[Coco] easy tape file transfer from PC to CoCo

[Roger Taylor]

Btw, I also plan to put an option in the menu of the MPROM driver 
disk for loading the ROM image from tape.  The disk load option won't 
be removed.

The catch is that the software can't peek at the ROM file to know if 
it's a LOADM type or raw ROM data, so there will be two modes: Load 
raw ROM file from tape, and Load binary file from tape.

The original MPROM software wants a LOADM'able ROM image, which 
sucks.  I've since added a Load raw ROM data from disk in the 
menu.  It takes a while to load while the LOADM option is almost 
instant.  From Rainbow, if you built a ROM image such as a Disk 
Operating System, or game, you have to put ORG $C000 at the top and 
choose "CoCo LOADM" for the object type.  To build a raw ROM image, 
you have to choose "8k ROM" for the object type.  ORG $C000 can 
remain but the file won't be LOADM'able, ofcourse.  Either way, an 
option in the new MPROM software will let you load raw or LOADM fromt 
tape or disk.

This is where the live tape audio in the IDE comes into play... are 
you following now?  In about 5 minutes or less you could click GO to 
build your project, first choosing "Load raw ROM from tape" on the 
real CoCo, wait a minute, hit '2-Program EPROM'.  From source code to 
ready EPROM in less than 5 minutes, thanks to the "forgotten CoCo 
cassette cable".

For those who aren't following this whole procedure I'm describing, 
I'm making it so terribly simple that it's almost silly.  Ofcourse 
you'd have to be familiar with the Rainbow IDE for the PC, and the 
MPROM system for the CoCo.  Having those two systems plus a cassette 
cable is all you'd need to produce EPROM software in lightning speed.

This is a start.  Eventually I'd like to put support in the IDE for 
some popular Windows-based EPROM burners, but until I purchase and 
test, don't hold your breath on that just yet.  MPROM comes first.
-- 
Roger Taylor

http://www.wordofthedayonline.com