Re: Best option for writing (book) on Apple II

[zwsdotcom@gmail.com]

On Mar 22, 6:23 pm, "Warren 'Llama' Ernst" <wer...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm pretty sure CiderPress converts AppleWorks 2 files into RTF as
> well.

I'll try it later in the week...

> Not true. Just don't boot up anything but DOS 3.3 and ProDOS 8 disks
> (i.e. the disks that work in a //c or //e) and your GS performs
> exactly like the older machines, except that it has more RAM and

I guess... I am really relishing the feel of the IIc's keyboard
though. It's a visceral thing and hard to explain. For the same
reason, I do any and all handwriting in either pencil (preferably
clutch-grip pencil) or fountain pen. And I keep my diary using a 1950s
manual typewriter.

> resources and costs a lot less to get a fully built-up machine in
> 2009. Hook up a green-screen instead of a now-hard-to-locate RGB
> monitor, and I promise, it's just like using a //e or //c software

So I was foolish to get rid of my four 13" RGB monitors when I dumped
my four ROM3 IIgses back in 2001 or so? I just wasn't thinking to
collect such machines back then. Isn't the GS output just 15kHz-hsync,
60Hz vsync analog RGB, i.e. TV-frequency but not composite? Wouldn't
an Amiga monitor (1084S for example) with an adapter cable do the
trick?

Right now I cannot find my 9" Apple green screens - I am worried that
they have disappeared and guess I should buy some more on eBay, since
the green screen (NOT the IIe-style 12" or 14" one, but the platinum
9" one on the C-shaped stand) is part of the experience for me..

Right now I am running the IIc on an NTSC-to-VGA converter connected
to a 15" VGA LCD monitor, which is my standard test setup for vintage
computers. I don't have any CRT monitors in my lab/office, for space
and heat reasons.

> I'm not suggesting getting a GS to run GS/OS and a modern GUI. I'm
> just suggesting it as a more pleasant and cheaper way to run 8-bit
> office software.

I'll think about it, and cruise craigslist and eBay (cue Jaws music).
I need to get a couple more spare IIcs anyway.

My other option that I considered was to write the book on the TRS-80
Model II - I have about 40 of them. What dissuaded me is (a) I don't
want to waste my limited stock of 8" floppies, and (b) most of them
are exceedingly flaky, and the integrated monitors in particular
almost all need repair.

> > don't know how easy it would be - is much additional logic required?
>
> I'm afraid I don't know much about this, other than to say that the

My IIcs are all the later version with socket, though not the latest
version (PRINT PEEK(64447) is 3).

> going to do this with a //c, I hope you have a later one, or a //c+.
>
> Incidentally, the //c+ was the finest AppleWorks machine I ever used:

The IIc+ seems pretty thin on the ground though. I had two that I
dumped (and btw, by dumped I mean "sold on eBay with auctions starting
at $0.01"). I guess that was a mistake. But I don't remember the
keyboard feeling very different from the regular IIc's.