[Coco] CoCoNet beta release

[Frank Pittel]

How much? Also as a side note why would I want your "coconet" instead
of drivewire? Not a dig just wondering.


the other Frank


On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 11:38:35PM -0600, Roger Taylor wrote:
> Merry Christmas all,
> 
> Now that we're on the subject of CoCo to PC and storage solutions
> for the CoCo - this might be a good time to throw a basic version of
> CoCoNet out there to get some feedback.
> 
> The CoCoNet ROM is 16K and is a replacement for Disk BASIC 1.1  It
> works on any CoCo with Extended BASIC.  CoCoNet is currently
> primarily a multi-drive system with the ability to mount PC and web
> .dsk files and save remote files onto remote-mounted virtual disks.
> These basic features combine to form a very powerful and unique
> storage system for almost any CoCo.
> 
> We've got several ROMs out there that only give one or two types of
> disk drives.  My ROM will continue to add more DOS-compatible
> "drives" to the mix over time.  This includes RAM disks, hard
> drives, Flash drives, MicroSD pak drives (blazing 230400 bps),
> bitbanger drives, floppy drives, network drives, and any others I
> can think of.
> 
> The ideal solution for letting the CoCo deal with remote files and
> networking features is to have the PC server deposit files onto
> virtual disks for the CoCo, offloading 99% of the work and hassle.
> The CoCo basically says "give me this file or disk" and then it
> appears to the CoCo in a native format it already has support for in
> Disk BASIC.
> 
> Use a CoCo-to-PC cable (mine) or a DriveWIre cable, or any other
> basic 4-pin CoCo bitbanger serial cable and get 115200 bps virtual
> drives for using .dsk images stored on your PC or the web.
> Use a Tandy RS-232 Pak or my Deluxe Wireless RS-232 Pak, and get
> 115200 bps virtual drives.  With the wireless pak, the CoCo finds
> your PC and connects automatically within a few seconds.
> Using a Drive Pak (MicroSD card pak), CoCoNet gets a massive 2gb of
> storage (that's a lot for a CoCo).
> Real drives are supported as well.
> 
> All drive types are possible at the same time.  You can mount one of
> each drive type to each CoCo drive 0-3, or 4 of each, 2 and 2, etc.
> BACKUP, COPY, LOAD, SAVE, etc. between all drive types (web disks
> are read-only, however).
> 
> RAM disks haven't been added yet, but should be in the official release or 1.1.
> 
> There are currently a few bugs/issues that could leave the CoCo in
> an undesired state after an error occurs in BASIC.   CoCoNet
> switches between the ROM and All-RAM map at times and currently
> doesn't have error trapping to put the CoCo back in it's native
> mode.  I know how to do this, but I've been short on time.
> 
> The CoCoNet server applet should work on any Windows PC that has the
> .NET framework 2.0 installed.  The .ini file controls what disks are
> initially mounted over the serial links, and all sorts of other
> settings.  You can also mount disks by pathname or URL *FROM THE
> COCO*.
> 
> CoCoNet finds the most likely important disk drive system out of the
> ones available and attempts to run *.BAS on startup from that
> device.  The track 34 scanner has been disabled for now, where a
> 'DOS' command would be issued automatically on powerup if the disk
> is bootable that way.
> 
> A 6551 remote copy of NitrOS-9 is premounted on drive 0 with this
> beta release.  In other words, NitrOS-9 boots on the CoCo over your
> serial pak or wireless pak, and the .dsk resides on your PC as you
> use it on your CoCo.
> 
> 
> http://www.coco3.com/community/coconet_beta.zip
> -- 
> ~ Roger Taylor
> 
> 
> 
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