GEOS ROB: Good evening, and welcome to another GEOS forum. I'm Rob Siegel, and I'll be your host for the evening. We hold these forums monthly, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask them tonight. I'll do my best to answer your questions to the best of my ability. The biggest news tonight is about the 80 column version of the 128. You may have read my update in the GEOS News, but we displayed the new version at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. We made the decision to go to 80 cols when we found away to draw graphics and still have increased speed with the disk drive. We don't know what the price will be, but it will be shipping by next June. Anyone who has the 64 version will be able to update to the 128 version for a nominal fee that has not yet been determined. In fact, all of our products that you own in 64 mode will either work in 128 mode or will be upgradable for a nominal fee. geoCalc and geoFile are progressing nicely, as is the new 1581 version of GEOS. All were displayed at CES, and all look spectacular. Just wait until you see them! Well, I think it's best at this point to get to your questions. So, on with the show!
QuestionWhat happened to the GEOS programmers reference manual BSW was going to release (page 3-7 of users manual) ?
GEOS ROB: It should be out in the next few weeks. Bantam Books did the printing, and we just got are preliminary versions in this week. It should be at a major book or computer store in your area soon.
QuestionWhat other products does BSW plan to release and when ?
GEOS ROB: As I mentioned, geoFile and geoCalc (a data base and spread sheet respectively), as well as an 80 column version of GEOS for the 128. We are also developing a new parallel printing cable called geoPrint Cable and a new proportional mouse called geoMouse. Keep an eye out for geoSpell too, which will be on Desk Pack 2.
QuestionHow come the okimate printer driver is slower but clearer than the Comm. Compat when used on either of the geoWrite versions ?
GEOS ROB: The okimate driver was designed specifically for the Okimate. That explains why the resolution.. is so much greater. As for the speed, increased resolution forced a slight decrease in the . printing speed.
QuestionRob, Is there a way to capture clip art from another software program and use it with GEOS Writers Workshop? Such as Newsroom Clip Art? I would also like to be able to use Newsroom's clip art with GEOwrite.
GEOS ROB: If you use the Graphics Grabber that is on the Desk Pack 1, you can integrate graphics from Newsroom, Print Shop, and PrintMaster.
QuestionI have been reading the GEOS forum mess. boards and constantly see the term DONGLES in relation to copy protection. What is a DONGLE ???? How is it used ?
GEOS ROB: Dongle is a hardware form of copy protection, and the friends out in Q-Link have been . "recommending" for us to use this form of copy protection.
QuestionWill BSW be attending the COMMODORE Show in S.F. Feb 20-22?
GEOS ROB: We don't know yet, but the chances are good .
QuestionGEOS 128 is due out around Summer CES- any closer date than that? Also, is the update included with the 1351 considered "Shareware" in that anyone with a V1.2 system disk can be updated, without buying the package?
GEOS ROB: June CES is the closest we know right now. The disk with the 1351 is not Shareware, but anyone.. who has a legitimate copy of GEOS is welcome to use the disk.
QuestionIn your ads Geos is Blue.Mine is Gray is something wrong?Also My downloaded ver- sion of DESKTOP V1.3 will not convert.A Dialog box comes up and says NOT A GEOS- SEQ FILE.PLEASE HELP!!!!
GEOS ROB: We changed the colors of the screen with the preference manager, and screens turn a little blue.. when you photograph them. Send me E-mail if you are having problems with Convert, and I'll help you throught them. Please do not send On Line Messages to the Speakers as they only hold up the proceedings.
QuestionHow will 40-column artwork and text documents transfer to the GEOS 128 80-column screen? Will it look "choppy" or will there be a higher resolution without actually having to re-edit the files already created>
GEOS ROB: We are still working on the conversion of files between the systems, so I just don't have the info on what the transfer will look like.
Questionwhat is a good middle range($) graphic printer for use with Geos?
GEOS ROB: As a representative of BSW I can't recommend a printer, but I personally own a Panasonic 1091… and I will swear by it. Make sure any printer you get is an 80 dpi printer so it can take full.. advantage of GEOS' printing capabilities.
QuestionAny information on how will the MPS1200 will work with GEOS?
GEOS ROB: It works great! We had one hooked up at CES and the printout looked really good.
QuestionWhat is the 1581 version of GEOS?
GEOS ROB: The 1581 is the 3 1/2 inch disk drive made by Comm. for the 64 and 128. Each disk has 880K of.. memory (vs. 165 on the current systems). It makes working with GEOS a dream!
QuestionAre there plans for a geoBasic? And if so, how far is the development?
GEOS ROB: We've brainstormed on the idea, but we are just looking into actual development right now.
Questioncan you change the fonts of an entire page in geowrite?
GEOS ROB: With geoWrite 2.0, which is on the Writer's Workshop package, you can select a whole page and… change the font. Otherwise you have to do it screen by screen.
QuestionI realize this has probally been asked before but… why no Okimate 10 driver on version 1.2?? Manual says it is on the back but Qlink is there!!!
GEOS ROB: If you open the back side from GEOS, and turn to page 10 of the deskTop, you will see the Oki 10 driver.
QuestionAre there any companies other than BSW that are planning GEOS software?
GEOS ROB: We don't have a list, but I'm sure it will pick up a lot when th Tech Ref Manual gets out.
Questionis Deskpack 2 available yet?
GEOS ROB: Not yet, and we don't have a release date yet. Rob
QuestionHow often do you update the download section in the Geos forum?
GEOS ROB: If all goes well, every two weeks. I got behind with the Christmas break and CES. I should be.. on top of things now. (Hopefully!)
QuestionWhat will be the advantages of the geoMouse over the current Commodore 1351
GEOS ROB: Good question. Ours will be a one button mouse as opposed to a two button mouse, and I think there will be some other little advantages, but I'm not sure on the rest. Rob Do you notice how I keep saying "Rob" every now and then? That's habit from answering all of … your guys' mail and questions on the boards. 🙂
Miss Chris: Ahah!! 😀
QuestionMy Geos became erased and I don't know what to do about this.Can you help me?
GEOS ROB: You can either restore the disk from your GEOS backup as stated in the manual, or you can send… it to us for a replacement if you didn't follow the directions (you naughty person!)
QuestionWhy haven't I been informed of any updates? I sent in all the registration cards but no response.
GEOS ROB: I wish I could tell you guys the problems we've had with out computers (not Comms!). We are doing all of our data entry now, and you should be getting a mailing hopefully by the end of next month.
QuestionWhy come out with a mouse when Commodore already has one out?
GEOS ROB: Good question! I really don't know, but I'm not the one who makes these decisions Appearantly marketing thinks there is a market, so I guess we are going for it!
QuestionRob, do you have any idea when the ram expansion will be available for the c-64 ?
GEOS ROB: Hopefully soon, but I don't have a date. At CES, the word was that they are ready and just . waiting to be shipped.
QuestionI have headr a lot about a GeoTerm,does such a thing exsist???
GEOS ROB: Not yet, but maybe someone out there (Cosmac, Mystic Jim, etc.) can write one! 🙂
QuestionRob, when will geoCalc and geoFile be available?
GEOS ROB: Hopefully within the next 4 to 6 weeks. They are really neat, especially geoFile. It's so . revolutionary and so easy to use!
QuestionWhat capabilities will GeoSpell have and when do you expect it to be released?
GEOS ROB: It will make use of a dictionary with over 30000 words and will be able to search any geoWrite… file. It will be on Desk Pack 2, and we don't have a release date yet.
QuestionDoes Berkeley plan to market disks of GEOS-created PD software, ala Print Shops' library disks?
GEOS ROB: Maybe We are considering it. By the way (free plug), you should all go to the GEOS Forum… and see the GEOS Software Library. There are some AMAZING graphics there done by users. It's… worth checking out! (And there are some pretty neat programs written by users too!)
QuestionCan a disc be formatted while in Q-link?
GEOS ROB: Not that I am aware of, unless you have two computers. 🙂
QuestionI just want to say that I am impressed with GEOS V1.3
GEOS ROB: Gee, thanks a lot! (It was a freebe, guys, I couldn't pass it up!) And I didn't put it there! 🙂
QuestionAbout how much will geoCable cost, and will it come with drivers.
GEOS ROB: We dont have a list price on geoPrint Cable, and it will probably come with special GEOS drivers.
Questionwill the new Geos version have a centering feature…this would be very handy-and how about indenting?
GEOS ROB: You can indent with tabs and the paragraph marker, and geoPublish will give you a lot of versatility with graphics and text. Hopefully it will be ready by next June for CES.
QuestionI have a Fastext 80…I asked once before,but I'm not sure my message was received. It either says 'Printer… Inaccesable' or prints form feeds and garbage. Thank you.
GEOS ROB: We haven't tested that printer, but make sure that you have the printer drivers on your work disk that you want to test. You might want to post a message on the GEOS Printer board in the… GEOS forum and see if anyone else has had any success with that printer.
QuestionRob, Can a disk go bad from one applicat ion to the next? The one time I used by Back up copy, it worked fine, and the ve ry next time, I kept getting the error m essage "Error reading Disk". What would ause it to do this?
GEOS ROB: You usually get this message when you are trying to print and don't have the proper printer drivers on the disk. Make your desired printer driver the first on the boot disk and the only… one on the work disk.
QuestionWill the MPS1200 be able to handle 80dpi
GEOS ROB: I believe so.
QuestionROB, we all know that BSW will soon release geoFile and geoCalc, with geoPublish being worked on, as well as geoBasic (both a long way off) Any idea of what might follow these products so we can all start drooling some more:)
GEOS ROB: Keep an eye out for geoPublish, a Font Editor, and some other nifty things.
QuestionDo you know whether the Okimate 20 is 80 dpi?. I'm considering buying one, but only if I can print the full document.
GEOS ROB: The Oki 20 is a 60 dpi printer with GEOS. But it is still a good printer and can do color .
QuestionAre there any printer drivers for letter quality printers?
GEOS ROB: Not at this time, but you can do NLQ with printers that have that ability and geoWrite 2.0 on Writer'S Workshop. Please do not send On Line Messages to the Speakers as they only hold up the proceedings.
QuestionHi Rob. Are there any plans to support more than two disk drives (including a RAM disk) on GEOS?
GEOS ROB: Hopefully in the future, yes. If I haven't gotten to your question, it is because I am answering them in the order they are … asked and have a lot to go through. I will get to all of you, and if I don't, post your question in the GEOS forum in the CIN.
QuestionWhen will we get to see the 1581 drive?
GEOS ROB: When ever Commodore releases it, but I believe it will be relatively soon.
QuestionDoes GEOS work with the Okidata 120?
GEOS ROB: Absolutely! This driver can d/l from Q-Link in the GEOS Forum area in the software Library.
QuestionDo you like the new Geos program
GEOS ROB: Of course. I think it is the greatest program ever written. You all should buy the whole GEOS.. line today!
QuestionWhich of the hard disk drives is compat- ible with GEOS? Is anyone of them better or would it be easier to use the 1581?
GEOS ROB: I don't have too much info on the hard disks, but the 1581 will be very easy to use when it comes out.
QuestionIs there a Super Sketch input driver?
GEOS ROB: Not at this time.
QuestionHow do I use the Okimate20 driver?
GEOS ROB: It is here on Q-Link, so once you have d/l and converted it, put it as the first driver on your.. boot disk and make it the only driver on your work disk.
QuestionI have been unable to boot my GEOS, or r estore it from my backups, What do I do?
GEOS ROB: Send it back to us in Berkeley and we will replace it.
QuestionPlease estimate # of GEOS users?
GEOS ROB: Lots! Definitely lots! In the tens of thousands and growing.
Questionwhat is geos 128 going to be like anythi ng different
GEOS ROB: The two biggest will be the 80 columns and using both sides of the 1571 for a much faster system.
QuestionAny proposed release date yet on GeoPublish??
GEOS ROB: June? ? ? Maybe.
QuestionAre there plans to integrate the new C-6 4 Ram expansion cartridge into GEOS?
GEOS ROB: Most definitely, and it will be a big enhancement for the GEOS system.
QuestionHelp
GEOS ROB: I know that feeling!
Miss Chris: Me too!
QuestionDoes GEOS have a driver for the MPS802?
GEOS ROB: Yes, download the 1526 driver here on Q-Link in the GEOS Software Forum.
QuestionGEOS ROB…I downloaded some of your graphics,they are very impressive
GEOS ROB: Thanks, too bad I didn't do them. Q-Link users did most of them! Please do not send On Line Messages to the Speakers as they only hold up the proceedings.
CommentA comment this time…you guys are doing a GREAT job and I hope you realize that you have MANY more fans than you do critics. I own everything GEOS has out on the market to date and will keep on buying…thanks for a GREAT product and thanks to Rob for being around, even though you may not always feel appreciated!
GEOS ROB: Ahhhhhhhh! How really nice of you! Thanks. 🙂 By the way, for those of you who don't hang out in the GEOS forum, you should because if nothing else, it is very entertaining!
Miss Chris: That's right…thanks Rob, and thanks Berkeley Softworks!
CommentHELP!
GEOS ROB: Ok, Ok, ..
QuestionHow about a font editor for Geos users?
GEOS ROB: I know that Cosmac, a user on Q-Link, has written one that is supposedly really good. We are … also looking into writing one of our own.
QuestionId GEO-Chart available yet? If not, when
GEOS ROB: It will probably be on Desk Pack 2, and we don't have a date at this time.
Questionwill GEOS be burned into chips sometime?
GEOS ROB: Little itsy bitsy chips? I hope not. Seriously, we have no plans at this time.
QuestionCan somebody help me!?!?
GEOS ROB: Poor guy! Luckily, I did answer his questiom! ~ question!
QuestionHow accurate is the book written on Geos from nidnight software and publishing?
GEOS ROB: They did a pretty good job, but ours is far more detailed (sorry guys, but as the saying goes "we wrote the book.) 🙂 Yuk, Yuk!
Questiongogogood
GEOS ROB: Yeah! ~Like he said!
QuestionWhat is GEOS anyway?
GEOS ROB: GEOS is a graphic enviornment for the 64 and 128 with icons and pull down menus. It is the official operating system of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. OOps! of the 64 and 128 Comm… Computer.
QuestionCould you set up a new message board for all those folk out there who's interests seem to lie with copy protection .I find it boring and costly to go through board after board of drivel about C.P.
GEOS ROB: It sounds like a good idea to me! I'm a little tired of it too, but they have the right to speak their minds. The problem starts when it interferes with the helpfulness of the board .
Miss Chris: Send E-mail with your suggestion to "Paul II" He is Q-Link's producer of CIN. 😀
GEOS ROB: Or if enough people want it, tell me first. I'll take care of it. No need to bother Paul .
QuestionWith the original GEOS disk so full, can I replace DeskTop V1.3 without taking something off first?
GEOS ROB: You need to delete some printer drivers that you don't use. Make sure you have copies before… you do it thou.
QuestionHow successful has the Geos programs been, compared to the sales of other software.
GEOS ROB: Sales have been very strong, and we are hoping to still capture more of the Commodore market. This is the last question I'm going to take tonight, so if I didn't get to yours, post it on genreal message board. Questions are answered from users in the order they are received.
Questionwhy was geos designed print at 80 dpi, when most commodore printers print at 60 dpi (a design defect)
GEOS ROB: There are a lot of 80 dpi printers on the market, and they offer such a superior print quality… that we decided to go with that. Well thanks for coming tonight folks. We appreciate your support here at BSW!