Re: Question on ProDOS SmartPort drive remapping

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

David Wilson <mcs6502@gmail.com> wrote:

> I am making progress on the Smartport Remapper program. Here is a
> question about the user interface:
> 
> What platform do I need to write it for?
> 
> Obviously, as it requires ProDOS 8 v2.0.3, it must be running on a
> 65C02/65802/65816. In Apple's eyes this means it is on an Enhanced
> IIe, IIc, IIc+ or IIgs and has lowercase but not necessarily 80
> columns (a IIe might not have a card in the Aux slot). On the other
> hand, a II+ user with an 65C02 equipped accelerator card could
> potentially run P8 v2.0.3 which means I should stick to 40 columns and
> Uppercase only.
> 
> Any thoughts?

The Apple High-Speed SCSI Card and Apple 3.5 Disk Controller Card
(SuperDrive card) also require an enhanced IIe (and I think they specify
128K, possibly just to ensure 80 columns but there might be other
reasons). Has anyone used either of these on a II+ with a 65C02-based
accelerator?

What is the situation with third party cards like the CFFA?

I remember that the original Apple II SCSI card will work in a II+ but
it is limited to 7 volumes. Not sure about the Apple II 3.5 Floppy Disk
Drive Interface Card (Liron), but it has a relatively small limit on the
number of devices you could connect (who has more than two UniDisk 3.5
drives?) Standard slot memory expansion cards may be limited to 1
volume. The UDC is limited to two drives.

Someone might be using a Liron or UDC with a Chinook SmartPort hard
drive on a II+, but that would probably also have a small limit on the
number of volumes, depending on the capabilities of each card.

My gut says your software won't be useful on a II+, so it is reasonable
to target an enhanced IIe as a minimum (i.e. use lower case), but stick
to 40 column mode for maximum compatibility.

Doesn't the II+ just have upper case in place of the lower case
characters (in the NORMAL range)? If so, the II+ will get a free ride if
you avoid IIe-specific assumptions such as the alternate character set
and inverted lower case.

Requiring 80-column mode would cut out the II+ and a small number of
IIes, but I doubt they would be likely to benefit from this software
anyway. Anyone "maxing out" an Apple II is likely to have an enhanced
IIe or better, and skimping on the 80-column card seems rather pointless
in that context.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz