Subject: Re: Apple IIGS Manual
From: dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)
Date: Fri, Oct 16, 1998 6‚55 
Message-id: <1dh0tcr.1y7l5f95du37vN@dempson.actrix.gen.nz>

RRBP <rrbp@aol.com> wrote:

> Apple IIGS Owner's Guide $35.00

The "Apple IIgs Owner's Guide" is certainly not worth $35.  I didn't pay
that much for any of the detailed technical manuals that Apple supplied,
most of which were much larger than the Owner's Guide.

This is the original manual for the ROM 00/01 IIgs that was supplied
with the computer.  It was never sold separately by Apple, except
possibly as a "service part" (replacement copy).  If it was being sold,
it would have probably gone for about $10 or $15, comparable to
"Technical Introduction to the Apple IIgs".

The Owner's Guide tells you how to set up the computer, how to use
typical applications, and some general information about the computer.
Anyone who knows how to use a Mac or Windows machine will not need any
of this.

The only really useful information in it is the connector pinouts, and
they are readily available on the Internet.  It also explains the
Control Panel, which is pretty easy to use once you know how to get into
it (press Control-Apple-Escape, then everything is menu driven).  The
machine specifications and comparison with other Apple II models might
be interesting.

It does _not_ cover anything about how to use the system software,
except some very general and out of date user interface documentation).
It refers to a mythical "system disk guide" for any useful information.
The IIgs system software was in very basic form at the time the machine
was released, and there wasn't even a native IIgs Finder.  A manual for
the MouseDesk software (or "Apple II Desktop") was included when I
bought my IIgs, but that is also very obsolete.

There is a later manual, supplied with the 1 MB IIgs (ROM 3), called the
"Apple IIgs Owner's Reference".  This covers the same material as the
earlier manual, but does actually tell you how to use Finder and other
major aspects of the system software (as at System 5.0).  This manual is
much more substantial.

Apple also released a manual on System 6.0, which was included as part
of the commercially available package.  This covers much the same
material as the OS-related parts IIgs Owner's Reference, updated for the
newer system software.

In any case, if you know how to use a Mac, you won't have any problem
finding your way around the IIgs.  Just remember we are caught in a time
warp - most features correspond to System 6.x on the Mac, with no
MultiFinder.  The IIgs Finder (in System 5.0 and later) does have some
nice user interface features that the Mac still hasn't caught up with
(e.g. a "Windows" menu).


Hasn't someone done a IIgs FAQ that covers basic information on how to
use the computer?

The special key sequences are about the only hidden feature I can think
of which a new user would need to know.

The key that is used to power up a Macintosh (labelled with a triangle
and separate from the main body of the keyboard) is referred to as
"Reset" on the Apple II.  It doesn't do anything by itself, but will
reset the computer if pressed while the Control key is held down.  This
has varying effects depending on the operating environment, and is not
recommended as a method of regaining control, except if you intend to
reboot the computer.

Other keys can be used in conjunction with Control-Reset to perform
special actions.  When using these sequences, make sure you hold down
the extra keys after letting go of Reset, until the computer beeps or
starts the appropriate activity.

Control-Apple-Reset          Force the computer to reboot

(The Apple key is generally called "Command" on a Mac.)

If you are running the IIgs system software, it is always a good idea to
shut down or restart via the Special menu in Finder, rather than simply
rebooting.  (Shutting down or restarting via the menu ensures that all
disk files have been closed, directories updated, etc.)

Control-Option-Reset         Reboot the computer via a setup menu

The menu allows you to enter the Control Panel to change settings, and
to restore default settings.  This is not the usual way of entering the
Control Panel.

Control-Apple-Option-Reset   Run a self-test

Once the test is finished, you have to reboot with a Control-Reset
combination.
 
The only other commonly used sequence is Control-Apple-Escape, which
calls up the Classic Desk Accessory menu, providing access to the
text-based Control Panel (and any other classic desk accessories that
may be installed).  If you are running System 5.0 or later there is also
a Mac-like graphical Control Panel available under the Apple menu in any
desktop application.


-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand