1)First ever written to be user
friendly.
2)Data base capabilities. Hierarchical
file-structure.
3)Manages ALL memory locations and
I/O.
4)One disk format for ALL allows file
sharing and communication.
5)Able to share files with Apple //e;
c and gs ProDos systems.
6)Easily updated without hurting
existing compatibilities.
7)Ability to rewrite software drivers
instead of changing hardware.
8)Will locate which drive a file is in
for you.
9)Error proof menu system.
10) Automatic date/time stamping of every file.
11) Any destruction of data requires confirmation.
12) Interrupt driven.
13) Device-independent I/O.
14) Stores information using all empty space.
15) Programs that request printing could continue during
printing.
16) Powerful drivers for graphics, console, audio, printer and
RS232.
17) Programs can run 20% faster by pressing Control-5 on keypad (no
video). 18) Uses all available memory.
5) IS MY APPLE /// STILL USEFUL TODAY?
The Apple /// at the end of the 20th
Century has become a collectors item. Despite all its problems, it
remains an excellent text-based computer with software that allows it
to do many basic computing chores. It still has one of the best
keyboards ever made for a computer. It can do basic word processing,
spread sheet work and even communications. It remains useful if you
do not need a graphical-based computer system. The price is certainly
right. Units that once sold for more than $4000 can today be had at
very low cost. Profile drives are nearing the end of their useful
life but can still be had for little or nothing. Consider they cost
$1000.00 new. There is ample software available from Washington Apple
Pi's public domain library and other commercial programs are sold by
users on an on- going basis. As with any computing machine, the
bottom line here is: Can the machine do the basic things you need it
to do? For some folks at least, given the low cost of both hardware
and software, the answer is still yes.
6) WHAT OTHER HARDWARE/SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO MAKE MY /// A
COMPLETE SYSTEM?
a) A second 5.25 inch disk drive.
It speeds up your work considerably,
makes it easier to load and save data, etc. The /// can also use the:
1.4 MB Apple II Superdrive and 800k Unidisk (using Apple // interface
cards and On Three drivers) and many hard disks (Profiles and SCSI).
On Three sold a Universal SCSI driver from On in 1996 that, with the
proper interface card,gave /// users
access to the Syquest EZ Drive and just about all SCSI-based hard
drives (one notable exception is the Iomega ZIP Drive).
b) System Utilities disk. This program lets you copy files, format
disks and configure your SOS.Driver file (WAP PD disk 3UTL-02).
