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Subject: Re: Apple IIGS Manual From: dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) Date: Fri, Oct 16, 1998 6�55 Message-id: <1dh0tcr.1y7l5f95du37vN@dempson.actrix.gen.nz> RRBP <rrbp@aol.com> wrote: > Apple IIGS Owner's Guide $35.00 The "Apple IIgs Owner's Guide" is certainly not worth $35. I didn't pay that much for any of the detailed technical manuals that Apple supplied, most of which were much larger than the Owner's Guide. This is the original manual for the ROM 00/01 IIgs that was supplied with the computer. It was never sold separately by Apple, except possibly as a "service part" (replacement copy). If it was being sold, it would have probably gone for about $10 or $15, comparable to "Technical Introduction to the Apple IIgs". The Owner's Guide tells you how to set up the computer, how to use typical applications, and some general information about the computer. Anyone who knows how to use a Mac or Windows machine will not need any of this. The only really useful information in it is the connector pinouts, and they are readily available on the Internet. It also explains the Control Panel, which is pretty easy to use once you know how to get into it (press Control-Apple-Escape, then everything is menu driven). The machine specifications and comparison with other Apple II models might be interesting. It does _not_ cover anything about how to use the system software, except some very general and out of date user interface documentation). It refers to a mythical "system disk guide" for any useful information. The IIgs system software was in very basic form at the time the machine was released, and there wasn't even a native IIgs Finder. A manual for the MouseDesk software (or "Apple II Desktop") was included when I bought my IIgs, but that is also very obsolete. There is a later manual, supplied with the 1 MB IIgs (ROM 3), called the "Apple IIgs Owner's Reference". This covers the same material as the earlier manual, but does actually tell you how to use Finder and other major aspects of the system software (as at System 5.0). This manual is much more substantial. Apple also released a manual on System 6.0, which was included as part of the commercially available package. This covers much the same material as the OS-related parts IIgs Owner's Reference, updated for the newer system software. In any case, if you know how to use a Mac, you won't have any problem finding your way around the IIgs. Just remember we are caught in a time warp - most features correspond to System 6.x on the Mac, with no MultiFinder. The IIgs Finder (in System 5.0 and later) does have some nice user interface features that the Mac still hasn't caught up with (e.g. a "Windows" menu). Hasn't someone done a IIgs FAQ that covers basic information on how to use the computer? The special key sequences are about the only hidden feature I can think of which a new user would need to know. The key that is used to power up a Macintosh (labelled with a triangle and separate from the main body of the keyboard) is referred to as "Reset" on the Apple II. It doesn't do anything by itself, but will reset the computer if pressed while the Control key is held down. This has varying effects depending on the operating environment, and is not recommended as a method of regaining control, except if you intend to reboot the computer. Other keys can be used in conjunction with Control-Reset to perform special actions. When using these sequences, make sure you hold down the extra keys after letting go of Reset, until the computer beeps or starts the appropriate activity. Control-Apple-Reset Force the computer to reboot (The Apple key is generally called "Command" on a Mac.) If you are running the IIgs system software, it is always a good idea to shut down or restart via the Special menu in Finder, rather than simply rebooting. (Shutting down or restarting via the menu ensures that all disk files have been closed, directories updated, etc.) Control-Option-Reset Reboot the computer via a setup menu The menu allows you to enter the Control Panel to change settings, and to restore default settings. This is not the usual way of entering the Control Panel. Control-Apple-Option-Reset Run a self-test Once the test is finished, you have to reboot with a Control-Reset combination. The only other commonly used sequence is Control-Apple-Escape, which calls up the Classic Desk Accessory menu, providing access to the text-based Control Panel (and any other classic desk accessories that may be installed). If you are running System 5.0 or later there is also a Mac-like graphical Control Panel available under the Apple menu in any desktop application. -- David Empson dempson@actrix.gen.nz Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand