- SPOS: Speeder Plus Operating System -¢-- A new OS for the XL/XE Ataris --¢---------------------------------------¢Maybe you've already read about the new¢OS in the Mega-Magazine #4. It was¢reviewed by the brother of the producer¢and someone could ask: "Is it really so¢good?" - That's the reason why I'm¢writing this article!¢So, here's a test of the new OS!¢You get the new OS on an EPROM, which¢has to be soldered on your old OS. The¢price also includes a switch to select¢between old and new operating system.¢Installation of the new SPOS is not¢difficult but if you've never worked¢with a soldering iron before, better¢ask someone else to install it, because¢there is not much space when you solder¢the new OS onto the old one!¢After you managed the installation, you¢can be glad to have a new, powerful OS.¢If you switch on the computer with the¢SELECT-key hold down you get into the¢menu of SPOS (see disk file!). The old¢(and silly!) SELF-TEST is gone now!¢¢Well, the most important improvement is¢that you're now able to run most¢software under high-speed (US-Doubler,¢Happy, etc). So you're able to work¢with MYDOS under US-speed or boot menu¢disks (e.g.NoDos Converter) with high¢speed (hi Spite!) - Of course only if¢you have a 1050 with US-doubler, etc!¢The second improvement is that you can¢exchange your disk drives. You're now¢able to boot from drive 2!¢This is also a great thing but I must¢say that it doesn't work with every¢software!¢Another fine thing is a built in C:Sim-¢ulator, now you can run your Cassette-¢Software from disk! There is also the¢possibility to insert freezer pokes¢(e.g. for infinite lives), this sounds¢great but it'll work only with programs¢which are RESET-resistant!¢Further functions are: ¢- You can save the whole program into¢ the Ramdisk with START+SELECT (for¢ computers with at least 128)¢- Modify drive (turn US-doubler slow)¢- Universal loader (load up to 20 *.COM¢ or *.BAS files)¢- Goto memopad (forget this function!)¢- Run address¢- Insert program (You can insert your¢ program from ramdisk into memory.¢ Does only work with RESET-resistant prgs.)¢- Quit¢Another important improvement is that¢you can cause a coldstart whenever you¢want, even with RESET-resistant¢programs (just hold down SHIFT while¢pressing RESET!)¢¢I think that's all!¢So, if anybody is interested in the new¢SPOS, here's the address where you can¢order it:¢TOP-Magazin-Versand¢c/o Tobias Geuther¢Alfred-Reinhardt-Str.73 a¢O-4073 Halle (Saale)¢Germany¢¢The price is about 40,- german marks.¢¢I am working with the new SPOS for¢about one month and I'm fully satisfied¢with it. There are only a few programs¢which will not run with it (e.g. KULT),¢but for this you can turn on your old¢OS again.¢¢Mr.Bacardi¢
