Re: AppleWorks 3 + RamFactor + RamWorks 3 = what?

[Warren Ernst <wernst@gmail.com>]

On Oct 3, 3:26 pm, gids...@sasktel.net wrote:

> Hello fellow Apple II enthusiasts,
>
> If you don't mind me offering my two cents,
> I believe AW3 could never use a desktop greater than the original 128k
> in enhanced IIe or IIGS's without a special driver.

Totally untrue, I'm afraid. I already knew that AW3 recognized ram
from Apple's own RAM Card and the Applied Engineering RamFactor card
(and any of the so called "Slinky" cards, such as the //c+ memory card
or the Laser 128EX memory card) without patching to increase the
destkop size.

For example, I have an unpatched AW3 (with lots of timeout and other
stuff) on my RamFactor and it comsumes around 850KB, and AW3 shows a
100k desktop. This is the same amount of reported desktop space this
computer has had since 1989, when it was my main computer, in college.

> Some memory cards
> came with a disk especially for that reason, which was to enhance the
> AW3 desktop.

I am starting to think that the AW3 patcher would increase file sizes
allowed by AW3 by default (to some truly amazing numbers, as I
recall), among other things, but desktop size would be increased
without any patching for a Slinky card. But I have more news, below.

> I currently have original disks of Expander Enhancers
> for Ramfactor, RamWorks III and PC Transporter, all for Appleworks 3
> and one for Appleworks 2.  Let me know if you still need it, I have
> extra spare originals.

My original question was what would happen to AW3 if I added a 1MB
RamWorks III (a so-called Bank Switching ramcard) to an system with an
existing Ramfactor. Well, I just tried it and can report...

Without any patching or monkeying around with files, and with only
about 150KB free on the RamFactor and a 1MB RamWorks III card
installed, the AppleWorks Desktop reports 650 KB free. So clearly, AW3
is able to use at least 512KB of RAM from the RamWorks card.

Interestingly, ProTerm 2.1 also reports a scrollback buffer of 650KB
with the RW3 card installed. It reported just 23KB of scrollback with
the extended 80 column card installed.

So, I guess I don't really need the AW3 patcher, but if you have a
spare you're willing to part with (or could just make a copy or a DSK
image file of) I would love to try it and see if it changes AW3 in any
meaningful way.

As a final aside, this max-es out my //e, which has:

Slot 0: RamWorks III
Slot 1: SSC or Grappler Buffered (printer)
Slot 2: SSC clone (ADT)
Slot 3: Transwarp I
Slot 4: Mouse Card
Slot 5: Liron Card and 2 Unidisk 3.5 drives
Slot 6: DuoDisk controller card with drives
Slot 7: RamFactor
Motherboard: NoSlot Clock

I guess I could put the UtherNet and CFFA in Slots 1 and 2 for fun,
but the GS enjoys having those cards too much. ;-)

-Warr