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›7mCoco Chronicles ›0m
THE "COCO" CHRONICLES (Jul'80 - Jun'92) by: alfredo(!)
date started: August 20th, 1984
last update: July 24, 1991









The COCO CHRONICLES Table Of Contents


›7mOpen ›0m

›7mYear ›0m

›7mJan'81 - Feb'81 The Micro Works ›0m

›7mComputerware ›0m
›7mSpectral Associates ›0m
›7mMar'81 - May'81 Connection-80 BBS ›0m

›7mWhat's Inside The CoCo/BYTE ›0m
›7m68 Micro Journal ›0m
›7mColor Computer News ›0m
›7mMay'81 - Jun'81 Microsoft's Bill Gates ›0m

Year 2: Jul'81 - Jul'81



›7mChromasette ›0m
›7mThe Rainbow ›0m
›7mJul'81 - Aug'81 ›0m
›7mSep'81 - Oct'81 ›0m

›7mTelewriter ›0m
›7mColorcom/E ›0m
›7mNov'81 - Dec'81 ›0m
›7mJan'82 - Feb'82 The CoCo is Dead ›0m

›7m32K For Free ›0m
›7mMar'82 - May'82 Data Comp Flex ›0m
›7mMay'82 - Jun'82 ›0m

›7mYear 3: Jul'82 - Aug'82 ›0m

›7mAug'82 - Nov'82 ›0m
›7mNov'82 - Jan'83 Donkey King ›0m
›7mJan'83 - Jun'83 Color Computer Magazine ›0m

›7mRainbowfest #1 ›0m
›7mHot CoCo Magazine ›0m

›7mYear 4: Jul'83 - Sep'83 Enter The Dragon ›0m

›7mSep'83 - Feb'84 Color Expo '83 ›0m

›7mGraphicom ›0m
›7m128K ›0m
›7mFeb'84 - Jun'84 Hard Disk ›0m

›7mYear 5: Jul'84 - Jan'85 CoCo Max ›0m

›7mFeb'85 - Jun'85 EARS ›0m

›7mYear 6: Jul'85 - Jun'86 ›0m


›7mYear 7: Jul'86 - Jun'87 CoCo III ›0m


›7mClose ›0m


›7mLibrary ›0m


›7mCoCo Prices ›0m


›7mRainbowfests ›0m


›7mCoCo/Dragon Suppliers ›0m


›7mThese Are A Few Of My Favorite Things ›0m
Last Update: Aug. 21, 1990
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›7m›0m THE "COCO" CHRONICLES by: alfredo(!) PROLOGUE
While skimming through the pages of a popular Color Computer magazine
recently, my thoughts traveled back through the 12 years of Color Computer
history. Back to a time when there was NOTHING.
I recalled the events leading up to my introduction to this wonderful
machine. It seems like only yesterday...
Christmas morning 1980: Pam, my wife, must've known that I was very
interested in getting a computer because, there, under the tree was the new
Mattell Intellevision!? Pam bought that machine due, in part, to the
computer capabilities the unit would have with a keyboard console,
scheduled for release in the spring.
After several days of gunning down waves of aliens, we both suffered from
blurred eye sight, blistered fingers, lack of sleep, and video game burn
out. Spring seemed so far away.
A couple weeks after Christmas, I came across an ad in the New York Daily
News for a new Radio Shack computer which, like the Intellevision, had game
cartridge capabilities, an important feature because, if I didn't like
computing, I could always go back to cleaning up the galaxy. For the refund
price of the Intellevision (sorry Pam) plus another $150, I had enough
money to purchase the new TRS-80 Color Computer.
I celebrated the arrival of an early "spring". It was January 9th, 1981. It
seems like only yesterday....... GETTING STARTED
This project was, to say the least, a labor of love. Every attempt was made
to ensure an accurate account of the Color Computer's evolution. Extensive
use of various computer magazine articles and ads were used as the basis
for "dating" events. This "dating" method was used because most of us
probably heard about various developments through these sources.
Keep in mind, however, that sometimes ads can precede product availability
by as much as a month or more. Those of you who ordered the very first
"Super 'Color' Writer" program from Nelson Software know what I mean. Other
information sources included printouts and files from old bulletin board
sessions, telephone interviews, and correspondence with various users.
Before starting, let me just say that, while looking through the numerous
back issues for Color Computer information, a strange thing started
happening. Remember that frustrated feeling, of the early years, when YOU
looked for Color Computer information and none could be found? It all
started coming back to me.......
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›7m›0m
From what I was able to piece together, here, roughly, is how the CoCo came
into existence:
The initial Tandy/Motorola connection occured sometime in the mid-70s when
the two join forces in developing a "weather radio" system.
In 1977, a year after starting talks with Motorola about the possibility of
designing a low-cost home computer that could be hooked up to a regular TV
set, Tandy is invited to participate in an agricultural experiment.
Project "Green Thumb", as it was called, would employ information retrieval
to give farmers data, updated hourly by computer. Terminals used in this
project are developed by Radio Shack in conjunction with Motorola.
By late 1977, Motorola's MC6847 Video Display Generator chip is developed.
Although it's unclear if the VDG came about because of project "Green
Thumb" or Tandy's search for the "low-cost" home computer, in 1978, when it
is married to the MC6808 CPU, the Color Computer is born. THE TRS-90
The "prehistoric" Color Computer, however, contains too many chips to make
it affordable for Tandy's anticipated target market. Motorola solves this
problem in late 1978 by replacing the network of chips which makes up the
memory management circuits with its newly developed MC6883 Synchronous
Address Multiplexer (SAM) chip.
In December of 1979, about a year after production began on the MC6809
microprocessor, reports circulated that it would be Microsoft, and not
Motorola, that will write the Basic interpreter for the new TRS-90.
The name TRS-90 is eventually dropped in favor of a much more "colorful"
name.
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›7m›0m THE FIRST YEAR (Jul'80 - Jun'81 )
On July 31st, 1980, two months after unveiling their TRS-80 Videotex
terminal, Tandy publicly displays its three new computers for 1981: the
TRS-80 Model III, the TRS-80 Pocket Computer and the TRS-80 COLOR COMPUTER.
In September, the Color Computers started appearing in Radio Shack stores.
They sell for $399.00 and come with 4K RAM, 8K Microsoft Color Basic 1.0, a
53 key calculator-type keyboard, built-in modulator to connect to any
television, RS-232 interface, a 1500 baud cassette interface, joystick
connectors, and a slot where Program Paks could be inserted.
In BYTE magazine's October issue, an article speculated that, of the the 3
new Radio Shack machines, the TRS-80 Color Computer will probably create
the most interest in consumer markets.
STEVE ODNEAL and WAYNE DAY, in the market for machines at this time,
purchase Color Computers and yes Virginia, some jumpered C-boards were
sold.
Tandy, meanwhile, was rumored to have a quality control hold on the Color
Computer following several reported failures after only a few hours of
operation.
In November, 68 MICRO JOURNAL published the first data sheets for the new
MC6883 (SAM) chip but, their are few Color Computer owners out there to
read it.
Radio Shack, at the same time, releases the first Color Computer software.
The ROM-PAK cartridge software includes such "heavy-weight" titles as
Chess, Checkers, Quasar Commander, Personal Finance, and a Diagnostic
program.
By the time December rolled around, there was a 16K upgrade available from
Radio Shack, a requirement for the delayed Extended Color Basic ROM, which
is only a month away.
If the Color Computer you got as a Christmas gift was your first ever
computer, (like it was mine) you were probably unaware that the "Getting
Started with COLOR BASIC" manual accompanying the early machines contained
only 13 of the scheduled 24 chapters.
Radio Shack explained, in the December issue of its TRS-80 MICROCOMPUTER
NEWS that, when the machines were ready to ship, the manuals weren't but,
rather than keep the Color Computer from us, they sent what was available.
Always thinking of us.
It was probably more a case of not wanting to lose out on Christmas sales
that prompted the decision to ship with incomplete documentation.
With the only available information found between the covers of the
unfinished "Getting Started with COLOR BASIC" manual, for the small and
hearty band of early Color Computer owners, the first year was like being
in the Dark Ages.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m OUT OF THE CLS(0)
The place to look for information was either from your local Radio Shack
store (probably the person who sold you the computer) or from Tandy's
customer service.
Salespeople, unless they are also "computer people", could offer little if
any information. If you were lucky enough to find a salesperson with
computer know-how, chances are it was Model I/Z-80 know-how. No help there.
Customer service in Fort Worth, on the other hand, had plenty of
information, and it was a toll-free call away but, Raymond, Martin, and
Kathy wouldn't tell you much more than what was in your manual. Another
dead end.
One of the first books detailing the internal workings of the 6809 was
published in late 1980. Authored by Dr. Carl Warren, "The MC6809 COOKBOOK",
contains all the information required for assembly language programming.
Unfortunately it precedes the first Color Computer editor/assemblers by
about 8 months and is pretty much overlooked.
Computer magazines, at this time, were filled with articles and reviews
about every computer except the Color Computer. When anything does appear,
it is usually comparing the Color Computer (unfavorabley) to the Atari 800.
Reviewers point to the "chiclet" keyboard, limited screen display (16 x
32), inverse lower case, and small RAM size as areas which make the
Computer less desirable than even the Atari 400 or the VIC-20.

Perhaps I'm too sensitive but, I couldn't help feel, "they" were laughing
at MY computer! Did anyone else get that feeling? If so, realize this:
Every computer mentioned so far in this article (with the exception of the
Color Computer, of course) has been discontinued. Remaining virtually
unchanged in its five years, our "toy", as it was often called, continues
to flourish! THE RENAISSANCE
Three major events, instrumental in paving the way for the Color Computer
information explosion, occured in the opening months of 1981

THE MICRO WORKS and COMPUTERWARE shared the distinction of being the first
folks to offer software for the Color Computer. The "CBUG" monitor program
and the "80C" disassembler, both from THE MICRO WORKS' ANDREW PHELPS, are
released in January. Accompanied by documentation containing information
about the Basic ROM, these fine programming tools will, in the right hands,
reveal even more information about how the Color Computer works.
With the arrival, in February, of Radio Shack's DIRECT CONNECT MODEM I, a
feeling of "community" began spreading among the isolated Color
Computerists. Using "VIDEOTEX", the first communications package for the
Color Computer, users start "meeting" on COMPUSERVE or, more frequently,
local area bulletin boards to share information and "discoveries".
Of less significance but, certainly of interest, SPECTRAL ASSOCIATES
introduced a 16K upgrade, ($75.00) an editor/assembler, plus several other
utilities and one of the first games: SPACE INVADERS. They were also in the
process of developing MAGIC BOX which would enable Model I & III tapes to
be loaded into the Color Computer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
The CONNECTION-80 BBS of Woodhaven, New York, which went "on-line" March
22nd, was like hundreds of other Model I boards providing information for
the Model I & Model III....with one exception. The sysop, having just
purchased a Color Computer, started putting things on the BBS about the
Color Computer and at 300 baud, news spread quickly about BOB ROSEN's BBS.
One of the main topics of BBS "conversation" at this time was the article
in BYTE magazine's March issue entitled: "WHAT'S INSIDE RADIO SHACK'S COLOR
COMPUTER?". Authored by Tim Ahrens, Jack Brown, and Hunter Scales, the
article contained the most comprehensive information ever assembled,
including an in-depth look at the 6809E architecture, the job-discription
of all the major chips, the expansion port pin-out, the famous POKE 65495,0
speed poke, plus "... a tricky way to get 32K bytes of memory"!
Although occasional Color Computer "tid-bits" show up in various computer
publications, they are usually in the form of reviews with no more
information than found in the "Getting Started With Color Basic" manual.
If, in those early days, you looked for information in WAYNE GREEN's 80
MICROCOMPUTING, you missed out on lots of material appearing regularly in a
publication called 68 MICRO JOURNAL.
68 Micro carried the first information on the MC6883 SAM chip (Nov'80), the
first Color Computer software ads and a tip on disabling the ROM-PAK
auto-start (Jan'81), MICKEY FERGUSON's letter mentioning plans for starting
COLORWARE (Jan'81), talk of an expansion interface from F&D ASSOCIATES
(Mar'81), and a letter from TALLGRASS TECHNOLOGIES about their proposed
disk system (Apr'81). The April issue also premiered the first dedicated
Color Computer column, BOB NAY's "TRS80CC".
Only in retrospect can DON WILLIAMS' 68 MICRO JOURNAL be truly appreciated.
With a reader base made up of Motorola's 6800 users, they, were among the
first to realize the potential of the 6809E powered Color Computer.
Names like STAR-KITS, The Micro Works, Computerware, MARK DATA, CER-COMP,
FRANK HOGG and others were in the pages of 68 MICRO long before there was
ever a Color Computer.
With its support of the Motorola 68xx series, 68 Micro, attracted some
early seekers, most, however, gravitate toward 80 MICROCOMPUTING, others
look to 80 U.S., while still others try BYTE.
As more and more interest grew, it was inevitable that somebody, somewhere
would start a publication exclusively for the TRS-80 Color Computer.
COLOR COMPUTER NEWS,(CCN for short) was the first Color Computer
publication to hit the stands.
Edited by Bill Sias and published by REMarkable software of Muskegon, CCN
premiers with its May/Jun issue, a 48 page beauty, filled with program
listings, reviews, letters from other users, and articles!
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›7m›0m
Don Inman, Ron Krebs, Wayne Day, Tom Mix, Ken Kalish, Jorge Mir, Gary &
Susan Davis, Tony DiStefano, D.S. Lewandowski, and Andrew Phelps were just
some of the "new" users (weren't we all back then) whose names appeared
within the first few issues.
Another feature of CCN was all those lovely ads! Did I say ads?? Yup!
As much as we may sometimes say we hate commercials, I'll bet during the
opening months of 1981, you, like many other users, pour through various
computer magazines searching, not only for articles but, for that
occasional ad which may mention the Color Computer. Lets face it, ads ARE
an information source.
Although there were only a handful of companies supporting the Color
Computer in its first year, it may come as a surprise, the amount of
sophisticated software and hardware that was available and/or in the
development.
The Micro Works had its CBUG, 80C disassembler, and 16K or 32K upgrades.
editor/assemblers and "space invader" games were both available from
Computerware and Spectral Associates. EIGEN SYSTEMS was putting BASIC
programs on a ROM-PAK. The WOLFBUG monitor from MIKE WOLF accessed 64K of
RAM. F&D Associates released a ROM/EPROM BOARD, and a PROTO BOARD while
announcing plans for an EXPANSION INTERFACE. Both Tallgrass and ATOMTRONICS
were developing disk systems, and Steve Odneal's Color Computer FLEX
conversion was reportedly just about completed.
Microsoft's Bill Gates (the daddy of Color Basic and Extended Color Basic)
is interviewed in the May/Junn issue of 80 U.S. and says, in the future,
there will be a book dealing with the overall structure of both ROMS.
As the Color Computer's first year came to a close in June, third party
support was starting to gather momentum but, if Fort Worth doesn't step up
support, the TRS-80 Color Computer may die of neglect.......
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›7m›0m THE SECOND YEAR (Jul'81 - Jun'82)
Following its 1980 debut, the machine bumped along with virtually no Radio
Shack support. The next 12 months, however, would witness the biggest
outpouring of Color Computer support to date. This period produced a flood
of upgrades, modifications, hardware, software, and most of all,
information.
In July of 1981, the Color Computer's first anniversary roared in like a
lion. I celebrated by upgrading to Extended Basic, buying the Direct
Connect Modem I, signing up with Compuserve, buying an LP VII, and ordering
SUPER "COLOR" WRITER from NELSON SOFTWARE, and the EXATRON disk system.
A word of sympathy here for anyone who, like myself, ordered Nelson's word
processor.
The seven month period after placing my order was filled with nothing but
AGGRAVATION! Suffice it to say that, by January of 1982, the software was
still nothing more than an ad on the pages of a few magazines.
Another ad appearing that July was for the EXATRON disk system. "32K PLUS
DISKS $298.00", read the ad. I immediately called the toll-free number and
my name was placed on a list, behind 24 other users. After a month and a
half of waiting, and countless phone calls of inquiry, it finally arrives.
The following day it is ready for a return trip back to Exatron's Sunnyvale
plant. The amount of generated RFI made the screen unreadable.
Steve Odneal, at about this same time, was having a little bit better luck.
With a home-built disk system hooked up to his 32K machine and 8K of RAM on
the disk controller board, Steve completes the first ever conversion of the
FLEX operating system for the Color Computer.
While MARK DATA rushes to convert their adventure games to run on the Color
Computer, IMB (Illustrated Memory Banks) releases its first offering.
Although written in Basic, METEOR STORM was the first software to take
advantage of our machine's graphics capabilities.
Thanks Fred Scerbo!
July also witnessed the introduction of the first educational software from
MICRO-LEARNINGWARE, and STRAWBERRY SOFTWARE, plus the first detailed
instructions on performing the 32K "piggyback" upgrade.
By the time CCN's Jul/Aug issue arrived on your doorstep, two more Color
Computer publications had sprung to life. GET A CLOAD OF THIS...
The first ever, cassette based Color Computer magazine, was DAVE
LAGERQUIST's CHROMASETTE MAGAZINE. Instant software on a monthly basis for
a mere $3.50 an issue was quite a deal!
The "magazine's" first issue contained 5 Basic programs and a very moving
"cover". Very impressive!! In addition, all tapes are accompanied by a 5 or
6 page news letter explaining the programs. The news letter also features
tips, the latest rumors (Radio Shack disks soon?), and some of the editor's
own "colorful" insights, which brings me to the second publication
inaugurated in July.
Whoever wrote the words, "From small acorns, large oak trees do grow" was,
undoubtedly, referring to LONNIE FALK and the RAINBOW.
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›7m›0m
The Rainbow's first issue was all of two pages in length (both sides, of
course) and you could tell immediately by the typeset (LP VII), that no
expense was spared in putting together this latest collection of Color
Computer information. The debut issue was photocopied at the corner drug
store and after the first 25 copies sold out ($1.00 each), another trip to
the drugstore was needed for an additional 10 copies.
Containing the usual assortment of Color Computer articles, comments, tips,
and program listings, the Rainbow became "legit" by the third issue with
its first ads from The Micro Works and from JARB SOFTWARE.
Thanks Lonnie!
Although initially set up for the Model I & III, by July, Bob Rosen's BBS
was crawling with Color Computer information left by WAYNE DAY, SYD KAHN,
"Barefoot" JOHN GRIFFEN, CAL RASMUSEN, KENT MEYERS, LEE BLITCH, and many
other "gurus" including JORGE MIR.
Radio Shack's cassette based Videotex, because it was the first (and only)
terminal program for the Color Computer at this time, was used exclusively
by anyone calling Bob's BBS with a Color Computer. Videotex, a very limited
piece of .... software, stored incoming information in a "buffer" but,
downloading, saving to tape, or printing out the buffer was not supported.
When off-line, the only thing you could do with the buffer was look at it
and, to make matters even worse, the only way to exit Videotex and return
to Basic was to shut off the machine.
Thanks to the efforts of Jorge Mir, information started showing up on the
BBS, about a Videotex modification allowing an exit to Basic by pressing
the reset button, thereby preserving the text buffer. The download
capability is not too far away. ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE SPOKEN HERE
The SDS80C from The Micro Works was the Color Computer's first
editor/assembler. Although marketed in August, it had been a reality since
June.
I should mention that, Cer-Comp of Las Vegas, in a letter dated June 1,
stated the availability of their editor/assembler which, in fact, may have
been the first. If so, I stand corrected but, The Micro Works did get
theirs to market first.
Other notable releases in August included Mark Data's first two adventure
games CALIXTO ISLAND, and BLACK SANCTUM, Tallgrass Technologies' disk
system, and 64K RAM adapter board, and THE FACTS, a Color Computer
technical manual from Spectral Associates.
BARRY THOMPSON, Tandy's Product Line Manager, in his column for Radio
Shack's TRS-80 MICROCOMPUTER NEWS, replied to MARK GRANGER's "PCLEAR 0"
inquiry with this explanation: "...THERE IS NO WAY TO RELEASE THAT LAST
PAGE OF GRAPHIC MEMORY....". Had Mr. Thompson read the RAINBOW's second
issue, he not only would have found out about the PCLEAR 0 trick but, he
would have heard from a "very high placed source" that a Radio Shack disk
system would be out within 2 months along with a 32K upgrade.
Hadn't we heard those stories before?
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›7m›0m
September is a time to return back to school. A time for learning, and
learn we did. We learn from Radio Shack that, the much rumored 32K upgrade
is finally a reality. Although not mentioned, the upgrade includes both the
new E-board and 1.1 Basic ROM. You discover that the first Color Computer
word processor, C.C. WRITER, is available from TRANSFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES.
You are taught by C.J. ROSLUND's that, the PCLEAR "bug" can be fixed with a
simple "REVERSE REFERENCE", and your homework assignment is to read CLAY
ABRAMS' documentation for another Color Computer first, his RTTY/CW
communications software!
The Sep/Oct issue of CCN also debuts a column which quickly becomes one of
the most popular: COMMENT CORNER. Written by Andrew Phelps, author of The
Micro Works' CBUG, 80C Disassembler, and SDS80C, each column takes an
in-depth look at one of the Color Basic ROM routines.
Thanks again Andy!
A first this month from Computerware, is the Color Computer's first
alternate language: PASCAL. Computerware also starts marketing MAGICUBE (a
Rubick's Cube game), and COLOR DATA ORGANIZER.
Steve Odneal's FLEX had, by this time, been converted to operate on the
newly released Exatron system and, it worked like a "champ". According to
Steve, the Exatron expansion board was the key, as it allowed the ROMs to
be turned off and RAM turned on. Steve, while converting FLEX for the Radio
Shack DOS, doubts the system will be capable of switching ROM to RAM. Steve
would surely have gotten an "F" for his speculation that the Exatron disk
system would be the "standard" disk system for the Color Computer, possibly
surpassing even Radio Shack's.
The month for trick or treating, October, saw the first details about the
Radio Shack disk system, the debut of Bob Nay's COLOR COMPUTER USERS NOTES
in 68 MICRO, plus the release of AARDVARK-80's first 7 games.
Another October treat was Dennis Kitsz's article detailing a modification
that will deliver "true" lower-case, instead of those unsightly inverse
characters. This was the first lower-case board for the Color Computer, and
is also available in kit form from MSB ELECTRONICS.
Thanks Dennis!
Marketing began on SOFT SECTOR MARKETING's MASTER CONTROL, the first single
key entry utility. If you ordered immediately you were told "...some
problems have cropped up and we'll be a few weeks late in delivering
it...". Not again!!!
Jorge Mir's article appeared, describing how Videotex can be modified to
return to Basic upon reset, thereby giving the Color Computer its first BBS
download capability.
Although there were a few bulletin boards which supported the Color
Computer, THE ARK, to my knowledge, was the first to actually ran on a
Color Computer. "Barefoot" John Griffen, the sysop, operated the BBS from
his houseboat in Portland, OR. Callers include STEVE DEN BESTE, SHAWN JIPP,
Bob Rosen, and ED MARCH.
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›7m›0m
Mike Wolf marketed his Color Computer disk controller around this time but,
unless you had either inquired or ordered his WOLFBUG monitor, chances are
you didn't hear about it because, the controller was marketed through
direct mail. With a price tag of around $350.00, the unit included an 80
column card, real time clock, and parallel printer port. In a phone
interview, Mike told me that a Michigan Computer Club was responsible for
the sale of about 10 pieces.
The name, TRS-80, stands for Tandy Radio Shack, the 80 is a result of the
Z-80 cpu in Tandy's first computer, the Model I.
Because our machine uses a 6809 cpu, it should have been called either a
TRS-68 or a TRS-09 Color Computer but, what's in a name? Some, nicknamed it
the TRS-80CC, other the TRS-80C, still others the 80C but it was Dave
Lagerquist, in October's Chromasette, who first used the name COCO. This
innocent enough action set of a "name calling" debate lasted for several
months through-out the ever growing "CoCo" community.
Some things in the November winds included a tip to reduce internal heat
produced by the 32K "piggyback" upgrades by painting the inside of the
CoCo's top cover flat black, and a rumor that Radio Shack is using
half-good 64K chips in its 32K upgrade, and an interesting article about
CoCos being used to control
Mr. Walt Bolden's solar heated home in Washington state. The computers were
set up by HOME COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC. of Seattle, WA.
November also brings the first review of the Exatron disk system, the
PROGRAMMERS INSTITUTE's tape magazine, TRC but, still no Super "Color"
Writer.
Nelson Software may have been dragging its feet but, not COGNITEC. Within a
couple of months of its November release, TELEWRITER, was the talk of the
CoCo community. Telewriter was the first "world-class" word processor. To
this day, Telewriter (for the price) is my personal favorite!
Thanks Howard!
Although it was possible to do primitive Videotex downloading, COLORCOM/E
from Eigen Systems was light years ahead. It supported online/offline
scrolling, cassette file transfer, automatic or manual data capturing,
off-line print-outs, and selectable RS232 options.
When MARK DAVIDSAVER'S Colorcom/E was ready for shipping, he mailed flyers
to those who had responded to his "put your Basic program on a ROM" ad
(June'81). Bob Rosen, upon receiving his flyer, immediately phones Mark.
Colorcom/E becomes the first major software sold by Bob's Connection-80
BBS. The rest, as they say, is history.... for both, Bob and Colorcom/E.
Thanks Mark!
December saw, not only the release of Computerware's PAC ATTACK (the first
of many PAC-MAN clones) but, a review of the Tallgrass disk system, to my
knowledge, the only disk system which ran on a 4K CoCo!
As 1981 drew to a close, reviews and comparisons were being made between
the new Radio Shack disk system and the Exatron system. The consensus of
opinion seems to be that Exatron's single density format is its biggest
drawback.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
With third-party support growing dramatically, and even Radio Shack waking
up, the CoCo's future seemed secure but, into each life, a little rain must
fall... THE COLOR COMPUTER IS DEAD!
Now, when most of us hear rumors, we usually consider the source. The more
reliable the source, the more accurate the "information" is likely to be.
Although it had been rumored for a while that Tandy was dropping the Color
Computer, the rumor takes on special significance when, in January, it
appears in Wayne Green's 80 MICRO editorial.
Say it ain't so Wayne!
Since the beginning, critics had always pointed to the CoCo keyboard and
snickered. A Dennis Kitsz article put a stop to all that by replacing the
"chiclets" keyboard with a Model I keyboard. What will he do next?
Bob Rosen started his company, CONNECTION-80 (named after his BBS) in
January and his first advertised CoCo product was: COLORCOM/E. Although
Eigen ran his own separate ads, Bob's BBS probably accounted for a majority
of initial sales. With every BBS sign-on being accompanied by a little
"commercial", word spread very quickly, as the popularity of both
Colorcom/E and the BBS grew and grew. Truly, a marriage made in computer
heaven.
1982 marks the start of CCN being published monthly. It also witnesses the
debut of DSL's ML RABBIT, SUGAR SOFTWARE's SILLY SYNTAX, MARTIN
CONSULTING's SMART TERM, MOSES ENGINEERING's LIGHT PEN, TOM MIX's MOON
LANDER, and Frank Hogg's CCFORTH.
In February, resumes were being accepted for sysop of a COLOR SIG which
would soon be starting up on Compuserve, while in New England, the CoCo was
being used at the University of Vermont.
Other events taking place at this time include the disk version of
Telewriter undergoing final testing, STEVE BLYN (soon to start COMPUTER
ISLAND) markets his first educational software, and violently negative
reaction to Wayne Green's editorial starts surfacing.
Wayne sure didn't make too many friends last month.
CCN's February issue, in my opinion, was the best issue of any Color
Computer magazine ever published! The issue was special for several
reasons. If you were looking for a method of transferring your tape files
to disk there was TPTDSK from JACK L. AKER, Tony DiStefano's article on
running machine language programs from disk, and C.J. Roslund's article on
disabling the BREAK key but, what really makes this issue worth its weight
in gold appears on page 23... 32K RAM FOR FREE!!! by Frank Hogg
After Radio Shack's 32K upgrade became available, rumor had it that the
"32K" chips used are, in fact, half-bad (good?) 64K chips. Frank Hogg's
article details the steps required to enable your Radio Shack 32K CoCo (not
"piggyback" 32K) to go into the "all RAM" mode, thereby giving the CoCo an
effective 64K of RAM.
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›7m›0m
Frank speculates (correctly) that, although very early 32K Radio Shack
upgrades may have contained the half-bad 64K chips, most 32K upgraded CoCos
contain prime 64K chips. Radio Shack's 32K upgrade also includes the
E-board and 1.1 Basic ROM. Although Frank Hogg didn't perform (or even make
available) the first 64K upgrade, his article did bring to the CoCo
community the information required to "double" the computer's effective
memory and, in so doing, created a base for his FLEX operating system.
Thanks Frank!
In March, KRAFT's new joystick (available within 2 months), TYPE-N-TALK
from VOTRAX, and GEORGE ASSOCIATES' Z-80 based CP/M interface, were three
new CoCo products previewed at the WEST COAST COMPUTER FAIR in San
Francisco.
DATA-COMP debuts their FLEX operating system by marketing Steve Odneal's
conversion which, at the time, utilized the Exatron disk system.
In an attempt to pacify software reviewers who have been waiting for the
long overdue Super "Color" Writer, Nelson ships their SUPER "COLOR"
TERMINAL.
Magazine articles at this time include Shawn McClenahan's detailed
instruction on various 64K upgrades, a non-Kitzs hardware project for those
of us who are tired of constantly switching the modem and printer cables
from the back of the CoCo, and Frank Hogg's article on moving ROM to RAM in
your "new" 64K CoCo.
Perhaps in light of February's information flood, both CoCo publications
seemed to have a lack-luster March issue. If I hear about the double-speed
poke one more
time, I'm going to scream!!!!!!
With 2 FLEX operating systems available for the CoCo, MICROWARE starts
looking into the possibility of OS-9. Meanwhile, DALE PUCKETT's article
"FLEX COMES TO THE COLOR COMPUTER" along with the first installation of
Frank Hogg's column "64K KORNER" appears in the April issue of CCN, marking
their increased FLEX coverage.
Clay Abrams' article, "AMATEUR RADIO AND THE TRS-80 COLOR", deals with the
the reception of SSTV pictures. Wonderful information for ham operators
but, it seemed like all the useful utility listings I'd come to expect from
CCN were starting to disappear.
The RAINBOW, which by April had grown to 52 pages, contains the first part
of DENNIS LEWANDOWSKI's column called THE ASSEMBLY CORNER, plus RAINBOW ON
TAPE.
Telewriter's disk version is being marketed by this time along with several
other new CoCo products, such as HUMBUG, a machine language monitor program
from Star-Kits, various software from PRICKLY-PEAR SOFTWARE, AUTO RUN from
Sugar Software, the first hi-res screen utility THE SOLUTION from SNAKE
MOUNTAIN SOFTWARE, and NANOS' reference card.
Wayne Green must've freaked out when, in May, Tandy opened a 100,000 square
foot plant in Ft. Worth to build Color Computers. Also at this time,
several New Jersey schools started using the machine. Seems like everywhere
Wayne Green looks, there are CoCos! (dieing of neglect, no doubt)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
CCN celebrates its first year anniversary with apologies from Bill Sias
about the "double" issue but, said it was needed to get back on schedule.
While still a source of valuable information, the number of good articles
and programs seemed to be declining.
Some CoCo firsts in May, included an EPROM burner from COMPUTER
ACCESSORIES, DISK DOCTOR from SUPERIOR GRAPHICS, SPELL 'N FIX from
Star-Kits, and from Aardvark, the first BASIC COMPILER. SPECTRUM PROJECTS
also debuts as Bob Rosen drops the name Connection-80.
Dennis Kitsz is no stranger to CoCo owners but, exactly, who is he? Where
does he come from? What is he really like? The brief biography, DEVINE
DEMENTIA by MICHAEL NADEAU, appears in 80 MICRO and answers these, and
other questions. It was fun reading.
F I N A L L Y!!! a review of the l-o-n-g awaited Super "Color" Writer from
Nelson Software.
The first national CoCo users group was inaugurated in June when Compuserve
starts its Color Computer SIG with a membership of 52 and WAYNE DAY as
sysop.
80 Micro runs an interesting biography about Bob Rosen and his
Connection-80 BBS.
Thanks for the plug, Bob!
Newly introduced CoCo support includes MICRO TECHNICAL PRODUCTS' LCA-47
lowercase kit (the first kit featuring switch selectable inverse screen),
and the RAINBOW SEAL OF CERTIFICATION. Started by RAINBOW magazine,
certification insures that the product does, in fact, exist.
JOHN WALCO's 3 part article on picking winning NFL teams with the CoCo
began but, unfortunately there would be no winners that year because the
NFL went on strike.
Was it my imagination or, were both Color Computer magazines getting stale?
Due, perhaps, to the sudden abundance of CoCo information in the second
year, both appeared to be getting a bit flat?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m THE THIRD YEAR (Jul'82 - Jun'83)
Despite rumors of its demise, the COCO celebrated its second birthday in
fine health. With year 1 shrouded in mystery, and year 2 producing tons of
information and software, what could we expect from year
three........ARCADE GAMES and HARDWARE!
First shown at the West Coast Computer Fair in February, George Associates'
CoCo CP/M expansion unit hit the market in July. Although it looked
impressive, who was going to drop $1200.00 to upgrade a CoCo? Did anyone
out there buy one of these??
In "the best get better" department, The Micro Works unveiled its disk
based editor/assembler, MACRO-80C.
Tony Distefano's first COLOR CLINIC column in 68 MICRO explained why some
CoCos would not accept the double-speed poke, and DONALD J. SOMMER of
Seattle, WA. details the steps required to upgrade a pre E-board CoCo to
64K.
CCN, in July, continued putting more emphasis on FLEX, OS-9, and other CoCo
operating systems but, features DARREL WRIGHT's utility to convert
Telewriter text files from binary to ascii and vice-versa, and some
pictures taken at a Cincinnati TRS-80 users meeting.
Plans are disclosed to offer CCN ON TAPE and winners of the first CCN
programming contest are announced. They were: J. VENTLING for the GEORGE C.
SCOTT portrait, GARRY HOWARD for the WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE, and REGENA's
COOKIE FILE program.
The RAINBOW's first anniversary issue was a beauty!! Featuring its first
full-color cover and typeset copy throughout, it's hard to believe that it
started out in a drugstore a year ago.
Rumors circulate that the 4K CoCo will be discontinued and a 64K version
introduced in the near future.
The first CoCo hardware to reach the market in August includes F&D
Associates' EPROM board, COLOR PORT from MAPLE LEAF SYSTEMS, BOTEK
INSTRUMENTS' serial to parallel printer interface, plus SHAWN McCLENAHAN's
article describing the installalation of a Mod III keyboard (with numeric
keypad) in the CoCo.
80 MICRO runs its first annual READER's POLL to find out the most popular
software for Radio Shack machines.
With Frank Hogg writing the editorial in the August issue of CCN, things
were really getting out of hand with all the FLEX material. There was the
editorial, plus several full-page ads for his products, and of course his
64K KORNER. It seemed like CCN had turned into the Frank Hogg magazine.
Although a bit less technically oriented, if the Rainbow continues growing
at its present rate, it will soon surpass CCN in size.
With the addition of his second BBS, Bob Rosen's Spectrum Projects was
growing too. His ads now took up three full pages, and in August, include
Eigen's one key entry utility, BASIC AID. Both Basic Aid and another new
single key entry utility, PLATINUM SOFTWARE's PLATINUM WORKSAVER offered
much more than the first such utility, SSM's Master Control.
MED SYSTEM started marketing its software.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
The "eyes" have it!! In September Tony Distefano's Color Clinic column
featured the eye-saving hardware mod which enabled the CoCo to display
green characters on a black screen. Whenever I sit at my machine for hours
on end (usually every night), I (eye) thank TONY "D".
MOTOROLA released a "souped-up" MC6883 which supposedly allows double-speed
operation in the ALL RAM (64K) mode but, it is never marketed.
New arrivals for the CoCo include Star-Kits' STAR-DOS, THE TOOLKIT from
ARZIN, joysticks from ENDICOTT, Spectrum Projects' "gloom" stick, GAME
WRITER from WASHINGTON COMPUTER SERVICES (a $129.00 program that helps
write "super-action video games"), and software from a new company called
ANTICO.
September's CCN issue (no date on the cover) featured a look at the CoCo's
INTERPRET routine in Andy Phelps' Comment Corner column, CCXREF from MIKE
DONAHUE, a fine debugging utility used to locate variables in BASIC
programs, and the first review of Eigen's THE STRIPPER, a utility which
removes spaces, comments and "packs" program lines.
The RAINBOW's 106 page September issue made it the BIGGEST CoCo magazine in
publication. Besides being their first official "theme" issue (education),
and containing a readers survey, the RAINBOW's cover mentions support for
the TDP 100 computer...
The TDP was Tandy's first venture at marketing outside Radio Shack stores.
The TDP 100, which was really a CoCo in a white case, was marketed by RCA
distributors and would later be found to contain the F-board which would
soon start showing up in the CoCo. Speculation was that, the TDP venture
would be successful. (I wonder if STEVE ODNEAL made that speculation)
In October, 68 MICRO went on line with its BBS, and Andy Phelps' last
Comment Corner appears in CCN. This, for me, marks the beginning of the end
of CCN.
The RAINBOW, meanwhile, started CHARLIE's MACHINE, a column written by
Charles J. Roslund, author of WAR KINGS. DRAGON LTD.
This British CoCo-clone, had a similar software design but, featured some
major hardware differences like full-travel keyboard, parallel printer
port, and RGB monitor output. An American version would be available
sometime in 1983.
Messages on COMPUSERVE's COLOR SIG rumored that a new CoCo magazine would
debut in March of 1983, MSB (the folks who market the KITSZ lowerkit) had
folded, and Radio Shack would market a 64K upgrade and a MULTIPAK INTERFACE
in early 1983.
BASIC TECHNOLOGY markets the first CoCo EXPANSION INTERFACE plus, a REAL
TIME CLOCK/CALANDER.
Just in time for Christmas, November releases include COLOR LOGO and a 4
color GRAPHICS PRINTER from Radio Shack, Frank Hogg's 5 slot expansion
called THE SOLUTION, and TELEWRITER/64. Other marketings are DUNKEY MUNKEY
from INTELLECTRONICS, and MONKEY KONG by KEN KALISH of MED SYSTEM SOFTWARE.
Although these are the first two "monkey" programs, the best is yet to
come!
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›7m›0m
A premature ad for the SAMPO COLOR COMPUTER ran in BYTE magazine but, this
CoCo clone never saw the light of day (in this country) although, a year
later, I was told the machine was sold in Korea.
With various disk systems available for the CoCo, the poor timing award
went to JPC PRODUCTS CO. for their high-speed cassette system. I wonder how
many systems were sold at the $129.95 price?
Lonnie Falk announced plans for a big CoCo show for the Spring of 1983 in
Chicago. It will be called RAINBOWFEST! Lonnie also hints at an
"electronic" RAINBOW in conjunction with Bob Rosen's BBS.
November also gave us the first look inside the new TDP-100 computer, and
the first review of Eigen's disk COLORCOM/E.
When I subscribed to CCN, it contained a lot of "basic" CoCo information
but, with the magazine stalled at the 90-100 page size and Bill Sias
devoting more ad and column space to FLEX, OS-9, GIMIX, and ham radio
operations, I felt that the "basic" information was being squeezed out. The
opening item in the December issue was a tour through the GIMIX plant!
Gimmie a break!!!
The last straw, for me, was the review for Radio Shack's POLARIS ROM-PAK.
Now, don't get me wrong, I thought POLARIS was one of Radio Shack's best
games but, why a SECOND review? The first review appeared in the May/Jun
issue. Maybe Bill Sias was trying to get on Tandy's good side??? He sure
wasn't doing anything for me!!
RAINBOW announced support for the DRAGON-32 in its December issue, its
first "paperback" type square binding.
TOM MIX's king of the Donkey clones, DONKEY KING, is released just in time
for Christmas. This was the best game ever done for the CoCo.
Thanks TOM!!!! DON'T BUG ME!
1982 closed out with a tip of my hat to the very inventive folks in Natick,
Massachusetts for coming up with a very imaginative idea..... DEBUG, as it
was called, worked like this: You send these folks a program you wrote that
may have bugs. If the program is interesting enough, they send your program
to "people who like to stomp on other people's bugs". The understanding
being that the program is sold, if debugged, and everybody shares in the
profits! The ad asks for $5.00 to accompany your "bugged" program, or $9.00
for a cassette containing 20 or so "bugged" programs from other people, or
$12.00 for both. The thought of "buying" someone elses problems is a bit
too bizarre, even for me.
JAKE COMMANDER, in January, predicted the arrival, early this year, of the
British made DRAGON computer.
CCN started 1983 with a new cosmetic look including a new cover ("The Color
Computer Magazine for 6809 users") and newspaper quality pages. I liked the
old "feel" better.
Peter Stark, one of the pioneer CoCo supporters, started including little
"tips" in his ads. Peter is a real innovator both in software and
advertising.
Cosmetic changes also appeared in the RAINBOW's January "ADVENTURE" issue
with the first FRED CRAWFORD cover artwork! Fred brings a NORMAN ROCKWELL
"feel" to the pages of the RAINBOW and I, for one, look forward to many
more of FRED's works of art! This issue probably had the first centerfold
ever in a computer magazine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
Other January events include MICRONIX SYSTEMS marketing the first keyboard
for the CoCo, Dennis Lewandowski writes the RAINBOW CHECK, and dates are
confirmed for the first RAINBOWFEST. It will be held in Chicago, April
22-24th.
In February, 68 MICRO eludes to the fact that they may be starting a CoCo
publication to meet the explosion of "new" subscribers. Absent, for the
first time since I have been reading 68 MICRO, are The Micro Works ads.
Something was happening?
Most of the other February news included reports of CoCo products on
display at last fall's COMDEX show in Las Vegas. The products included
AMDEK's new 3 inch disk drives, WICO's joysticks and trackball, and the
long awaited ZAXXON from DATASOFT.
The rumors were obviously true because, in March, the third CoCo magazine
hit the news stands. Edited by KERRY LEICHTMAN, THE COLOR COMPUTER MAGAZINE
(TCCM for short) premiered with articles from Jake Commander, Bob Rosen,
WILLIAM BARDEN JR., and Dennis Kitsz.
March's "nuclear" issue featured the first RAINBOW SCOREBOARD, an ad for
ELITE SOFTWARE's ZAKSUND (the first ZAXXON-clone), plus the Mark Data
keyboard.
In late April of 1983 users from across the United States and Canada (not
to mention Great Britain, Germany, Hawaii, and the Yukon) descend upon
Chicago to take part in the first ever CoCo convention, RAINBOWFEST!
Estimated attendance for this 3 day bash is placed at around 10,000. On the
sales floor, J&M unveils its JFD disk controller, while siminars are held
by Don Inman, Fred Scerbo, Tom Nelson, Steve Bjork, and Charles Roslund, to
name just a few.
Other April showers include the cross reference index disassembly of 1.1
ROM, the first ad for Computerware's 64K SCREEN EXPANDER, word that Bob
Rosen is now operating 3 bulletin boards, Jake Commander's first
installment of the most ambitious commenting of the BASIC ROM ever, and the
appearance of Datasoft's first ZAXXON ads.
May brings flowers and a cross reference index disassembly of the 1.0
EXTENDED BASIC ROM, plus a name change for MED SYSTEMS to SCREEN PLAY.
What's in a name?
The Comment Corner column returns to CCN in June, authored by ANDREW
HUBBELL, and a list of differences for BASIC 1.2, EXTENDED BASIC 1.1, and
DISK BASIC 1.1.
CoCo's third year ends with two new releases. First: the long awaited and
much rumored "new" Color Computer, the Radio Shack MC-10. Second: another
Color Computer magazine. HOT COCO, a Wayne Green publication, debuted
without so much as a word of credit to Dave Lagerquist for coining the name
"CoCo" for the Color Computer......oh well, we will remember!
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›7m›0m THE FOURTH YEAR (Jul'83 - Jun'84)
Does it seem like I'm being too hard on CCN? Well in July, their was a
full-cover photo of the DRAGON/32 but, nothing on the inside about the
computer.
RAINBOW magazine, now supporting the MC-10, celebrated its second
anniversary with a 308 page issue containing a two year index, a record
with some BASIC programs, a look at the "new" MC-10, and a review of
April's RAINBOWFEST.
Marketing began for UN-DISK from DR. PREBLE, ELITE CALC from ELITE
SOFTWARE, and PBJ's 80 COLUMN CARD.
If 64K wasn't enough for your CoCo, you could always try DENNIS KITSZ's
128K bubble memory upgrade which appeared in July's TCCM.
A new CoCo magazine, 68 COLOR MICRO JOURNAL, was announced in August, which
brought to 5, the number of dedicated magazines for the CoCo.
Just about all magazines carried articles on the MC-10. My personal
favorite is the one in CCN!
New product announcements in August include a new CoCo keyboard from HJL,
the MULTI-PAK INTERFACE from Radio Shack, PIRATECTOR from Sugar Software,
and Chromasette goes to disk.
SOFT SECTOR MARKETING stops marketing CoCo software.
Always on the leading edge, Star-Kits starts its software AMNESTY program.
Who but Peter Stark would be bold enough to give software pirates a chance
to cleanse their soul? Star-Kits also markets the first MC-10 software.
HUMBUG.
If you missed the first RAINBOWFEST, take heart, their is a very strong
possibility of three more.
If you needed a new computer to take back to school with you in September,
you might try the newly released CoCo II but, don't bother subscribing to
CCN because, unknown to its subscribers, the September issue, is its last.
Reports circulate that THE COLOR COMPUTER MAGAZINE will hold COLOR EXPO'83
in Pasadena, CA. November 4-6.
New product released include COLOR MICRO JOURNALS 32 page debut issue,
POOYAN from Datasoft, a keyboard from KEYTRONICS, PRO-COLOR FORMS from
DERRINGER SOFTWARE, and the DRAGON/64 from TANO.
The following was to have appeared in CCN but..... "Enter The DRAGON/64"
by: alfredo(!) September 30, 1983
The DRAGON/64 computer, which is enjoying great success in England, is now
available in America. What makes the DRAGON worthy of mention in this
magazine is the fact that it uses a 6809E microprocessor and MICROSOFT
BASIC just like our friend the TRS-80 Color Computer.
When I first heard about the DRAGON/64 (and little brother DRAGON/32) my
first question was: "Will Color Computer programs run on the DRAGON?". The
answer is YES......and NO!
The incompatibility of "BASIC WORD TOKENS" between the 2 machines prevent
CoCo programs from working on the DRAGON/64 but, not to worry!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
If you save a CoCo program using the ASCII format (ie: CSAVE"filename",A)
it will CLOAD and RUN on the DRAGON/64 with little or no problem. Problems
may occur if any memory locations in LOW RAM are PEEKed or POKEd and
problems will occur for sure if any CoCo ROM routines are called. Here's
why:
DRAGON's COLOR BASIC and EXTENDED COLOR BASIC are identical to CoCo's in
many ways with one major exception: They are both on A SINGLE HN4827128G-30
28 pin EPROM. While DRAGON's BASIC chip (IC 18) occupies memory locations
$8000-$BFFF (like the CoCo), ROM entry points are not the same. CoCo's
POLLCAT routine, for instance, is at $A1C1 while on the DRAGON it's at
$BBE5. This fact prevents Color Computer machine language programs from
running on the DRAGON.
The table below contains DRAGON/64 ROM entry points and CoCo 1.1 BASIC and
the 1.0 EXTENDED BASIC equivalents. CoCo/Dragon ROM Conversion Table (Color
Basic ROM 1.1) CoCo DRAG Addr Addr Comment
-------------------------------------- (A000) A1C1 (A000) 8006 POLL KEY
(A002) A282 (A002) B54A CHAR OUT(cass) (A004) A77C (A004) 8021 CASS READ
(A006) A70B (A006) B93E BLOCK IN (A008) A7F4 (A008) B999 BLOCK OUT (A00A)
A9DE (A00A) 8012 READ IN JOYSTK VAL (A00C) A7D8 (A00C) 801B HEADER OUT Both
the CoCo and Dragon/64 have indirect addresses at $A000-$A00C. Dragon's bid
at CoCo compatability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m CoCo/Dragon ROM Conversion Table (Color Basic ROM 1.1) CoCo DRAG Addr Addr
Comment -------------------------------------- 894C 9D3D 95CF A95D A00E
B39B SECONDARY RESET A027 B3B4 MAIN RESET A02A B3B7 A06E HARD START A0E8
B44F SOFT START A176 B50A CHAR IN A186 B51A A1B1 B538 A1C1 BBE5 CHECK
KEYBRD A282 B54A CHAR OUT(cass) A290 B560 A2A8 B578 A2BF BD1A A30A BCAB
CHAR OUT(scrn) A34B BCE2 SCROLL UP ONE LINE A390 B5C6 INPUT FROM KEYBRD
A393 B5C9 A398 B5CE A42D B663 A444 B67A A46C B6A8 A491 B6CD A502 A095 A59A
B7CC Data mover routine A5EE B820 A619 B84B A629 B85B A635 B867 A65C B88E
A65F B891 A663 B895 A701 B933 A70B B93E BLOCK IN A77C BDE7 Cass. READ out
A7E9 BDDC A7D1 B480 A7D3 B482 A7D8 BE68 A7F4 B999 BLOCK OUT A928 BA77 Clear
Screen A951 BAA0 A956 BAA5 A974 BAC3 A976 BAC5 sound routine A9DE BD52 AD19
8417 Clear mem (NEW+3) B277 89B4 get operand B99C 90E5 PRINT text string
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
Another area of major incompatibility is the keyboard (HI-TEK 107044 H).
Although the DRAGON has a full stroke keyboard, its matrix is not wired the
same way as the CoCo keyboard. For example, a CoCo machine language program
(which you've modified, of course) will produce unexpected keyboard input.
Typing the following: "DRAGON COLOR COMPUTER" will put this on the screen:
"4B17/. 3/,/B 3/-@ED5B". Indications supporting The keyboard matrix
incompatibility is the fact that if the DRAGON keyboard is installed in the
CoCo, or vice versa, the wierd output continues. This condition does not
effect any CoCo BASIC programs running on the DRAGON (unless you are
PEEKing the keyboard rollover table to check keys pressed).
A couple more items on keyboard related matters: DRAGON BASIC's routine to
poll for entry from the keyboard is somewhat less efficient then CoCo's.
I'm not a speed typist but, in the two years I've been computing, I've
gotten pretty proficient at typing the word "LIST". The word is typed so
fast that before the "L" key is released, the "I" key is being pressed then
"S" and "T". The DRAGON turns my lightning "LIST" into "LST". This occurs
because DRAGON's keyboard polling routine will not recognize the "I" key
stroke until the "L" key is released because they are apparently on the
same row of the keyboard matrix. This also effects the method used to pause
scrolling during a LIST with a "SHIFT @". The inability to accept a double
keystroke happens only while DRAGON is in the 32K mode (on powerup). While
in the 64K mode, not only is the "problem" eliminated but, if a key is held
down for more than a few 10ths of a second, it starts repeating.
By the way, You'll know at a glance whether you're in the 32K or 64K mode
simply by the cursor color. While in the 32K mode, the cursor will be a
blinking solid black graphics character while a blinking solid blue cursor
indicates 64K mode.
DRAGON's 64K mode is entered by typing "EXEC" and pressing . Easy hey??
When the machine is turned on, part of its initialization process includes
moving data into LOW RAM ($0000-$03FF) for the BASIC interpreters to use.
For instance, the system uses location $009D to hold the EXEC address of
the last machine langue which was loaded into the computer. This eliminates
having to specify an EXECution address after you CLOADM a program. Power-up
initialization puts the value BF49 at $009D. DRAGON's 64K mode ROM entry
point is $BF49.
If, however, you wish to enter the 64K mode AFTER having loaded in a
machine language program, $009D will then contain then EXEC address of that
program so typing EXEC &HBF49 will be required to access the 64K. Another
nice thing about the DRAGON's use of it's 64K is that it frees user RAM
from $0600-$BFFF's by MOVING the ROMS up to $C000-$FFF0. Radio Shack's
doesn't move its ROMs so you end up with 2 blocks of RAM: $0600-$7FFF and
$C000-$FFF0, with memory locations $A000-$BFFF ($8000-BFFF for EXTENDED
BASIC CoCos) off limits because CoCo's ROMS are there.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
Beside its 64K of RAM and full stroke keyboard, the parallel printer port
and monitor output should make this computer a very serious consideration
to anyone in the market for an inexpensive yet powerful computer with high
resolution graphics capabilities.
In addition to the above mentioned ports, the DRAGON/64 has connectors for
2 joysticks, a cassette recorder, 40 ROM cartridge/disk interface, TV hook
up and external power transformer.
The DRAGON/64 gives you all the power and versatility of the very popular
TRS-80 Color Computer plus features which make the DRAGON/64 a much more
professional machine with far greater capabilities. If you've held off
buying the TRS-80 Color Computer because of some above mentioned limitation
then now is the time to stop DRAGON your feet and check out this very GREAT
BRITON. (You liked the BEATLES didn't you?)
Nelson Software, in September, announced that their Super "Color" Writer
had become the official word processor for the DRAGON.
The highlight of the second RAINBOWFEST (held in Ft. Worth on October
14-16) was a walking tour of Tandy's new CoCo Plant. The same month Radio
Shack releases the WALT DISNEY and SESAME STREET educational software,
MULTI-PAK interface, the MOUSE, the KRAFT joystick, and the OS-9 operating
system.
DENNIS KITSZ says "I'm gonna teach you a lesson" when he releases his 6809E
instructional kit.
In November, at COLOR EXPO'83, MARTY GOODMAN debut his state of the art
graphics program GRAPHICOM.
Thanks Marty!
Other releases came from ELITE WORD from Elite Software, SUPER SCREEN from
Mark Data, PASCAL from DEFT SOFTWARE, the BASIC UNRAVELLED books from
Spectral Associates, and Computerware's first BASIC COMPILER.
Nelson Software changed its name in November to VIP SOFTWARE. (A rose by
any other name?)
With Christmas only days away, TANO started including 8 FREE programs with
its DRAGON/64. Things are not looking good for this CoCo clone.
Reviews for the DRAGON/32 and DRAGON/64 appear in a couple of publications
along with the announcement of TIME BANDIT from the COMPUTER SHACK,
MAGIGRAPH from The Micro Works, and POKES, PEEKS & EXEC FILE from MICROCOM
SOFTWARE.
In January, a BARCODE READER called OSCAR is advertised in several computer
magazines for several machines, including the CoCo. This $178 ill-fated
project ended up being liquidated for $54.00.
WAYNE TECHNOLOGY marketed its CP/M for the CoCo, and DYNAMIC ELECTRONICS
marketed the first ever 128K upgrade.
February marked the debut of GRAPHICOM from MARTY GOODMAN, and ELITE-FILE
from Elite Software, plus a name change from the Computer Shack to
MICHTRON.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
RAINBOWFEST #3 is held in Long Beach, CA. February 17-19
Radio station KGON, its reported, has its own bulletin board running on a
CoCo.
TANO drops its DRAGON/64 ads in RAINBOW and rumors start circulating that
the computer is about to breath its last flame.
The first east coast RAINBOWFEST is held March 30 - April 1 and features
the first CoCo HARD DISK from SOFTWARE SUPPORT. In an attempt to clear its
stock, TANO reduces the price of the DRAGON/64 to $149.00.
Bob Rosen, in May, moved Spectrum Projects to San Jose, CA., word's out
about the future release of the C-COMPILER from Radio Shack, and VIP CALC
from VIP Software. New product releases came from Prickly-Pear Software
with their DISK TRIVIA software, and the Tom Mix milestone, WORLDS OF
FLIGHT.
By the time the June 22-24 RAINBOWFEST touches down in Chicago, DRAGON/64
ads have vanished from all CoCo magazines as DRAGON DATA Ltd. (British
parent company) is under receivership.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m THE FIFTH YEAR (Jul'84 - Jun'85)
The CoCo turns 4 years old in July, at the same time Radio Shack's TRS-80
MICROCOMPUTING NEWS published its last issue.
The RAINBOW celebrates its third anniversary with yet another innovative
feature, a scratch 'n sniff adventure game. The issue also contains a
complete index of articles and reviews which have appeared in the magazine
since its beginning. Rumors appear about a new Radio Shack keyboard, and
the folding of Chromasette!
A new product called TELE-FORM is marketed by CIGNA. The software enables
mail-merge with Telewriter
In August, TCCM is the subject of "going out of business" rumors, Bob Rosen
puts BBS #5 "on the air" in San Jose, and rumors circulate in England that
TANDY is interested in the floundering Dragon Data Ltd. company.
At the September RAINBOWFEST, held in Princeton, NJ (28-30), Dennis
Lewandowski debuts his 128K upgrade. Other first timers include NOMAD the
robot from Frank Hogg, GRAPHICOM II from WHITESMITH, and a graphics program
and digitizer from GRAFX.
VIP Software moves out to California
The rumored takeover by a Spanish company, gives British Dragon users
something to roar about.
TCCM's rumored demise proves correct. This is the third CoCo magazine to
fold within the past year. The October issue is its last but, take heart
because Dennis Kitsz announces the start of UNDERCOLOR (UCL for short)
which will hit the stands in a month. Good luck Dennis!
Computerware begins marketing DON'T FORGET, and EUROHARD of Spain begins
production of the Dragon computer in that country.
An auto-answer modem too expensive? Check out the November issue of RAINBOW
and find out how to teach your Modem I to auto-answer.
Bill & Sara Nolan sell Prickly-Pear Software to Mike & Joanne Chinitis.
Good luck to all!
Rumors, rumors everywhere: Radio Shack has CoCos with TRUE LOWERCASE (using
the new Motorola 6847-TI VDG chip) which won't be released until after the
holidays.
The better late than never, 26 page UNDERCOLOR magazine premiered in
December with information about two "new" KOREAN CoCo IIs featuring a 1.3
BASIC ROM.
Other new December arrivals included THE WIZARD from NEXUS which will
modify Telewriter's character set, Dennis Lewandowski's 128K upgrade, the
CALINDEX appointment scheduler from GRANTHAM SOFTWARE, a video digitizer
from The Micro Works, and NOVASOFT (a Tom Mix company) starts marketing its
CoCo goodies.
7000 people attend Britain's first 6809 COLOUR SHOW for DRAGON and TANDY
users.
1985 started with a bang and whimper! The bang came from the debut of
another CoCo milestone, COCOMAX from COLORWARE. The whimper is provided by
rumors that Color Micro Journal is about to go "belly up".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m
The February RAINBOWFEST in Irvine, California (15-17) attracts 8,000 for a
first-hand look at COCOMAX (250 sold). Product debuts include the P-51
MUSTANG ATTACK FLIGHT SIMULATOR from Tom Mix, the 68008 expansion card from
RGS Micro Electronics, and a 15 key numeric keypad from MORETON BAY. Tandy
sells 16K CoCos for a mere $50, a drop in the proverbial bit bucket.
Back to where it all started, CoCo information will start re-appearing in
68 MICRO JOURNAL as rumors of COLOR MICRO JOURNAL's demise prove true. With
this month's issue, CMJ joined Color Computer News, Chromasette, and The
Color Computer Magazine as the fourth major CoCo publication to fold within
the past 17 months.
March brought word that the "new" CoCo would be an exclusive OS-9 machine
(no BASIC ROM) and would be in Radio Shack stores sometime between Sep'85
and Mar'86. - Callers to any of Bob Rosen's 4 bulletin boards in Woodhaven,
New York are greeted, not by the usual high pitched carrier tone but, by a
"disconnected" message. Bob has signed off the east coast boards. From one
"guru" to another Bob, thanks for the memories.
On March 30-31, London is the scene of the second 6809 COLOUR SHOW for
DRAGON and TANDY users. Looks like the DRAGON lives on.
April sees the release of two library offerings, the long awaited COMPLETE
RAINBOW GUIDE TO OS-9, authored by DALE PUCKETT and PETER DIBBLE, plus,
from our Canadian friends at DRAGONFLY WRITING, a cassette magazine called
DIGInews For COCO.
Who says "you can never go home again"? Eleven months in San Jose was
obviously long enough to make Bob Rosen realize how much he missed the
hustle 'n bustle of the "big apple". Nice to have you back home Bob.
Found out from a friend of mine that R.G.S. Micro of Montreal is no longer
on the planet. Seems they folded last month, leaving a lot of folks, who
wanted to be the first on the block with the 68000 CPU board and other
goodies, holding their joystick! What a shame!! Early reports are that some
of the RGS crew will attempt to hook up with DSS Peripherals of
Farmingdale, NY. to complete (start?) some of the RGS projects. Good luck!
Good luck also to Spectral Associates. After 4 years, they withdraw from
the CoCo support field. Their absence will be keenly felt.
In May, voice recognition for the CoCo becomes a reality when Speech
Systems starts marketing its Electronic Audio Recognition System (EARS for
short).
Rainbowfest celebrates its third anniversary with 3 fun-filled days &
nights (17-19) in Chicago. Causing quite a stir is Steve Odneals fully
portable CoCo, complete with disk drive and monitor. Although only a
prototype, Steve uses the show to judge user interest.
In June, as the curtain descends on the CoCo's fourth year, so too does it
fall on yet another Color Computer publication. This time it's Dennis
Kitsz's "Under Color" which bites the dust! RIP.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m THE SIXTH YEAR (Jul'85 - Jun'86)
Subscribers to Under Color magazine are informed in July that any
unfullfilled subscribtions will be taken up by Rainbow magazine,
celebrating its 4th anniversary now, as the ONLY remaining publication
exclusivley for the TRS-80 Color Computer, which, itself, turned 5 years
old in July.
In November, a little over 4 after their debut on the CoCo scene, the
absence of the Nelson/Softlaw/VIP (take your pick) ads are keenly felt.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m THE SEVENTH YEAR (Jul'86 - Jun'87)
On July 30th, 1986 (6 years and 1 day after the debut of the original
TRS-80 Color Computer, Tandy unveils the long awaited and much rumored CoCo
III. The basic unit ($219.95) comes with 128K (upgradable to 512K). Also
announced are the OS-9 Level II operating system, and a new analog RGB
monitor.
Due to small attendence, August brings word of Rainbowfest West's possible
demise. Chicago & Princeton shows, however, will not be effected.
Rainbow's September issue carries the first in-depth look at the new CoCo
III.
On October 10, after weeks of bugging my local Radio Shack store, I receive
a call telling me they're holding my 128K CoCo III!
The following is my preliminary look at the new CoCo III:
On power up, the 68B09E gets the 2 byte address at $FFFE, puts it into the
PC (program counter) and starts executing code at that address.
In the case of the CoCo III, the address found at $FFFE is $8C1B. 8C1B ORCC
#$50 disable intrps LDA #$0A STA XFF90 CLR XFFDE RAM/ROM mode JMP XC000
=================================== GIMIE chip inits to read CoCo III ROM
even if the system has DSK/BAS installed so after entry at $8C1B, CoCo III
goes to its internal ROM @ C000. C000 REM disable intrpts/save stack C006
REM Fill $FFB0-FFC0 with NOPS C012 REM $FFA0-FFAF initialize LDA #$CE STA
XFF90 C027 REM move $C03F-$C36C => $4000 JMP X4000 execute moved code
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m CoCo III (Continued) 4000 REM FIRST BYTE patch routine 400F REM Move 8
bytes from $41EF => $FF98 4088 REM Check reset vectors 40B7 REM Ready
EXT/BAS & COL/BAS move to RAM 40C1 REM 27 Patches to EXT/BAS & COL/BAS 40E1
REM Check for disk system (DK @ $C000) 40EC REM Ready DSK/BA move to RAM
4100 REM Ready SUP/BAS move to RAM 4141 REM Clear screen 4168 ==> JUMP TO
PRIMARY RESTART AT $A027 416B REM Move ROM=>RAM 4197 REM Move 'Y' data to
'X' ('B'=counter) 419F REM Moves "T.Harris & T.Earles" to $F71B 41C1 REM
Draw the three CoCo guys 41EF REM 8 bytes moved to $FF98 41F7 REM 16 bytes
moved to $C1D6 4207 REM 16 bytes moved to $FFA0 4217 REM 182 bytes to patch
EXT/COL/BAS pointers 42CE REM 21 bytes "T.Harris & T.Earles" 42E3 REM check
DOS version 42EA REM patch DOS 1.0 42F5 REM 11 bytes (NOP) moved to C8B4
DOS 1.1 4301 REM put 7EE29D at $C0D9 (DOS 1.1) 431A REM 19 bytes moved to
$FEED 432C REM LAST BYTE patch routine ===================================
A027 LEAY 370 345 175 245 => 305 210 205 195 95 125 => 169 179 255 169 52
05'85 RBW 279 09'85 RBW 189 11'85 RBW 108 239 12'85 RBW 79 149 179 02'86
RBW 179 239 04'86 RBW 165 08'86 RBW 145 09'86 RBW 179
Last Update: Feb. 07, 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
›7m›0m COMPUTER PLUS CoCo prices ========================= CC3 512 CC3 CM8 6 DSK
DSK DCM HYS Issue/Pub 128 UPG 512 RGB 4KX 0 1 I 2 ========= === === === ===
=== === === === === 10'86 RBW 169 n/a 145 239 179 52 215 11'86 RBW n/a 179
149 11'86 TEL n/a 89 03'87 RBW n/a 239 05'87 RBW 129 298 249 07'87 RBW 179
08'87 RBW 159 288 249 12'87 RBW 115 244 199 02'88 RBW 159 288 249 06'88 RBW
149 308 07'88 RBW 145 294 229 08'88 RBW 159 308 249 11'88 RBW 115 264 179
02'89 RBW 159 308 04'89 RBW call ??? 40 05'89 RBW ??? 52 06'89 RBW 129 ???
210 07'89 RBW 149 278 249 08'89 RBW 159 308 239 11'89 RBW 99 248 210 179
149 30 12'89 RBW 115 264 02'90 RBW 249 239 03'90 RBW 52 04'90 RBW 129 278
179 05'90 RBW 115 264 06'90 RBW 179 07'90 RBW 249 239 09'90 RBW 159 129 288
11'90 RBW 89 210 159 01'91 RBW 135 02'92 RBW n/a ›0m