Conference 7.286::atarist

    Re: .-1
    
>    I am scoping the Spectre 128 MAC emulator as a development
>    enviroment for MAC sofware.
    
    Good idea. It should be faster than a standard Mac for this kind of
    stuff (I/O intensive). The ST has a *much* faster I/O subsystem than a
    standard Mac, and a 15% faster clock.
    
>    Apple is using ST/Spectre's for
>    some development because of some unique debugging features.
    
    My guess would be that Apple's is taking advantage of Dave Small's
    debugger. I don't know much about it, but Dave has an XDELTA-style
    operating system debugger that runs over the MIDI port.
    
>    	. compatibility with popuilar C compilers and assembler/debugger
>            sw.
    
    We've a got a Spectre 128 sitting right next to a Mac 2048Ke. We
    haven't found anything yet that won't run on Spectre (due to Spectre,
    that is; the Mac has more memory!)
    
>        . shortcomings around porting developed code to MAC (I know
>    	   that talking to the HW directly and MIDI is out of the
>    	   question ..but any other unforseen problems..?)
    
    The other incompatiblity is the sound chip. The ST and the Mac do sound
    totally differently...
    				- hbm
    

    I am interested in buying SPECTRE 128. Does anyone know what is the
    best way/place to get it in the greater Boston area? Also, what is
    the best way to get the ROMs. It seems that they are not available in
    Europe, at least that is what I was told in the local Atari shop here
    in Geneva. I will be over in the US in the last week of April and would
    appreciate any advice.
    
    I have also heard that someone (SPECTRE?) makes an external floppy
    drive with which you can read MAC floppies directly. Where can one
    get that?
    
    I also want to replace my 1040 with a Mega2 or 4. Who has got the
    best prices?

Happy Computers, the folks who brought us the 8bit Atari super drive mods,
advertise some sort of cartridge or whatnot that allows copying everything.
A bonus is that it will read and write MAc disks to for use with the 
Sac/Spectre.  I have only read the ads so don't know anything more.  Look
in your favorite Atari magazine.  Dave Small's company also supposedly has 
a device in field test.

Chad

    re.2
    
    Hi Soft in the UK are selling Spectre 128 with or without ROMs
    
    I havent got their ad here but I seem to remember 199 wihout 299 with
    mac roms. (pounds).
    
    Pat Keane.
    
    

    Re: Previous
    
    [Spectre, Inc.]
    
    The name of the company is "Gadgets by Small, Inc."
    
    [Happy Computers' Discovery Cart]
    
    Please do not patronize these people. First of all, there are *many*
    reports of their equipment not working, promising things they cannot
    do, non-fufilment of contract, etc. Second, they are taking advantage
    of Apple's and Dave Small's software engineering effors without paying
    for them. They published information on how to convert their hardware
    to use DS's software and circumvent his agreement with Apple.
    
    They are unethical and perhaps fraudulent.
    
    [Reading Mac disks]
    
    Gadgets by Small is supposed to come out with a device to do this Real
    Soon Now (and it's supposed to be fast)... in addition, Translator One, 
    from Data Pacific (DP has it now?) works fine with Spectre 128.
    				- hbm

    
    Re -1
    
    I can assure you that HISOFT (UK) are the official agents for the
    Spectre 128 designed and manufactured by Gadgets from Small. They have
    nothing to do with the Happy mob.
    
    From the write ups in the ST world the Spectre 128 appears to do what
    is required of it. PROVIDED you have the correct and matching revs of
    Mac roms and MAC software. Theer were quite a few letters obn USENET
    (before the plug was pulled) explained what has to run with what!
    
    Cheers
    
    Pat K.

    I would like to ask owners of SPECTRE 128 (and GCR in future) to log in
    here to exchange information. I bought a Spectre recently from Hisoft
    in the UK. It works fine, but...I have problems with printing (using
    the Epson MX 80 driver for the MAC) and getting the system properly
    configured to understand my German keyboard.
    
    My main application I want to do is to produce graphics with
    applications like CriketDraw, Adobe Illustrator etc. for use with
    presentations I do with DECwrite on my GPX at work.
    
    I am situated in Geneva, DTN 821-4660.