ftp.whtech.com/ftp.whtech.com.tar/ftp.whtech.com/Geneve/9640news/CAT01/AMS11.ARK

Text File | 2006-10-19 | 6KB | 126 lines

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****              ASGARD SOFTWARE NEWS RELEASE               ****
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Subject:  ASGARD 128K MEMORY SYSTEM RELEASED

For more information contact:

     Asgard
     Attn: Chris Bobbitt
     P.O. Box 10697
     Rockville, MD 20849-0697
     [phone]


Asgard is pleased to announce the completion and eminent
availability of the ASGARD 128K MEMORY SYSTEM.

The AMS is a product of a two-year research and development
program focused on increasing TI-99/4A memory capacity. Designed
by a team of hardware and software experts guided by experienced
businessmen, and with the assistance and insights of a wide range
of users, this device represents the beginning of a new
direction, as well as a blending of new and proven technology.

The AMS combines flexibility with reliability and compatibility.
It is the first advanced memory system for the 99/4A designed to
be used exclusively as memory for programs and data.

When installed in your Peripheral Expansion Box it functions as a
32K card with standard TI-99/4A software. It is completely
transparent to virtually every other TI-99/4A peripheral - it
will not conflict with any floppy or hard drive controller, or
even some RAM-disks. The card does not need to be configured -
simply plug it in and turn on your computer. Because it uses
little power the AMS is highly reliable.

Programs designed to work with the card can access up to 128K of
CPU memory simply and with a minimum of restrictions on program
design. Memory can be banked in 4K increments, within a few clock
cycles, anywhere within the standard 32K memory space available
to TI-99/4A programs. The design used by AMS is similar to that
used by TI in their TI-99/8 computer - and is currently readily
accessible to programs written in Assembly and GPL.

To assist in programming for the AMS example programs with source
code as well as extensive technical documentation is included
with the device. All materials were prepared by software
designers to be as clear and comprehensive as possible to
programmers - and not just other hardware designers. The result
is what we believe to be the easiest to program extended memory
device for the TI-99/4A.

For non-programmers, AMS will open the door to a variety of new
programs currently under development by some of the brightest
programmers in the TI community today. With four times as much
space available, AMS compatible programs will be more capable,
faster, and have much more capacity for storing data. Types of
programs can be written that would be impossible in 32K.
Compatible languages under development will allow even casual
programmers to write programs with access to the memory.

AMS is not just a promise of new possibilities, it also
represents a different way of doing things as well as a different
approach to past problems.

While it may seem unusual that a software company would take the
initiative in producing a new memory card, it's not so strange
when you consider that you need software to make hardware useful,
and a software company can insure that some of that software is
written.

Further, to break with the long history of some developers
(including TI) of playing favorites and of secrecy, Asgard
guarantees we will freely provide any and all software developers
as much information needed to take advantage of the AMS. It's
time to end the games that have hurt the community in the past,
and to bury the hatchet somewhere other than in each others
backs.

Finally, since no one likes to buy something that becomes
obsolete tomorrow - all users can be assured an investment in AMS
will be protected by a company that has been serving the TI
community for 10 years. Asgard will provide reasonably priced
upgrades and even trade-in options as we continue to develop this
technology. Further, any software written for AMS will be fully
compatible with future developments with few if any changes.

AMS is not an end in itself, it is a beginning on a path to
liberating the TI-99/4A from memory constraints. It also
represents a new way to do business in the TI community.

The ASGARD 128K MEMORY SYSTEM requires a TI-99/4A with a
Peripheral Expansion Box and a disk system. It is compatible with
all disk controllers, all video cards, and some RAM disks and
memory cards, as well as virtually all other cards for the TI-
99/4A. It is not guaranteed to function with the Myarc or Corcomp
RAM-disks, or the TI, Corcomp or Myarc 32K cards. No problems
have been encountered with Horizon RAM-disks to date.

The suggested retail price of the AMS is $119.95. At this time
all design and testing of the design has been completed, and it
is expected to be in stock by the end of September.

To order, send a check or money order for $119.95, plus $10.00
S&H (in North America - $20.00 for Airmail shipping elsewhere)
to:

         Asgard Peripherals
         P.O. Box 10697
         Rockville, MD 20849-0697

COD and credit card orders are not accepted. All orders to U.S.
customers will be shipped via UPS Ground - please allow 4-6 weeks
for delivery.

Programmers may receive a free packet containing programming
information by sending a post card to the above address. Again,
please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.


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