[Coco] CoCoNet beta release

[Roger Taylor]

At 01:34 AM 1/2/2010, you wrote:
>Bob Devries wrote:
>>DLOAD is a part of the original EXTENDED COLOR BASIC ROM, and is 
>>not part of OS-9/NitrOS-9.
>>
>>Having said that, I'm sure it's possible to create a new and better 
>>version od the DLOAD built-in command.
>
>You're right, the DLOAD command is available on any CoCo 1 and 2 
>with ECB, and there are patches to completely restore it on the CoCo 
>3. But if you're after a "better" DLOAD, why don't you use DriveWire 
>or CoCoNet? Those systems will provide you with virtual disk drives 
>hosted on a PC over a 115 or 230 kbps serial connection. If you have 
>such a system, why, then, would you need DLOAD, which only allows 
>you to load (not save) programs from a host at 4800 bps max. (9600 
>bps on a CoCo 3)?
>
>My interest in the DLOAD command stems from the fact that it could 
>be used to bootstrap DriveWire (and perhaps CoCoNet, but it seems 
>unlikely at this point). All you would need to get started is a 
>serial cable... and a PC, of course. To serve this purpose, DLOAD 
>doesn't need to be improved, it just needs to work. For historic 
>reasons, DLOAD was killed on the CoCo 3, but if you cast a magic 
>spell (2 POKEs and 2 EXECs) upon the little beast, she will recover 
>the ability to speak with a DLOAD server. That's all. If you think 
>about it, this is hardly any more work than entering the date and 
>time every time you boot that old IBM PC 5150, or your username and 
>password on other systems.

I was doing exactly what you're doing now, a few years ago or 
more.  I remember having some of the same conversations and debates.

If you keep on the path I did, eventually, you'll get mad at Mark 
Hawkins and the gang for screwing up a way to take a bare CoCo 3 
running software from over a 2 or 3-wire cable.  :)


-- 
~ Roger Taylor