Miss Chris: Good Evening Everyone…. before GEOS Rob begins to answer your questions about GEOS.. we'll have tonight's Express Music Trivia Quiz! In celebration of Q-Link's first birthday, Express Music, our complete online record catalog… in The Mall, is sponsoring this quiz every night in November. The first Q-Linker to send me an ONLINE MESSAGE with the correct answer to tonight's question… …will win an Express Music Catalog.
GEOS ROB: Can I play?
Miss Chris: Express Music is the worlds largest record catalog, with more than 24,000 listings, 200 pages, and $50 in record discounts. And no, Rob, ya can't play! 😀
GEOS ROB: 🙁
Miss Chris: OK…so here's tonight's question… Steve Winwood has a No. 1 hit with his solo album, BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE. Before his previous solo effort, ARC OF A DIVER, he generally played as a lead member of a group. Name two of this three previous bands! Remember, the first person to send me an OLM with the names of two bands wins! OK…we have a winner already! MED was correct…with Traffic and the Spencer Davis Group. Congrats MED, you win a catalog. By the way, Winwood's other group was Blind Faith.
GEOS ROB: Hi folks! Well I'm back, and have I got a lot of exciting things to talk about! First, the GEOS Forum in the CIN has been really busy! We've added a lot of new features, including an expanded area for uploads and downloads. You can get geoPaint graphics drawn by other budding artists, as well as geoWrite files by those astute literary types. You can also download and upload new input and printer devices, written both by BSW and other users. Last you can get new applications, like the new update to the deskTop (version 1.3) and a screen dump program written by a user. And of course there's the geoLaser feature, where you send us a geoWrite document and we send it back to you printed on an Apple LaserWriter! If you have questions, you can post them on one of our 6 message boards, that include General, geoWrite, geoPaint, Printer, New Products, and Technical Information. Either another user or I will post an answer to your question. Most people are very helpful and are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. As for our new products, geoDex, Desk Pack 1, and Writer's Workshop have begun shipping. Check local stores in your area, or wait until next week when we have all of them for sale in the GEOS Forum (at a discount to Q-Link users!). Our 128 version and our Technical Reference Manual should both be available after the first of the year. Don't forget to keep an eye out for geoFile (database) and geoCalc (spreadsheet), both of which will be available after the first of the year. Before I take your questions, the folks at Berkeley Softworks would like to take a quick second to wish you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving. And now, on to your questions and the rest of the show.
Questionbesides deskpack and fontpack what will be entering the geos universe?
GEOS ROB: The Writer's Workshop should be entering a galaxy near you any day, and the 128 version along…. with geoFile and geoCalc will be here soon after that. 🙂
Questionwith the release of the 1351 will geos have a driver ready?
GEOS ROB: The driver will be made live in the GEOS forum (probably tomorrow) and will be bundled in with… the 1351 in the package.
Commenthello from Marin CCC
GEOS ROB: And a hello back to my friends in Marin!
QuestionThis has been asked many times, is there a GEOTERM upcoming from BSW. I have heard that a user has uploaded one (allegedly). Is there any truth to that? And if so, when would it be available for download?
GEOS ROB: There is currently a file in one of the shadow areas called c.term, but the author does not say.. what it does. When I find out, and if it works, we will make it live.
QuestionFirst of all, I have downloaded all of the GEOS forum transcripts and I think you are doing a GREAT job! Now my question : I've met a lot of people who have DeskPack1 and I was wondering when it was going to be available through Q-Link.
Miss Chris: Yes, you ARE doing a GREAT job, Rob!
GEOS ROB: It should be available next week for $25.95 plus $2.50 shipp/handl. What a deal! Aw shucks, Chris, it weren't nuthin!
Miss Chris: 😀
QuestionHow do I boot GEOS using 1571? Can I boot version 3 Q-link from GEOS same as version 4?
GEOS ROB: Make sure you go into 64 mode by holding the Comm. key down and not by typing go 64. There….. is no problem with booting version 3 that I am aware of. 🙂
QuestionHello. Will us interested users of GEOS be able to download software directly from Q-Link (pay for software + Plus time) or at least order the new software through Q-Link (like GEOS 1.2 and Font Pack)? CM
GEOS ROB: Probably not, but it is something that I will ask about. The way it is now….. I can download the orders directly and it easier to deal with.
QuestionI am extremely satisfied with GEOS, and as time goes on, I'm sure that my enthusiasm will grow. What are the chances of us seeing geoTerm, either from BSW, or the one user-written prog that I have heard rumors about here?
GEOS ROB: As I stated, one might be done already; I'll have to look into it.
QuestionCan you use Graphics from other prog. ie
GEOS ROB: With the Graphics Grabber on the Desk Pack, you can bring graphics in from Print Shop, Print- Master and Newsroom!
QuestionI'm new to GEOS and want to know if there are any pre-designed graphics available as photo albums or whatever. Also, how do I get access to updated versions, for example an update that enables my Koala Pad?
GEOS ROB: You can get updates to input devices and print drivers in the GEOS Software Library which is in.. the GEOS Forum. You can also get the new deskTop version 1.3 in the Library right now!
QuestionHow do you change the font of a whole pa ge or document at once?
GEOS ROB: Currently, you have to do it screen by screen, but with geoWrite version 1.2 (which is on the … Writer's Workshop package), you can select whole pages at a time.
QuestionIs there anyway to set # of copies when printing GEOWRITE
GEOS ROB: Currently, no, but you can in geoWrite version 2.0.
QuestionWhen can users expect the geoPublish software you were talking about in the Forum? CM
GEOS ROB: No date yet, but I would assume around next Spring…..
QuestionROB, when does it look like your new computer system will be up?
GEOS ROB: For our new customer service stuff? Hopefully by the middle of next week.
Questionwhy wont the 128 version be using 80 col
GEOS ROB: For a number of reasons. First, and I'm a little shaky on the details, there is only one spot in the 128 that you can draw graphics out from. 80 columns would be deathly slow! The second….. reason is now we can make applications compatible between the 64 and 128 systems so you won't…. have to pay double the price for two sets of programs.
Miss Chris: 73 guests; 85 questions pending. 😀
Questionwhat will be the major advanteges of the c-128 version over the c64 version?
GEOS ROB: Please do not send On Line Messages to the Speakers as they only hold up the proceedings. The biggest advantage will be the ability to use the 1571's capacity to utilize the second side.. of the disk drive. This will make for a much quicker system.
QuestionIs there a printer driver that will allow an Epson Homewriter 10 to print 80 d.p.i. with the Commodore interface?
GEOS ROB: Not with the Commodore Interface. All comm. printers are 60 dpi. Don't fret if I haven't gotten to your question, I have over 90 to get to, but I'll get to all… of them (or at least I'll try).
QuestionIn desktop 1.3 why must you use disk cop copy and do you need disk backup on the same disk?
GEOS ROB: Disk Copy allows you to copy disks and still make work disks. If you use Backup, all your copies will be "Master" disks. See the info posted in the BSW Applications section of the GEOS Software Library. Complete details were posted today!
QuestionCan I use my 1350 mouse with the 128 version of GEOS?
GEOS ROB: You can, but it will act like a joystick. I recommend the new 1351 mouse that should be out….. within a couple of weeks.
QuestionAre the updates of GEOWRITE 2.0 and the new desktop free to registered users?
GEOS ROB: No. We are not ready for a full update, so geoWrite 2.0 is being released as a seperate product. When we have an update ready to go out (no plans yet) it might be on that disk. But that will be a while.
QuestionWill the driver for the 1351 also work with the 1350 mouse?
GEOS ROB: Nope. The 1350 isn't capable of doing the things that the 1351 can.
QuestionIs there a programmers manual for GEOS and if so how can I/we get a copy and how much $$$ ?
GEOS ROB: The Technical Reference Manual will be available in early 1987 in most major…. computer and book stores. No price has been established yet.
QuestionWhy doesn't Geowrite printout in NLQ
GEOS ROB: It will in version 2.0! 🙂
Questionhow much for the new products?
GEOS ROB: Over Q-Link, Desk Pack will be $25.95, Writer's Workshop will be $37.95, and geoDex will be 29.95 All will also have $2.50 shipping and handling charge.
QuestionNAive question, what is the 1351?
GEOS ROB: The 1351 is the new proportional mouse that Commodore is coming out with. It moves exactly on the screen as does your hand on the table.
QuestionROB, how often do you log-on to Q-Link? I mostly post and read the GEOS Forum messages, and want to avoid logging on and examining the messages if you havent been on to answer mine (I would naturally read all the others then, but it would save me logging on two or three times between your log-ons
GEOS ROB: I usually log on every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. That is just the average, thou, and some… times it changes.
QuestionAre backup copies of GEOS software avail
GEOS ROB: You can purchase a second boot disk from us for $10+$2 shipp and handl.
QuestionWill GEOS ever be able to use a 3.5
GEOS ROB: You bet! Of course, we are waiting for Commodore to come out with it!
QuestionWhat improvments are there in version 1.3
GEOS ROB: You can see the printer driver that is selected on the deskTop and you can set other input…. devices (than the joystick) as the default driver.
QuestionHow will the upcoming GEOS 128 support the extra RAM that is available to the 128? Will it be used as a RAM disk, or will there be some sort of Switcher mechanism like the MacIntosh (is that a dirty word here?)
GEOS ROB: No, it isn't a dirty word. 🙂 It will be used as a RAM disk, and we are working on a program that allows you to have a RAM disk and also use your 1541 as a shadowed drive ( use it's RAM and speed it up even more!).
QuestionGEOS prouducts are available over Q-link only to those people who have credit car ds. Can those of us who don't get the sa me prices via mail order?
GEOS ROB: We haven't worked out the details, but you probably have to send $$$$ to our mail order house and pay full suggested retail price.
QuestionWhen will you have a printer driver for Commodore's MPS 802 ?
GEOS ROB: You can download the 1526 driver that is currently available in the GEOS Software Library in the GEOS Forum on Q-Link.
QuestionYou may have already received this but I am rather knew to this, so I'm not sure if you did or… Question: What is the status of the Gemini 10x/Cardco?+G problem? Would a Xetec interface improve my situation?
GEOS ROB: If you are referring to the 60 dpi problem, download the new Gemini 10x driver in the GEOS Soft- ware library. Then your system will work fine.
QuestionWill the 1351 act as a "true" mouse?
GEOS ROB: You betcha! A lot of you are asking the same questions. It might be beneficial if you downloaded this trans- cript because I might have answered your question earlier. 🙂
QuestionHow often will the software libraries be updated
GEOS ROB: Hopefully every two weeks or so.
QuestionHow about geoBasic??
GEOS ROB: Not for a while, but it might happen!
QuestionWill more DeskPacks and/or FontPacks be coming out? For example, DeskPack2?
GEOS ROB: Yep! It will probably be Desk Pack one that gets out first.
QuestionCan I use my Koala Pad with GEOS?
GEOS ROB: Absolutely! Just download the Koala Pad driver in the GEOS Software Library. 🙂
QuestionDoes installing the new DeskTop impose any limitations (permanent or not) on files already installed on the work disk? Are there any problems in "installing" the new DeskPack accessories?
GEOS ROB: Nope, none at all.
QuestionCan a file name cause GEOwrite to lock up. The problem occured when I used the file name christmas letter.
GEOS ROB: With the current version of geoWrite, you can't name files over 15 letters long (ooops!). To… fix this, rename the file from the DESKTOP and your problem will be solved. ( By the way, we…. fixed the bug!)
QuestionWhen will Fontpac and Deskpac be availab in Canada?
GEOS ROB: I don't have that date, but it should be soon!
QuestionWill Commodore's new 1351 Mouse work with Version 1.2 and do you have the drivers for that mouse???
GEOS ROB: Yep, and the driver will be with the 1351 mouse and also in the Software Library.
QuestionWhen using geoLaser here at Q-Link, can graphics be mixed with text, or is it text only?
GEOS ROB: Graphics can be printed just dandily! It looks hot!
Questiongeowrite is great text EDITOR, but not a great word processor. will V1.2 be better equipt for word processing?
GEOS ROB: I assume you mean version 2.0. There is nothing that geoWrite 2.0 can't do, as far as I…. am concerned. And it also gives you multiple fonts and the ability to integrate graphics. WOW!
QuestionWhat are all of the enhancements on The Writer's Workshop?
GEOS ROB: NLQ, print single pages, faster, search and replace, headers and footers, super and sub-scripts, etc.
Miss Chris: 36 guests; 92 questions pending
QuestionWhen I try to print a file while in geoWrite it always says error reading disk.What's wrong?
GEOS ROB: You don't have your printer drivers set up correctly. You want your desired printer driver to be the first one on the boot disk and the only one on the work disk. See the GEOS News section in the GEOS forum for more details.
QuestionCan Geopaint print in color on Okimate10
GEOS ROB: Yep, in 8 different colors!
QuestionHow much does it cost to get a page of text LASERPRINTED?
GEOS ROB: Mail first class).
QuestionIs there any way to make a photo scrap larger than a geoPaint window ?
GEOS ROB: Not at this time, but maybe in the future.
QuestionIf we have access to an Apple Laserwrite r, how can we go about printing it out?
GEOS ROB: If you purchase the Writer's Workshop, there is a driver on that disk for the LaserWriter.
Questionis GEOS harder to load on the 128 ? I ha d a lot of problems!
GEOS ROB: It can be, but we fixed the probs. If you are still having probs, send us your disk for a re- placement.
QuestionWill new versions of geoWrite be available as updates or only as separate purchases?
GEOS ROB: Probably both. Right now it is a seperate release because we are not ready with a full update. It will be on future updates, most likely.
QuestionWhen will GEOS for the IBM be released?
GEOS ROB: You got me on that one! 🙂
Questionis the driver for the cbm1526 available?
GEOS ROB: Yep! It's in the GEOS Forum in the GEOS software library.
QuestionIf C= is putting out a 512 expansion for the 64 (we hope) and GEOS supporting it will there be any difference between the 512 C=64 version and the 512 C=128 version? JC P
GEOS ROB: The 1764 RAM expansion for the 64 will be only 256K.
QuestionWhen will the RAMDISK option be available?
GEOS ROB: We dont know when Comm is going to release em. It's up to them. I think it will be soon, tho.
QuestionI recieved the Geos disk But I cant Run anything. It always says not enough room on my disk. What is the problem?
GEOS ROB: You aren't supposed to work off of your boot disk! Like the manual says, make work disks by de- leting files on your backups that you make. RTFM.
QuestionWhat is so bad about the 1350 mouse compared to the 1351 that you won't make a driver for it?
GEOS ROB: The 1350 can only go in 8 directions. It is a joystick on wheels! It's not us, it's the hard- ware.
QuestionAre there any games in the planning stages using the GEOS system?
GEOS ROB: Just Black Jack which is on the Desk Pack (and it is very addicting, I might add!).
QuestionWhat is geoDex?
GEOS ROB: geoDex is an electric card catalog for sorting names and phone numbers. It also gives you the ability to print mailing labels, and with geoMerge it can make form letters. OK, folks, this is the last question I'm going to take tonight.
Questionwhat is the difference bwtween a joystic k and a proportional mouse? what does proportional mean?
GEOS ROB: A joystick can only move in 8 directions, whereas a mouse can move in all directions. Proport- ional means that your movement on the table is the same as the movement on the screen. Well, thanks for coming everyone. I hope you all have happy Thanksgivings and that I get
Miss Chris: Rob…thanks for a very informative session!
GEOS ROB: to see you in the GEOS forum! My pleasure Chris!
Miss Chris: We'll try to post remaining questions, and answers, in the GEOS Forum. Rob reviewed more than 120 questions tonight…some record!
GEOS ROB: And don't forget to download a copy of this from the GEOS forum.
Miss Chris: Thanks for coming, everyone!