A2 News and Notes
July 2003

INDEX

* KansasFest '03 A Success
* New Mice for Our Favorite Computer
* USB Meets The Apple II
* Software Galore Released
* Marinetti TCP/IP Beta announced
* Kfest 2004
* CiderPress updated
* Speech Synthesizer Card Still available
* Apple II Pride


- KansasFest 2003 drew 60-plus people from 20 states and 3 countries to
Avila University from July 22nd to the 27th this month.  The keynote
speaker this year was none other than the inventor of the Apple II
computer, Steve Wozniak.  One of the more successful 'fests of recent
years, several new products were announced and useful software was
re-released:

-  IBM PS/2 mice are plentiful, so  Roger Johnstone of New Zealand
developed his VintageWare PS/2 Mouse Adapter, which works with the Apple
MouseCard.  This was adapter was demonstrated by Jay Edwards using a
MouseCard in an Apple IIGS, with a wireless mouse.  More information
including ordering information can be found
at: http://vintageware.orcon.net.nz/  

- Jeri Ellsworth displayed her newest project, the Apple II
AnyCard.  While the hardware design is currently being finished, software
implementation is being worked out.  When finished the card will add USB
functionality, a clock interface, CompactFlash access, and will output to
a VGA monitor.  More information about this exciting project as it
develops.

-  Some new and some updated software were announced at Kfest.  Syndicomm
announced and began selling copies of Ultimate Uptime, a CD compilation of
all 4 year's worth of the publication's output.  Softdisk Supreme, a CD
containing all of Softdisk's 167 issues for the 8-bit Apple II was also
displayed.  In addition, Syndicomm had become the online source for Tony
Diaz' eclectic collection of Apple II software, A2-ROMulan and the DVD
version, DV-ROMulan A2.  Updated software, including Eric Shepherd's
Totally Sheppyware were also announced, as was the Syndicomm distribution
of the newly open-sourced Spectrum Internet Suite version 1.2 .  More
information can be found for these and other products can be found
at:   http://store.syndicomm.com/ 

-  Richard Bennett-Forrest and Andrew Roughan of the Marinetti Open Source
Project have announced the release of Marinetti 3.0b1.  This is an open
beta of the TCP/IP stack for the Apple IIGS. to allow the computer to
access the Internet using modern protocols.  Among some of the new changes
are updated header files, a new link layer format, inclusion of the MacIP
link layer, revised documentation for the program and support of CHAP
through the PPP and PPP Scripted link layers.  More information and
download instructions for the beta program can be found
at:  http://sourceforge.net/projects/marinetti 

- The newly-reinstated Big Cheese of Kfest, Cindy Adams announced the
dates for 2004:  July 20th through the 25th.  Information about
registration for next year will be made available at the Kfest
website:  http://www.kfest.org


In Non-Kfest news:

- Andy McFadden's CiderPress has been updated again, to version 1.2.2
.  More information about this very useful Apple II file and disk utility
for Windows users can be found at:  http://www.faddensoft.com/ciderpress/  

- RC Systems reports that they still have stock for sale of their
DoubleTalk speech card. In addition, several other Apple II cards are
still being sold, including their  TimePro/Plus clock/calendar card, and
the SlotBuster II card as well as the SlotBuster's add-on
daughterboards.   RC Systems also has a variety of adaptive hardware
available that allows persons with disabilities to more easily use their
Apple II's.  More information, current prices and ordering instructions
can be found at their website at:  http://www.rcsys.com/apple2.htm

- Apple II users who wish to show off their pride in Apple II ownership
might be interested in the shirts being sold by Retrohacker.com.  With
pictures of an Apple II and slogans like "Gigawhat?" "Never trust a
coputer over 8 bits" "Apple ][ - Fear Me" and others, there's bound to be
a shirt to your liking.  They can be ordered
from:  http://www.retrohacker.com. 

* Sign Off

A2 News and Notes is produced with real or emulated Apple II computers
using AppleWorks 5.1.  Apple II Forever!

A2 News and Notes is (c) copyright 2003 by Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W. and
edited by Howard Katz.  All rights reserved.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not
necessarily represent the opinions of the copyright holder and publisher.  
The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or suitability of any
information included herein.  We reserve the right to edit all letters and
copy.

Material published in this edition may be reprinted free of charge
anywhere provided this copyright notice is included.
