Msg: 5051 *Conference*

04-27-94 19:26:37

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : ANTHONY FEST

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #5035 (QUESTIONS)

Anthony: Thank you for your fax this evening.  Yes, it seems that absolutely no
one is minding the store--as you put it--or at the very least, I didn't respond
to your questions for some reason.  But I will, now.  I will pull in your quote
then add my 2 cents.  I will also incorporate you fax questions as well.
Futhermore, I've moved your question into the (1)Conference area for other to
respond if they feel so inclined.

---

 > Greetings!  I was delighted to learn of Club 100's  existence, and to
receive the catalog.

It's always a pleasure to a new member.  Welcome aboard.

---

 > I have a Tandy 200 with Super ROM, and a PDD2. I have some questions:

That's a nice combination.  Many jorunalists use the Model 200 with either the
SuperROM or the Ultimate ROM II.  And, the TPDD2 is favored--but not FLOPPY.
Most add TS-DOS to their system configration.

---

 > What are the approximate physical dimensions of the RAMPAC storage pack? 

It is 2" x 2" x 1/2" high.  And, the engineer who designed the item over
designed it for quality--it's an expensive item to manufacture but well worth
having more then one.  Lastly, if you are considering a RAMPAC or two, but them
now cause Dr. Allen and I will probably not do another production run--again,
it's a nice product but way too costly to manufacture vs. the return on
investment.

---
 
 > Please explain what TS-DOS does; I've never really understood what an
operating system is.

TS-DOS is a substitute for FLOPPY, in that it allows TPDD/TPDD2 access and
utility, but goes way beyone FLOPPY in features.  For instance: TS-DOS allows
you to <L>ist files on the TPDD/TPDD2 to see their contents without having to
bring them into memory; gives you a full screen view of your files, allowing
your <T>ag more then one for save, load or delete.

What is a DOS?  Good question.  The word DOS is actually an acronym for disk
operating system.  We used to spell it D.O.S. but Microsoft turned it into a
noun, a formal name of their IBM PC disk operating system.  Simply put, a DOS
is a set of utilities for managing rotating media and associated files.  In
other words, when we had only tapes for file storage we called the operating
system an OS but could have called it a TOS (tape operating system)--but we
didn't.  We just called it an OS.  When disk drives appeared, we programmed a
set of utilities that would run on the OS to access and manage the drive.  We
called those utilities a DOS.  Of course, we with history are lucky, in that we
lived the evolution.

 > In buying a printer, are there any Model T-specific considerations? Do you
have particular favorites?

No big deal here.  Just go out and buy any printer used in the microcomputer
world and it will work just fine on your Model T.  Sure, you will have to play
with it for its tricks but they will all work fine.

 > How does the NATIVE program simplify printing? (from your fax)

NATIVE sets up your printer so you can get to its fonts from any computers--at
least that's my impression from what Ron Weisen states.  In short, for its
little price, it's worth just buying and getting a first hand workout.

 > How does NTC work? (from your fax)

NTC is a long distance carrier like MCI, Sprint or AT&T.  You start by
switching over your DIAL-1 service to NTC.  Once the switch is made, everytime
you dial a long distance number (i.e., 1-212-xxx-xxxx) your line time is billed
by NTC.  In short, you save mucho-bucks over the big three if you do long
distance calling often.

Thanks for the questions.  Again, sorry for overlooking your message.

At your service... -Rick-