[Coco] 1 or 2 meg upgrade

[Nick Marentes]

Now you're exaggerating to the point of rediculous logic.

There is a case for too little (cassette only, 64K only, why RGB etc) 
but there is also a case for more than what it really needs.

People called it "bloatware" when Windows started demanding more 
resources. The difference is that  Windows (and Mac) PC's evolved over 
time to what we have now... 64 bit CPU's with clocks in the Gigahertz, 8 
and 16Gb RAM, 2 Tb Hard Disks.

The CoCo is still the 1.79Mhz 8-bit system it had back in '86! Under 
OS-9, it struggles using a 32K graphics screen in 16 colors and the lack 
of a sound chip reduces computer generated sound into something 
resembling a TRS-80 Model 1.

This is not a bad thing as long as we stay focused on what a CoCo *is* 
and not try to make it into something it's not.

Can you imagine a PC today with 16Gb of RAM and 2Tb hard disks if it 
were still running a 4Mhz 8088 and trying to run Window 7?!

Thank God for RS-DOS - the CoCo's real personality - else we wouldn't 
see programs of the calibre of CoCoMax3 and Max-10, play games likes 
like Zaxxon, Donkey Kong or my Pac-man and marvel at it's true hardware 
capabilities with programs and demos from John Kowalski.

OS-9 is a good OS but it was built for a purpose. Anything beyond that 
and it starts showing its weaknesses.

At least under RS-DOS, we can "hit-the-metal", devise creative ways to 
achieve things originally thought impossible and utilize the full 
potential of the GIME chip within the standard spec of the machine... 
things not possible when you have an underlying OS dictating control of 
the system.

Nick



On 22/11/2014 11:27 PM, Bill Pierce via Coco wrote:
> Aaron, when you put it that way, then you need to go back to the beginning.
> 1. 512k? Who needs more than 64k. The 6809 can't access any more.
> 2. Disk drives? What was wrong with cassettes? It what the machine was originally designed for.
> 3. CM-8 (RGB) monitor? The Coco was supposed to be RS's answer to an affordable home computer one could plug into the family TV... not a $400 monitor.
> 4. Hard Drives? What are you gonna put on that much space anyway? 7000 PModes of Farrah Faucet? Go back to #2
> 5. DW4? Whos gonna use more than 1x 158k SSDD drive, but wait, go back to #2 again
> 6. 80 column screen? What was wrong with the 32x16 screen? TSEdit worked fine.
> 7. 640x192 graphics? Zaxxon ran fine on 256x192. Who needs it?
> 8. Printers? What's wrong with reading the screen? Ya gonna try reading your computer in bed or something?
> 9. AT/XT/PS2 keyboard interface? What you gonna do with all those extra keys anyway?
> 10. More, more, and more....
>
>
> There were those that felt this way on every single addition that was made to the Coco. I know of many who thought the Coco 3 was overkill and never purchased one. We have a few right here on the list that ONLY work with Coco 2s.
> It all comes down to what YOU want in your Coco... not what you think others should/should not have in their Coco.
> Personally, I'll have 1-2meg, Eagle Keyboard, CM-8, HDs/VHDs, DW4, MIDI, Internet Access, and while you're at it... Put some bacon on that with a little mustard. Mmmm... bacon....
>
>