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Re: AVATAR

In article <144@MECHANICAL.watstar.uwaterloo.ca> jmarkus@electrical.watstar.uwaterloo.ca writes:
>
>My fault, I guess.  I am interested in finding out more about the AVATAR
>computer.  Is it still being worked on?  What makes it a _Super_ GS?  Will it
>still run the old 8 bit software?

What makes it a Super GS? Consider the following facts and figures of Avatar:

1. 10 MHz 65816
2. Memory map of Apple IIGS (with some differences)
3. DMA: 10 magawords a second
4. Using TMS 34010 (or 34020/34030 depending on cost) for videa at 25/50 MHz
5. 1024 x 768 max resolution
6. Use 65265 with 512K RAM as video processor, stereo and tie directly to
   Ensoniq. 
7. Support CD-ROM (optional), IDE harddisk, floppy drive (read/write
   Mac/Apple II/IBM/ST/Amiga disk)
8. Able to run Avatar-aware GS software (GS applications that use Toolbox
   and don't draw directly to screen)
9. Able to offload program to separate 65816 subprocessors.
10. Yes, Apple IIe software can be run, but only on main processor.

>Please fill me with knowledge - or hearsay.

You are welcome.

My only question: Is it true that Jawaid Bazyar is writing the operating
system for Avatar? Are we able to see Avatar at next KansasFest?

>                        Jeff Markus
>                        jmarkus@mechanical.watstar.uwaterloo.ca
>        
>        "I can't think of anything cute or poignant to put here!"


-- 
    %% GS Lover Loves GS %%    Author of Super Magic 3 & Mandelbrot II GS
    %%  and Avatar too.  %%   
          Lim Thye Chean: Lim is my surname. My name is Thye Chean.
     My address: LTCHEAN@ISS.NUS.SG, or 9, College Green, Singapore 1129