Msg: 2351 *Conference*

04-14-92 08:24:09

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : RUSSELL F. BAKER

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #2341 (TS-DOS)

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Russell: TS-DOS may or may not be "better" than floppy.co.  The concept of
better is better left up to you, not me.
 
Both DOSes do the same, practical functions, i.e., save, load, kill, rename,
format.  With floppy you can make image duplications.  TS-DOS does not have
that feature.
 
TS-DOS functions are point-n-shoot while floppy requires rekeying filename.
TS-DOS allows file tagging for batch use, viewing files while on disk without
first bringing them into RAM.  Floppy does not have such features, but it is
smaller than TS-DOS--featuers need code.
 
TS-DOS is also noted for its DOS-ON feature, allowing disk drive access from
within TEXT and BASIC.  From a TEXT point of view, saving or retrieving files
is simply a matter of tapping <f2> Load, or <f3> Save as, function keys while
in your document and entering 0:filename <enter>.  The same is true in BASIC,
i.e., OPEN"0:filename"FOR...INPUT... OUTPUT... or APPEND.
 
TS-DOS is available on either bootable disk or option ROM.  The ROM version is
my favorate when all I want to do is disk drive access while remote.  I use
Lapdos II almost all the time to move files over to my DOS computers for finish
work.  Lapdos II allows single or batch file movement from either my laptop or
my disk drive.  Thus, I tend to go into the field with TS-DOS on ROM and use
Lapdos II for file saving.  This, of course, is not my only configuration.  I
reconfigure based on task requirements.  I also like to configure up with a
ROM2/Cleuseau ROM and TS-DOS on disk, via a TPDD2--booting the TPDD2 is far
easier then booting the TPDD.  This configuration I use when doing recreational
programming and certin TEXT tasks--the Cleuseau part of the ROM has some great
TEXT enhansements.
 
Side note: The TS-DOS ROM for the Model 200 has an added, hidden, undocumented
feature.  If you just happen to cold start your Model 200, and just happen to
have a TS-DOS ROM installed, you can recover all your RAM easily by entering
BASIC and issuing the command: CALL 921,146.  Recovery is almost instant!
 
So, there you have it in a nut shell... the pros and cons of TS-DOS vs. Floppy.
I'll let you be the judge of the concept of "better".  Frankly, I've removed
"better" from my vocabulary.  -Rick-
 
PS: That "other" connector next to your option ROM socket is your system bus
socket, explaned in detail in your manual.  Its uses are many, but reserved for
another discussion.