The PROWLER DIY section
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Info about the Jaguar Server.
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Current hardware revision B.
BootROM B001, JagOS version 1.06.
A | in front of a line means that some new stuff
has been typed in there since the last info file...
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The Jaguar Server project started out in August '94. The goal
was to make a cheap developer kit for anyone that wanted to
program for the Jaguar. Atari's own developer kit was $5500 and
that was WAY to much if you just wanted to hack and program the
Jaguar just for the fun of it.
The very first prototype was built around the Mega ST's 'MegaBus'
All of it was hand wired together using a total of 21 IC's.
I can tell you that this board had VERY little empty space on it..
This prototype was soon scraped, as i begun work on the Rev A
board, using a different approach this time. It was built for the
cartridge port and could then be used on all Atari computers not
just the ones having a 'MegaBus'.
To keep the cost down, i also decided to use the Jaguar's 2MB
main memory and not include any expensive RAM chips in the Jaguar
Server hardware.
The Rev A board was up and running with very simple software in
Februari '95. As the Rev A board had some small flaws, i made
some changes to the layout and came up with the Rev B board.
More serious work now begun on the Software - The Shell running
on the Atari and the JagOS - Running on the Jaguar.
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General Info.
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* Use the Jaguar Server kit to develop Jaguar programs !
* The Jaguar Server runs on all Atari ST/STE/Falcon/TT computers.
* The hardware plugs into your computers cartridge port. From the
cartridge hardware goes a 40 pin ribbon cable into the Jaguar.
* Uses a slightly modified standard Jaguar. You send our Jaguar
to me for modification, and i'll send it back to you.
* You can change betweeen 'modified' and 'orginal' Jaguar by the
flick of a switch. A reset button is also installed.
ABSOLUTELY _NO_ compability problems with Jaguar games.
* No programing restrictions apart from a 2Mb main memory limit
in the Jaguar. Future software updates will be able to upload
data at the command of a running Jaguar program.
* You use the Jaguar Server software to upload programs/data to
the Jaguar. The software looks best in resolutions over 640*400.
* Software updates to JagOS (Jaguar Operating System) are possible
without burning a new EPROM chip.
* Upload transfer rate is currently 65 Kbyte per second on a 8 Mhz
Atari and 108 Kbyte per second running at 16 Mhz.
* Use the Devpac 3 assembler or any other code generator to write
programs.
* A remote debugger is under development.
* Software updates and info are availible on InterNet World Wide Web
at http://www-und.ida.liu.se/~t94patsa/jserver.html
and by filerequest with any FidoNet compatible mailer to
STacken BBS on FidoNet 2:204/219 under the magic name JSERVER.
| * A Jaguar Server Developer Mailing list are availible for
| programming discussions. NOT open for anyone.
| E-mail to nat@zumdick.rhein-main.de for more info
* The Jaguar Server development kit contains this...
+ Jaguar Server cartridge (hardware)
+ Jaguar Server Shell & JagOS (software)
+ Switches, ribbon cable, connectors and everything else
that you need to start programming right away.
+ A few Jaguar (*.JAG) programs and example source code.
* IT DOES _NOT_ CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING... You have to get these
things yourself....
- No 68000 or Atari RISC assemblers.
- No Jaguar technical documentation.
* 'Hacker' experience and good knowledge of assembler programming
is STRONGLY recommended because of lacking Jaguar technical
documentation.
* The Jaguar Server is NOT connected to Atari Corp. in ANY way.
* _Introduction_ price is :
3400 Skr
685 DM
300 GBP
465 USD for the Jaguar Server and a new Jaguar console
(Swedish PAL), modified and ready to be used
directly.
1500 Skr
300 DM
135 GBP
205 USD for the Jaguar Server and modification.
You send your Jaguar to us...
Shipping is NOT included in these prices and will be added!
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Some technical info.
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A Jaguar (*.JAG) program is built around a header. There are
currently five different headers, each with it's own use
and advantages depending on the development environment and
programs.
For example, one of the headers looks like this (for Devpac 3)
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
* Standard JagOS 3 Upload & Run parameters. *
* ½ Roine 940420 *
*-----------------------------------------------------------------*
* OUTPUT i:\*.JAG * Output standard Atari Executable.
down EQU $5000 * Download adress in Jaguar.
start EQU $5000 * Program start adress in Jaguar.
OPT D- * No debugging info.
dc.b 'JAGR' * Magic to skip Devpac Header.
dc.w 3 * JagOS 3 - Recive & Run.
dc.l down * Download adress.
dc.l c_end-c_start * Lenght of Jaguar Code.
* A dc.l 0 are also possible.
dc.l start * Start adress.
ORG start * If position dependent code.
*-----------------------------------------------------------------
c_start * Jaguar code start.....
NOP
NOP
ILLEGAL * Not much of a program... Hmm...
c_end * Jaguar code end.
*-----------------------------------------------------------------
END
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Jaguar Modification
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As there has been some trouble with users installing things wrong when
modifying their Jaguars to accept the Jaguar Server Development kit,
I have decided to NOT to let users do this modification on their own
any more.
I really think that this solution is the best for both parts.
This means that the Jaguar Server Development kit will work when you
get it, just plug it in the computer and start programming and i will
get happy customers with working kits!
This means that you now _MUST_ send us your Jaguar console and i will
do this modification for you. This will ensure that the modification
is correctly done and working 100%
It is also possible to order a complete new Jaguar Console (PAL) if
you for some reason cant send your Jaguar to us.
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Misc Info.
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If you have more specific questions or want to order,
write me by E-Mail...
Roine@stacken.ct.se
PROWLER The Atari Console Disk Magazine February 27, 1996
Copyright (c) 1996 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 01