxiliary Slot
1. 80-column card
2. 64k card
3. Bank-switched card
C. //gs RAM Slot
D. //c RAM Slot
E. //c chip based
III. ROM cards
1. Apple Language
a. Applesoft ROM
b. Integer BASIC ROM
IV. VIDEO
1. RGB
2. VGA
3. Standard Slot 80 column
4. //e Aux. Slot RAM/Video Firmware explained
5. Other
V. INPUT/OUTPUT
A. Serial Interface Cards
1. Apple SSC
B. Parallel Interface Cards
1. Grappler
C. Modem Cards
1. AE DataLink 2400
D. User interface peripherals
{connector type will be included in the data}
1. Mouse
2. Trackball
3. Pen/Pad
4. Keypads
a. Intellikeys
b. Numeric
5. ABD Devices
E. Sound Cards
1. GS Stereo
2. Mockingboard
3. MIDI
(cross reference to speech cards)
F. Speech Cards
1. Echo
2. Other
G. Scanner Cards
Video source and Paper source
H. Switches (like the cards for X10, and the various cards
with just a lot of toggles on them, etc.)
I. AD/DA converters
VI. Multi-function Cards (each will be cross referenced
with the categories for the individual functions.
1. AST Multi I/O -serial, parallel, and clock
VII. Network Cards
1. //e Workstation card
VIII. Accelerator Cards/Chips
1. 8-Bit
a. AE Transwarp
b. ZIP Chip
2. 16-Bit
a. AE Transwarp GS
IX. Coprocessor Boards
A. Z-80
1. Microsoft SoftCard
B. PC compatible
1. AE PC Transporter
C. 6809
1. Stellation Mill
D. Math Coprocessors
E. Other
X. Clock cards/chips
1. AE Timemaster HO
2. No Slot Clock
XI. Controller cards
1. EPROM Programmer/burner
*** 2. IEEE488 (is this really just an AD/DA card?)
XII. Other
For the stuff that does something else entirely again :)
1. Apple //e Enhanced chipset expansion
2. //e to //gs upgrade.
3. Machines that hold Apple II's in a slot ;)
a. Macintosh LC series and compatibles (Apple //e
PDS card)
b. PC compatibles (Trackstar?)
4. Diagnostic support
5. Development/debugging support
a. Programmer Toolkit ROM
6. NMI Copy Cards.
a. EDD?
b. Wildcard?
7. Unique Items
Reference to a section on RARE/Very Limited
Distribution items, and those that have been built by our
peers. It would be great if we could reference instructions
on how to build some of these useful items. (hint, hint,
yet again :)
XIII. Specific Use (i.e.: hardware)
THIS IS BEING REPLACED BY AN INDEX
The card description will be in the above categories.
When the index is developed, care will be taken to include
those items that have specific use, I.E. Silentwriter,
Profile, etc.
General Questions:
1. There was a slot expander for the Laser clones. Was
there a slot expander for the (non-clone) Apple II line?
2. There have been a few suggestions to discuss Apple II
clones in detail. I will provide as much support, and share
any information with anyone who attempts this. Any takers?
3. Since most (all?) floppy controllers fall into the
Non-SCSI device controller category, should they (floppy and
non-scsi) be merged into one category?
Thanks!
Deven Atkinson
technoid@prairienet.org
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