Re: Best System for Apple II Software Compatibility

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Great Hierophant writes ...
> 
> I'm not sure the group got this post, so I am posting it again.
> 
> With Apple IIs, there are four major subfamilies of the machine, the Apple
> II/II+, the Apple IIe/Enhanced IIe/Platinum IIe, the Apple IIc/IIc+, and the
> Apple IIgs.  The Apple IIgs is required for all 16-bit Apple II software.
> But for 8-bit Apple II software, which Apple II model will offer the best
> compatibility with the least headaches?
> 
 ....

     Depends. An enhanced //e probably lets you run the most old 8-bit wares;
but, a IIgs comes pretty close and makes using many programs easier and more
enjoyable.

     A good example is playing large adventures like Alternate Reality and
Wizardry V. With SoftSwitch installed, you can save your position whenever you
like and easily hop back to earlier saves.

     The IIgs has a built-in way to interrupt programs, enter the monitor to
view/change memory, and return to the program-- very handy for diddling game
characters, finding out what's going on in a program, etc.. (Some IIgs software
defeats use of the interrupt; but, 8-bit software usually doesn't.) 

     Versus a //e with a Super Serial Card, the IIgs has a faster, simpler to
use built-in serial port for modem connections. That makes it easy to quickly
transfer the Apple II software you download from the net.

     A fairly basic IIgs system-- two 5.25" drives, two 3.5" drives, with just
the low-cost 1MB expansion memory plugged in-- is usually goint to be a lot
cheaper and easier to put together than a roughly equivalent //e system.

     Besides, whatever you do to a //e (short of turning it into a IIgs), you
will not be able to run for-IIgs 8 and 16-bit software. With very few
exceptions, the IIgs versions of games look, sound, and play much better than
the //e versions. Examples are Bard's Tale I and II, Questron II, and Tass
Times in Tone Town.

 ....


> Software that uses firmware routines in the 8-bit Apple II's may not
> work because the routines no longer exist or do not function the same.

     That seems to be a very rare problem. Elite, the space combat game, seems
to have a problem with the way the IIgs displays hires (debris of destroyed
ships isn't erased). Some software which uses the Mockingboard sound card can
not correctly access the card on a IIgs. (Modified versions of some of the
wares which work fine are available.)

     Neither the //e nor the IIgs will boot or run some II+ wares. Some old
wares use code which depends upon quirks of the 6502 to work correctly. Others
do ROM checks and won't work because they think the newer Apple II's are a II+
equipped with a pirate ROM designed to crack or circumvent copy protection.


> Can the Apple IIgs's video hardware drive a composite monitor in the
> same way as earlier Apples?

     The IIgs has a composite video output which works fine.

 ....



Rubywand