Msg: 388 *Conference*

08-22-91 11:13:45

From: BILL CLYDE

To : SYSOP

Subj: WELCOME BACK!

Rick, I ordered one of those Model 100's for $199.  They sent it COD -- final
cost $213 including shippng via UPS. 
   
   Included in the package is the Club 100 flyer with Tracy Allen's cold start
routine and your inimitable countenance gracing the other side.  Also a yellow
pre-printed post card for sending in to get info about Club 100.  WayToGo!
   
 What I got is a model 100 about one inch thicker than normal -- four cables
wrapped in a harness:  two power cables: (one for the memory, one for the
M100), modem and printer cables, and a power converter for AC (about 10 times
larger than the TRS-80 AC adapter.  The bottom or the computer has places for 7
double A batteries in two containers (one for 4 the other for 3)... I'm
presuming these are backup power for the additional memory. 
    
The power adapter is marked "SOUNDSIGHT MBM INC"... it refers to "bubble
memory".  The basic menu has a program call "Bubble" without an extension -- I
presume that means it's in ROM memory.  Entering the "Bubble" program brings up
a "BUBBLE MENU" with 111.5K memory availble -- page 1.  The function keys are
marked (F1) Vram  (F2) L/fl  (F4) Util  (F5) K/fl  (F7) Rnam  (F8) Menu.  The
F1 brings up "RAM FILES" menu and shows how many bytes are available on the
M100.  The F2 loads a file into the M100 ram.  F5 kills a file, F7 renames a
file and F4 brings up "UTILITIES" menu with four choices:  HOOK, UNHOOK, INIT,
VERIFY.  The function keys on the UTILITIES menu are F1 Vram, F2 Vbub, F5 Exec
and F8 Menu.  F5 key executes the individual utilities:  HOOK and UNHOOK flash
the message: "Operation Successful"; INIT asks for a password and VERIFY runs a
routine that "processes" a list of non-existent .DO files.  It also includes in
the "process" any files you may have added to the BUBBLE MENU.  Interesting
thing I've noted about the Bubble menu is that it will take multiple identical
files of the same name. 
    
    It looks like the advantage (to me) of this machine is the additional
"bubble memory" of 111.5K bytes.  I can store more on the small machine and
need to transfer to and from the PC less often.  It appears that the extra
memory will take individual files of a size up to the available M100 ram.  
   
The "Club 100 Power Pillow" works to run the M100 altho I doubt it will power
the additional memory.  
    
    I still have the regular sized M100 for road trips -- this one will
probably remain on or near my desk at home.  I will need one of those hard
covers you and Jon are developing.  
     
   By the way, welcome back.  While you were gone, Mary and I went to Sonora
one weekend to see Rick Grayson in a play there.  I trust you had a good time.

  
  BC