[Coco] Re: 8-Bit Microcomputers

[Torsten Dittel]

> Dragon 32/64 (somewhat compatible in BASIC, but incompatible using machine
> code).

Err... the machine code was compatible (both using a 6809...), the
biggest difference was the keyboard matrix layout. You could run Dragon
ML-games on the CoCo and vice versa, but you had to learn the
"keyboard-translation" to play them. If they used the POLCAT routine
from ROM, it wasn't even a problem. The dragon had a true ACIA serial
interface integrated (like a CoCo with RS-232 Deluxe Pak) and a parallel
port for printing. It had composite video out (not shure about RGB on
later models).

The C=64 was trash compared to the CoCo. Just the sound chip (SID) and
the video chip (VID) were fine. However, I always preferred the CoCo's
VDG with it's poor possibilities but true memory mapped graphics. Much
work for the poor CPU, but good to learn how everything works. All my
fellows here in Germany had the C-64 (just a few with a Sinclair
Spectrum), but noone learned something about how a computer works nor
BASIC which was a disease in the C=64. The only usable BASIC command was
POKE to set the VID/SID registers.

Just my 0.02€.

Torsten