[Coco] CoCoNet beta release

[Roger Taylor]

At 01:37 PM 12/24/2009, you wrote:

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

Frank, CoCoNet doesn't attempt to duplicate the DriveWire 
system.  There's a big difference in the two systems.  CoCoNet does 
share one similar feature which is the ability to emulate disk drives 
through the bitbanger cable, but I urge you to explore each and come 
to your own conclusions about why you should use either.

Thanks








>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
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Coco mailing list
> > Coco at maltedmedia.com
> > http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco
>
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-- 
~ Roger Taylor