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Apple I Replica Creation
I read the Foreword and was put off -- it had no discussion about what to expect in the book, nothing about Tom Owad, or even Vince Briel; it seemed to be a letter from Steve Wozniak discussing the Apple I and its place in history.
Moving on into the book, in the first chapter I read about several people that own (or have owned) genuine Apple I -- and while this was interesting, and helped to get me in the mindset of mid-seventies computing, I felt this too had little to do with the stated purpose of the book -- building an Apple I replica. Personally, I would have put this chapter in the back of the book, most likely as an Appendix, since the reader must have some knowledge of the Apple I before they picked up the book, and these stories do little to describe the hardware we are going to build.
The next two chapters -- "Tools and Materials" and "Digital Logic" -- provide thin overviews on building electronics projects in general, and an overview of Digital Logic. I contend that if you've never picked up a soldering iron, you shouldn't make your first effort a computer, no matter how "simple" this one is (and it is pretty straightforward, just a handful of chips with no tricky analog "adjustments" to make), and if you want to learn about Digital Logic, you'd be well served to focus on the material as covered in Charles Petzold's classic tome Code.
Next we have a chapter on building the Replica I -- there are no real insights provided, no hints or tips that relate to the reader that the author even built his own Replica I. In fact, the author includes a quote from someone who built his own Replica I, but by the end of the included story, this person hasn't gotten it working yet. Since this story was (apparently) written well in advance of the book being published, why not include an update indicating that Vince was able to get his Apple I replica up and running? (By all accounts, Vince is very helpful to those that buy his kits.)
There are almost 4 pages dedicated to the McCAD program included with the book on CD-ROM, but unless you are familiar with CAD/circuit design software, you will finish the four pages with precious little understanding of how to actually use the software, or how to turn the circuits you designed into actual printed circuit boards.
Moving on, we have a chapter on programming the Replica I in BASIC -- this chapter provides only the barest minimum information on the BASIC included with the Replica I. This BASIC is Integer only, and was written by Steve Wozniak personally. While BASIC once was a very common language (it used to be included in ROM on almost all consumer and business personal computers, before Disk Drives became commonplace), it merits a better overview than the author provides. The original Apple I BASIC Manual (available from Vince Briel's website) does a better job describing the language. The author includes an extensive dissection of a larger BASIC program (a simple text-based role-playing game), but gets lost in describing how the program works. I was left with the feeling that the larger BASIC program was included to pad the section on BASIC programming.
Then we move on to programming the Replica I in Assembler -- here the author cuts so many corners (he even reduces the now-obligatory "Hello, World" program to a much shorter text message "H W" to save space) that the reader is left with only a hint of what can be done with the Replica I in assembler. Again, material appears to be added to the book to pad out the chapter, including one of three separate ASCII Character charts, all the Op Codes of the 6502 CPU listed in several different ways (both in this chapter and in the Appendices), and the thinnest of details in the "detailed" views of each Op Code (Op Codes are the instructions used to build a program in assembler).
Next we come to a chapter entitled "Understanding the Apple I" -- what this chapter is doing in the back of the book is beyond me, since understanding the Apple I is, you know, the whole point of this book, right? The information provided is fairly technical, but does little to provide the reader with the information needed to actually design/build anything based on the Apple I design. Note that while this book is about building an Apple I replica, it is not a "clone" -- where the original had 8K of RAM, this unit has 32K of RAM, provided by one chip instead of the original 16 chips on the Apple I. This unit is functionally identical to the Apple I, but the circuit design is greatly simplified over Woz's original design (based on about 30 years of progress in the computer industry). As a concession to the realities of the current computer market, the Replica I also uses an "AT" power supply, and can use a PS/2 keyboard in place of the ASCII keyboards popular in the mid-seventies. These changes make the Replica I a more convenient project to attempt, while retaining the original programming environment of the Apple I.
Now we enter into the Appendices -- we have another ASCII Character Chart as Appendix 1 (there are three total, if memory serves me correctly), then three appendices which simply list all the Op Codes of the 6502 processor three different ways. Again, these appear to be added simply as filler material to add heft to the book -- the author adds nothing to these sections, and they repeat information covered elsewhere in the book.
Next we have an Appendix on "Hacking Macintosh": this is the clearest case of padding a book I've ever seen -- the author describes how to take a Macintosh SE and replace the case with "Lego-type" blocks -- a trivial hack, unrelated to the Apple I in any way, and a potentially dangerous activity, because you are exposing high voltage electronics by removing the manufacturer's original case with its shielding and protection. Then we have a slightly more technical hack in the "UFO Mouse" hack -- adding an LED to the original iMac UFO mouse. Then we have our final Mac Hack -- wrapping the interior case of a Mac Cube system with decorative wrapping paper and placing the now "beautiful" system back in the clear plastic case. This is a hack? How does this relate to the Apple I?
The final appendix is titled "Electrical Engineering Basics" -- and while it does a reasonable job of describing what various components do (like resistors, capacitors, diodes and transistors), there is no reference to take the reader to a place where they can learn to build things of any sophistication (like, say, a computer, perhaps?). I was left asking the question, if this material is needed by the target reader, why are they attempting to build a Replica I computer? If the target reader doesn't need it, why is it included? We also are treated to our second set of instructions on how to solder -- again, why was this included in the book?
In the end, I have no idea who the target audience market is for this book, and I felt the book had no central theme -- it seemed to be a bunch of material culled (I can only assume) from the author's Apple Fritter web site. This book was too "light" to be of any real use to an experienced electronics person looking to design an "Apple I-inspired" system, and there is precious little material for the electronics novice who wants to build Vince Briel's Replica I kit that isn't provided by Vince either on his site or in the included assembly instructions and original Apple I documentation.
I noted numerous errors in the book, and attempted to forward them to the publisher for inclusion in the next printing of the book, but after finishing the book, I suspect there will be no need for a reprinting. I say attempted, because my email to the publisher bounced, but I was able to send my notes to the technical reviewer of the book, and I have sent my notes to Vince as well, for his reference.
I found this book to be confused (no clear narrative/theme/idea), cluttered (why three ASCII charts? Why Mac Hacks?), and to contain many typos/errors. In the final analysis, unless you simply have to have this book because it is about the Apple I, I'd say save yourself the cost of the book, and simply order a pre-assembled Replica I from Vince Briel -- the money you save by not buying the book ($39.95 Suggested retail price) will almost exactly cover the price difference between the unassembled Replica I and the the assembled version (currently $40 US).
You can purchase Apple I Replica Creation: Back to the Garage from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
http://www.6502.org/homebuilt/
There is alot of work being done on creating 6502 based systems, and I'm sure that an especially industrious designer could emulate the entire Apple I in a single FGPA chip.
Feed the need: Digitaladdiction.net
My own description of the book can be found here:
www.applefritter.com/replica
That was an Apple I which, as I recall, was just the stuffed board. Case, keyboard, and monitor had to be supplied by you.
Then the Apple ][ came out shortly afterward, which retailed for $1200. Even after the Mac got introduced in 1984, the Apple ]['s price never fell below $1000 (despite the fact that the more powerful Atari 800 and Commodore 64 -- also 6502-based systems -- were available for less than half that). And that didn't include the Disk ][ floppy drives, which were another $200 each (IIRC).
The only major technology advance on the ][ line came in the form of the Apple ][GS (widely referred to as the "Apple ][ Gee-Whiz"), which doubled the CPU speed to 2 MHz, increased the pixel depth, and got sampled sound. It sold for around $1500 and tried to portray itself as competitive with the Amiga 1000 (7.1MHz 68000, $1200).
All of which is a long-winded way of saying, Apple's machines were always overpriced.
Schwab
Editor, A1-AAA AmeriCaptions
A technical forum has been set up on Applefritter to provide support to those working with McCAD. Documentation and a training video are available on the CD and from McCAD's website. The included software is an excellent value and is only needed for readers interested in printing their own circuits.
Then we move on to programming the Replica I in Assembler -- here the author cuts so many corners (he even reduces the now-obligatory "Hello, World" program to a much shorter text message "H W" to save space) that the reader is left with only a hint of what can be done with the Replica I in assembler.
The very first assembly program on page 155 explains how to echo the characters 'H' and 'W'. Page 165 provides a more complex example that does spell out the entire phrase. The reviewer is correct that this chapter is "only a hint" at what is possible in assembly. It is intended as an _introduction_.
Again, material appears to be added to the book to pad out the chapter, including one of three separate ASCII Character charts, all the Op Codes of the 6502 CPU listed in several different ways
The Op Codes are presented in matrix form (for reverse look-up), as an alphabetical chart with memory modes, and organized by category. I'm not sure which of these the reviewer would want left out.
(both in this chapter and in the Appendices)
This is simply not true. The Op Code charts appear only in the appendices.
Next we come to a chapter entitled "Understanding the Apple I" -- what this chapter is doing in the back of the book is beyond me, since understanding the Apple I is, you know, the whole point of this book, right? The information provided is fairly technical, but does little to provide the reader with the information needed to actually design/build anything based on the Apple I design.
It appears the reviewer was looking for a book aimed at engineers. What he found was a guide intended for beginners. While this chapter does discuss some modifications and variations to the circuit, describing circuits that go beyond the Apple I is outside of its scope.
then three appendices which simply list all the Op Codes of the 6502 processor three different ways. Again, these appear to be added simply as filler material to add heft to the book
This baffles me, given the reviewers earlier complaints that the book is not technical enough. All three styles are imperative. These are not filler at all.
Next we have an Appendix on "Hacking Macintosh",
This section was filler from an earlier book (though another review I read was delighted by it)
In the end, I have no idea who the target audience market is for this book, and I felt the book had no central theme -- it seemed to be a bunch of material culled (I can only assume) from the author's Apple Fritter web site. This book was too "light" to be of any real use to an experienced electronics person looking to design an "Apple I-inspired" system, and there is precious little material for the electronics novice who wants to build Vince Briel's Replica I kit that isn't provided by Vince either on his site or in the included assembly instructions and original Apple I documentation.
The book is intended the novice or intermediary reader interested in learning more about electronics and computers. Very little of this material is on Applefritter (did you look?) and the Replica I kit includes less than 5 pages of assembly instructions.
I noted numerous errors in the book, and attempted to forward them to the publisher for inclusion in the next printing of the book, but af
I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to call bullshit.
We will set aside the sound hardware, and compare against other features:
This, of course, glosses over a few points: Graphics at that time was far more complex than just resolution and bits per pixel. There were also "sprites" to be considered, as well as whether you could change the underlying color palette (you may only get one bit per pixel, but you may be able to change which colors those represent every scan line, every eight pixels, etc.).
Also, Atari was revamping their home computer line in the face of competition from the Commodore-64. As a result, the 800 was replaced by 1200XL, which was quickly dropped and further replaced by the 600XL and the 800XL, each with different feature sets and different price points. Hence the uncertain pricing.
Although I quote $300.00 for the Commodore-64, it was originally introduced at $600.00. It was reduced to $300.00 about a year later.
And it is also worth pointing out that none of these machines came with a floppy drive. Mass storage was accomplished with an audio cassette recorder.
And, of course, we have not covered the sound capabilities, at which the C64 rocked, and the Atari 800 comported itself very well.
In Apple's favor, it was clearly the most popular machine out there, and had the widest base of support and "mindshare". I just don't think it ever warranted being two to four times more expensive than its competitors.
Schwab
Editor, A1-AAA AmeriCaptions
In the review by Ken (above), he wrote: >>>> the author includes a quote from someone who built his own Replica I, but by the end of the included story, this person hasn't gotten it working yet. Since this story was (apparently) written well in advance of the book being published, why not include an update indicating that Vince was able to get his Apple I replica up and running? (By all accounts, Vince is very helpful to those that buy his kits.)
I am the "someone" referenced. However, my contribution to Tom's book was not written "well in advance" of publishing. In fact, I just barely made the deadline.
Ken is correct regarding Vince Briel's superb technical support. Vince was on the phone and email with me for hours, explaining concepts and details to me. As I wrote for the book, I am a ** novice ** at hands-on microelectronics work, and my review of the replica kit is intended for other novices.
Yes, shortly after the deadline passed, Vince helped me to get the replica working. It turns out that I didn't make any major mistakes. What I did wrong was leave the resistors too high off the board. Once Vince lowered them, the video signal appeared on the screen immediately. I had some additional glitches getting it to work with an LCD screen, but that is a very non-standard use of the replica kit.
In the next week or two, my custom case for the replica will be finished. I am building the replica into a battery-powered 'laptop' version.
An earlier version of the review that I contributed to Tom's book is posted under the 'product reviews' section of my web site. The address is http://news.computercollector.com. (Contrary to other reports, you do NOT have to sign up to read this content. You only have to sign up if you want to get the weekly newsletter.)
- Evan Koblentz