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GRAMULTR.ARK
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2006-10-19
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THE GRAMULATOR FOR THE TI-99/4A
===============================
(The following is a slightly edited news release from Mark Van Coppenole)
At last! A direct equivalent for the popular but out-of-production Gram
Kracker has been designed by an engineer in Massachusetts. It's called the
Gramulator.
A wire-wrapped prototype was demonstrated to the MAGNETIC User Group in
Andover, MA at their September meeting and to the Boston Computer Society TI-99
User Group at their November meeting. It performed flawlessly at both
meetings. The Gramulator offers virtually all of the features of the Gram
Kracker, but it is targeted to cost less.
No production Gramulators have been built yet. To go from a prototype to a
production model requires an investment of about $1000. As with anything else,
the more that can be made on one batch, the cheaper they will be.
You are invited to respond to this offer if you would consider purchasing this
product. Technical questions are welcome. Please write to:
Mark Van Coppenole
52 Audobon Road
Haverhill, MA 01830
(617) 372-0336
Features:
The Gramulator simulates 64k of GRAM and 16k of RAM (in two 8k banks at >6000 -
>7FFF).
1) You can customize the built-in TI operating system in GROM 0 and TI
BASIC in GROM's 1 and 2.
2) You can backup your GROM and ROM cartridges to disk to protect your
investment and reduce wear on the cartridge port. All TI, Atarisoft and Parker
Brothers cartridges can be backed up. (Does not work with MBX.)
3) Acts as a "Super Space" cartridge allowing you to run programs
requiring RAM at >6000->7FFF (including MYARC's XBII).
4) Allows you to use a customized GROM 0, 1, or 2, while a cartridge is in
the slot. One application is that you can use your own character set with a
cartridge like TI-Writer.
5) Capable of loading user written GPL code.
6) A total of 80k of memory with lithium battery backup.
The software needed to load and save GRAM and GROM will be built-in for instant
access. A memory editor, which will be supplied on disk, will allow you to
alter and save any program loaded into the built-in GRAM or RAM. User
documentation and technical information will be included.
Memory expansion and a disk drive are required to take full advantage fo the
Gramulator.
********************************************************************************
Added notes by Walt Howe:
1. I saw the demonstration at the Boston meeting and was very impressed. Mark
has designed the Gramulator to take advantage of inexpensive, readily available
components that should help keep the price down.
2. One improvement over the Gram Kracker will be an external, easily accessed
battery for quick replacement.
3. If you are at all interested in this, drop Mark a note. Without good
evidence of user support, it will never be built. Make copies of this and pass
it around on bulletin boards and hand it out at user group meetings. This
project should really be supported!
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