CLASSICCMP Digest 11
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: How long will they last?
by William Donzelli <william(a)ans.net>
2) Re: How long will they last?
by Sam Ismail <dastar(a)crl.com>
3) Re: How long will they last?
by hellige <jeffh@eleventhFrom classicjr
From: classicjr
Full-Name: Jeffrey G. Rottman
To: ronaldm(a)mars.ark.com
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 08:02:47 PST
Subject: Osborne Parts
X-Status: Unsent
X-Mailer: Juno 1.00
Ron, Did you say you have a Drive C and things for the Osborne? I might
be interested. I am getting an Osborne Executive, but not sure whether the same Drive C would work on both the O1 and the Exec.
Did you just want to get rid of it?
I could pay shipping costs to me in Texas if it could work with the Exec.
Reply here or to: rottman(a)juno.com my other Email address.
Thanks!!
On 01-Apr-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote:
>We ORIC users do exactly this -- use a PC sound card to transfer/copy those
>old program tapes. Works wonderfully. You might want to take a look at the
>Oric pages on http://www.ensica.fr/oric to see if any of the technology in
>use there is worthwhile for your needs.
I would think that all that would be needed was a standard cassette player
that has both a MIC jack and a line-out jack. To make a WAV or other format
recording of the data cassette, one would just plug the line out of the
cassette player into the line-in on the soundcard and use your favorite
recording software. You'd likely have to play with the volume to get it just
right though. One would do just the opposite to create a copy of the data
cassette file: plug the line-out of the soundcard up to the MIC jack on the
cassette recorder. Again, it's likely one would have to play with the volume
level for a bit. I used to use my home stereo system for my Timex-Sinclair's
mass storage, and sometimes it got outright picky about the volume!
The question then is: what sampling rate would be the best overall for
this? Obviously, I don't think you'd need to use the stereo mode, but it'd be
nice to keep the file size down if possible, without affecting the quality of
the recording.
I realize it'd be on shaky ground legally, but would any of you be
interested in creating an archive of these data tape images? This would
certainly ensure the programs originally provided on tape would be around much
longer than the original tapes themselves.
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X,
Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
I have had a response to my request to find a Laser PC-4 Notebook
computer from someone here, but they referred me to a reseller that has
modified it by adding a larger screen and more memory, which is fine,
except now it doesn't have software for appointments and a clock
calendar, I don't believe. They call it a Laser PC-5.
Does anyone know where I could find a real PC-4 as sold several years
ago? I would be interested in a used one.
Respond here or at : rotation(a)juno.com
On 31-Mar-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote:
>Just the machine itself, unfortunately (Remember, the Aquarius was
>discontinued just about the same time it hit the stores . . .) There were
>promises of memory expansion, disk drives, etc., but I never saw any for
>sale . . .
Actually, the only piece of documentation I have for mine shows a pic of
all kinds of stuff hooked to it as well as a price list for the stuff. It's
pretty interesting.
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X,
Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
On 30-Mar-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote:
>> Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>You got one too? Have you ever been able to do much with it?
>(I picked up one for free at a flea market a few years back. Only about
>4K, but I was able to write some simple Basic programs, and even save them
>on tape, with it. . .)
I've actually got two...One under the Mattel name, the other under the
Radofin name. Same machine though, as Radofin was the actual manufacturer of
it I believe. It's a pretty simple machine, but interesting. I've played
with the Basic somewhat, but haven't tried to do much. What all do you have
for the Aquarius?
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X,
Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
On 31-Mar-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote:
>This was my very first computer. I still miss it to this day. I harbor
>few regrets in my life but one of them is selling this system with my
>atari 2600 to buy my first apple. The 2600 I've since replaced (ten
>fold) and I'm sure someday I'll run into another aquarius and will have
>it too, but I can never replace the programming I did on it. I had a
>comic book inventory database program and I wrote seevral simple arcade
>games. My setup was the aquarius with an expansion box that plugged into
>the expansion slot that allowed two carthridges to be plugged in
>simultaneously. This allowed a 4K memory expansion card to be plugged in
>along with other game carthridges which required the increased memory. I
>had a 4K mem carthridge, a couple games, keypad controllers, a thermal
>printer, and two tape drives. What a fun little system. Some day I will
>recoup all this gear. I just hope the kid I sold it too got as much use
>out of it as I did.
Sam,
Sounds like quite a system. From the picture on the flyer I have, the
Aquarius hooked up to all the expansion gear was quite a sight as well. As
has already been mentioned, I have two base Aquarius computers, one of which
is the Mattel variant which I recently picked up on a whim. Would you be
interested in this machine? It's fucntional,though needs a little cleaning
up. You are welcome to it...just let me know.
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X,
Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
>At 07:22 AM 3/28/97 PST, you wrote:
>>I'm about to become the proud owner of my first Osborne Computer. An
>>"Executive" is being sent to me next week. I can't wait to get it going.
>
>Congratulations. They are neat beasts.
>> internal Ram
>>Disk known as "Drive C" or maybe a Bios upgrade, or some software.
>>
>>Anyone have a source for these items now? Such as the Ram Disk or maybe a
>>Hard Disk upgrade??
>
>Interesting you mention the "Drive C" unit, I have on e in my collection
>but no software or docs. Anyone have any info on this critter?
>
Yes. Where are you? I have a manual that deals with both the hard drive and
the Drive "C" attachment. Also have two drive "C" units. Have never been
able to get them to work properly, and the docs don't help much. At any
rate, the manual is a rather thick document and unfortunately, it's not mine
to lend or sell at this point. Depending on what you want to know, I could
photocopy exerpts.
-Ron Mitchell
JEFF>>> At a swap meet today, I picked up 9 VIC-20 cartridges as well as one
JEFF>>> program tape. Among the VIC cartridges was a 16k RAM expansion and
one called
JEFF>> 'Programmers Aid Cartridge' (VIC-1212).
Jeff, there is a 28 page manual that comes with that cart. Following quote
might help get you started:
Quote:
After the VIC is inserted (the cartridge) type the following:
SYS 28681 (and hit the return key)
The VIC will display the following message:
PROGRAMMER'S AID
READY
All of the AID commands are now included in your VIC's internal instruction
set and may be used like any BASIC commands
END QUOTE
The cartridge adds 20 apecial editing commands to the VIC's instruction
vocabulary and gives you an easy method for re-defining the VIC's
programmable function keys.
the commands are:
AUTO FIND OFF
CHANGE HELP PROG
DELETE KEY RENUMBER
DUMP KILL STEP
EDIT MERGE TRACE
CTRL A, E, L, N, Q, U also provide additional editing functions.
Function keys are assigned various jobs; ie F1 is LIST, F3 is RUN, F5 is
GOTO, F7 is INPUT
Of course, there is more detail as to useage and some specific examples
contained in the manual.
Was just trying the thing out... hoping that the HELP command would provide
some syntax examples for you. Unfortunately it doesn't. The HELP command
will pinpoint a syntax error in your program if you use it directly after
receiving an error message.
Photocopying this short manual would cost me about $5. If you'll send me the
money, I'll do it for you.
JEFF>>> Also, can anyone explain the reasoning behind the different color
schemes
JEFF>> >for the labels?
I have both. Don't know why it is so. Manufacturer's perrogative?
-Ron Mitchell
At a swap meet today, I picked up 9 VIC-20 cartridges as well as one
program tape. Among the VIC cartridges was a 16k RAM expansion and one called
'Programmers Aid Cartridge' (VIC-1212). I popped the cartridge into the
VIC-20 and the computer still boots right into Basic 2.0. Is this some kind
of debugging cartridge then that helps with errors and such? None of the
cartridges I picked up came with the docs but the ones I've tried seem to work
ok so far.
Also, can anyone explain the reasoning behind the different color schemes
for the labels? The Gorf and Radar Ratrace cartridges I already had both have
cream cases with cream/brown/black labels. The new cartridges I got today
have brown cases with silver/black labels, though some have off-white cases
with silver/black lables, while one has and off-white case with a silver/gold
label! All of these are from Commodore.
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: Today's Technology Ten Years Ago
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128 & C128D, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X,
Mattel Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A,
Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
Brett,
I couldn't help myself (and besides, I won't have web-acess this
weekend) and looked already.
This is gonna be way, way, way cool.
I have some minor questions/suggestions.
1) Check those features/dates/etc I posted for the Rainbow with somebody who
actually knows. I have not done so, and they were just from my often-flaky
memory. Some real Rainbow expert should please chime in here and set me
straight on whatever I missed.
2) There actually does exist a Rainbow web site. Under construction at the
moment, its url is: http://b61984.student.cwru.edu/rainbow.htm
Can users just enter a link like that instead of a link to an image? Or can
you add a field for that kind of link?
3) How does info get edited? Is it locked once entered (to prevent
net.vandalism or well-intentioned but incorrect "corrections")? Maybe each
computer web page can be changed only by emailing you, and is put under the
responsibility of a single volunteer to make sure what's there is correct? Or
maybe just put in an edit facility so anybody who so desires can add info?
In any case, *thanks* for setting this up. I am really looking forward
to browsing this site.
- Mark
