From: sknkwrks@unlv.edu (Scott Alfter)
Subject: Re: Information about ][+
Organization: Skunk Works Software Co.
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 92 04:12:10 GMT

In article <1992Sep7.011714.24392@ncsu.edu> rnbowen@eos.ncsu.edu (RONNIE NEIL BOWEN) writes:
>Hello everyone,
>
>I recently bought an Apple ][+ at an auction for a friends daugther.
>I've been away from the Apple world for several years and was amazed to
>discover that Apple can now run IBM software (through the PC Transporter.)

Yes, the PC Transporter exists...but it's only XT-compatible (ick).
Also, you can't run DOS stuff and Apple stuff simultaneously...
would've been great for a BBS if you could do that.  I ended up
putting together a 286 instead of buying a PCT.  Anyway...

>Anyway, I have several questions about this ][+ and was hoping that some of
>you might be able to help.
>
>0.  What is a language card?  This has one in slot 0.

This card adds 16K to system memory, bringing you up to a whopping
64K.  (Don't laugh...the II Plus was last built in 1982 or '83, and
even the 48K that was standard was a lot of memory back then.)

>1.  What is an Applicard?  This has one in slot 5.

It's a Z-80 card that'll let you run CP/M.  The card is useless,
however, without the disks that came with it to boot into CP/M.


>2.  How much memory do I have?  There are 23 TMS4116-20NL chips on the
>    motherboard and 9 E02296-052,-049,-050 D416e -z chips on the lang card.

64K.  RAM cards are available that'll allow you to add a meg or more
to this, but look at your needs first.  Apple IIs are frugal with
memory usage (except for the IIGS, which is almost as bad as the Mac
memory-wise).

>3.  I've heard that Apple Software is now Public Domain.  Is this true?

Nope...most of the stuff that's been released as PD over the years is
really awful by today's standards anyway.

>4.  This this has 2 Apple II disk drives, but I have no software, not even
>    and Operating System.  Which OS should I use and where can I get one?

Go to your nearest Apple dealer with a couple of 5.25" DS/DD disks and
tell them you want ProDOS 8 v1.9.  Newer versions (v2.0.1 is the
latest) won't run on a II Plus.  Your dealer should charge you nothing
as long as you supply the disks.

>5.  I also got a printer.  Imagewriter II, I think.  But there is no card
>    to connect it to.  Where can I find one?  Applied Engineering has a 
>    serial card for $119 but that sure seems steep, especially since a
>    serial card for a PC costs about $15.

You should be able to find a Super Serial Card clone for less than $40
new.  Somebody here might have one used (possibly even Apple's
original) for sale for less than that.

>6.  Where can I find software for this thing?

Quite a bit of software is available on the net...recommended sites
are wuarchive.wustl.edu, punisher.caltech.edu, and
apple2.archive.umich.edu.

There are also a few mail-order companies that still sell II software.
Quality Computers probably has the biggest selection...someone here
ought to have their address.

If you're really lucky, you'll have an Apple dealer or a software
store locally that has a decent selection of II stuff.  If you're like
most of us, though, your Apple dealer's salesmen probably never heard
of the Apple II and your software store carries only IBM, Amiga, and
Nintendo stuff. :-|

  _/_   Scott Alfter                             Internet: sknkwrks@cs.unlv.edu
 / v \  Call the Skunk Works BBS today!                      Fidonet: 1:209/765
(IIe (  TEMPORARILY OFFLINE    Apple II/IBM
 \_^_/  Ask me about SoftDAC--digital audio for your IIe/IIc! Apple II Forever!
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2