Msg: 133 *Conference*
06-29-91 17:16:24
From: RICHARD HANSON
To : ALAN MILDWURM
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #132 (DVI)
Alan: Actually, the Model 100/102/200 family have a bright future, despite Tandy--who are still selling the Model 102 because it is still in demand by several segments of the print and scientific community. And, since file transmission is so easy between the M100, etc. and DOS and Mac computers, the future is even brighter. To answer your questions regarding Lapdos II, let me add the following, since its actions are not clear in your mind, yet. 1) Lapdos II comes on either a 5.25 or 3.5" MS-DOS formatted disk. Besides all the neat stuff I placed on the disk, there are two, main files. They are... LOADER.EXE - used to ASCII-pump a TPDD-emmulation program over to the laptop. The resulting 1300+ byte program on the laptop sets up that ends' communication. The little program is called LAPDOS.BA. When run, it turns the laptop into a dumb termainal, emmulating a TPDD. LAP.EXE - used to complete the communication between a TPDD, TPDD2, or Model 100, 102, 200 or NEC PC8201A running LAPDOS.BA. All file transfers are controlled from the DOS computer's side. The DOS computer's screen splits vertically, showing the DOS files in the left--totally path supported--and the laptop files on the right. The user has a simple menu of commands at the bottom. 2) Transferring files is VERY FAST and VERY EASY. Using the arrow keys and simple menu commands the user controls the action. To copy a file from one side to the other, you simply move your cursor to the file you want to copy, tap C for copy and hit <enter>. In seconds, at 19200 baud, the file is copied to the other computer. Say you want to copy all the files from one device to the other. That's easy, too. Place your cursor on the side you want to copy from, tap W for wildcopy, enter *.* and hit <enter>. Don't go away... they'll all copy over in a wink. The Lapdos user can do even more than simply copy files. With Lapdos, you may format new disks in the TPDD or TPDD2. And, if you're using direct connection to the laptop, the format command dumps all file, except the LAPDOS.BA program. You can even rename, kill and translate files. And the color command allow you set up your screen--color, of course--to whatever suits your desires. TPDD and TPDD2 connections requres a simple gender changer adaptor since the disk drives' cable pins out to a D25 Male and the DOS COM ports (aka serial port, or RS232c port) is also a male connector (25 or 9). If, however, you want to connect your laptop to your disktop, directly, you will need a "properly" pined out, null-modem cable. We sell them for just $17.50 or you may build your own--the diagram is included on the disk. Along with the Lapdos II disk, you get a very nice, easy to read, spiral bound copy of the LAPDOS II manual, originally printed by Traveling Software. Bottom line: Lapdos II opens new, extiting vistas for the Model 100/102/200 and NEC PC8201a user who also uses a DOS machine. Hope this helps... -Rick-