New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II Computer

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Dog Cow's picture
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New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II Computer

Lincoln, IL - Jun. 18, 2012 - Author David Finnigan has written and published a paperback book covering the Apple II computer.

Before the Macintosh and iPod, Apple Computer became famous for its easy-to-use personal computer. The New Apple II User's Guide covers everything from setup to programming of this important, early computer. The purpose of the book is to serve as a guide to all models of Apple II, and explain the basics of setup, programming, networking, and other specialized topics.

The first chapters deal with identifying each model of Apple and common peripherals and accessories. The next chapters are a complete introduction and coverage of how to program in BASIC. Further chapters detail advanced programming topics such as screen formatting, graphics, sound, and printing. The later chapters complete the book with specialized topics including the disk system, networking and the Internet, using the low-level machine monitor, and subjects specific to the Apple IIgs. The book is entirely up-to-date and covers all recent developments in the Apple II world.

Many appendices hold miscellaneous information of use to programmers, including a summary of all BASIC and disk commands, error messages, ASCII charts and other tables, repair and troubleshooting tips, and how to use software to transfer disks to a modern computer. The book includes a full glossary and index.

Speaking about the Apple II, Larry M. Keeran, retired Apple Service technician remarked, "It is a very good part of history. Something that is unique." Pre-publication reviewer Ewen Wannop had praise for the book, stating that it "Fills the gaps in your Apple II knowledge, with practical instruction. A must for every Apple II user."

The book is 796 pages long and is selling for $25. It is available for purchase at http://macgui.com/newa2guide/

The author, David Finnigan, may be contacted by email at df@macgui.com

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Just finished ordering mine. Smile

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

If I may say so, you have a lot to look forward to. This book is quite the tome.

(Tome of Arcane Knowledge!)

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

I have patience.
My Guru told me so. Smile

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

The "Tome" came in today.
Pretty fast shipping.
This book is HUGE! lol
A lot of contributors from here and other sites.
It's like I've said (to myself and others) many times before; the Apple II series of computers is not dead or even close to dieing.
The community may be small, but it's Mighty.

Steven Smile

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Got mine today as well! Looks like I won't be getting much sleep tonight...

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

After you've had a good time to read the book, I would really appreciate it if you could post a review on Amazon.com. Thanks.

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Got mine on Saturday. Great stuff so far. Really excited to see something like this published after so many years.

One quick question though - the book mentions a new accelerator card in the works. I spent a couple minutes poking around online but I couldn't find anything recent on it. Does anyone have new information on the accelerator card being worked on by BrainSystems?

Regardless, I am really pleased with this book so far. Definitely worth every penny.

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

One quick question though - the book mentions a new accelerator card in the works. I spent a couple minutes poking around online but I couldn't find anything recent on it. Does anyone have new information on the accelerator card being worked on by BrainSystems?

Tried doing a Google search for the accelerator, GS Barn Door, but failed to turn anything up. Went to A2 Central and looked up the post about it. Clicked on the link to the website and the website is no longer there. So my guess would be that they imploded before they actually got anything done. It looked promising but I guess things fell apart on them.

Dean

P.S.
Depending on how long DogCow's book is available I'll probably pick up a copy in a month or so.

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Yeah I just did a whois lookup on the domain name. Looks like the registrant was someone from Japan. Last official update was sometime last spring as far as I can see on A2C and elsewhere. Assuming the whois info is correct, given the events that have occurred in Japan over the last year, I'd say they have other things on their mind at the very least.

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

P.S.
Depending on how long DogCow's book is available I'll probably pick up a copy in a month or so.


Until the end of time. Smile I'd imagine it'll be for sale for several years. There might even be a 2nd edition some time.

Got mine on Saturday. Great stuff so far. Really excited to see something like this published after so many years.

One quick question though - the book mentions a new accelerator card in the works. I spent a couple minutes poking around online but I couldn't find anything recent on it. Does anyone have new information on the accelerator card being worked on by BrainSystems?


I started writing the book in May 2010. A lot had happened and changed around since then. I wasn't so sure about the GS Barn Door accelerator, so I just decided to leave it in as a brief remark.

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Dog Cow,

OOOOoops!

Did you slip up and give yourself away?
Does this mean that you are David Finnigan?

Steven Smile

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Does this mean that you are David Finnigan?

It took you this long to figure that out?

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Re: New Book is a Modern Day User's Guide for the Apple II ...

Doc,

Do you think I'm Sherlock Holmes? LOL

Nope. I had no idea.
Good on you, David. Great book. Smile

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