Msg: 4644 *Conference*

09-02-93 00:48:57

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : JOHN SOLON

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4643 (MACDOS)

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John: Let me clear a few things up about MacDOS, MacDOS II, 100duet, LOADER and
DUET.CO.  I know that this subject can be a bit on the confusing side so I'll
attempt to give this discussion a historical angle.  I will also move this
thread into the (1)Conference for others to reference... so I will not have to
cover this subject again, but rather reference the message, and add to it as
necessary.

MacDOS - Marketed by Traveling Software and written by Scott Anderson.  TPDD to
Mac file transfer program.  Package came with the program on Mac disk, a
manual, and an adaptor to connect the TPDD cable to the Mac's serial port.

MacDOS II - The upgraded program by Traveling Software.  Connects Mac's
directly with Model's 100, 102, 200, and NEC8201, as well as TPDD's and
TPDD2's.  The package included the program on Mac disk, a manual, a cable for
laptop to Mac connection, and an adaptor to connect the TPDD or TPDD2 cable to
the Mac's serial port.  To facilitate laptop to Mac connection, a program was
included, called LOADER, which pumped a program called MACDOS.BA into the
laptop--which when run, turned the laptop into a dumb peripheral.  MacDOS II
could then read/write the laptop as if it were a TPDD or TPDD2.

Traveling Software gets out of the Model 100 marketplace, releasing MacDOS II
to the inventor, Scott Anderson.  Scott gets his code back but LOADER was not
his code, so he does not get that part.  Scott starts a new company called
Cabochon.

Traveling Software licenses Club 100 to handle all of their code.  MacDOS II,
however, was no longer theirs to give.

100duet - A rewrite of MacDOS II--name changed and marketed by Cabochon.  Scott
incorporates a routine to pump a file called DUET.CO into the laptop.  DUET.CO
works on Models 100 and 102, only.  Pachage includes 100duet on Mac disk, a
manual, a cable for laptop to Mac connection, and an adaptor to connect the
TPDD and TPDD2

Cabochon allows Club 100 to be a dealer... yeah!!!

Club 100 discovers that 100duet does not work with Models 200 and NEC8201a but
would work with 100duet if LOADER was used to pump MACDOS.BA into the laptop
vs. DUET.CO.  Club 100 starts marketing LOADER for Model 200 and NEC8201 users
who want to use 100duet.  Club 100 has the rights to LOADER as one of the
Traveling Software programs to this is not a problem.

100duet System 7 - Cabochon upgrades 100duet to operate under System 7.
Unfortunately, most early 100duet buyers never send in their warrent cards
creating a big mess, which gets cleaned up over time.

Along comes the Mac Powerbook.  100duet will not work on the Powerbook casue
Apple made the Powerbook's serial interrupts different then those in the "real"
Mac's.  Cabochon does not upgrade 100duet due to lack of sales... it ain't
worth the work... no money in it.

Cabochon quits its product line, giving Club 100 exclusive rights.

Club 100 continues 100duet System 7, offering LOADER to those with Model 200's
and NEC8201a's.  The Powerbook folks must use Soft-PC and Lapdos II for laptop
to Powerbook file transfers.  The Soft-PC trick comes to us via member, Marao
Von Allmen, Switzerland, in December 1992.

The "Club 100 Second Decade (1993-2003)" catalog, being printed as we speak,
slated to be mailed, starting the end of this week, to over 20,000 Club 100
members--a little at a time for economic reasons--lists 100duet for $89.95 and
LOADER for $4.95.

End of story.  Hope this clears the air about this product line but if it does
not please let me know.  I can continue on the detail level if you want.  It's
always a pleaseure.  I'm excited about the product line and the future of Club
100 through the year 2003.

---

Regarding teaching: I quit teaching all together after 14 years.  It was fun
for awhile but got really old, real quick.  I was never tenured, and thus never
had the opportunity to build equity, get health benefits, build a pension...
nothing!  I'm gone for good and feel good about it.

My focus--my life from now on--is our (Drew Blanchar and I)--new online
business, Port Chicago's Loading Dock, Inc., Club 100 in the second decade, and
street rods.  PCLD may be reached by DOS and Mac users at 2400 to 14400 baud,
with ANSI emulation.

Thanks for asking... -Rick-