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Re: Fantavision 2.1?

On 2008-05-01 06:58:09 +1000, Mitchell Spector <mitch2gs@hotmail.com> said:


Alex Lee <alelee@mac.com> wrote:


On 2008-04-22 17:22:44 +1000, Mitchell Spector <mitch2gs@hotmail.com> said:
There *was* indeed an updated version of Fantavision that was hardisk installable and compatible with the ROM 3 (no issue 
with the mouse pointer and screen redraws). It does exist, but
this copy is NOT it.

Upon re-examination of this so-called "version 2.1" and the
original 1.0 disk, I'm fairly sure this particular copy is a fake! All
the same files are present, the main application is still exactly 34K (34,030 bytes) and the only visible difference is the "About" dialog box claims its new and version 2.1. And no, as mentioned 3 years ago, as such it has the same ROM 3 incompatibility and not hardisk installable--it's just version 1.0 sector edited with a 
few random clip-art images added to the disk.

Now that I know it's a fake, if anyone has the real update
of Fantavision, I still wouldn't mind getting a copy (I own the
original but Broderbund doesn't even exist now, not that any
software company today would have any knowledge of what the "Apple II" is, or that it ever existed. Sad, but true). :) 

Mitchell Spector


A fake!? Mitch I'm disappointed in you! :-)
Didn't mean to imply you of all people would put out a fake. :) In fact I didn't think twice about it when I downloaded it to disk, labeled it and added it to my software collection two years back. 

It's certainly a strange one.
The image that appears on the archive is an image made from an original Fantavision disk, which was a lab pack version I bought very cheaply back in 1992. It hasn't been sector edited or altered in anyway...I think :-) I got the Fantavision box out and unfortunately, there's no information regarding the version 2.1 features.
Did you buy it second hand, or you were the original owner? I'm thinking maybe whoever had it previous to you, came across 
a fake version 2.x online (or from a friend) and copied it over the
original disk. Now if you're the original owner, and the package was shrink wrapped, scratch that theory...
I'm pretty sure I bought it first hand - the box, manual and disks (5 for the lab pack) were and are still in pristine condition. I've just had another look, but I can't find anything specifying the version. Now that I think of it, I MAY have thrown out the Lab Pack box, which was a blue and white box, used with all Broderbund Lab Packs I believe (from what I've seen of Lab Packs for Carmen Sandiego anyways). 



    Pulled out my original v1.0 disk. It just says "Version for the Apple
IIGS",there's no copyright date, revision info or serial number. Does yours have anything different? 

    Two reasons I'm thinking "v2.1" can't be a real update:

- The program size is 34,030 bytes in 1.0 and 2.1. If any code changed,
even slightly, i would go up or down in size. Unless they just patched a
few bytes, but wouldn't that make it only a "1.01" or "1.1" update?
Version 2.x implies significant change, which also means....

- How can this significant update (written in 1991 no less) still not be
compatible with the ROM 3? Or any other changes for that matter?
I've just opened up my copy of Fantavision (the same as on the What is the Apple IIGS). It also includes the "Convert" program, which is also v2.1. Was this originally included with Fantavision v1.0?
It also seems unlikely that Broderbund would have bothered updating it, given they were never that keen to develop for the IIGS in the first place (sadly).
I'm still pretty sure the version on the archive is not tampered with in any way. My real IIGS is currently in pieces (which will change once my CFFA card arrives!) but when it's back together, I'll run it from one or two of the copies included with the Lab Pack. I'm sure they won't ALL be sector edited :-) 
--
- Alex
http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/