Juiced.GS
Fall, 1995 Prototype Distribute freely Orphaned, but not abandoned
streaking back. They have, after all, come to the right place. They will soon Loyal users begin learning valuable lessons about Cover story computer industry orphans such as spread word the Apple II. will respond about specific hardware The quick and spirited responses upgrades the new user would find of they receive will come from a diverse value — items such as extra RAM, that IIGS is cast of avid IIGS users from SCSI cards or hard disks. Albuquerque to Amsterdam, from "In general," Walters says, "the new Manitoba to Melbourne, who share Apple II owner can find great support alive and well little in common except an affection for here." a computer that will not die. One frequent visitor to CompuServe's Joe T. Walters, a sysop in Apple II forums is Jim Nichol, an By Max Jones CompuServe's Micronetworked Apple electrical engineer in Cincinnati, Ohio. Juiced.GS User Group (MAUG) forums, has He enjoys discussing the computer he grown accustomed to such pleas. has studied and watched evolve A frantic query has become Though quiet compared to a service through the years, and is quick to offer increasingly common across the such as GEnie, where experienced information from those who ask, even highways and byways of the Internet users congregate in great numbers in if the question is a sticky one from a and heavily traveled commercial on- the A2 Roundtable, the CompuServe new IIGS owner wondering about the line services such as CompuServe. Apple II forums do, because of usefulness of their computer and if it's "I've just obtained an Apple IIGS," CompuServe's status, get a steady worth investing much in it. begins the typical posting. "Can this flow of novice users. "I agonize over that question every computer do anything? Or is it "Here on CompuServe, we frequently time I see it," Nichol says. "First, it'd worthless? What do I need to make it see messages from new owners of be difficult to recommend any Apple II useful and how do I find it? PLEASE used Apple II systems asking what to a new computer user, because HELP!" can be done with [their computer]," they're no longer made. Sooner or Thus is the plight of anxious new says Walters, a MAUG sysop since later, the buyer may come to resent owners of Apple IIGS personal 1988. "Fortunately, we have a your recommendation. computers. They broach cyberspace number of active users in our area "It's a little easier to give advice to armed with a powerful tool and only a who tend to jump in with all sorts of someone who has already purchased a remote idea how to use it. They come information, general and specific, to IIGS," he says. "Those people mainly equipped with a classic and flexible help in this area." need to know that they need a little piece of high-tech hardware, yet are The collective response, Walters more RAM and a cheap hard drive to bitten by the notion that it's an says, will include one member sending make the system live up to its extinct species of little value. a nicely formatted list of existing capabilities." Much to their surprise, it doesn't product vendors and dealers that take long for answers to come support Apple II computers. Others Continued on next page Cover story
Continued from previous page today. If I had bought any other computer, it would have either been But Nichol goes further than giving sold long ago or would not have been simple advice if a user is genuinely able to be upgraded to my current interested in finding what is needed IIGS capabilities. to power up a IIGS. He is the user to "So unless you want to buy a new whom Walters referred who has system every couple of years, then the compiled, and constantly updates, an IIGS is a very viable system for Juiced.GS exhaustive list of Apple II vendors. today's user." Rarely a week goes by that Nichol Grenda is a lieutenant colonel in the doesn't send that list to forum visitors U.S. Air Force stationed at Kirtland Fall, 1995 looking for hardware or software Air Force Base near Albuquerque, support. N.M. He uses a 486/Windows PC at Prototype Whether a IIGS novice seeks advice work, but says the souped-up IIGS he and direction from CompuServe or has at home holds its own against the Editor and Publisher: other points in cyberspace, the vaunted "new" technology. Max Jones message will be essentially the same: "Are there functions that newer 2217 Lakeview Drive Yes, you can do plenty with a IIGS, computers perform that my IIGS Sullivan, IN. 47882 almost anything any other computer can't? Yes, but only a very few," he user can do on any other platform. No, says. "But do I need those functions? the IIGS is not worthless, especially if No. Think about it honestly. When you're willing to invest a little money have you actually needed to produce in it. a full-color business brochure on your Juiced.GS is a prototype personal computer? I use my newsletter produced entirely computer as a home computer, not an on an Apple IIGS personal offset printing plant." computer. The purpose of this Because GEnie is not one of the Grenda praises the quality and publication is to report on the larger on-line services, novice IIGS availability of IIGS software and people and products that users aren't as likely to stumble in as suggests it need not bow to any continue to make the Apple they are on CompuServe or the software giant such as Microsoft, IIGS community strong. Internet's comp.sys.apple2. maker of MS-DOS, Windows 95, Word If and when they do, however, they and Excel. Please direct comments about will tap into a deep well of expertise "Are my spreadsheets on Quick coupled with a dimension of unbridled Click Calc [a IIGS application Juiced.GS to: enthusiasm and loyalty to the Apple available from The Byte Works] any Max Jones II found nowhere else. New users will less accurate or useful than GEnie: M.JONES145 be welcomed with open arms, then spreadsheets on Excel? No. In fact, CompuServe: 74111,1743 find themselves immersed in spirited for quick tasks, AppleWorks 5.1 [an Internet: sessions that at times rival an old- integrated software package available m.jones145@genie.geis.com fashioned tent revival. from Quality Computers] is far better Dave Grenda hangs out with the than Excel," he says. Apple II evangelists on GEnie, and Grenda joined other Apple II users has become one. His allegiance to his across the country in July for the Juiced.GS home computer is strong. A short annual KansasFest in Kansas City, was produced with discussion with Grenda would go far Mo. (See his first-person account in AppleWorks GS v1.1, to quell the fears of a new owner this issue of Juiced.GS) It was his concerned about the IIGS' usefulness. first time at the conference, and he Platinum Paint v2.0.1, and "I've owned my IIGS since 1987 and found it a valuable experience. In fact, ShadowWrite 1.3.4 (Hermes). it's still working great eight years he posted a report about his trip Graphics conversion by later." Grenda says. "I've added stuff SuperConvert v3.01. to it to equal most computers sold Continued on next page
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 2 Cover story
Continued from previous page software. And Animasia 3D, a Bad news, however, is something sophisticated animation program by Apple IIGS users have learned to live on GEnie and comp.sys.apple2 a few Michael Lutynski, made its debut and with since Apple Computer pulled the days after he returned home. has been well received. plug on the product line. Apple did KansasFest was initiated six years Meanwhile, the Byte Works, makers provide a final upgrade of system ago as an event designed to allow of popular IIGS programming software — 6.0.1 — two years ago, users and programmers to exchange languages and utilities, released but then left the IIGS world to fend for information and for vendors to show Quick Click Morph. itself. off new products. Although Resource But the most dramatic development Despite significant erosion in official Central, the company that had came from Sequential Systems, which and third-party support, the IIGS previously sponsored the event, went released its long-awaited video card, maintains its loyal following. A out of business early this year, others Second Sight, that allows VGA resilient base of users and in the Apple II community viewed the monitors to be used on the IIGS and programmers keeps everyone's spirits event as so valuable that they improves graphics viewing on the high. stepped in to ensure that the standard Apple monitor. Within days after the GS+ tradition would continue. Not only has Second Sight breathed announcement, programmer Nathan This year's event at Avila College new life into the IIGS, it has opened Mates, a student at California drew more than 80 people, and plans up new opportunities for Institute of Technology and a skilled are already under way for next year's programmers. A number of developers IIGS programmer, released conference, scheduled for the week of have reported they are working on July 17-21. new Second Sight compatible software. “Are there functions that Among those is Seven Hills Software, which has promised Second newer computers perform As responses stream in to a new Sight-related upgrades for popular that my IIGS can't? Yes, IIGS owner's pleas for help, they are titles such as SuperConvert, a but only a very few.” laced with suggestions of hardware graphics conversion application, and — Dave Grenda and software upgrades needed to GraphicWriter III, a desktop allow a new user to tap into this publishing program. computer's enormous potential: Add Other products, such as a IIGS RAM, a hard drive, an accelerator, a version of the popular Wolfenstein 3D SwatterDisk, a shareware program modem, maybe even a CD-ROM drive. action game, are also possible, but that allows a user to create up to four And specifics are accompanied by the have not yet been released. RAM disks on the desktop and discard admonition to tailor the system All this activity cannot hide the fact them without rebooting. He had been according to the new owner's needs that the Apple II community has had grooming SwatterDisk for distribution and wants. Whatever that is, the new its share of bad news in the past by GS+. Undaunted, he changed plans user is assured there's excellent year. Resource Central went out of and opted for a shareware release software, old and new, available for a business in February. Big Red instead. (See Page 14.) variety of purposes. Computer Club is in its final year. Likewise, discussion on Still another message will ring Quality Computers has announced II comp.sys.apple2 quickly turned from through the postings. Contrary to Alive, a general-interest Apple II chagrin at the GS+ news to proposals what one might hear elsewhere in the magazine, will be published for only for a new on-line magazine and disk computer world about the IIGS, new five more issues. publication that would be accessible products are still being developed. In Perhaps the worst news of all came on the Internet's World Wide Web. the past year, one company, Vitesse, in late August when Ego Systems All of the discussion underscores the released fax software. Another announced it was ceasing publication fact that, for the IIGS, the beat goes company, Parkhurst Micro Systems, is of GS+, an excellent magazine and on. And it gives veteran users such as about to release a competing fax disk publication that not only brought Grenda a new opportunity to affirm product. DigiSoft Innovations released news, features and product reviews to their loyalty. a compilation CD-ROM of mostly IIGS IIGS users every two months for six freeware, shareware and system years, but original software as well. Continued on next page
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 3 Cover story
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"Why do I keep using my IIGS?" says Grenda. "Well, it does the job. Putting the IIGS to work ... My IIGS fills my computing needs, it's Juiced.GS asked several power users what sort of IIGS systems they've that simple. The computer I bought in developed over the years, how they put them use, and what software helps 1987 doesn't fill my needs, but the them get the job done and have fun while doing it. computer I have today does. Here's what they had to say: "As my IIGS software has evolved to meet my changing needs, so has my GREG E. NELSON: My favorite IIGS software includes AppleWorks system hardware additions met my GS 1.1, Spectrum 2.0, AnsiTerm 2.1, HyperStudio 3.1j, DiscQuest 1.4, new needs," he continues. "I have an Quick Click Morph 1.0.1, Animasia 3-D, SuperConvert 3.01, HyperCard 1.1 accelerator, giving me the speed to run and various music applications. My system includes eight meg of RAM, the applications I need at user-end ZipGS accelerator, AE Sonic Blaster, Second Sight card, Color Computer speeds equal or better than most Eyes, AST VisionPlus Enhanced /Allison video digitizers, Quickie scanner, state-of-the-art computers." hard drive, RamFAST SCSI card, Floptical drive, and CD-ROM drive. Rather than jumping to another As a teacher with 20-plus years of working with children and adults, in platform, many users such as Grenda the classroom and in outdoor and distance education, I use my IIGS in all are content to expand the power of aspects of my profession. their computer system, push it to its limits and beyond, then rely on each JOE T. WALTERS: I have a IIc and a IIGS, and the IIGS still gets a other to keep their spirits high. lot of work. It's got an accelerator, I've loaded it up with RAM, it has a "Why spend money on new things 100MB Vulcan hard disk along with a RAMFast SCSI card driving two more for an 'old' computer instead of buying HDs, a Floptical drive, a CD-ROM, a tape drive, and occasionally a Bernoulli a new state-of-the-art computer?" cartridge drive. Grenda asks. "Because is makes Though I have since added a Mac to my home setup (it makes a decent sense to do so." peripheral for the Apple II, and I've heard a Macintosh can even be used as a separate computer unto itself under the right circumstances), I still use the IIGS for several things that the Mac simply can't do (at least, not without expensive add-ons). Greg E. Nelson is another disciple of Two examples: Programming! Cost of starting from scratch to program a the Apple II computer. He teaches Mac: astronomical. Cost on an Apple II (any model): zero. On those occasions world geography part-time at when I need a simple piece of code to carry out a simple task, I can whip out Southeast Community College in a short Applesoft program quickly, without ever having had to shell out any Lincoln, Neb. He also is a teacher bucks for developmental software. Not so on a PC or Mac. And as a consultant and helps develop musician, I have programmed accompaniments to several trumpet solos into educational curriculum. He has been IIGS software, and the IIGS acts as my accompanist, generating piano an Apple II user for more than a sounds through the sound chip. Have you priced Mac or Windows software decade, has completed educational for that sort of function lately? And that's just one of several functions I find projects using his computers, and is the IIGS uniquely suited to carry out. working on several more. As an educator, he has put the IIGS JIM NICHOL: Probably my most used Apple II program is AppleWorks. through its paces and knows its I have created many forms at work over the years for displaying test results awesome capabilities. The IIGS was and reports. So it's simpler to just run AppleWorks on my Mac's IIe Card, designed as an educational tool, so a rather than converting hundreds of forms. The thing I like best about the new IIGS user would be wise to listen Apple IIGS is its sound capabilities. The IIGS is still the only computer that to Nelson's testimony before deciding has a built-in electronic synthesizer. Other computers can emulate how to proceed with their own system. synthesizers to a certain extent, but the IIGS is a music synthesizer, thanks "Both the IIe and the IIGS are to the built-in Ensoniq chip. Continued on next page
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 4 Cover story
Continued from previous page services, major ftp sites and the Golden Orchard CD-ROM. already useful systems," Nelson “We don’t plan to take The Apple II, no matter what says. "With a little more horsepower over Microsoft anytime variety, has a charm other computers in an accelerator card, four megabytes soon, but there are don't have, Graham says. of RAM, and easy-to-use applications "At work I get to use the latest and such as AppleWorks GS, Spectrum [a roughly six million Apple greatest computers alongside my IIs telecommunications program from IIs still around, quietly that I have in my office and research Seven Hills Software] and doing their job, lab," Graham said on a recent posting DreamGrafix [a paint program], the on comp.sys.apple2. Apple IIGS will continue to be useful entertaining, instructing "They sure are nice to have at work, and friendly well into the 21st and making folks' jobs but we drug them home a couple of century." easier.” times and never turned them on, so All modern computers need they stay at work ... where they — Greg E. Nelson horsepower, Nelson says, and the belong." IIGS, with a few enhancements, can Graham has surveyed the chaotic be a cost-effective way to have fun and computer market and sees no need to to increase one's productivity. He computer." change — at least not now. acknowledges that, unlike the hype Like so many longtime IIGS users, "I still enjoy programming and I still that surrounded Microsoft's recent Nelson practices what he preaches. write astronomy software, and the IIs release of Windows 95, there's little Not only has he purchased most of the still get the job done," he says. fanfare when new Apple IIGS latest software, he is developing his "For me, they're a lot of fun, they're products are released. Still, new own. paid for, and the current market products are coming available all the He is currently working on two offerings aren't sufficiently different or time. pieces of educational software on CD- offer significantly greater capability for "We don't plan to take over ROM with a HyperStudio front end for me to ever justify the cost of changing Microsoft anytime soon, but there are the IIGS, Macintosh and PC. One is platforms while the market continues roughly six million Apple IIs still called Oregon Trail, a cooperative to obsolete itself at break-neck speed." around, quietly doing their job, effort of students and teachers. The entertaining, instructing and making other carries the working title of folks' jobs easier," Nelson says. Nebraska Communities in Transition, And he has another message for which will include student Few people have been as new Apple IIGS users: Support the contributions describing their towns' instrumental in keeping the IIGS alive product market so it will continue to geography, history, economic status and well in today's computer market exist. and cultural attractions. as Mike Westerfield of the Byte "Dear reader," he says, "if you Works. His company, located in haven't already done so, subscribe Albuquerque, N.M., has developed today to fine publications such as and produced a number of IIGS Shareware Solutions II and SoftDisk Most IIGS users readily admit they programming languages and software GS, and plan to attend KansasFest. use other computer platforms, products, including the recently You won't be disappointed." especially at work. It's that experience released Quick Click Morph. Nelson continues: "Get System 6.0.1 that gives them credibility when they Although he has expanded his for the IIGS and push its envelope to insist their IIGS can keep pace with programming business to other the max. Demand new products be Macintoshes and PCs in many, many platforms, he has not abandoned the made for your favorite computer, then ways. IIGS. It remains an important tool in buy the new stuff when it comes out. John L. Graham of Kettering, Ohio, his computer arsenal. And he's more Pay the shareware fees, don't pirate has owned Apple IIs for years and than happy to explain why. software or grumble needlessly, and still uses them to write astronomy "One of the games my kids and I thank those who help you get on-line programs. He is the author of play sometimes is counting 'punch and help you to squash the nasty Tonight's Sky GS, a shareware bugs. Have fun with your Apple IIGS application available from on-line Continued on next page
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 5 Cover story
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buggies', aka 'slug bugs', Byte Works plans small projects Volkswagen Beetles," says Westerfield. "These cars haven't been for IIGS; nothing big on table made in Germany or the U.S. for years. Yet we find a lot of them on the Mike Westerfield, the Byte released that broke the 500 mark road. Works wizard who brought the was Toolbox Programming in C, "Why? Because they are a classic IIGS community a number of released in September of 1992." piece of engineering. They were programming languages, utilities Many IIGS users had designed to do a single job, and do it and productivity software such as speculated that the Quick Click well. They are inexpensive, or were Quick Click Calc and Quick Click series might produce the ultimate when they were new, can be repaired Morph, is a fervent cheerleader for word processing program. by any guy in a garage with tools and the IIGS. Westerfield has admitted in on-line a book, are fuel efficient, and go 65 But while he intends to remain conversations that he's considered m.p.h. — as fast as any other car. loyal to the IIGS until the end, the possibility, but the failures of "In short, they work. Until the he's also realistic about the Calc and Morph to generate strong doors fall off, we'll continue to count computer's marketplace for sales have dampened his punch buggies in Albuquerque." commercial software. enthusiasm for the project. The Apple IIGS, Westerfield "I will probably continue to "Our days as a developer of contends, is much the same as the develop software on the Apple large Apple IIGS applications are, venerable VW. Although the market is IIGS for years to come, but here I regrettably, over," he says. "We are not what it once was (see related have to admit that times have still looking at a few smaller story on this page), and product changed," Westerfield says. "None products, and I expect to do some developers must be cautious with the of our recent products have done significant updates on existing scope of their projects, the computer as well as we need them to. products and release a few small itself still hums along like it's king of Quick Click Morph still hasn't ones that have been on the back the road. cracked 100 sales. I expect it will, burners for a long time." "The IIGS is a classic piece of but to develop software of that While he has plans on the table engineering that does what it was caliber, we need to see sales at in his IIGS workshop, he keeps the designed to do well," says Westerfield. least in the 500-1,000 range." door cracked to further projects. "It is inexpensive. In fact, it's a good A similar fate greeted his "Any other large programs will buy even today. It's easy for the earlier software release. "Quick be written strictly on a hobby average home hobbiest to add Click Calc," he says, "has not basis," says Westerfield. "But hardware or develop software." broken 400, and probably won't. then, I wrote ORCA/M as a Westerfield says that, like many In fact, the last program we hobbiest." people, he runs his IIGS with the cover off so "I can check 'under the hood' and make fast hardware it well will still be punching its who are trying out the old changes." keys when the doors have fallen computer for the first time. If they Connecting external devices is easier off the last punch buggy." come away with nothing else from than on any other computer, he says. their queries about the capabilities "It has a color desktop environment, and usefulness of the IIGS, it is expandable to eight megs of RAM, would undoubtedly be that its has the easiest to program toolbox The IIGS will observe the 10th users are uttering more than just a and operating system of any computer anniversary of its creation next slogan when they sign their I've used, and has built in sound as year, and its legions of users are messages with the words, "Apple good as all but the most recent Macs, poised to celebrate by continuing II Forever." and better than any stock PC. to prove Westerfield correct. "The IIGS is one of the great "So why would anyone give up this Such loyalty does not go computers," says CompuServe computer?" he asks."Those who know unnoticed, even by newcomers sysop Walters. "I do not foresee
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 6 Graphics
GIFs from HEAVEN
However, a little exploration will turn up folders on the Compton's CD-ROM that Familiar faces contain dozens of files that can be both viewed and converted into a format the hiding out on IIGS can use. Ready for a little treasure hunt? Then Compton's CD let's head 'em up and move 'em out. Find 'em and convert 'em Before embarking on this excursion, you By Max Jones must have the proper tools. First and Juiced.GS foremost, you'll need a graphics conversion program that will view and save GIF A treasure chest of potential clip art and images, and a paint program to touch up or photographs, the kind that can spice up a resize the converted image. Abe untouched ... personal or academic desktop publishing SuperConvert, the Seven Hills Software project, is well within your reach. product by Jason Harper, is a good choice If you're one of the many IIGS owners for graphics conversion, although other who took advantage of Sequential commercial programs such as Prism or The Systems' introduction of CD-ROM Graphics Exchange will do the job, as will software, then you probably own the Show Me!, a freeware new desk accessory discQuest Encyclopedia package, which available from commercial on-line services, includes Compton's New Century the Cal Tech ftp site on the Internet, and Encyclopedia & Reference Collection. the Golden Orchard CD-ROM. When DQE brought the world of Just so you'll know where we're headed, encyclopedia research capabilities to the insert the Compton's encyclopedia disk into IIGS, it featured the ability to view your CD-ROM drive and, from the Finder, graphics inside the program. But it did not open the CD-ROM icon's window by double- allow those graphics to be converted or clicking. Scroll down until you locate the saved to a IIGS format. In fact, many of Timeline folder. That's where our treasure Abe retouched ... the charts and graphs you can view when is hidden. Open the folder with a double- A little background running DQE aren't even available for music puts image in a recovery. Continued on next page whole new light.
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 7 Graphics ... GIFs from HEAVEN
Continued from previous page get Abe's mug into one of your term papers or other personal projects. But click and bask in the glory of this sea FDR's image isn't as common in clip of GIFs. They are files that contain art files. Richard Nixon might be small photographs used in Compton's almost impossible to find. And when is Timeline, a feature available to users the last time you saw a clip art image on other platforms, but not through of Charles Lindbergh? discQuest Encyclopedia. That's why the GIFs in Compton's Now that we know where these little Timeline folder can come in handy. jewels are hiding, launch They are images of historical nature, SuperConvert, set the load format to and that makes them valuable for a Computer Independent/Graphics personal clip art library. interchange format (GIF), and the Please be mindful of the fact that save format to Apple Preferred. these images are coming from a Click on the load button, and copyrighted encyclopedia disk. They navigate to the Timeline folder on your Nothing tricky:Images such as this of should only be used for personal CD-ROM disk. Upon reviewing the list former President Nixon are abundant in purposes such as term papers, not-for- you'll find that most of the GIF titles Compton's Timeline folder. But always profit presentations, or your own don't reveal much about the contents honor the copyright so you can truly say, enjoyment. When you do use them, of the file. With the exception of a "I am not a crook." give credit to the source. They should couple dozen files at the end of the list never be bundled and redistributed. in the Standard Dialogue Box, the only AppleWorks GS), but it displays best That said, have at it, and have fun! thing you can glean from the title is on the monitor in 320 mode. By the way, you'll find FDR in the year the GIF represents on the Mr. Lincoln's famous mug shot can 1933FF.GIF;1, Nixon in Compton's Timeline. be made to look better coming out of 1974RF.GIF;1, and Lindbergh in But that's a fair starting point. your printer (even an Imagewriter II) 1927LF.GIF;1. And guess who you'll For example, you will not be by making some simple adjustments. find in the file titled 1492CF.GIF;1? It disappointed — Honest!! — if you Just go into your favorite paint will take some work to get this image choose 1865AF.GIF;1 for your first program and, after making a copy of into a form you can use, but it could be conversion. Double-click on the file Abe's image next to the original, a worthwhile rainy-day project, name and the conversion will begin. replace the background with a light to especially if you think you'll ever need Set your conversion format to 640 x medium shade of gray. ol' Christopher Columbus' mug. 200, grayscale, pattern dither, and [Painter's tip: Use fat bits mode A little looking around will also bring click normal remap. Before long you in the tight spots around Mr. Lincoln's up a range of images from the will be treated to a mug shot of our head. After your new background is Mayflower to the Titanic, and from our famous 16th president, and you can created, make another copy next to founding fathers signing the save it by clicking the save button. that image and experiment with Declaration of Independence to Martin As you explore the Compton's lightening up the gray tone of his face. Luther King Jr. marching on Selma. Timeline folder, you'll find that some It won't take much to brighten the The thumbnail sizes of these images graphics that won't be usable, either image for better print results. Just are whatreally make them a valuable because they convert or print poorly, or keep making copies as you experiment asset to your clip art library. Some will you won't recognize what they so that you'll have your originals to go be easy to use, others will pose a represent. But these images are small, back to in case one of your challenge. so it won't take long to work many of experiments goes terribly wrong.] Even if many of these images are them into something that looks better Check out the manipulation on the unsalvageable, others are jewels worth than in their raw state. previous page and see for yourself how keeping, manipulating and enhancing. The Lincoln graphic is among the tinkering with the background can With a little effort and imagination, better images in the folder. It looks enhance the Lincoln image. they will truly shine, as will documents decent in 640 mode (which is how Now, Lincoln clip art may be that contain them. —JGS you'd want it for use in a desktop abundant, so you might be able to do publishing program such as better than the GIF manipulation to
Juiced GS September, 1995 Protoype Page 8 Apple II news and views KansasFest ’95 The tradition continues ...
By Dave Grenda
Just when it Up until a few months ago, there was some So here's one man's story of KansasFest doubt that anyone would ever read the title '95. of this article, because the fate of looked like KansasFest was caught in the balance. Over the years, KansasFest has been held KansasFest at Avila College, a small, quaint college Being "just a user," I wasn't sure if I located on the south side of Kansas City, Mo. should attend KansasFest. I think that was a thing of The sponsors of KansasFest have been feeling has kept many others from attending numerous — the '94 KansasFest was in the past — it had for me. But all those the past, the sponsored by a company called ICON trepidations faded away as I communicated (previously Resource Central). The name was to some other KansasFest attendees on even changed to ICONference for that year. GEnie prior to leaving for Kansas City. Apple II When ICON, which stood for International During those e-mail exchanges, I learned that Computer OwnersNetwork, went out of KansasFest was going to be one big friendly community business in February, it wasn't known if user group meeting. I found out that I wasn't anyone would pick up the Apple II torch and the only KansasFest Rookie who was rallied to make conduct another KansasFest. attending this year, and that the vast But just as the Apple II computer has majority of the attendees were just average it happen ... "kept going, and going, and going," so has Apple II users. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, KansasFest. Through the efforts of people I anxiously awaited the start of a famous such as Cindy Adams, Gina Saikin, Mark Apple II tradition. Kline and others, KansasFest '95 was made I arrived at the Kansas City airport on the a reality. evening of July 26, a day prior to the official Parkhurst Micro Systems and its founder, start of KansasFest. After renting a car, I Paul Parkhurst, became the corporate drove down to KC Masterpiece. A group of sponsor of the fest. people I met on GEnie had gotten together to You might know Parkhurst Micro Systems have dinner at this infamous KansasFest as a company that has supported the Apple hang out. Entering the restaurant was like II line of computers over the years. The going on a blind date. Although I had seen company is best known for AnsiTerm, an their names on electronic messages, I hadn't excellent telecommunications program for the Apple II. Continued on next page
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Prototype Page 9 Apple II news and views ... KansasFest ’95
Continued from previous page stayed in the dorms, a very good deal. learning basic soldering (entitled: The food quality was OK. (You could "Which End is Hot"), or attending a met any of them before. But that eat all you could stand.) There was a "fireside" chat with Joe Kohn. I chose feeling instantly changed to one of salad bar and self-serve ice cream in the latter. meeting "old friends" as I was warmly the dining area after you picked up Joe Kohn has attended six previous greeted and started talking to your main course. Some of the food KansasFests and this is the third everyone. over the fest included BBQ chicken, year he's given presentations. He That's the spirit of KansasFest, soft tacos, bratwurst, spaghetti, described starting off with the Apple II and I think of the Apple II computer hamburgers, and various vegetables when he got an Apple II+ and 100 community in general as one big at each meal. Meal time was another disks of public domain software. He inclusive family. It was neat listening avenue to meet Apple II legends like was in awe of what was out there. In to Joe Kohn, Greg Templeman and Tom Weishaar, ”Burger” Bill the mid-'80s he started the Apple many other Apple II lovers. Everyone Heineman, Roger Wagner, etc., and Users Resource Group, which lead to had such unique and diverse make new friends. the Apple II Information Exchange. It backgrounds, but all shared a The first activity after lunch was a was bought out by CompuServe in '89. fascination with the almost unlimited talk by Apple Computer's Ashley Joe wrote a series of articles on capabilities of the Apple II computer. Carter, discussing some new shareware programs for the Apple II After a delicious BBQ rib meal, great computers due out over the next Buyer's Guide and transitioned to the conversation and finally putting some couple of months. New Performas, Big Red Computer Club as librarian in faces to names, I headed to a nearby coming out in August, would be going '83. From there, he hooked up with motel for a good night's sleep. InCider to write shareware articles. Arriving at Avila College at 9 a.m. InCider asked Joe to put together a the next day, I checked into the dorm. disk containing the shareware Spending KansasFest in the dorm is Spending KansasFest in programs his article covered. After the best way to experience this event. the dorm is the best way much persuasion, Joe finally began Not only is it cheaper, but you get to supplying those disks to people. interact with everyone after hours. to experience this event. He mentioned that InCider was The rooms were clean, but Spartan. Not only is it cheaper, but making money each month right to the It's been 18 years since I've lived in a you get to interact with very end. But Joe guessed that the college dorm room, but I think the magazine wasn't making ENOUGH surroundings added to the total everyone after hours. profit, so that's why they pulled the experience. plug. After InCider's demise, Joe I immediately unpacked and started thought about writing for II Alive. But to visit all the other attendees' rooms luckily for us, those plans never came to see what computer systems they over to RISC processors and together and he struck out on his own had brought — and it was a diverse incorporate industry standards like with Shareware Solutions II. lot. There were dozens of IIgs PIC slots. They have replaceable When he worked for other computers, with every imaginable processors for future upgrades. publications, he use to hate editors. peripheral attached. There were IIcs, For example, you can drop in DOS They always changed what he wrote. Macs in all flavors, PowerBooks, Windows chips, when they become But now he misses having an editor Newtons and even a II+. It was great available, to run those types of when producing SSII. Joe feels SSII is to see the new Iomega Zip drive in applications. In September, she said the Consumer Reports of the Apple II action, how the new Second Sight to expect a slew of new PowerBooks to world. He emphasized that Apple II VGA card looked with different start coming out. You'll be able to users should "support those who monitors, and the various hard drives transmit data to other PowerBooks support you." In other words, don't and CD-ROM drives available for the through infrared signals. delay buying those Apple II products Apple II. Following that one-hour you can use and paying those After hob-knobbing with everyone in presentation, each attendee had the shareware fees, otherwise there won't the morning, we hit the cafeteria for choice of attending one of three be anything new in the future. Joe some typical college dorm food. All presentations: Talking to the Apple meals were included in the price if you rep about the new computers, Continued on next page
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has sold about 120 copies of Contacts saver, or any place that can use He thought that if he purchased the GS — not enough for any real profit, PaintWorks animations. Single motorcycle or stereo, he would just end but he was glad he made it available frames can also be viewed to see how up spending more money on them. The to the IIGS community. each "tween" picture has changed. computer, he thought, would be a one- Finally, Joe announced that Although 16 shades of gray is best for time expense. He later tried selling GSymbolix (a powerful mathematics the IIGS, QCM supports 320/640 computers door-to-door, but failed program by Henrik Gudat of color pallets, custom colors, and miserably. Switzerland) is being released as 128/256 custom color pallets. He then wrote some small programs. shareware. SSII will be providing it Mike has also developed a freeware Initial sales were good, but Apple for $15 for the first month, and half program called Quick Click Movie — it computer inevitably released a free the profit will go toward a yet-to-be allows the viewing of QCM program doing the same thing a while named non-profit organization. animations. So with this freeware later. He kept ahead of Apple and The next period consisted of a program, you can easily share your eventually produced HyperStudio — a demonstration of Mike Westerfield's creations with friends and the world. revolutionary program that brought Quick Click Morph, or Ryan Suenaga's Quick Click Morph is a very powerful hypermedia to computers. Roger now discussion of Personal Digital and unique program. You really have goes around the country showing how Assistants & PowerBooks. I decided to see it to appreciate its impact and schools and individuals can produce to see Mike's great new program. ease of use. outstanding presentations with Mike started off with a quick history After supper, the KansasFest '95 HyperStudio. Although Roger is behind morphing. The first Cray keynote address was given. The concentrating on developing and computer ever built didn't go to the marketing products for the Mac and defense department, but instead went other platforms, he's still supporting to Hollywood movie studios to do the venerable Apple II platform. morphing. The first morphing was The first morphing was The last series of presentations that done by Disney, all accomplished by day were: Joe Kohn discussing hand. But since almost anything can done by Disney, all changes to the Internet, Erick Wagner be done on an Apple II computer, accomplished by hand. presenting how to hook up "real world" Mike brought this morphing capability But since almost anything devices to the Apple, and Eric to the IIGS. Shepherd demonstrating two of his The user provides a starting and can be done on an Apple new IIGS programs, StationKeeper ending picture to QCM. A series of II computer, Mike brought and ShiftyList 2.0. I wanted to attend reference points are then easily this morphing capability all three, but I ended up listening to selected on the first and last picture. Sheppy. QCM then starts computing the to the IIGS. Sheppy's StationKeeper is "tween" frames — new pictures that something like a document alias. You transform the first picture into the double-click a document icon, Finder second. Morphing time increases as keynote speaker was the (in)famous opens up the application that the number of "tween" frames Roger Wagner of HyperStudio fame. supports the document (AppleWorks increases and the number of reference As usual, he gave a very animated GS, ShadowWrite, etc.) and you start points are increased. The time to and entertaining speech. First working on it. Nothing special so far, create a full morph sequence can take describing a very artistic video but when you save the document, it's from several minutes to overnight. An produced by a IIGS user in France — saved as a new document — you don't accelerated IIgs is not required but is combining HyperStudio with a video mess with the original. This would be HIGHLY recommended. overlay card on a IIgs. The video was good for filling out forms, etc. Those "tween" pictures, when done a few years ago and won critical ShiftyList 2.0 will be distributed on played as a PaintWorks animation, acclaim. a Softdisk-GS issue. This version is a provides a smooth morph between the Following the interesting video, very powerful update. By holding down start and ending pictures. The visual Roger described his introduction to different key combinations during impact of morphing cannot be computing and the Apple II. He had a booting, you can load different groups overstated. Morphs can be added to sum of money to buy either a HyperStudio stacks, used as a screen motorcycle, a stereo, or a computer. Continued on next page
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Continued frpm previous page people in front of you? The competition like ProTerm or Spectrum. Jasmine this year was stiff. There were over a handles everything. It requires System of INITs, NDAs, CDAs, and CDEVs. half-dozen people still able to pick up 6.0.1 and an error-correction modem The composition of each group is the bag when it was nothing more (the internal Datalink 2400 is not, but determined by the user beforehand. than a flat piece of paper. It finally all high-speed modems are). A hard You can also create boot scripts. came down to who was the fastest. drive is not required. Scripts could run pictures or sounds Russ Nielson was crowned the King of Jasmine allows third parties to during booting. "Bite -The-Bag" with a time of 1.95 write add-ons. It supports Zmodem For example, you could display a seconds! and will support batch Ymodem file picture and play a sound, load some Because everyone participates in transfers. The interface is all point INITs, display a new picture, load the sleep depravation experiment and click, using familiar IIGS some NDAs/CDAs, display another called KansasFest, the dawn of the windows, menus and dialog boxes. It's picture and play a sound, and load next day came way too early. For Lynx compatible, so you can access the the rest of your system — total user those who were sane enough to get a Internet via GEnie. Jasmine is free control. Sheppy expects ShiftyList to couple hours sleep, or insane enough and should be out shortly. be out at the end of the year. He lost to get no sleep, breakfast was The next series of sessions consisted three months of work when his hard available at 7 a.m. of Mike Westerfield discussing Quick drive crashed. As Sheppy remarked, The first sessions began at 8:45 Click Morph (QCM) from a "apparently backups aren't for p.m., so most could still get a few programmer's viewpoint, Mark Kline weenies." winks. Roger Wagner provided a and Cindy Adams discussing Sheppy also has compiled a spiral AppleShare networking, and Erick bound book containing documentation Wagner presenting the second part of for all his software. The book can be controlling "real world" devices with a purchased for about $12. Contact him computer. Since I missed Erick's first at [email protected]. He is also Sheppy expects ShiftyList session, and I'm not into networking, I selling a disk containing all his non- to be out at the end of the decided to hear Mike's presentation. Softdisk-GS programs. year. He lost three months Mike gave a good insight into how That ended the first day's formal QCM works. A good way to presentations. That evening consisted of work when his hard understand how the program of seeing what computers people had drive crashed. As Sheppy transforms a picture is to imagine the brought, seeing new software and remarked, “apparently first picture being made of rubber. You equipment, and discussing every topic take a pencil point and stick it to one you can imagine. Roger Wagner backups aren’t for of the reference points. You then drag generously ordered a couple dozen weenies.” the pencil and stretch the picture to pizzas and a few cases of soda for the corresponding reference point on munching late that night. the ending picture. This dragging and Right afterward, the infamous Bite- stretching is done simultaneously for The-Bag contest began — a discussion of using the multimedia each reference point. KansasFest tradition. The object is to capabilities of the IIGS, Doug After lunch another series of sessions balance on one appendage (foot, hand, Pendleton and Dave Ciotti taught the were given. Tony Diaz from Alltech etc.) and grab the top of an empty second segment on soldering, and a Electronics showed how to build a grocery bag on the floor with your trio (Richard Bennett, Tim Buchheim tower case for the IIgs, Roger Wagner teeth. It's not too hard at the start. and Nathaniel Sloan) demonstrated presented new things he's working on, But as the competition continues, the the new Apple IIGS front end for and Glenn Hoffman discussed a new upper most part of the bag is slowly GEnie. I picked the GEnie software Apple IIGS GEnie off-line reader called removed. Soon, there's nothing left but demo. PowerGuide. Since I spend a lot of the flat bottom of the bag laying on This stand-alone program is called time on GEnie, I thought I'd get the the floor. Jasmine. It's a real-time IIGS most from Glenn's presentation. Oh yes, did I mention that if you interface for GEnie — not an off-line PowerGuide is a stand-alone aren't the first person, you get to enjoy reader like CoPilot or GEM. You don't the slobber on the bag left by the need a telecommunications program Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page great job putting Steve in his place. sheet, including adding memos, Of course, Roger went high tech, with graphics, headers, footers, page program that does not use another a multimedia presentation. Tom numbers and automatically adding modem program like Spectrum or Weishaar read a hilarious letter from names, addresses and phone ProTerm. It uses the familiar IIGS "Bob Dole" talking about Steve and numbers. The program works with interface, it's all point and click with GS+ magazine. Joe played a funny Express and will be compatible with keyboard equivalents. It uses song about Steve. Then it was Steve's Spectrum. You can print pages from a Zmodem file transfers, employs cut turn to roast the roasters. All in all, it fax and can even send a quick fax (it and paste message quoting, has an was a great time. sends a cover page with memo). address book for e-mail messages, Following the banquet, people went The program is expected to ship in a supports 30 GEnie RoundTables, and back to the dorms for more socializing. couple of months with a price tag in uses its own installer for easy A debug room was setup so people the area of $80. There will be a installation. Although still in beta could get help with equipment discount when updating from a testing, it's available now and it problems. Some went to see movies, competitor's fax program. It was a functions well. some played Trivial Pursuit, and a very impressive demonstration. The next sessions were Dave Ciotti nerf rocket war erupted. Again, most Following the fax demo, people showing how to perform some simple people ended up without much sleep. headed to a swap meet/vendor fair equipment maintenance operations The next day was bitter sweet. where attendees scooped up many (change a system saver fan, clean a People began moving out of the bargains. Byte Works, GS+, Digisoft keyboard, etc.), Eric Shepherd Innovations, and Shareware Solutions demonstrating ProTerm MAC, and II products were all on sale. Many Greg Templeman discussing the GS items were quickly sold out. Lib Programming Library. The choice Before things concluded, The final official function was one for me was easy, the equipment last lunch at the college cafeteria. session. Dave did an outstanding job there was an official Attendees reluctantly said a fond answering questions and showing announcement — a farewell. Some attendees, who were how even a novice user can fix things KansasFest will be held in leaving Sunday, arranged to have one on an Apple IIGS. last dinner that night at a local Following those sessions, Richard 1996! restaurant. But before things Bennett gave a short recap of what concluded, there was an official Seven Hills Software is doing. announcement — a KansasFest will SuperConvert 4.0 is about to ship — be held in 1996! it's just waiting for documentation to dorms. KansasFest '95 was rapidly I can't emphasize enough how much be printed. The program will squash coming to a close. But after fun it was to attend KansasFest. I a few bugs and add Second Sight and breakfast, Paul Parkhurst gave an strongly encourage all Apple II and JPEG support. The new version of excellent demonstration of his new Mac users to attend next year. You'll GraphicWriter III should be out NDA fax program. He created, sent, be warmly welcomed, fit right in, and within a month. It'll fully support received, and printed faxes using his a have a super time sharing your System 6.0.1 font menu and interface. program. Although still in final beta computer interests with others. The spell checker has been rewritten, testing, it still worked like a charm. See you at KansasFest next year. text wrapping around objects has Some features demonstrated: been fixed, objects can now be generations of fax lists/groups (the positioned by typing in coordinates, cover page can be automatically objects can be resized, and an extras personalized for each number on the Dave Grenda is a lieutenant menu has been added so third parties list), multiple phone books, scheduled colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He is can write add-ons. send, selection of cover pages, use of a assigned to the Defense Nuclear A banquet and roast topped off the dial prefix, selection of modem Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base in day. The roastee was none other initialization string, and a host of Albuquerque, N.M. He has been a than Steve Disbrow of GS+ Magazine. others. The fax cover page capabilities cruise missile test director, a staff Bill Moore, Roger Wagner, Tom were outstanding. The user has a lot officer and a bombardier on B-52s Weishaar, and Joe Wankerl did a of control over the data on the cover during his 18 years of service.
Juiced.GS Fall, 1995 Protoyype Page 13 Shareware Warrior
Setting up a SwatterDisk: Adding, ejecting and allocating memory to up to four SwatterDisks is done from a New Desk Accessory control board (shown above) or from a Classic Desk Accessory. It's your choice.
SwatterDisk 1.0 RAM disk, which is then created on the Finder desktop and By Nathan Mates named RAM5 (unless you change its name). It gives a user Shareware ($10) more on-line storage space by taking advantage of unused There's good news and bad news about efforts by system memory. It's an especially nice feature for systems programmer Nathan Mates to bring a cool new program to that have expanded memory capabilities but no hard drive. the IIGS community. But it's quite useful on more elaborate systems as well. The bad news is that Mates was grooming the program The task of creating a RAM5 disk has been traditionally for GS+ magazine, which unfortunately ceased publication performed by using the RAM control panel under the Apple in late summer. menu. But the demise of GS+ influenced Mates to go ahead and Until now. release the program immediately as shareware. And, you SwatterDisk bypasses the RAM control panel and does its guessed it, that's the good news! own thing. For the most part, it makes using a RAM disk SwatterDisk 1.0, a combination GS/OS device driver, New easier than ever before. Desk Accessory/Classic Desk Accessory and shell utility SwatterDisk's major features are simple but powerful: gives users a unique and flexible way to create and eject • By using the NDA or CDA, up to four RAM disks of any RAM disks without having to reboot or shutdown their size between 16 and 3072 kilobytes can be instantly created systems. (within the confines of a user's system memory, of course) on Did someone just say, "What's a RAM disk?" Well, glad the Finder desktop. you asked. A RAM disk can be created by assigning a portion of your system's RAM (random access memory) to a Continued on next page
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• When the RAM disk or RAM disks are no longer needed, they can either be dragged into the trash or ejected by using the desk accessory control center. The system memory that had been designated for RAM disk use is immediately freed for use by other programs. ASSESSMENT: SwatterDisk 1.0 brings great new functionality to the use of RAM disks in the IIGS Finder. It is most useful for unpacking disk archives for review before deciding whether or not to copy them to a hard drive or The ol' hidden doc trick: CoolWriter comes neatly floppy disk. (If you own the Golden Orchard CD-ROM, which equipped with its own clutter-control feature. contains an entire partition of disk archives, this program could be extremely valuable.) Being able to create and eject Here's what makes CoolWriter worth a try: RAM disks on the fly is a powerful tool. However, it is • A Hide Document feature in the Windows menu allows important to note that while SwatterDisk is similar to the you to keep your desktop in order. To get your document RAM5 disk feature in system software, it has major back after you've hidden it, you go right back to the differences. SwatterDisks will disappear on reboot (unlike Windows menu and select it from the document list. Also RAM5 disks), and whereas you can boot your system from a included under the same menu bar item is a Stack Windows RAM5 disk, you can't from a SwatterDisk. This program is feature. of commercial quality, so the IIGS community is fortunate to • A series of items under the Edit menu allows for have it available at such a low price. Grab onto this one, try modification of text. Included are options for dealing with Hi it out, and quickly pay the shareware fee. Tell Nathan Bits in Merlin source code and carriage returns in Unix Mates you appreciate his efforts, and to keep up the good format, a feature to encode material (such as obscene text) work he has done supporting the Apple IIGS. so not just anyone can read it, and an Encrypt/Decrypt NOTES: SwatterDisk 1.0 requires system 6 or 6.0.1. command for attaching passwords to documents. The program is available from the Apple II archive on Cal • A Quizzical GS menu for those who use Softdisk GS' Tech's Internet FTP site (ftp.cco.caltech.edu), and from Q&A game program. This menu item allows you to create commercial on-line services. Also, visit Nathan Mates' World new quizzes and load them into Quizzical GS. Wide Web home page. It offers a number of links to Apple II • The Direct Mail feature allows for creation of form resources. The address is: letters and contains a script-writing technique for loading http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~nathan/apl2.resource.html. templates and merging mailing lists into the form letters. ASSESSMENT: A handful of usable features make it worth keeping around. And you can't beat the price. For Quizzical GS addicts, or anyone with an interest in creating and managing direct mail documents, CoolWriter is a real CoolWriter 2.0.2 find. The Direct Mail feature is complicated, however, and By Rolf Braun requires patience, persistence and a willingess to Freeware experiment. A thorough on-line help system (available under There's no shortage of word processing programs for the the Apple menu) will help work you through the Direct Mail IIGS, but many manage to find a niche by offering different and other program features. On an unaccelerated IIGS, combinations of usable features. The niftier the features, the characters are slow to appear on the screen as you type. The more frequently the application gets used. faster you type, the farther they lag behind. That CoolWriter 2.0.2, released in early fall to the Cal Tech sluggishness disappears when using an accelerator. Apple II archive, is an updated version of Rolf Braun's word NOTES: When downloading CoolWriter, make sure you processing program. get version 2.0.2. It squashes a minor bug in version 2.0.1, The application is small and simple. CoolWriter doesn't which was uploaded a few weeks earlier. The program is have a flashy interface and lacks a few of the conveniences available on Internet at ftp.cco.caltech.edu and contained in other popular shareware/freeware programs grind.isca.uiowa.edu, as well as on-line services. such as ShadowWrite. It is functional, however, and offers a few slick features that allow it to live up to its name.
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