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Lighting Your Apple II Path On Delphi | |
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>>> WELCOME TO THE LAMP! <<<
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THINKING KFEST: The KFest Mailing List
SIZZLING SHAREWARE: Unzip IIe
THE VIRTUAL ][: The BernieBook--Macintosh Portables Go To The Dogs
AND THE BEST OF THE A2 AND A2PRO MESSAGE BOARDS
"Teaching the Apple II user how to fish since 1998"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Lamp! An Onipa'a Software Production Vol. 1, No. 5
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Publisher & Editor.......................Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W., L.S.W.
Internet Email........................................thelamp@delphi.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TABLE OF CONTENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 15, 1998
OPENING PITCH
Dream Team ][ -------------------------------------------------- [OPN]
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED [FOR]
The Heat Is On ------------------------------------------------- [HET]
Miscellanea [MSC]
Rumor Mill ----------------------------------------------------- [RMR]
Public Postings [PUB]
Best Of The Best ----------------------------------------------- [BOB]
A2Pro_DUCTIVITY
Checking out A2PRO on Delphi ----------------------------------- [A2P]
THINKING KFEST
The KFest Mailing List ----------------------------------------- [KFE]
SIZZLING SHAREWARE
Unzip IIe ------------------------------------------------------ [SIZ]
THE VIRTUAL ][
The BernieBook--Macintosh Portables Go To The Dogs ------------- [TVT]
EXTRA INNINGS
About The Lamp! ------------------------------------------------ [INN]
[*] [*] [*]
READING THE LAMP! The index system used by The Lamp! is designed to make
""""""""""""""""" your reading easier. To use this system, load this
issue into any word processor or text editor. In the index you will find
something like:
EXTRA INNINGS
About The Lamp! ------------------------------------------------ [INN]
To read this article, simply use your search or find command to locate
[INN]. There is a similar tag at the end of each article: [EOA].
:: DISCUSSED ON DELPHI ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
: :
: Windoze 98 has finally caught up. They're now :
: where the IIgs was 10 years ago. :
: :
: At the blue screen. :
: :
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: GUDATH :::::::
[EOA]
[OPN]------------------------------
OPENING PITCH |
-----------------------------------
From The Editor
"""""""""""""""
by Ryan M. Suenaga, B.A., M.S.W., L.S.W.
[thelamp@delphi.com]
DREAM TEAM ][
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the benefits of the online world is it makes friends in other
parts of the real world closer than ever. In this way, Apple II
enthusiasts from all over the globe gather to make our computer a better
platform, and our computing world a better place. On any given day from my
office or my home or even the public library a mile from my house, I have
virtual conversations and mail with Apple II enthusiasts in Canada,
Australia, Germany, Switzerland, San Francisco, Arizona, New York, New
Jersey, Nebraska, Chicago, Michigan, Texas, Kansas, San Diego, Los Angeles,
and nearly everywhere in between. The common experience of the Apple II
forges the ties between us and the fabric of the Internet--and, of course,
the Delphi Online Service--serves to strengthen those bonds, and the
variety of our different real-world experiences gives us more to share with
those we meet.
While there may be fewer Apple II users than ever, the minimizing of
the physical limitations between the remaining enthusiasts around the world
has created a virtual team where the greatest Apple II minds can work
together to continue to do what couldn't be done.
Two examples of the ongoing work that shows the continuing wonder of
the Apple II were brought to us on May 1st--yes, normally we here at _The
Lamp!_ don't cover stories that stretch into the month the issue is
actually published, but like the Apple II itself, we try to be
flexible--from two totally different areas of the world: Fremont,
California, where Eric Shepherd, also known as Sheppy, released an updated
version of _Wolfenstein 3D for the Apple IIgs_, and Switzerland, where F.E.
Systems (_The Programmers Formerly Known As Bright Software_) released a
new version of _Bernie ][ The Rescue_ (_The IIgs Emulator For The
PowerMacintosh Formerly Known As Fast Eddie_)--yet, one didn't exist
totally separately from the other. In fact, much of _Wolf_ was coded under
_Bernie_ (and before he was eaten by some dog while skiing in the Swiss
Alps, our old friend _Gus_). And when _Wolf_ was ready to start howling at
the Apple IIgs community, _Bernie_ changed his woof a bit so that our
Macintosh friends wouldn't be left out.
To take our global team theme even farther, consider that _Wolf_
originally started its transition onto the Apple IIgs with Burger Bill
Heineman, in Southern California, and made its way into the hands of
Sheppy, in Northern California--assistance with beta testing, art, and just
about everything else came from Apple II users in Europe, New England,
Michigan, and Wisconsin, among other venues. _Bernie_ has lived all of his
life in the Swiss Alps, but there are Bernie sightings in Australia, Rhode
Island, California, Michigan, Arizona, and Europe, at least.
Even those of us who live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean can
appreciate such global teamwork. It really is a Dream Team--Dream Team ][.
[*] [*] [*]
Before I forget, here's your Blatant Plug for this issue: KansasFest
1998, the Apple II event of the year, is on for July 22-26 at Avila College
in Kansas City, Missouri. Join dozens of Apple II users from around the
world as they celebrate 10 years of KFest. I will be on hand again, as
will an entire flock of the Apple II's most diehard supporters--expected to
attend are Joe Kohn of _Shareware Solutions II_, Max Jones of _Juiced.GS_,
Mike Westerfield of _ByteWorks_, Tony Diaz of _Alltech Electronics_, noted
programmers Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd, Richard Bennett, Nathan Mates, Ewen
Wannop, Geoff Weiss, and dozens more of the Apple II faithful.
Do whatever you can to be there--KFest is indeed better than real
life. I've been there.
[*] [*] [*]
Shift Happens Department: A slight shift in the location of the
official World Wide Web home page for _The Lamp!_:
The -new- URL is:
http://lamp.sheppyware.net
Thanks to Sheppy for making this change.
[*] [*] [*]
Hawai'ian Language 101 Department: in the language of the islands,
"mahalo" means "thank you," not "trash," despite what it says on the flaps
of the disposals at the local McDonald's. So, for this issue, mahalo to
Devin Reade and Henrik Gudat for their technical expertise in assisting
with two articles this issue.
[*] [*] [*]
This issue of _The Lamp!_ is dedicated to the memory of Nancy
Crawford, an Apple II enthusiast and a member of the Applebyters of the
Quad Cities. I never met Nancy in person, but I had countless discussions
with her back when we were both on Genie. She edited her user group's
newsletter and quoted me several times, never failing to send me a
complimentary copy, produced painstakingly with her Apple //c, or later,
her IIgs. Grassroots efforts like these made up the basis of our community
when the Apple II was first born, and it continues to be our lifeblood
today. You will be missed, Nancy.
Ryan
thelamp@delphi.com
ASCII ART BEGINS
_________ _ _ _
|__ __| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | |___ ____ | | _____ __ ___ _ _ _____ | |
| | | ___ \ / __ \ | | /____ \ | v v | | v ___ \ | |
| | | | | | | /__\ \ | | ____| | | /\ /\ | | / \ \ | |
| | | | | | | _____| | | / ___ | | || || | | | | | |_|
| | | | | | | |_____ | |____ | |__| | | || || | | \___/ / _
|_| |_| |_| \______| |______| \____^_| |_||_||_| | |\____/ |_|
| |
| |
|_|
ASCII ART ENDS
[EOA]
[OPN]------------------------------
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED. . . . |
-----------------------------------
Checking out A2 on Delphi
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Ryan M. Suenaga, B.A., M.S.W., L.S.W.
[thelamp@delphi.com]
* The Heat Is On
* Miscellanea
* Rumor Mill
* Public Postings
* Best Of The Best
THE HEAT IS ON
""""""""""""""
[*] The Apple II Legacy ....... Get Ready Kansas City
[*] User Groups & Publications ...... What's New At SSII
[*] Entertainment Software ....... Wolf Bugs Found And Killed
[*] Hardware Hacker ....... Focus Drives, IIgs ROMs
[*] General Chatter ....... II And 1040 Forms
MISCELLANEA
"""""""""""
WOLF TIDBITS All Wolfenstein 3D users should know about a serious bug
"""""""""""" that's been discovered in Wolfenstein 3D; it was identified
positively today. This problem exists in both 1.0 and 1.0.1 and can cause
randomly strange behavior, ranging from no trouble at all to bad art to
crashes.
There's a memory-blasting bug in the game, located in a part of the program
I don't have source code for. I'm attempting to rewrite that part of the
code from scratch, and hope to have a new version of the game available in
the next few weeks, which will include several other enhancements.
I apologize for the inconvenience, and will keep you all posted as to the
progress on getting this fixed.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Macintosh & PowerPC Programmers Forum
(SHEPPY, 11831, GO COM A2)
>>>>> Wolfenstein 3D 1.1, which should be out in a few weeks (hopefully
""""" sooner rather than later, but that depends on how testing goes),
has several improvements aside from the bug fixes.
The sound code has been completely rewritten. It's still not stereo, but
the code is now ready to be upgraded to stereo. It also can now play more
sound effects at once, which really improves the feel of the game.
The preference dialog box has been replaced; two options that weren't used
have been removed, and you can now completely configure the keyboard
controls.
There will probably be a 1.2 version eventually which should support stereo
sound. I say "probably" because my interest in plugging more time into a
project this cost-ineffective (ie, totally lacking in any financial
motivation) is just about gone. :)
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Macintosh & PowerPC Programmers Forum
(SHEPPY, 11921, GO COM A2)
IIGS TO DESKJET CABLES Does anyone have the pinouts for an Apple IIgs to
"""""""""""""""""""""" HP DeskJet 500 cable? I just picked up a DJ500 but
need to know how to make the cable.
DJ500 pinouts and any other info would also be helpful!
Thanks!
Paul.
(SCHULTP, 11403, GO COM A2)
>>>>> The simplest configuration is to make a cable for XON/XOFF
""""" handshake:
Pinouts
GS DeskJet
-- -------
5 <---------> 2
3 <---------> 3
4 <---------> 7
Set the GS printer port for XON/XOFF handshake only, and set switch 8 (the
right-most) on the right-hand bank of switches on the DeskJet 500 to the
down position (DTR & XON/XOFF).
If you want to do DTR handshake, you will also need to connect pin 2 of the
GS serial port to Pin 20 of the DeskJet 500 serial connector. Set the GS
printer port to DTR/DSR handshake. The DeskJet switch should probably be
set to 'DTR Only' (up).
- Don (IronTooth)
Delivered by my ANSITerm off-line reader scripts...
They're OLRight!
(DZAHNISER, 11415, GO COM A2)
>>>>> This is the same as a Mac Plus to Imagewriter I (-=NOT=- II :)
""""" cable, which ought to be easily available (and a heckuva lot more
fun than soldering a mini-din 8 connector :)
Ryan
KFest '98!
Delivered by OLRight! scripts for ANSITerm
(RSUENAGA, 11425, GO COM A2)
>>>>> I took an old GS-to-Modem cable, chopped off the 25-pin connector,
""""" and soldered a new one on for the DeskJet. That modem cable wasn't
properly set up for hardware handshaking, and the only pin that wasn't
connected on the GS Serial port end was Pin #7, which would have been
required for the type of modem cable I wanted. Rewired, it has been
faithfully doing duty ever since I got the DJ 500.
Recycling and all that...
- Don (IronTooth)
Delivered by my ANSITerm off-line reader scripts...
They're OLRight!
(DZAHNISER, 11429, GO COM A2)
>>>>> The other alternative would be either getting a null modem adapter
""""" or one of those DB25 M to DB25 F jumper boxes that Radio Shack and
other places sell, and wiring it that way :)
Ryan
KFest '98!
Delivered by OLRight! scripts for ANSITerm
(RSUENAGA, 11440, GO COM A2)
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT 3.5 DRIVES AND THE IIE There's only 2
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" real versions
of the ROMs: those in the unenhanced //e, and those in the enhanced.
Easiest way to check: poweron or reboot (control-openapple-reset all at
once), and watch the top of the screen. [Doing so w/o a disk in the drives
will leave this up longer in case you're not a speed reader.] At the top
center, it should say "Apple ][" or "Apple //e". The first is the
unenhanced, and the second is the enhanced.
[Theoretically, you can partially enhance or unenhance a //e as there's
4 independent chips in that upgrade, but such mutations should be avoided
whenever possible]
Nathan Mates
(NMATES, 11866, GO COM A2)
>>>>> The GS has the controller built in, and takes any 3.5 external
""""" drive built for the Apple II. It was specifically designed for the
"Apple 3.5" drive which is a "dumb" drive. The //e needs a controller card.
Apple made two cards for 3.5" drives. The first worked only with the 3.5"
Unidrive, which was a smart drive. The second will work with the GS dumb
drive, as well as the Apple "Superdrive" which will handle 1.44 meg HD
floppys. Shreve has been selling the later controller. Both controller
cards had the same name, which is very confusing.
--
Carl Knoblock - Telephone Tech - Via Crock O' Gold v2.3
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to KFest 10 - July 22-26, 1998
cknoblo@novia.net
(CKNOBLO, 11876, GO COM A2)
>>>>> If you want to be even more confused, Video Technology (the company
""""" that sold the Laser 128 and related II clones) also sold the
Universal Disk Controller (UDC) which would control both 5.25 inch and 3.5
inch drives. It couldn't do the SuperDrives as 1.44 megs, but it could do
Mac drives as 800k II drives. Worked better in the //e than the IIgs.
Ryan
KFest '98!
Delivered by OLRight! scripts for ANSITerm
(RSUENAGA, 11884, GO COM A2)
THE DREMELMASTER FOCUSES IN The Focus just needs to be in a slot set to
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" your card. No biggie.
It can co-exist with a RAM card invading it's air space. They can hit each
other, nothing will happen.
If you have a ROM 3, use slot 4. You can also use Slot 2 if you use either
ProTERM or Spectrum for your modem, as either of these go directly to the
port regardless of slot settings.
The RAMFast and Focus can co-exist just fine.
If the RAMFast is just going to have the tape backup, put it in 6, when you
are going to backup, declare the slot..
Tony
(T_DIAZ, 11990, GO COM A2)
<<<<< You can have as many Focus drives in your Apple II as you can
""""" access via a declared slot.
..I usually have 2 or three in the same computer when setting them up.
Tony
(T_DIAZ, 12004, GO COM A2)
<<<<< Some of the //e drives shipped are not compatible with the Focus
""""" driver.
There are very few out there like this, but a lot are 120 Meg. If the drive
is not compatible with the driver then it will hang during boot with the
Focus driver's in use indicator stuck on (graphic in upper right corner)
That can be the only problem I can think of. Deactivate/move the Focus
driver from the drivers folder so you can swap data around on those drives
if that's what your trying to do.
Tony
(T_DIAZ, 12044, GO COM A2)
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IIGS ROM VERSIONS Due to Apple's bad terminology,
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" there is a *much* bigger
difference between the ROM 00/01 to 3 than the 00 to 01. It's not simply a
few ROM chips that are swapped, it's the whole motherboard. Apart from the
obvious ROM version difference, there's more RAM on board-- 1.125MB vs
256K. There's also a few minor things like slightly better sound out of the
3, but GS/OS makes the ROM 3 virtually identical to the ROM 01 to all well
written programs. [And the poorly written ones tend to be older demos that
want the 00/01 only-- the ROM 01 is probably the most compatible machine
out there]
As the main difference between the ROM 01 and 3 is amount of RAM, you
can add RAM to either to pull them both up to the max of 8.125MB. The 1MB
on the ROM 3 won't cut it when running System 6-- 2MB total is almost a
minimum. I feel that you're really going to want to add 2-4MB to any GS,
and so if given the choice between an 01 and 3, unless the 3 was the same
price or less (doubtful), I'd go with the 01. You get a much better bang
for the buck by spending $ on RAM, HD, or an accelerator versus paying more
for a ROM 3 cpu.
Nathan Mates
(NMATES, 11402, GO COM A2)
>>>>> As Nathan points out, there are considerable hardware differences
""""" between a ROM_01 and ROM_03. However, unless you're using older
programs (typically FTA demos) that require a ROM_01, there's little
logical difference between the two.
Once one adds memory (four megs is really what you want for working with
the IIgs, at a minimum), the practical differences come down to better
sound out of the ROM_03, =possibly= maximum top accelerated speed, and less
headaches using both a local hard drive and Appletalk, all of which are
somewhat minor and/or can be gotten around.
Ryan
KFest '98!
Delivered by OLRight! scripts for ANSITerm
(RSUENAGA, 11424, GO COM A2)
NEW VERSION OF LYNX SUPPORTS SSL AND DELPHI CHATS Well, well, well...
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
In the latest development in the "they said it couldn't be done on an Apple
II" front...
I just visited the A2 chat room and was able to take part in a chat!
That might not sound like any big deal, except for one thing...
I was using my Apple II, and was able to enter the chat room via webside
access using lynx!
The newest version of lynx - v2.8 - is here!
The world wide web just opened up some more doors for Apple II users!
Now that this hurdle has been cleared, Shareware Solutions II is aiming for
the stars. I would like to have a Monday night chat that attracts at least
100 Apple II users ;-)
Joe
(JOE_KOHN, 11556, GO COM A2)
<<<<< Whoops.
"""""
In my excitement, I seem to have "jumped the gun" when I proclaimed that
lynx v2.8 now supports secure transactions (https).
With lynx v2.8, I _was_ able to access many sites where I had previously
been denied access with the message (paraphrased) "your browser does not
support https." I was able to take part in Delphi's A2 chat, from the web
using lynx v2.8, but...
lynx 2.8 CAN support https, and the version I have used does support https,
but in order for v2.8 to support https, a patch needs to be applied to the
standard release version of 2.8.
Apparently, secure transactions rely on encryption schemes whose use is
regulated by the US government as part of some laws having to do with the
export of munitions.
In the meanwhile, it's possible that there's already a public access
https-capable version of lynx v2.8 available for use. To find out, check
out http://www.crl.com/~subir
As a word of explanation...I use the same ISP as lynx-proponent Subir, so I
just have an alias set up that let's me use Subir's lynx...and his version
does already have that patch applied.
Joe
(JOE_KOHN, 11616, GO COM A2)
LOST HISTORY OF SSII I was just poking around in the Shareware Solutions
"""""""""""""""""""" II cavernous warehouses, and found more than 20
shrink wrapped packages of "Art Gallery - American History." Additionally,
I know there's a second collection around here somewhere...
In essence, there are 350 Print Shop graphics with an American History
theme.
The graphics were, in actuality, produced by Unison World as an add-on
collection for their Print Shop clone - Print Master. But, they can be used
with the original Print Shop. Additionally, I just ran a number of them
through the converter that comes with The New Print Shop, so they can be
used with that program too.
For some odd reason, no other programs seems to recognize the graphics.
In any case, there are 350 graphics that are, in many ways, geared for use
in the classroom. There's a manual that includes a paragraph or two
description of the historical significance of each of the events or people
portrayed in the graphics.
I've never sold a single one of these, and just want to clear out some
space, so no reasonable offers will be refused.
Unfortunately, the package weighs more than 2 lbs, so postage to the US
would be $4, and a special trip to the post office would be required.
Postage to Australia would be more than $20, so I think that the only folks
that could really use these are US based teachers, who use IIe/IIc systems
and who have either Print Shop or New Print Shop.
But, like I said, no reasonable offer will be refused...
I also counted a dozen boxes of California Games for the IIe/IIc. Make me
an offer on those as well...
I'd like to at least re-coup my expenses...
Joe Kohn
(JOE_KOHN, 12033, GO COM A2)
TRANSPROG TRICKS I am not sure this is going to land in the most
"""""""""""""""" appropriate place (but I tried!):
I have just set up Charles Hartley's Computer Keyboarding 5 for my son to
learn typing. A few days ago, I configured Spectrum and COG to let my wife
send email via my Delphi account more easily. Now I would like to
incorporate both of these changes in the TransProg Thermal configuration.
(I successfully added the Applesoft Basic "STARTUP" program for KB5 to the
pull-down menu as a sub-file of BASIC, which I titled "Computer
Keyboarding"; and it was equally easy to prepare the script for the email
set-up as a sub-file of Spectrum in the pull-down.)
I don't know how to allow the Thermal Configuration of TransProg to
recognize either the Spectrum script the AppleSoft program. Any help?
Jim
(PEACECHURCH, 11642, GO COM A2)
>>>>> To run the STARTUP program from TransProg Thermo, copy BASIC.SYSTEM
""""" into the same folder with the STARTUP program, and set up TransProg
Thermo to launch _that_ copy of BASIC.SYSTEM with the key combination.
This will work for any Applesoft program if you rename the program STARTUP
or if you create a 1-liner STARTUP program that reads something like:
10 PRINT CHR$(4);"-yourprogram"
Where 'yourprogram' is the name of the Applesoft program that you wish to
run. Note the smart launch '-' in front of the program name.
Works great for me!
- Don (IronTooth)
Delivered by my ANSITerm off-line reader scripts...
They're OLRight!
(DZAHNISER, 11652, GO COM A2)
STEP BY STEP: CHANGING IIGS BATTERIES Try this:
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
1- Check the yellow pages for "Batteries." Look for an ad selling
batteries for mobile phones, security and institutional systems etc.
Call and ask for a TL-5101 3.6 Volt battery "with" solder leads (ROM 3
machines use NON solder lead type). These batteries are common and sell
for $6-$12. I've heard they're now available from Radio Shack stores or
try their sister-stores Computer City; Shop for convenience and price.
2- Remove the IIgs power supply: Unplug the power cord and pull forward on
the front clip.
3- Note the battery (usually purple and black) on the left edge just
between center and the computer's backplane (with the backplane of the
computer facing away from you). (The battery is cylinder-shaped, and
about 5/8" wide X 3/4" long.)
4- If you do not feel comfortable soldering on a circuit board, clip the
leads leaving them as long as possible sticking up from the motherboard
-- Clip them right where they join the old battery. Make note of the
battery's PLUS/MINUS directions (the black "+" end toward the
backplane).
5- Take the battery with you to the store, purchase the same battery, and
give them the old one to dispose of. (The battery contains lithium, is
inorganic, not environmentally friendly and needs proper disposal
care).
6- Obtain a sewing needle that is about the same width as the battery
leads. Use the needle as a mandrel, and wind the battery leads around
the needle (making them "spring" or "pigtail" shaped. NOTE: Take
extreme care to NOT touch the battery's leads together. The leads are
soft and easy to work just using your fingers. If there is a short bit
of a lead that does not wind tight, clip the short end flush to the
pigtail.
7- Being careful which lead is negative and positive relative to the new
battery and the long-clipped old battery wires (leads) now sticking up
from the motherboard, slip the pigtail leads onto the "motherboard"
leads.
(C) 1998 Jerry Cline
InTrec Software, Inc.
jerrycline@intrec.com
AutoReply: Jerry Cline @ InTrec Software, Inc. - jerry@intrec.com
ProTERM @ your service! The superior telnet and dialup application.
Sent w/ProTERM Message Manager (PTMM) - Details @ <ptmm.intrec.com>
Download ProTERM & PTMM the full working versions: <www.intrec.com>
(INTREC, 11720, GO COM A2)
RUMOR MILL
""""""""""
THE NEW TWILIGHT II Alright folks, keep your phone lines free, as
""""""""""""""""""" something big is just about to come down the pike.
I've received final goahead on T2, so it's only a little final touches to
the dox and packing it up.
Barring any unforseen last minute highly serious bug reports, Twilight
II v1.99 will be uploaded to Delphi's file databases Sat, April 4th. It has
that version number to signify "very close to completion", but will still
initially be considered *BETA* software-- there may be some interactions
with programs that nobody betaing so far runs. Further, Apple's installer
program is not licensed for this, so you'll have to manually install it by
copying files around. Some time after v1.99 goes out, I'll write up some
form of installer, fix anything reported, and an official 2.0 release will
be uploaded. I do not expect any serious bugs to exist in v1.99, but I am
hedging my bets.
For lists of features, etc in this update to Twilight II, see forum
message #11275.
This message (and others like 11275) may be reposted to GEnie and
Compuserve, but due to a few arrogant pirates on csa2, NO official
announcement will be made there, and do not report my words there.
Distribution policies: copyrighted freeware, uploaded initially to
Delphi and at a later time to my ftp/web site. Some distribution limits
will be set; see dox in released version for full details.
Please support GS authors who work long hours to bring such things to
you. Support can take many forms, such as words of encouragment, cash (if
it's shareware or commercial), and helping in the battle against the
pirates who make it less and desirable to want to release anything near
them. Do not let them feel welcome as long as they keep up their ways.
Nathan Mates
(NMATES, 11465, GO COM A2)
>>>>> HEALTH HAZARD WARNING!
"""""
Twilight II found to be habit-forming!
Affected persons can be easily recognized by the typical symptoms of
addiction:
1. They can be observed to sit immobilized in front of their Apple IIGS
computers for hours.
2. They gaze at their screens with a fixed stare and an ecstatic expression
on their faces.
3. Once the effect of a module has worn off, they suffer acute withdrawal
symptoms until the next module has been activated.
Protect yourself and your family - don't leave your Apple IIGS within reach
of children, enjoy Twilight II only in moderate amounts.
This warning by courtesy of your A2 Health Watch.
(GSCHNAUBELT, 11635, GO COM A2)
PUBLIC POSTINGS
"""""""""""""""
KFEST YEARBOOKS FROM THE GRAPHICS GURU
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
----->>>>> ATTENTION KFESTERS <<<<<-----
I have completed work on a project that I have been wanting to do
for some time:
***** KFEST YEARBOOKS *****
I started putting pages for Kfest '97 into a desktop publishing layout and
then my enthusiasm spilled over and I started on '96, and then '95.
I now have master pages for all three Yearbooks.
I call the collection "Keepsakes of Kfest".
These are printed using a Canon BubbleJet printer and bright white paper.
As you would expect, these are very graphic intense pages;
but they also contain several long illustrated text articles,
over 100 full color pictures each,
activities, schedules, and quotes from attendees.
The Kfest '97 Yearbook is 24 pages.
The Kfest '96 Yearbook is 28 pages.
The Kfest '95 Yearbook is 36 pages.
Pat Kern
<You can never be too rich or have too many graphics>.
(PATZ_PIX, 11812, GO COM A2)
ANOTHER NEW WOLF Wolfenstein 3D for the Apple IIgs, version 1.1, will be
"""""""""""""""" released on Friday, May 1, 1998, at 6:00 PM Pacific
Daylight Time.
This new version has several bug fixes (eliminating all known crashing
problems and odd behaviors), new sound code that can play up to eight
sounds at once (for a more fulfilling game experience), and a new
preference dialog box that lets you configure the keyboard controls.
The game has also been optimized slightly for a subtle performance
improvement.
Visit the official Wolfenstein 3D for the Apple IIgs web site at
<http://www.sheppyware.net/software/wolf3d_gs/> for more information and to
download the new version.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Macintosh & PowerPC Programmers Forum
(SHEPPY, 12083, GO COM A2)
JUICED.GS ON THE VIRTUAL MOVE Hey gang!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Just a note to let you all know that the Juiced.GS site on the World Wide
Web now has a new address:
http://www.wbwip.com/juiced.gs
My appreciation goes out to Webmaster David Kerwood, who continues to
maintain the site on his commercial server and has done an excellent job
with the mess of information I've given him.
Meanwhile, work is under way on the spring issue of Juiced.GS, which will
be mailed to subscribers in mid-June.
Thank you all again for the wonderful support. I can't believe Juiced.GS is
now well into its third year and going strong. It seems like only yesterday
we all met and embarked on this adventure.
It's been a blast! Let's keep it going!
Max Jones, Juiced.GS
http://www.wbwip.com/juiced.gs
Delivered by Spectrum 2.1 and Crock O' Gold 2.4
(JUICEDGS, 11916, GO COM A2)
SHEPPYWARE: RULER OF ITS OWN DOMAIN This announcement is to let you know
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" that the SheppyWare email, FTP, and
Web site addresses have changed once again (probably permanently this time.
I've now got a 100% genuine registered Internet domain. Here's the scoop:
email: sheppy@sheppyware.net
Web: http://www.sheppyware.net
FTP: ftp.sheppyware.net
The SheppyWare talk mailing list is now at talk-list@sheppyware.net.
The old addresses will continue to work for a while, but you should start
using the new addresses instead.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Macintosh & PowerPC Programmers Forum
(SHEPPY, 11994, GO COM A2)
BEST OF THE BEST
""""""""""""""""
11466 4-APR 10:09 Apple Operating System
RE: Twilight II 2.0 *very* near! (Re: Msg 11465)
From: DZAHNISER To: ALL
I was absolutely amazed when I saw that the Twilight II update was to be
released as Freeware! This is a _quality_ product, as I am sure anyone who
has previous versions must be aware.
I had never owned or tried Twilight II when Nathan put out his call for
testers. In the couple of weeks that I have been pounding on it, Nathan
has made some significant improvements to this already great product.
I am extremely happy (but also feel somewhat guilty) that I won't have to
shell out $$ to keep this on my hard drive. We all owe a big THANKS to
Nathan and the others involved in making this new release of Twilight II so
great - with copyrighted freeware distribution.
Please everyone - If you like this (or other releases for the Apple II) LET
THE AUTHOR KNOW. If we simply grab new freeware and run, without showing
our appreciation, we will teach the authors that we don't care, and they
eventually won't care also. If we don't pay money for a product, we still
need to barter something for it.
- Don (IronTooth)
Delivered by my ANSITerm off-line reader scripts...
They're OLRight!
[EOA]
[A2P]------------------------------
A2Pro_DUCTIVITY |
-----------------------------------
Checking out A2PRO on Delphi
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Ryan M. Suenaga, B.A., M.S.W., L.S.W.
[thelamp@delphi.com]
OPTIMIZING GS ANIMATION According to the guys at Apple with bus
""""""""""""""""""""""" analyzers, that helps speed things up. Bank 01 is
accessed at 2.5Mhz, while the screen in bank E1 is 1Mhz. As noted in GS
technote #70 (I've got a nice html version at
http://www.visi.com/~nathan/a2/tn/iigs/070.html ) there's synchronization
issues between the two sides, and the NOP allows the fast side of the bus
to get better resync'd with the slow side. I have not tested this
personally, but I'd trust them on this.
Nathan Mates
(NMATES, 1611, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> If memory serves me correctly, the folks at Apple ran some fancy
""""" tests and determined that including the NOP actually makes the
transfers faster! It was some sort of timing condition. I don't remember
the details.
Paul Schultz.
(SCHULTP, 1613, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> Thanks for the information!!!
"""""
I read Technote #70 again, and I will try it out to see what happens. The
only thing is that I never use a stack blaster. Instead, I just use the
direct page. It appears much more sensible when handling sprites.
Sprites are usually are not very broad, so you can use one direct page
pointer to draw 2 lines of the sprite. Second, to quickly get the next
direct page pointer, the stack pointer points onto the table that holds the
screen offsets (in reverse order, of course). After the 2 lines have been
drawn, I simply pld (should make up for a nop, right?) and go for the next
lines.
According to a table that came with ORCA/M, an lda #, sta dp is just as
fast as a single pea.
Comments, anyone? :)
Jesse Blue / Ninjaforce
Check out our upcoming Apple IIGS game at:
http://www.igd.fhg.de/~girschik/nfc
(JESSEBLUE, 1614, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> PEA takes 5 cycles, regardless of the accumulator size.
"""""
LDA # takes 2 cycles short (8-bit), 3 cycles long (16-bit).
STA dp takes 3 cycles short, 4 cycles long (add another cycle if the dp is
not in bank 0, I think.)
So with a short (8-bit) accumulator, the times are identical. Since PEA
pushes 16 bits regardless, I think the comparison should be with a long
accumulator, which takes 7 cycles compared to 5 for the PEA.
-----------------------------------------------------
Tony Ward, A2 Database Manager
[Delivered with Spectrum 2.1 and Crock O' Gold 2.3]
--
"An elephant: A mouse built to government specifications."
(TONYW1, 1615, GO COM A2PRO)
<<<<< Misconception: that table lists the best case speeds. It does not
""""" list the standard penalties:
+1 cycle in 16 bit mode
+1 cycle if DP is not page aligned (DP=$xy00)
+1 if branch taken
[16-bit penalty not applicable to 1-byte opcodes like TAX]
So LDA #$1234 is 3 cycles, 3 bytes. STA <$56 is 2 bytes and 4 or 5
cycles depending on DP alignment, for a total of 7 or 8 cycles. PEA $1234
is always 5 cycles (no 8-bit version of it), and does not care about DP or
stack alignment.
An extra stack setup code like 'ADC #$0016 TCS' (if done right after an
adc #$00A0 to get to next line, can be assured carry clear) costs 3+2
cycles. For any line where you draw more than 3 words in a row, it is going
to be faster to set up the stack also and start PEAing.
PHA/PHX/PHY are all 4 cycles each, so if you can identify at least 4
repeated words in a stack area (or between if you use X,Y regs smartly),
it's better to LDAXY the repeated words and then slam it that way, but if
your data is highly varied, straight PEAs are better.
The above doesn't really take transparency into account, but if you're
generating the stackslamming code from another program (and I hope you
would), you can keep set the DP to the left side of the shape, SP to the
right, you can DP-read in words to modify and then pha them out. That's
what TurkeyshootGS does, generating code from a 17-color .BMP file (17th
color is transparency) to draw stuff onscreen. Very ugly piece of C code;
it's unreleased so far.
Nathan Mates
(NMATES, 1616, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> Well, PEA is 5 cycles, and LDA#/STA dp is 7 minimum, 8 if dp is not
""""" page aligned, so unless Mike has a good reason, I'd say its a
mistake.
Regards,
Richard
(RICHARD_B, 1619, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> >Misconception: that table lists the best case speeds. It does not
""""" >list the standard penalties:
Misconception: It does.
The reference card, which I assume is what the original message refers to,
lists the lowest time in the table, but has footnote marks for each case
that can add a cycle. These are explained at the end of the table.
Even assembly listings generated with INSTIME ON show an asterisk next to
times that can vary from the number of cycles shown. The manual points out
that you should refer to a 65816 chip reference for the exceptions in that
case.
Of course, the assembler can't tell for sure whether some of the situations
will exist. Page crossings can't be predicted, for example, because the
code can be relocated.
Mike Westerfield
(BYTEWORKS, 1620, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> Well, unfortunately, TRANSPARENCY is the most important thing with
""""" sprites. With sprites, you have a background and a foreground.
Parts of the Ninjaforce MEGADEMO were done like this: Background picture in
bank $00, Foreground picture in bank $01. So when a sprite is moved, set
the appropriate bits so that you READ from bank $00, and WRITE (with
shadowing) to bank $01. This, however, only works when you have ONE sprite
only. About using the dp/stack: Basically, I'm using the dp because it's
easier to handle than the stack. The named caching could be done with x and
y registers, plus you have the stz dp command as well, which is (believe
me) quite handy. But, since you have much more flexible access, you don't
need caching if the program that generates the sprite always sorts the
code. This can even be optimized for sprites that are shifted one byte.
Stack blasters would need to lda dp, and #, ora #, then pha, where direct
page blaster just does a lda dp, sta dp+1. Like this: 00XXYYZZ00 Sprite
data 1 2 3 4 Byte No. So, I wouldn't always say: Stack blasters is better
than dp blaster... Comments? :)
Jesse Blue / Ninjaforce
Check out our upcoming Apple IIGS game at:
{<http://www.igd.fhg.de/~girschik/nfc> }
(JESSEBLUE, 1622, GO COM A2PRO)
HELP WANTED, APPLY WITHIN I apologize for taking so long to reply to
""""""""""""""""""""""""" this, but I had to discuss it with my
companions here and make sure I had a "real" answer for you first. :)
A2 University (A2U for short) really hasn't gotten off the ground here yet.
It's a program we did over on that other service before we came to Delphi,
and it was a very successful program. The philosophy behind A2 University
is, for the most part, the very core of A2Pro's existence. That is, to
further the existence of new software for the computers we still love so
much by helping the beginning and hobbyist programmers learn how to improve
their programming skills, or pick up new skills.
This is where we need help! Our most recent Dean of A2 University had a
good dose of "real life" happen a while back, and had to resign from the
position before we really got started over here. We've been Deanless
since. (Well, as long as you don't count one of our bosses, who happens to
be named "Dean" :)
Thus, the following position is open:
Position: Dean of A2 University (A2U)
Time requirements: Some organization will be necessary at first (it's
been a while since we've done this, and we haven't done it here on
Delphi, yet, at all), so it will probably require 5 or so hours a
week for the first couple weeks, getting things up-to-speed. Once
it's going, it will probably only require an hour or two a week.
Qualifications:
- enthusiastic individual who can share his/her enthusiasm with
others
- good organizational skills
Responsibilities:
- Evaluating course ideas
- Recruiting capable professors and encouraging participants
- Maintaining contact with professors during the term of their
courses
- Reading the A2Pro Message Board on a daily basis
Anyone interested in helping us out by filling this position should send a
description of why you think you're the person for the job, along with any
ideas you have towards how you would get things set up, to
justdave@delphi.com
Dave Miller
Asst. Forum Manager, Apple II Programmers Forum (GO COM A2P/sigdir=a2pro)
http://www2.c4systm.com/~dmiller justdave@syndicomm.com justdave@delphi.com
(JUSTDAVE, 1643, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> As another sorta-followup to my earlier post asking for people to
""""" speak up with questions/problems/etc, I suppose that I could
volunteer to run a few classes on either asm, graphics, game stuff, or the
like. [Basically, the kfest cabal gets first dibs on what I walk about
there, but could probably go into more depth eventually here.] As it looks
like asm is out from kfest, I could start up something here.
The problem with asm is that there's 2 main assemblers used in the GS
world: Orca/M and Merlin. I only really speak Orca (blatant plug: email
mikew50@aol.com or byteworks@delphi.com to purchase it if you want :) so
that might either alienate a few folks, or require some sort of tag-team
effort by people who speak both to help everyone. At least with C/Pascal,
there's really only one choice (do TML Pascal users exist anymore? :) --
same as with Applesoft.
I'd almost prefer that some sort of intro to programming course
(possibly with Basic, even though that language makes Computer Science
profs blow a blood vessel :) get started *before* assembly-- it's much
easier for people to start using, and serious bugs won't make your system
crash or worse. :) While I haven't really done serious basic coding in
years, I did make an Applesoft Basic command & reference (definitely not a
tutorial), which has been uploaded to the a2 forum's database, also at
http://www.visi.com/~nathan/a2/faq/asoft.html Permission is granted for any
asoft prof to blatantly plug it as a good free reference to keep handy :)
Nathan Mates
(NMATES, 1648, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> Nathan, just to muddy the waters...
"""""
While GSoft BASIC has been slow in coming, mostly because I have work that
actually pays the bills, it is coming. I finished the A1 version and am
working hard on the documentation, which is about 80% done.
My current plan is to release versions of our introductory programming
course and our toolbox programming course for GSoft BASIC, too. Yes,
toolbox programming. :) GSoft supports records and pointers, so you can
actually handle the toolbox correctly. It already has a full toolbox
interface, and it works quite nicely.
You might factor these things into any plans for courses in BASIC.
Mike Westerfield
(BYTEWORKS, 1651, GO COM A2PRO)
LONG-LOST TOOLSET NUMBER Has anyone compiled a list of version numbers
"""""""""""""""""""""""" for every toolset for each System release (from
4.0 on)?
Also, out of curiosity, does anyone tell me what Tool037 was? It is
mentioned on page 231 of the System 6.0 Reference as being handled by
StartUpTools even though it is not actually part of 6.0 (and was apparently
never release). So now I just =have= to know. :-)
Michael
(SAR, 1679, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> I *think* that Tool037 was the Animation Toolkit. It was very close
""""" to done, as I recall, when Mensch moved to me Mac side of the
Force, and nobody had time to finish it (and I don't think Apple cared,
either. :)
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
Macintosh & PowerPC Programmers Forum
(SHEPPY, 1680, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> Sheppy is of course correct, the never released Animation Tool Set
""""" had support for sprites, backgrounds, compiled shapes and other
handy stuff. Pity it was never released.
Regards,
Richard
(RICHARD_B, 1681, GO COM A2PRO)
>>>>> What a neat sounding tool set! This is the first I have ever heard
""""" of it. Sure would have been interesting if this had been released.
Oh well, we should be thankful for what we actually have.
Paul.
Paul Schultz
schultp@delphi.com
sent your way via Spectrum 2.1 and Crock O' Gold 2.3
(SCHULTP, 1683, GO COM A2PRO)
[EOA]
[KFE]------------------------------
THINKING KFEST |
-----------------------------------
THE KFEST MAILING LIST
""'"""""""""""""""""""
by Ryan M. Suenaga, B.A., M.S.W., L.S.W.
[thelamp@delphi.com]
YOU'VE GOT MAIL!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For ten summers now, the Apple II faithful have gathered in July at a
small college in Kansas City, Missouri. The Apple II event of the year,
KansasFest 1998, runs July 22-26, 1998, on the campus of Avila College.
From the far corners of the earth as well as downtown Kansas City, Apple II
fanatics gather to celebrate the computer that started it all.
Planning such a trip can be as simple as getting in the car and
driving a few blocks for someone like Allen Moore; something more
challenging like getting in the car and driving a few hours--or more--for
Max Jones or Ray Merlin; planning a cross-country flight, like Tony Diaz;
or coming from across the ocean, like myself or Richard Bennett or Ewen
Wannop. Indeed, there are at least as many stories that could be titled,
"How I got to KFest" every year as KFest attendees.
How, then, do between 50 and 100 Apple II fanatics from around the
world tie together the loose ends of their arrivals and departures in the
Land of Ahhs?
In years prior to 1997, the center of the online Apple II Universe was
the Genie (previously known as GEnie) online service, and the KFest
faithful would read and post messages coordinating every detail; from the
bare essentials--who was arriving at Kansas City International Airport when
and by which airline, who was renting a car, and who needed a ride--to the
merely important, such as a headcount for the pre- and post-KFest dinners
at local restaurants and requests for KFest sessions--to the
extracurricular, such as who was hoping to room with whom and who was
bringing what equipment--to the absolutely esoteric, like what a turnpike
is and how many beers it takes to get Conan in a Librarial mood. But as we
all know, things have changed, and while we have moved many of the Apple II
faithful from Genie to Delphi, some of our buddies haven't made the move
yet, or have decided to hang their online hat elsewhere. What, then, is
the lowest common denominator to coordinate the KFesters this year?
The answer was simple: electronic mail.
Anyone with electronic mail (email, for short, of course) access has
the ability to get and give the latest information on KFest. Sponsored by
Devin Reade's trenco.gno.org Internet server, the KFest Mailing List is an
automated mailing list that serves anyone who cares to sign up for it. The
advantage of this list is that it doesn't require the participants to have
access to the same online service or even the World Wide Web--anyone with
access to Internet email can be a part of it. It doesn't matter if you're
on America Online, Genie, Delphi, Compuserve, Primenet, Juno, Concentric,
Netcom, Kestrok, or anywhere else. In fact, I even receive KFest email at
my office.
For those of you who haven't been on a mailing list before, once
you've signed up, you will send messages to and receive messages from just
one email address--in this case, kfest@trenco.gno.org. However, any
message sent to the list will magically be sent to everyone else on the
list. You can subscribe (or unsubscribe) from the list at any time, and
you don't have to be KFest bound to be part of it.
To sign up for the KFest Mailing List, send email to:
majordomo@trenco.gno.org
and in the BODY of the message (not the subject), place the following
text:
subscribe kfest
In a few minutes you will be sent a confirmation message via email.
In order to complete the signup process, respond to this confirmation
following the instructions given. You will then be sent a welcome message,
including instructions on how to send mail to the list.
Already in the KFest Mailing List we have discussed the traditional
(and potential non-traditional) pre- and post-KFest eating spots, the
Kansas City International Airport's site on the World Wide Web, KFest
sessions, KFesters volunteering help to other KFesters on a variety of
Apple II subjects, and much much more.
If you have other informational needs regarding KFest, you may want to
check out the KFest Web Page, at:
http://www.primenet.com/~adams/kfest.html
If you have a question that would be better sent to the KFest
committee rather than the mailing list, you can address that to:
kfest-info@trenco.gno.org
Finally, thanks to Tony Diaz of Alltech Electronics, if remembering
trenco.gno.org is too tough, you can also send mail to the KFest Mailing
List at:
kfest@apple2.org
KFest mail will brighten up even the most dreary Apple II electronic
mail box. Sign up today.
[EOA]
[SIZ]------------------------------
SIZZLING SHAREWARE |
-----------------------------------
UNZIP IIE
"""""""""
by Ryan M. Suenaga, B.A., M.S.W., L.S.W.
[thelamp@delphi.com]
UNZIP IIE
~~~~~~~~~
Product Name: Unzip IIe
File Name: UNZIPIIE.BXY
Database: Utility Software
File Size: 18048
Program Type: ProDOS 8 Application
Author: Russ Woodroofe
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Distribution: Shareware, $10 U.S. dollars, see ReadMe for
details
Requirements: Apple IIe, IIc, or IIgs; 19k disk space.
It's a reality we all need to face: not everyone is fortunate enough
to have an Apple II. Sooner or later, you'll encounter a file that you
just have to have, perfect for you in every way--except it has a ".ZIP"
suffix on it. Boom! You've hit the MSDOS wall--the Zip format is their
packing standard, just as the NuFX format (the one used by _Shrinkit_ and
_GS Shrinkit_) is ours. What to do, what to do--especially if you have a
//e or //c?
While the well-known Apple IIgs solution to dealing with .zip files is
the shareware _PMP Unzip_, there is also a less-well-known 8-bit II
solution, at an even better price: the $10 shareware _Unzip IIe_.
Borrowing heavily from the _Shrinkit_ interface, _Unzip IIe_ does
primarily one thing, and does it well--it unzips .zip archives. Like most
ProDOS 8 programs, it's fast and efficient, and its interface ought to be
very familiar for 8 bit Apple II users.
_Unzip IIe_ will handle a variety of .zip archives without a hitch--in
fact, I didn't come across a single .zip archive it failed to handle. One
omission is the self-extracting (.exe) archives--no known Apple II program
will currently these in one step, although there is a two-step solution we
may look at next month. _Unzip IIe_ also doesn't -create- .zip archives,
but then again, it doesn't claim to.
In summary, _Unzip IIe_ is a simple, fast, and needed product. A
meager $10 is a more than fair price to pay for a program that can quickly
become invaluable. For any 8-bit Apple II fanatic, _Unzip IIe_ is a
must-have utility.
[EOA]
[TVT]------------------------------
THE VIRTUAL ][ |
-----------------------------------
The BernieBook--Macintosh Portables Go To The Dogs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Ryan M. Suenaga, B.A., M.S.W., L.S.W.
[thelamp@delphi.com]
POWERBOOKS AND BERNIE ][ THE RESCUE FAQ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following article is set up in a form commonly seen on the
Internet, called Frequently Asked Questions. It is designed to answer some
of the most common questions people have about using the Apple IIgs
emulator _Bernie ][ The Rescue_ with an Apple Macintosh PowerBook. It is
not designed to answer general questions about _Bernie_ or general
questions about _PowerBooks_, although obviously there will be some
overlap.
Any questions about this article can be sent via email to
thelamp@delphi.com.
The Housekeeping
Q: What's a FAQ, and how is it pronounced?
A: The letters "FAQ" stand for _F_requently _A_sked _Q_uestions. When
people first hear of or learn of a subject, such as the program _Bernie
][ The Rescue_, they often have a number of questions which others
before them did when they also first learned of the same subject. A FAQ
is a document listing both the questions and answers most frequently
associated with new users, to save themselves (and others trying to
assist them) time and frustration.
And by the way, it's pronounced "fack", nearly identical to "fact".
Q: What is the purpose of this FAQ?
A: This FAQ is set up to assist people interested in using the Apple IIgs
emulator _Bernie ][ The Rescue_ with an Apple Macintosh PowerBook. Many
Apple II enthusiasts also have Macintosh computers or are considering
the purchase of a Macintosh, and many of those Macs are PowerBooks.
This document may assist those people with their general questions. It
is as complete as possible given the recent release of an updated
version of _Bernie_ (May 1, 1998).
Q: How can this FAQ be distributed?
A: The content of this FAQ is copyright 1998 by Ryan M. Suenaga, the editor
and publisher of _The Lamp!_. Distribution without the expressed
written consent of the copyright holder is prohibited.
Q: Who do we have to thank for this FAQ?
A: Special thanks to Henrik Gudat, Andre Horstmann, Urs Hochstrasser, and
the rest of the gang at F.E. Systems, formerly known as Bright Software,
for bringing _Bernie_ to the masses. Additional thanks to some of the
Bernie Boys on Delphi, including Eric Shepherd, Dave Miller, and Kirk
Mitchell, for helping out with some questions I wasn't able to handle
myself.
The Program
Q: What is _Bernie ][ The Rescue_?
A: _Bernie ][ The Rescue_, _Bernie_ for short, is an Apple IIgs emulation
program for the PowerMacintosh series of computers produced by F.E.
Systems in Switzerland.
Q: What is emulation?
A: Emulation means something acting like something else. In regards to
computing, it usually means a computer acting like another computer,
through special hardware, software, or both.
While emulation has become popular in recent times, there is a long
history of emulation among personal computers. Many years ago, the
_Trackstar_ board allowed Intel based MSDOS computers to emulate an
8-bit Apple II, for instance, and the Apple /// included Apple ][+ (and,
later, through the addition of a peripheral card, Apple //e) emulation.
The Macintosh has had hardware-based solutions for emulating Apple IIs
(the Macintosh LC //e card) and Intel based computers (the "DOS Cards"
offered first for the Centris 610, among many other Macintosh models) as
well as software-only solutions (_RealPC_, _Virtual PC_, and
_SoftWindows_) for years. In fact, one of the more popular emulators in
the computing world is likely on your desktop: the Apple IIgs emulates
the 8-bit Apple IIs.
For more information on different emulators for the Macintosh, see
http://www.emulation.net. For an excellent but somewhat dated article
on one microprocessor chip emulating another, leading to the development
of the Apple IIgs, see Tom Weishaar's excellent "A 65802/65816 pre-boot"
in the August 1986 (not 1996) issue of _Open-Apple_.
Q: How can I get a copy of _Bernie_?
A: If you have access to the World Wide Web, you can get a copy of the
current version of _Bernie_ (1.3 as of this writing) at the following
URL:
http://www.magnet.ch/emutech/Download/Parts/bernieconsumer.html
If you can successfully download from Delphi, _Bernie_ is available in
the database there as well.
If you do not have access to the Web, you can receive a copy of _Bernie_
on a floppy disk from Shareware Solutions II. Their contact information
is:
Shareware Solutions II
166 Alpine Street
San Rafael, CA 94901-1008
USA
joko@crl.com
http://www.crl.com/~joko
You will also need to provide a copy of your real IIgs's ROM image.
More on this later.
_Bernie ][ The Rescue_ is a $25 (U.S. dollars) shareware program that
requires registration to make full use of it. Details are included with
the program archive.
Q: What are the minimum requirements for running _Bernie_?
A: The minimum requirements for _Bernie_ are any PowerPC based Macintosh
and four megabytes of free RAM. Realistically, PowerPC based Macs need
an absolute minimum of 16 megs of "real" (as opposed to "virtual") RAM
anyway, although some came with less.
_Bernie_ runs fastest when your Mac is set to display 256 colors, but it
will run regardless of this setting.
Q: You mean this doesn't run on an Apple II?
A: It doesn't run on an Apple II; it makes an Apple II run on your
PowerMac.
Q: Where do I get the ROM?
A: The only legal place to get a copy of the IIgs ROM image required for
using _Bernie_ is from an Apple IIgs. There are instructions for
creating a ROM image in the official _Bernie_ documentation.
A ROM from either a ROM_01 or ROM_03 IIgs may be used.
Q: Will it run on anything but a PowerBook?
A: _Bernie_ will run on any Macintosh with a PowerPC processor, including
desktop Macs and Mac OS clones. Additionally, there is another version
of _Bernie_ that will run under the _BeOS_ operating system for the
Macintosh and BeBox. At this time, it will not run under the _BeOS_ for
Intel systems.
Q: What's with the name?
A: The original name for this program was _Fast Eddie_; however, a software
company that had a different product with a similar name contacted the
authors of _Eddie_, and _Eddie's_ handlers agreed to change his name.
After thinking it over for awhile, they decided on the name _Bernie ][
The Rescue_.
Q: Okay, who's Bernie?
A: The only Bernies I know are the dead guy in the _Weekend at Bernie's_
movies and the slugger for the Yankees. I'm pretty sure they aren't the
ones the program is named after.
Q: Well, then, who was Eddie?
A: I know lots of Eddies, from my cousin Eddie to Eddie Van Halen, my
favorite being the famous surfer Eddie Aikau, a crew member of the canoe
Hokuleia who gave his life trying to find help when it started taking on
water during one of its early voyages from Hawai'i to Tahiti. If you
ever come to Hawai'i, and see bunches of bumper stickers with the phrase
"Eddie Would Go" on them, it's in reference to huge surf that scares off
most waveriders, but into which Eddie Aikau would go.
But I don't think the program was named after him either.
Rumor has it that the Eddie _Fast Eddie_ was named after is Formula-1
driver Eddie Irvine. This Eddie did so much crashing during early
stages of races in 1996 that the gang over in Switzerland felt a real
brotherhood with him. Or at least that's the way the story goes.
Q: Okay, if you won't tell me who Bernie is, then at least tell
me what's with all the dog jokes?
A: Since _Bernie_ is housed in Switzerland, the F.E. Systems gang wanted to
show everyone their national pride. A large St. Bernard is one of the
most recognizable symbols of that country, as they are famous for rescue
missions while patrolling the Swiss Alps. _Bernie_ is named after those
St. Bernards.
Q: Why didn't you tell me _Bernie_ was named after that?
A: You only asked who Bernie was, not who _Bernie_ was named after.
The PowerBooks
Q: What is a "PowerBook"?
A: A PowerBook is Apple Computer, Inc.'s Macintosh version of a "notebook"
or "laptop" computer, a portable computer that is designed to be taken
just about anywhere and run off of rechargable batteries. There are
many different models of PowerBooks, including those with 68000, 68030,
68LC040, and PowerPC 603e, 603ev, and 750/740 ("G3") processors.
Q: Are there any non-Apple-branded Mac OS compatible notebook computers?
A: There was a computer known as an "Outbound" that functioned as a
68000-series Macintosh, but they've been out of production for some
time, at least in part due to copyright issues centering around the
Macintosh ROMs.
None of the recent Mac OS clone vendors was allowed to produce a
notebook-style computer, so there are no Radius, SuperMac,
PowerComputing, MacTell, UMAX, Motorola, or other clone vendor
notebooks.
Q: Which PowerBooks can run _Bernie_?
A: There are only a few PowerBooks which meet _Bernie_'s requirements
straight out of the box:
PowerBook 5300 series;
PowerBook 1400 series;
PowerBook 2400 series;
PowerBook 3400 series;
PowerBook G3 series;
and PowerBook Duo 2300 series.
Additionally, there are a few PowerBooks which can be upgraded to a
PowerPC processor, after which they'll be compatible with Bernie:
PowerBook 190 series;
PowerBook 500 series;
and PowerBook Duo 200 series
We say "series" because you may see several things appended to a
particular PowerBook's model number--for instance, a PowerBook 1400
series computer may specifically be called a "PowerBook 1400cs/166"
indicates a PowerBook 1400 with a color passive matrix screen and a 166
mhz processor. A "PowerBook 2400c/180" indicates a PowerBook 2400 with
a color active matrix screen and a 166 mhz processor.
In the case of the PowerBook 500 and Duo 200 series, you will also see
some different numbers in the middle of the PowerBook's model
number--you will see a "PowerBook 520" or a "PowerBook Duo 230", for
instance.
With the exception of a few 5300's and upgraded 190's, 500's, and Duo
200's, every _Bernie_ capable PowerBook has a color screen built-in.
For what it's worth, there is no actual "PowerBook 500" or "PowerBook
Duo 200".
Q: What's the difference between a "PowerBook" and a "PowerBook Duo"?
A: Many PowerBook enthusiasts like to divide the various PowerBook models
along two lines: "All-in-ones" and "Duos". Unfortunately, there are
actually three lines: "All-in-ones", "Almost-All-in-ones", and "Duos"
All-in-one PowerBooks make up the vast majority of all PowerBooks ever
made. These PowerBooks have 3.5 inch floppy drives built-in (or as a
removable option), internal 2.5 inch hard disk drives, internal modem
capability (including on some models PC Card, aka "PCMCIA", modems), and
on the rear of the PowerBook, a series of "ports"--connectors similar to
what you see on the back of an Apple IIgs--for such things as serial
ports (including Localtalk connections), microphones, ADB devices,
Ethernet, and SCSI.
PowerBook Duos are Apple's version of the "sub-notebook". These
computers do not include a built-in floppy drive, and the only
recognizable connectors on the back of the Duos are for power, one
serial port, and, if installed, a modem. There is, however, a large,
thin, edgecard-style connector on the back of the Duo. This is an
integral component in expanding the Duo. The Duo can be connected to a
"dock" using this connector, which can have many of the ports that the
all-in-one PowerBooks have (if not more), as well as the missing floppy
drive. Several docks have been manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc., as
well as others. While many potential Duo users are scared off by the
lack of a floppy drive built into the Duo--and I was once one of them--I
have found the need for a floppy to be much less than anticipated, and
the lighter weight and small size are always blessings.
Unfortunately, neither the Duo nor any of the docks are in production
any longer.
Almost all-in-one PowerBooks are fairly rare--there are only two,
really: the PowerBook 100 and the PowerBook 2400 series. These
PowerBooks are like the Duo in that they are smaller than the
all-in-ones and have no internal floppy drive but instead of requiring a
dock, all of the ports are already present on the rear of the PowerBook,
like the all-in-ones--including the port for the floppy drive.
Q: I have a PowerBook XXX. Can my PowerBook be upgraded to run Bernie?
A: With the exceptions listed above--PowerBook 500 series, 190 series, and
Duo 200 series--none of the PowerBooks can be upgraded to PowerPC
processors, meaning no _Bernie_.
Q: I have a PowerPC-upgradable PowerBook. Where can I find the upgrade?
A: Depends on which upgrade you're looking for.
There were several versions of the PowerPC upgrade for the PowerBook 500
series. Apple Computer, Inc. made one, and Newer Technology licensed
the Apple technology and created higher performance ones. While the
Apple one does not appear to be made any longer and cannot be easily
found, the Newer Technology models are relatively easy to find, but they
aren't inexpensive.
The Duo 200 series is upgradable with a motherboard swap, manufactured
by Apple but apparently no longer available, which makes whatever Duo
model you have functionally identical to a Duo 2300c, excepting the
built-in screen. The Duo 2300c motherboard has connectors for both IDE
and SCSI drives built-in, so you can use your old SCSI 2.5 inch drive or
a new IDE 2.5 inch drive, depending on your needs (the cable for the IDE
drive does not come with the 2300c motherboard, and it may be difficult
to find).
Similarly, the PowerBook 190 is upgradable with a motherboard swap to
PowerBook 5300 performance. I have never seen one of these upgrades
available.
Q: What "catches" are there when buying a PowerBook for use with Bernie?
A: Unless the prices are incredibly attractive and you have a source of an
upgrade lined up, it's probably more sensible to buy a PowerBook already
suited for Bernie than an upgradable one. The cost and scarcity of the
upgrades tend to make them less appealing.
Additionally, the non-2300 model Duos and 500s have 2.5 inch SCSI drives
installed. These are no longer made new (although you can find new
"SCSI" 2.5 inch drives, they are usually quite expensive converted IDE
drives) and fairly difficult to come by, especially in reasonable sizes
for today's Macs. While the Duo motherboard swap gives an upgraded Duo
the capability of using IDE drives, it lacks the necessary cable to
attach such a drive.
Q: Where else can I get PowerBook information?
A: There's lots of PowerBook information available on the World Wide Web.
For starters you can try:
http://www.ogrady.com
http://powerbook.apple.com
http://www.powerbook1.com
Expansion
Q: How can I expand my PowerBook?
A: The PowerBook is a closer relative in form factor to the //c than the
IIgs--like both the //c and IIgs it has "ports"--connectors on the rear
of the computer that allow you to connect to external devices. Common
ports on the back of the PowerBook are a power port, serial port, SCSI
port, ADB port, microphone port, and speaker port.
Some PowerBooks also have internal modems, some of the PC Card
style--roughly the size of a credit card but about 1/8th of an inch
thick--and some uniquely designed for a PowerBook. There are also
Ethernet ports, video ports, and removable storage (floppy drive, Zip
Drive, Magneto Optical drive, hard drive, CD ROM).
Unlike the IIgs, PowerBooks don't have "slots", with one
exception--Duos, when docked in certain models of dock, have access to
NuBus slots. However, some PowerBooks can use the PC Cards (formerly
known as PCMCIA) that are prevalent with Intel-style notebook computers,
to add such things as modems, memory, hard drive storage, and Ethernet
capability.
Aside from Duos in certain docks, none of the Bernie-capable PowerBooks
have two serial ports. They all have one--the "Printer/Modem Port",
meaning you cannot use two external modems with Bernie. However, under
Bernie, you can choose your internal modem as an equivalent to the IIgs
modem port. More on this later.
You can add RAM and larger hard drives to PowerBooks as well. You must
remember that when you do this, you usually will need to replace your
existing memory card or hard drive with another, leaving you with the
older components as spares.
Using Modems and Printers
Q: Is the serial support ever going to be finished?
A: Yes.
Q: When?
A: When it's ready.
Q: When do we get to see what's done so far?
A: Whenever you register _Bernie 1.3_. This is the first version of Bernie
to support serial ports through the CerealPuffs(tm) emulation and the
InkDirect printing. Once you've registered _Bernie_, you can set the
IIgs Printer Port and the IIgs Modem Port through the Edit Preferences
menu. This also requires the Macintosh Appearance Manager be installed.
You can choose any Macintosh serial port or device recognized as such
(primarily the serial ports on the back of the Mac and/or an internal
modem) for use with this emulation.
While there is a way to go before calling this emulation "perfect", it
is a remarkable accomplishment. It has appeared to work better so far
with faster Macs and PC Card modems.
More Assistance
Q: How can I get help with something not covered here?
A: For further assistance with _Bernie ][ The Rescue_, you can check out
the Delphi A2 Forum, as well as the Delphi A2 Conference, where you may
often run into GUDATH, aka Henrik Gudat, one of Bernie's handlers. You
can join the _Bernie_ mailing list, where lots of information about the
dog gets transmitted daily. To learn more about the list, you can take
a look at:
http://www.design.ncisc.org/~bernie/current/index.html
_Bernie_'s main page, including the _Bernie_ FAQ, remains at:
http://www.magnet.ch/emutech
Q: Any last words?
A: Woof!
:: DISCUSSED ON DELPHI ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
: :
: When in doubt, make it sound convincing! :
: :
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: TONYW1 ::::
[EOA]
[INN]------------------------------
EXTRA INNINGS |
-----------------------------------
About The Lamp! The Lamp! is published on the fifteenth of every month in
""""""""""""""" the Database of the II Scribe Forum on the Delphi online
service (GO CUS 11).
This publication produced entirely with real or emulated Apple II computers
using Appleworks 5.1 and Hermes. Apple II Forever!
* The Lamp! is (c) copyright 1998 by Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W. All
rights reserved.
* To reach The Lamp! on Internet email send mail to
thelamp@delphi.com.
* Back issues of The Lamp! are available in the II Scribe Forum on
Delphi as well as The Lamp! Home Page,
http://lamp.sheppyware.net.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors, and do not
necessarily represent the opinions of the Delphi Online Services,
Syndicomm, Inc., or Ryan M. Suenaga. Forum messages are reprinted
verbatim and are included in this publication with permission from the
individual authors. Delphi Online Services, Syndicomm, Inc. and Ryan M.
Suenaga do not guarantee the accuracy or suitability of any information
included herein. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy.
Material published in this edition may not be reprinted without the
expressed written consent of the publisher. Registered computer user
groups, not for profit publications , and other interested parties may
write the publisher to apply for permission to reprint any or all material.
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[EOF]