Re: Apple //gs Hardware Reference manual - 1st ed vs 2nd ed - differences?

[dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <3k66du$4o@wraith.cs.uow.edu.au>,
David E A Wilson <david@wraith.cs.uow.edu.au> wrote:
> I have a copy of the 1st edition of the Apple //gs Hardware Reference
> manual which describes the 256KB motherboard (ROM 0 & ROM 1) while my
> system is a 1MB ROM 3 //gs. Has anyone seen both editions of the
> manual and can they report on what differences there are - is it
> worth buying the 2nd edition as well as the 1st (which I bought long
> before I even got the //gs)? 

I don't have the 1st edition any more (I sold it when I got the 2nd
edition), but I can remember enough about it to make a reasonable
comparison.

The 1st edition is a hardback book in the style of the Firmware
Reference.  The 2nd edition is a larger paperback in the style of the
GS/OS Reference.

It has circuit diagrams and details for both versions of the IIgs.  I
cannot recall any information about the original IIgs motherboard that
was removed from the 2nd edition - I have both types of IIgs, and it
is equally good for details on both.

There isn't any significant new information, other than obvious new
hardware features of the 1MB motherboard, such as the changed memory
map, Control Panel disable jumper, changes to the keyboard micro, slot
signals, some minor I/O location changes, etc.

> At least with the Firmware Reference Manual I was able to buy the
> update from APDA.

Probably because there wasn't enough new Firmware information to
justify reprinting the manual, or it was delayed so long that they
thought it would be better to get a minimal amount of information out
rather than never releasing a new Firmware manual.

I recall that the firmware update was not widely available - it was
never advertised by APDA, and I had to pester Resource Central to get
hold of a copy (before it was listed with their APDA products).  The
2nd edition of the Hardware Reference was available much earlier.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand