Date   : Mon, 16 Dec 1985 04:39:00-PST
From   : STANLEY@USC-ISIF.ARPA
Subject: Re: Osborne1 Help?

       
    Received: FROM USC-ECLB.ARPA BY USC-ISIF.ARPA WITH TCP ; 15 Dec 85
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    Date: 15 Dec 1985 13:53:17 EST
    From: DKREBILL@USC-ISI.ARPA
    To:   info-cpm@AMSAA.ARPA
    Cc:   krebill@ARDC.ARPA
    Subject: Osborne1 Help?
    Return-Path: <@USC-ECLB.ARPA:info-cpm-request@AMSAA>
    
    I recently inherited an early Osborne1. It lacks the DD option,
    has no feature for supporting 80 Col., etc.  am looking for
    pointers for sources for such upgrades, preferably as cheap as
    possible... There are two other "non-standard" things I would like to
    attempt with the box:
    1) Hook up an external 8" floppy drive (possibly DS/DD)
    2) Hook up my trusted H19 terminal to the RS232 port
    I would appreciate any help with any of these things!
    Merry Christmas!  Dan Krebill
    P.S. Are there any on-line Osborne1 PD info/programs out there on the net?
    
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It is probably possible to hook up your H19 by redesignating the
RS-232 port to CRT: with the SETUP program, but I haven't tried
it.  Because the OS-1 BIOS is in ROM, you have to fiddle it from
the system tracks if you want to make changes to facilitate
different devices, etc.

In my 3 1/2 years with two Ozzies, I have not heard of anyone
hooking up an eight-inch drive to one.  It might be possible via
the parallel port and/or the video port.

Best source of poop on Osbornes is the First Osborne Group (FOG)
in San Francisco.  I'll try to locate their exact addres and send
it to you.  There is still quite a lot of software and new
products available for the OS-1, especially from an outfit called
Spite Software, and lots of RAM drive and interface accessories
from West Wind.  I've dealt with both and had no problems.

There is PD software aplenty for the OS-1.  One of the most
complete is a terminal program called OTERM.  It provides MODEM
protocols, CIS protocols, ASCII transfer, etc, and is keyed to a
52-column Osborne.

Our machines have been workhorses for a long time now, and we
have had excellent luck with them.  Keep it cool and clean and
you should have no trouble.

                                ...Dick Stanley (stanley@isif)