Msg: 5927 *Conference*

08-08-95 23:16:24

From: COUGAR ALLEN

To : ALL

Subj: INTRODUCTION

        Hi!  I've been using a Model 200 since last November -- it got me
started in computing, and I still use it more  than my 386 desktop.  Who says
it's  obsolete -- it still works!
        I use mine mostly for word  processing, but I've also had a lot of  fun
learning to program in Basic on it.  Since it has a built-in modem, naturally I
had to try it out, and I ended up  making a lot of new friends in local  
cyberspace (Western Massachusetts, the  BBS capital of the world).  I couldn't
call some BBSs at 300 baud, so I bought  a 2400 baud external modem from a
local  sysop for $10.  It took me a couple of  hours to figure out why it
wouldn't  work, but eventually I tried dropping it down to 1200 baud, and at
that speed it  works fine.  (My hardware guru tells me  it's not actually
because the CPU is too slow to keep up; it's because it uses  polling rather
than interrupts and just  doesn't poll often enough.  He says an  XT couldn't
keep up with 2400 baud by  polling, and would be hard pressed at  1200.)
        Later I got an XT, and then a  386DX-25, but I still do most of my  
writing on the Model 200.  It has the  nearest thing to a perfect keyboard I've
found yet; the LCD is easier on my eyes  than a CRT, the batteries last damn
near forever (I use the new rechargeable  alkalines, and recommend them highly)
--
and I can carry it anywhere!  What more  could I want?
        Well, I do want more.  I want to check out the software in the file  
library here (and I'll start as soon as  I get access).  And I want a disk
drive.
  The portable disk drives look pretty  expensive, and I'm trying not to spend
any money right now because I'm saving  up to buy lawn flamingos. :)  What are
the "Chipmunk" and "Purple" drives I see in the consignment ads?  Will either
of  them work with a Model 200?