[Coco] CoCoNet beta release

[Gene Heskett]

On Saturday 02 January 2010, Roger Taylor wrote:
>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.  :)

If I can be so audacious as to mention it, I have wondered if they were more 
concerned with getting their trio image into it than with preserving 
functionality.  OTOH, that might have been the shacks way of trying to get 
everybody over to the pc.  Us peons will likely never really know though.

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)

All new:
	Parts not interchangeable with previous model.