Emulators
35 messages in this thread
I'm looking at a sewing machine system that interfaces with computers for
graphics. While I have an A2000, the only software available for these machines
are IBM or MAC. What would be good emulators to consider buying to use this
system? I haven't decided between MAC or IBM so I'm open to whatever will be
the best yet most reasonably priced emulators. Thanks.
Diane,
Are you aware that there are a couple knitting programs available on the
Amiga? I don't know if they interface with the machine but the
descriptions say they are designed for machines. Here are the listings
from A/C Guide: Knit Editor Program by Cochenille Design Studio,
(619)942-1957, KnitterChart by Versitek Software Ltd, (902)465-2718 &
Weave-It by Joyce Peck, (604) 224-0654. The average price is about $100.
As for emulators, it depends on your requirements. You can get old, slow
XT bridgeboards for next to nothing or 486s for over a grand. The two Mac
emulators are Emplant or AMax.
Hope this helps.
Andrew
I believe those patterns are for knitting machines and I'm looking at a hi end
sewing machine. thanks for the info on prices.
Pardon Me For Jumping In, but:
If you decide on the AMAX B&W Mac Emulator for the Amiga, I've got an
AMAXII+ card for sale for $200. Just plug it in, and you have a B&W
Mac. (I've got a 44MB Mac formatted Syquest cartridge formatted with
Mac system 7.0 that I'll give you for the cost of a new 44MB
cartridge, too.) (I've moved up to the Emplant Mac emulator for the
Amiga – it supports full color Mac software for about 2.5 times the
price I'm asking. Either one is a nice solution for most Mac
applications.) Erik Flom
Did you know that ReadySoft has announced an Emplant killer, well, at
least a colour, multitasking mac emulator that will go for the same
price as the AMaxII+. BTW, Where are you located? I might be
interested in your AMax.
'Emplant killer', eh? I used to be a fairly strong supporter of
ReadySoft, but it's been ages since they've done a major upgrade to
AMAXII. I moved to the Emplant when I couldn't run PhotoShop anymore
(it needed Color QuickDraw). I haven't heard anything from ReadySoft
in months. Is there a write-up, or ad, for this new product? Erik
Erik,
No write-up on the new AMax but it is suppose to be announced at the
WOC-Toronto in December. I called them about getting brochures for an
IICS meeting.
Andrew
Erik,
Oh, BTW, what about your AMAX. Where are you located and how much do you
want?
Andrew
Thanks for the info on the upgrade, I'll try to get some info direct from
ReadySoft.
As for the card-depending on what is offered in this upgrade, I'd like
to get about $250 for it, but I know that's higher than the current
market value…..How much are you willing to pay for it? :^)
(BTW, I've got a Syquest cartridge with a System on it that I'll let
you have for the cost of a replacement cartridge….)
Erik Flom
Well, actually, I wasn't in the market for a Mac emulator but if it
was inexpensive then I might be interested. $250 is a bit high,
especially when converted into Canadian funds (CA$$330). I was
thinking more in the area of about $150 or so, Canadian, including
shipping. I grant it isn't very much but that's all I can afford.
If you are interested let me know. Basically it isn't something I
want to spend a lot on because I don't really NEED it but it would be
handy.
Using 128k roms? NO THANKS.
Ben, Leigh's Computers
I'll check out what I really need and keep you in mind.
Eric: How do you like you Emplant? Does it run at the speed of your host
computer? i.e. if I plug it into my A4000, will I have a Quadra Speed MAC?
Also, How much are the ROMS? (I assume I must provide them)
Can you partition a portion of your HD MAC?
Thanks
The Emplant in my 040 A2000 runs at equal speed to a Quadra 700. The ROMS
cost about $200, and you have to get them on your own. Yes, you can make
a partition a MAC partition on your HD.
-Jonathan
// Amiga online via Autopilot
\\// MAC IIcx & 486 emulation via Amiga!
The Emplant is a nice emulator. Since it supports Color QuickDraw &
QuickTime (& multi-tasks w/ the Amiga OS) it's a fairly powerful emulator,
even if the 256 color mode on the 4000/040 is rather sluggish.
For pure processing, it seems to clock out about the speed of a Quadra,
though the display refresh is far slower than any recent Mac I've seen.
I'm just using ROMs from my own IIci, but I hear you can get them for
$100-$200.
It's possible to create special files on the AmigaDOS side which are then
treated as hard disk partitions by the OS. You can also use AMAX or MAC
formatted volumes.
There's a SCSI controller built onto the board, but my version doesn't
have that installed (something I'll be remedying soon!). I guess there's a
driver that'll allow you to use it on both AmigaDOS & MAC sides, but I
haven't had a chance to try it.
In all, it's a very nice product. They took forever to get it to market,
but the current incarnation seems fairly robust and well-engineered.
Hope this helps,
Erik Flom
Eric,
Yes the "EmpSCSI.device" allows you to use Emplant's scsi controller
from the Amiga side, and it is about 10 times faster than the limping 2091
in my 4000! I get about 550K/sec from my Syquest 44. And you CAN have both
Amiga and MAC scsi devices on the chain without problems. In fact I have a
MAC CDrom drive attached and can read it from BOTH sides! 🙂
…AutoPilot Engaged…
-Paul-
Soooo, Paul….What exactly do they add to the board?
It doesn't look like more than a single SCSI chip, and maybe one small
capacitor?
If true, what is the part number on the top of the chip, and can you tell
what value cap I should use? :^)
(Their tech support is never around when I try to get through….)
Thanks,
Erik Flom
In order to see the Emplant board in my 4000 I have to first unplug
the rat's nest of connectors in the back, get the cover off, and pull
out the 2091 card. Ya really want me to go through all that? 😉
Actually I need to do exactly that when I move my internal quantum
drive over to Emplant's scsi controller, which I am going to do as
soon as I pick up a scsi ribbon cable (the one on the 2091 hardcard
is too short). When I do I'll take a peek for you.
Hi Erik
The Emplant sounds good, but I would like to know a little more about
what is required to run one and their upgradeability (if I by the bottom
of the line model can I later upgrade to use new item like IBM, C64 and
other emulations that they have advertised). Could you tell me or point me
in the direction of someone who knows.
// W. Clement
\\// Amiga & Autopilot 8^)
I can give you some information:
>I would like to know a little more about what is required to run
one
You MUST have a 2000, 3000, 4000, or 500/1200 with a slot
expansion device since the current Emplant is a zorro II board. You
also must have a 3000, 4000 or an accelerator with an mmu. For the
MAC emulation the more 32 bit memory the better.
>if I by the bottom of the line model can I later upgrade to use new
item like IBM, C64 and other emulations that they have advertised)
The different Emplant "levels" add only hardware add ons (a scsi
controller and two serial ports) and do not effect what emulations
can run. However the MAC emulation is much more convenient with two
Appletalk ports and a scsi port. You can return your board at any
time to have the "deluxe" options added. But once you get one you
will not want to let it go! So if you can I would suggest getting the
"deluxe" model from the start.
Thanks for the info!
I read that the IBM emulation will be next, do you have any idea on
when it will be avalable, and what have you heard about the other
advertised emulations? Also how much off the amiga hardwhare can I
use with it (like floppies & harddrive), and what is the Sybil
hardwhare that they advertise, is it a floppy drive adapter for
useing mac floppies?
Jim took *A LOT* of flak over a period of months by announcing the
MAC emulation too early. He now will NOT say anything about the PC
emulation until it is ready. 🙁
>Also how much off the amiga hardwhare can I use with it (like floppies &
harddrive)
There is a lot of good news here – even for non Emplant users. Jim
says he has contracted with C= to develop a multi-dos file system.
With it any amiga will be able to read and write to any Amiga, MAC,
PC, or Atari device (floppies, hard disks, Syquests etc.) with the
exception of the old low density MAC disks since they they are
written on variable speed drives. Sybil, the AMAX cartridge, and a
new device to be released by Jim are interfaces that allow you to
connect a real LD variable speed MAC floppy drive to an Amiga – the
only way to read these disks.
On the Emplant front the next version (3.19) will allow easy
transfer of files to/from the MAC side to/from the Amiga side
including automatic filtering. Jim just posted on GENIE that even the
clipboards will be shared and filtered! Copy an IFF to the clipboard
on the Amiga side and it pops out as a TIFF on the MAC side. Way
cool! 🙂
That sounds real good, but i'm going to have to wait and save up my
money for it maby by then the new revision will be out and maby the
pc. Thanks for the info !!
The file system sounds cool, but did he mention just when this would
be incorporated? In 3.1? Or more likely migaDOS 5.1? <G>
Try looking at some of the other areas around here. Someone outside
the Emulators area was writing about PC 486 Emplant modules.
zzzzz….. The Sandman…..
The best recommendation is to give them a call, as I haven't really
been looking into the other emulator options yet. (Given the time it
took them to get the mac emulator bullet-proof, I think I'll wait
awhile. :^)
I'm sure someone else might know more…………
The Emplant SCSI flies! I have it running on a Quantum drive at just over
1MB/sec. The Amiga serial port support is good too.
-Jonathan
// Amiga online via Autopilot
\\// MAC IIcx & 486 emulation via Amiga!
Ooooh, ooooh! I want it! Now! You wouldn't be able to give me info
on the specific h/w required? It looks like all I need to do is add
a single SCSI chip, and one or two components….What are they?!?
Thanks for the info, I've been real curious, but too busy to try it
yet! Erik Flom
You just gotta get the Deluxe upgrade.
-Jonathan
// Amiga online via Autopilot
\\// MAC Quadra 700 & 486 emulation via Amiga!
But why, if all it is just a socketed chip and one or two other
components?
(Anyway, I've tried to get through to their 'tech support' several
times…..It's about as easy as getting onto their BBS…..Still no luck
yet.)
Thanks for your help,
Erik Flom
Don't call tech support, call the main number to get the Deluxe upgrade.
If you can get them to tell you the parts to make it a Deluxe rather than
them selling you the upgrade, go for it! BTW, I am running 3.19 with the
new file transfer utility. Works much better than the old Amax $#@%@.
-Jonathan
// Amiga online via Autopilot
\\// MAC Quadra 700 & 486 emulation via Amiga!
Oh, sorry. I wouldn't really know one from the other. 8^) If you
have specific questions I will be glad to try and answer them.