Applefritter - Apple ///

OK - I'm stumped - What is a SARAsaur?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:38:23 -0800

Anyone who still loves the Apple /// as a great computer!

What is the Apple /// Software Development Fund?

What does it take to surf the Internet with the ///?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:36:44 -0800

In most areas of the United States, Internet host access is available for under $20.00 a month. Similar services for similar prices can be found in most places in the world. Normally called "shell" access, an Internet provider generates an account for you on their host(s). Then, using the Apple ///, a modem, and a communications program such as Access /// or The Communications Manager, you call into their host and begin using the programs above in any combination to explore the Internet. In some areas popular systems known as FreeNets are available. These offer free, text-based access to the Internet and generally have the same capabilities as any other Internet host. Please see the Apple /// Internet FAQ for more information.

Can the /// access the Internet?

What is the Apple /// Software Development Fund?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:37:37 -0800

Established by Washington Apple Pi, the SDF is used to help fund specific software projects for the ///. Through donations and contributions from WAP and ATUNC (the old Apple Three Users of Northern California), the SDF helped fund the development of a Superdrive driver and BOS3 - the first upgrade to SOS in some 10 years. Although hopes to fund a new communications program are on hold, we are working on some other projects - including a driver for the popular ZIP Drive (a definate go!).

The SDF also provides encouragement and support to programmers working on Apple // projects we think may be able to have an Apple /// application as well.

What does it take to surf the Internet with the ///?

OK - I'm stumped - What is a SARAsaur?

Can the /// access the Internet?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:35:56 -0800

You bet! The /// and its communications software is definitely equal to the task of accessing an Internet host to "surf the Internet". In fact, internet access via the /// is both viable and enjoyable. The lack of graphics seldom is a barrier.

The world's most popular Internet hosts are still Unix computer systems. Unix systems have traditionally integrated well into the Internet, and plenty of text-based Internet software is available on these hosts to enable your Apple /// to become a powerful Internet surfer.

What about modems?

What does it take to surf the Internet with the ///?

What about modems?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:43:52 -0800

You can connect just about any speed modem to the ///, but the terminal programs above have settings that only go up to 9600 baud.

What kind of communications software is available?

Can the /// access the Internet?

What kind of communications software is available?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:34:34 -0800

There were a number of communications programs produced for the Apple /// over the years, but there are three generally considered to be the best:

a) Access /// Interp Version: An excellent assembly-language terminal program that can provide VT100 emulation. Scripts can be used to automate log-ons to Compuserve and other on-line services. It does NOT offer Xmodem protocol. It is available in the WAP /// SIG PD library as disk 3TEL-02 (which includes an excellent Apple /// communications tutorial).

b) XMODEM /// is also in the WAP PD - an excellent stand-alone telecom program that offers the user XMODEM protocol for error-free downlaods and uploads. Disk 3TEL-05. Manual is on disk

c) The Communications Manager is a commercial program available from On Three (Joe Consorti). It is the best /// communications program ever produced and offers a host of features, including XModem and turbo downloading capabilities. It can be run as a stand-alone program or as a Desktop Manager module (call for the latest price).

Please see the Apple /// Communications FAQ (by Al Bloom and others) for more details about telecommunications on the Apple ///.

What about technical materials?

What about modems?

What about technical materials?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:33:33 -0800

Apple produced a /// Service Manual that includes schematics, information, service tips, etc., along with a host of Technical Notes. WAP has a copy of the Service Manual and can make copies for those interested. The cost for a copy of the double-sided manual (printing + P&H) is $75.00 (the manual is huge). All the Apple /// Tech Notes are available on Apple's EWorld On-Line Service. WAP is working to convert the information into a set of PD disks for the /// PD library, since EWorld is only available to Mac or (soon) PC Users.

What about Apple /// books?

What kind of communications software is available?

What about Apple /// books?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:39:10 -0800

Only a few books were ever written about the Apple ///. There are three specific books worth mentioning:

The Osborne/Mcgraw Hill Guide To Your Apple /// is the first book on the list. The other two are by Eddie Adamis: Basic Keywords for the Apple // and Business Basic for the Apple ///. The Guide covers only the Apple /// and not the Plus version. The author is Stanley M. Miastokowski. It's a good, beginning-level test for new /// owners and good to have for us older SARAsaurs who've had their machines around for a while. It has a good overview of Business Basic and sections on the .Audio and .Grafix drivers that are excellent.

The Adamis texts are straight-forward, no-nonsense books that essentially describe Business Basic version 1.1, its key words and provides examples.

The only other ///-specific book on the market at one point was "Using Apple Business Computers" by Kenniston Lord Jr. It discusses Business Basic from a number of perspectives and includes lengthly Basic programs for business users.

Unfortunately, all these books are now out-of-print. But you may still be able to find them at local new or used bookstores. WAP members: All these books are availble in the WAP library.

If you are a /// EZ Pieces user, you can check out any of the older AppleWorks books in most libraries, since the two programs (at least in earlier versions) shared the same file format (Appleworks 3.0 and 4.0 can read older AW or 3EAP files, but there will be incompatibilties once those files have been worked on and saved - especially with spreadsheet and data base functions). There are also some excellent books out on Apple Writer and Visicalc - which you might be able to find at your local library or at a computer garage sale or Ham Fest.

Finally, Sun Remarketing offers a booklet designed to help Apple /// users diagnose and repair their machines.

Are there any Apple /// newsletters or magazines?

What about technical materials?

Are there any Apple /// newsletters or magazines?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:31:17 -0800

There is really only one publication that still has articles most every other month - the WAP Journal. It's available only to WAP members. However, ALL Apple /// articles for the last 10 years are on disk and available to all. Call or write to the WAP office for more details and costs.

On Three also published an excellent magazine that came out for years. It provided a wide range of reviews (usually of its own products), beginners tutorials and a letters section. Back issues and "Disk of the Month" disks available from Joe Consorti (see above).

You might also want to check out the WAP /// SIG PD Library, which has on disk the entire set of newsletters from ATUNC - The Apple /// Users of Northern California (3INF-06 through 11). There are also disks with information from TAU - the Third Apple Users Group of Wheaton, Illinois (3INF-05) and many more.

Where can I get my Apple /// repaired?

What about Apple /// books?

Where can I get my Apple /// repaired?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:30:20 -0800

These are some of the best sources - but be sure to call the WAP office if you're a member, since the club has experts that may be able to help you without the long-distance 900 charges.

Company: Sun Remarketing
Phone  : 1-800-821-3221
Contact: Bob Cook
Address: P.O. Box 4059
         Logan, UT. 84321

Contact: Bob Consorti
Phone  : 1-617-631-0622
Address: 179-B Kent St.
         Brookline, MA. 02148

Contact: Tom Linders
Phone  : 1-408-741-1001
Address: 1204 Wardel Ct.
         Saratoga, CA. 95070

Contact: WM Enterprises
Phone  : 1-301-268-4242
Address: 1932-D Lincoln Drive
         Annapolis, MD. 21403

Contact: B&R Computer Services
Phone  : 1-619-225-8281
Address: PO Box 7195
         San Diego, CA. 92167

Are there still sources for hardware and commercial software?

Are there any Apple /// newsletters or magazines?

Are there still sources for hardware and commercial software?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:29:11 -0800

Yes, there are still some places we can go to obtain not only the old-line products like Visicalc, Apple Writer, and /// EZ Pieces, but new hardware and software that is still being developed for us.

Joe Consorti
Apple /// Products,
6303 Green Garden Drive,
Bakersfield, California 93313
1-805-397-6119

(NOTE - This is a NEW Address as of 6/95)

As excellent source of software (primarily). On Three's programs include BOS3 - the new SOS Upgrade, DAR - a disk archival and retrieval program (shareware, Disk Directory/File Fixer /// - a must-have repair disk. There's also Draw-On Three (a graphics program), DeskTop Manager (a background utility). On the hardware front, there's a 512k upgrade (limited availability), SCSI hard disks, etc. Call for availablity. NEW PRODUCT: Driver for the Apple // "Blue Card" that allows the /// to use any PC disk drive for storage! Other drivers allow the /// to use the // Unidisk and Superdrive.M

Sun Remarketing
P.O. Box 4059
150 E. 400 N
Logan, UT 84321
1-800-821-3221 (Orders only)
1-801-563-3226 (Fax)
Email: sales@doc.sunrem.com
Inet : http://www.sunrem.com

Sun Remarketing remains a major support organization for the Apple /// - offering a host of products. They have a large selection of /// commercial software and hardware (including paarts) at mostly decent prices.

Sun also offers a nationwide service for the /// community (and you can call them for help as well using a 900 number). Software prices are reduced if purchased with the computer.

B&R Computer Services
PO Box 7195
San Diego, CA. 92167
(916) 225-8281

B&R Computer Services in San Diego has on hand a wide range of old Apple /// commercial software.

The ARC
(An Apple Resource Center)
1014 Central Ave.
Tracey, CA 95376

Order Number 800-753-0114
Fax Number 209-832-3270
Info Number 209-832-4300

A source of Pre-owned Apple II, IIgs, /// and Mac hardware. They seem to buy/sell, and repair.

Here are some other sources of parts you might find useful:

COMPANY/NAME: Jameco Electronics
PHONE       : 415-592-8097
ADDRESSS    : 1355 Shoreway Road Belmont, CA. 94002

COMPANY/NAME: Shreve Systems
PHONE       : 1-800-227-3971
ADDRESSS    : 845 Lark Ave. Shreveport, LA. 71105

COMPANY/NAME: Pre-Owned Electronics
PHONE       : 1-800-274-5343
ADDRESSS    : 30 Clematis Ave. Waltham, MA. 02154

Where can I find public domain software?

Where can I get my Apple /// repaired?

Where do I find information about the ///?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:24:31 -0800

* /// USER GROUPS

A user group is a great way to obtain more information about the Apple ///. Members are knowledgable, ready to answer questions and most offer PD (public domain) libraries with Apple /// software. There is only one Apple /// user group still active:

Washing Apple Pi
/// SIG
12022 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, MD. 20852
(303) 984-0300

Check out WAP PD disks 3INF-01 through 15, as well as WAP01-10 for information-on-disk.

* ONLINE SERVICES

The best place is on CompuServe, where SARAsaurs meet on board 13 of the Micronetworked Apple Users Group (MAUG) (GO APPUSER). MAUG's Apple /// section (13) provides a fantastic forum for information exchange, and its Data Libraries for the /// has a number of files for downloading. (WAP PD DISK 3INF-03 offers the "Best of MAUG" for the ///.)

Apple's EWORLD On-Line service offers some Apple /// services - Apple // tech notes are available for download. Unforunetly, it is only available to Mac or (soon) PC folks. (WAP is working to convert these files to include them into our PD).

* INTERNET

There's only one real place to go on the Internet for Apple /// discussions - West Virginia University! Message:

LISTSERV@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU

and ask to be added to their Apple /// Discussion Group so you can get other member's messages. The group here is small - BUT it is very knowledegable and eager to help. Jeff Fritz (JFRITZ@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU) is the Sysop. There is also an FTP site there. Goto:

names.wvu.edu/pub/apple3. [editor's note - names.wvu.edu doesn't seem to have an ftp server anymore. However, ftp.wvu.edu/pub/apple3 seems to be the correct archive.]

One other place to go is the Apple // Discussion area, a Usenet newsgroup on the Internet. Check out the comp.sys.apple2 board - where Apple ///ers lurk and answer questions on occasion. This FAQ is also posted there from time to time.

What about emulation mode?

Where can I find public domain software?

What about emulation mode?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:20:28 -0800

Your /// can operate as-is in an emulation mode to make it think it's a 48k Apple//+ (WAP has the emulation software: Disk 3EMM-01). Titan made a ///+// card for the /// you might also be able to find - it increased memory up to 128k in //+ emulation and offered a RAM disk in native mode.

You might also be on the lookout at computer garage sales for the "Titan ///+//e" - a set of two cards that turns your /// into a 128k //e. You'll want to add a 65c802 CPU (in place of the 6502) to ensure compatibility with newer Apple // programs (it has no effect on native mode applications). The cards offer a RAM disk in native mode as well. (WAP has a wonderful set of RAM drivers for these cards - disk 3DAD-10).

What is BOS3?

Where do I find information about the ///?

What is BOS3?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:21:16 -0800

BOS3 is a wonderful upgrade to SOS, released in December, 1994. Developer by Bob Consorti, it was financed entirely by the Apple /// community. BOS3 adds a tremendous number of capabilities to the /// with a hard disk. They include an easy to set-up and use menu system, disk caching, password protection, screen saver, macro capability to run programs with just two keystroke and compatibility with Selector /// pathnames. It is available from On Three (Bob Consorti).

What's this about SOS?

What about emulation mode?

What's this about SOS?

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 17:18:08 -0800

As mentioned earlier, the Apple /// uses an operating system called SOS, or Sophisticated Operating System. It is entirely ram-based. That means every time you load a program, it loads the operating system as well. You will find three files on all program disks: SOS.Kernel; SOS Interp and SOS.Driver. The KERNEL is the operating system itself. You want to make sure you have the latest version: 1.3. You can tell what version you have when you boot up. You will see a message that tells you the version along with the Apple copyright. You can get an auto-upgrade disk from WAP - ask for disk #sys-01.

The INTERP file is the language the program uses or it may be the program itself. Applewriter, Basic, and Pascal are examples of SOS.Interp files you will find. Finally the DRIVER file (SOS.Driver) contains the drivers that enable the /// to talk with your printer, disk drives, modem and hard disk properly. At the minimum you will need the console driver, called ".Console" and you might find others: ".Printer" to drive your printer; ".RS232" operates the RS232 port or a serial card for telecommunications; ".Audio" lets your /// beep and play music to you; ".Grafix" is the graphics driver. There are many more. You install these using the System Configuration Program on the System Utilities disk. In most instances, you want to make sure you have the 1.3 versions of the drivers installed (WAP /// SIG SOS Drivers PD disk; 3SYS-07)

What other hardware/software do I need?

What is BOS3?