• Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions (20/30)

    From Michael Current@21:1/5 to Marc G. Frank on Tue Nov 26 21:54:38 2019
    [continued from previous message]

    - Bob Puff/Computer Software Services offers version 4.50 (first freeware
    release): http://www.nleaudio.com/css/files/MYDOS45M.ARC
    - Charles Marslett/Wordmark Systems makes version 4.51 source code available:
    http://www.wordmark.org/mydos.html
    - MyDOS 4.53 was released by David R. Eichel on 1/1/90, making minor changes
    from the released 4.50 and 4.51 source code.
    - Supports multiple AUTORUNs at boot up (*.AR0 through *.AR9).
    (Support for the traditional AUTORUN.SYS is removed.)
    - Fixes broken Axlon RamDisk support
    - Version 4.53/3 gives 3 character file length/free sector count instead
    of the normal (for MyDOS) 4.
    - Version 4.53/4 is the same as 4.53/3, but uses a minimum of four
    characters in the sector count just like most versions of MyDOS.
    - More recent work on MyDOS by Lee Barnes is available, along with many
    earlier MYDOS versions, from Mathy van Nisselroy's MyDOS page:
    http://www.mathyvannisselroy.nl/mydos.htm

    DOS 4.0 (Copyright 1984 Michael Barall, released to the PD via Antic in 1986) -------
    - Developed by Michael Barall for Atari as QDOS during 1983-1984.
    - Existed as early as July 1983. (source code)
    - Speculation: Originally commissioned by Atari, Inc. as a DOS III candidate.
    - While not selected as DOS 3 in fall 1983, the QDOS project was revived in
    winter 1984 when the 1450XLD project was revised to include a larger-
    capacity 360KiB disk drive than could be supported by the released DOS 3.
    - Atari hired Barall to direct Atari OS and QDOS development in April 1984.
    - Rights to QDOS reverted to Barall upon the July 1984 sale of Atari assets
    by Warner Communications.
    - QDOS development continued into fall 1984, when Atari, Corp. ultimately
    declined to acquire the software (pitched as: Atari DOS 4.0).
    - Released by Barall into the public domain as DOS 4.0 through the Antic
    Catalog, first appearing in the February 1986 issue of Antic magazine.
    - Supports any combination of serial bus (SIO) and parallel bus disk drives
    - Supports 8 physical drives (1-8), and 10 logical drives (D0:-D9:)
    - Data on the disk is physically organized into sectors:
    SD disks: sector = 128 bytes
    2D or DD disks: sector = 256 bytes
    - Data on the disk is logically organized into blocks:
    SD disks: 6 sectors/block, or 768 bytes/block
    SS/2D or SS/DD disks: 3 sectors/block, or 768 bytes/block
    DS/DD disks: 12 sectors/block, or 3,072 bytes/block
    - Five disk drive types supported:
    A. SS/SD 810: 708 sectors
    708 sectors / 6 sectors/block = 118 blocks
    118 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 90,624 bytes
    B. SS/2D 1050: 513 sectors
    513 sectors / 3 sectors/block = 171 blocks
    171 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 131,328 bytes
    C. SS/SD Percom compatible: 708 sectors
    708 sectors / 6 sectors/block = 118 blocks
    118 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 90,624 bytes
    D. SS/DD Percom compatible: 711 sectors
    711 sectors / 3 sectors/block = 237 blocks
    237 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 182,016 bytes
    E. DS/DD Percom compatible: 708 sectors
    708 sectors / 6 sectors/block = 118 blocks
    118 blocks * 3,072 bytes/block = 362,496 bytes
    - Allocation of blocks is controlled by the contents of a sector called the
    Volume Table of Contents (VTOC). (A large VTOC may occupy two sectors.)
    - File directory cannot contain more than 128 entries
    - Filesystem could support disks up to 384KiB (drac030, AA Forums 2010.07.21)
    - DOS 2 to DOS 4 Conversion Program
    - DOS 3 to DOS 4 Conversion Program

    SmartDOS Beta Test Version 1.5R (C)1984 John Chenoweth & Ron Bieber
    SmartDOS (C)1984 John Chenoweth & Ron Bieber
    distributed by Rana Systems 6.1D
    SmartDOS (C)1984 John Chenoweth & Ron Bieber
    for The Programmer's Workshop 8.2D
    --------------------
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    - First Atari DOS to be "Density Smart" (changing between the disk drive's
    density settings dynamically, in accordance with the format density of the
    inserted media, without user-intervention)
    - Menu additions that allow sector copying, drive speed checking, bad sector
    testing, write verify on/off, and drive reconfiguration
    - Original Master diskette, shipped with earlier SmartDOS versions, contains:
    DOS.SYS, DUP.SYS, DEFAULT, ARCREATE.BAS, RS232.ARx, AUTORUN.SYS
    - DOS.SYS is Atari DOS 2.0S version under license from Atari.
    - Disk is used only to create a Working Master diskette.
    - Working Master diskette, created using the AUTORUN.SYS file on the Original
    Master diskette, or shipped with later SmartDOS versions, contains:
    DOS.SYS, DUP.SYS, DEFAULT, ARCREATE.BAS, RS232.ARx
    - DOS.SYS is proprietary SmartDOS version.
    - ARCREATE.BAS is used to create a file that will autorun a BASIC file upon
    system boot.
    - Multiple autoload file support, for files named *.AR1 through *.AR9
    - RS232.ARx loads the R: handler from the 850 interface ROM.
    - Should be renamed RS232.AR1 to be autorun by SmartDOS
    - Supports both warm and cold re-boots of the system
    - Shipped with: Rana 1000, Astra 2001, Astra 1001

    Mach DOS v2.1 XL (c) 1984 stace
    Mach DOS v2.6 XL (c) 1984 stace
    MachDOS v3.7a (c) 1985 stace
    -------------------------------
    - By Hadley V. Stacey
    - Early versions supplied with the NCT 810 Turbo (1984 units); later released
    directly into the public domain
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    3) DSDD 5.25" Double-Sided, Double Density
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    3) DOS 2.0 Double-Sided, Double density
    - Intelligent detection and support for double density and double-sided disks
    - v.3.7a RAMdisk types supported: 130XE, Axlon, Mosaic, Intec boards as well
    as the 800+ and MACE modifications
    - RAMdisk is D4:
    - Mach File disk image files
    - [SELECT] key toggles menu on-screen

    SpartaDOS Version 1.1 Copyright (C) 1984 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Version 2.3b D Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Version 2.3b C Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Ver 2.3e 1-Nov-85 D Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Ver 2.3e 1-Nov-85 C Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2c 30-Jan-86 Copyright (C) 1986 by ICD, Inc.
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2d 17-Feb-86 Copyright (C) 1986 by ICD, Inc.
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2f 25-Feb-94 Copyright (C) 1994 by FTe
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2g 04-Jun-94 Copyright (C) 1994 by FTe
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2gx 04-Jun-94 Copyright (C) 1994 by FTe ---------------------------------------------------------------
    - Originally developed by Mike Gustafson of Spartan Software of Minnesota/
    ICD, and shipped alongside US Doubler as ICD's first two products in 1984.
    - Often included with US Doubler
    - Version 1.1:
    o Requires 24KiB RAM 400/800/XL/XE
    o Supports 5.25" and 8" floppy disk drives, single- or double-sided,
    single or double density (35, 40, 77, or 80 tracks)
    o Supports 4 disk drives
    o SPCOPY command for single or dual drive transfers between SpartaDOS
    and/or Atari DOS 2 compatible formats
    o Available AT_RS232 R: handler for ATR8000 support
    o Available RDAXLON command sets up a 112KiB Axlon RamDisk
    o Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 1.1
    o 128 or 256 bytes/sector
    o Four sector types:
    - Bit maps. Contain a list of bits corresponding to all sectors on
    the disk, indicating whether each sector is currently in use.
    - Sectors 1-3 are boot sectors, containing the boot record accessed
    by the Atari OS at system power-up. (OS reads 128 bytes/sector)
    - Sector maps. Contain a list of data sectors making up a file,
    plus links to previous and next sector maps.
    - Directory data sectors. Contain a directory file, consisting of
    information about each file in the director, and information about
    any subdirectories
    - User data sectors
    o Subdirectories supported, up to 128 files per directory
    o Time/date stamping
    o Disks have volume names
    o Up to 16MiB per drive
    - Several flavors of Version 1.1:
    o STD_HS.DOS (original name) or SPEED.DOS (later name)
    - Full version including UltraSpeed support
    o STD.DOS (original name) or STANDARD.DOS (later name)
    - Full version except without UltraSpeed support
    o RO_HS.DOS (original name) or NOWRITE.DOS (later name)
    - Miniature version; can only read from disk; UltraSpeed supported
    o RO.DOS (early distribution only)
    - Miniature version; can only read from disk; no UltraSpeed support
    o NOCP.DOS (later distribution(s) only)
    - No command processor (but can both read/write); UltraSpeed supported
    - Tries to load an AUTORUN.SYS file before it passes control onto the
    cartridge
    - Changes for Version 2.3, packaged as the SpartaDOS Construction Set:
    o Requires a 64KiB XL/XE
    o An enhanced Atari DOS 2 handler: Can read, write, and run Atari DOS 2
    formatted diskettes in both single and double density
    o Supports 8 disk drives
    o UltraSpeed High Speed built in
    o 14 new internal command processor commands
    o 8 new XIO functions
    o Extra 4KiB program area
    o RDBASIC sets up an 8KiB RAMdisk on any XL/XE computer
    o RD130 sets up a 64KiB RAMdisk on a 128K XL/XE computer
    o Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 2.0
    - Generally compatible with SDFS version 1.1, but some changes to data
    contained in boot sectors mean that SDFS 1.1 disks should be used
    with DOS versions supporting SDFS 2.0 only with caution.
    - Two flavors of 2.3 (2.3b, 2.3e) versions:
    o XD type (XD23B.DOS or XD23E.DOS) is the full powered DOS; recognizes
    the STARTUP.BAT file when booted and priority is given to DOS (rather
    than the cartridge).
    o XC version (XC23B.DOS or XC23E.DOS) is the same as XD versions except
    AUTORUN.SYS is recognized when booted and control priority is given to
    the cartridge.
    - Changes for Version 3.2, packaged as the SpartaDOS Construction Set:
    o Better time and date support (internal TD, TIME, DATE commands)
    o Internal R-Time 8 interface
    o Internal JIFFY clock interface (for non- R-Time 8 users)
    o Internal 32 character keyboard buffer (and KEY command)
    o Automatic mini-buffer system for fast byte PUT and GET functions
    o New vectors added for machine language support
    o Control returned to DOS if DOS was active during RESET
    o Supports both a STARTUP.BAT and an AUTORUN.SYS file
    o Compatible with BASIC XE, 1200XLs and many modified Operating Systems
    o BASIC ON/OFF command operation from within a batch file (not end only)
    o NOISY I/O flag recognized
    o Support for the Supra Hard Disk Interface
    o All command entry in upper or lower case
    o Full read capability for Atari DOS 2.5 type enhanced density format
    - Several notable patches to SpartaDOS 3.2d have been developed, such as:
    o Bob Woolley created a patch utility program that will modify SpartaDOS
    3.2d to support the XF551's high speed I/O
    o "SpartaDOS 3.2z" was the result of a patch developed and distributed by
    Computer Software Services (CSS, Bob Puff) for SpartaDOS 3.2d to allow
    SpartaDOS to support the CSS Multiplexer (MUX).
    See: http://nleaudio.com/css/products/Mux_docs.htm
    - Rights purchased from ICD by Fine Tooned Engineering (FTe, Mike Hohman) in
    1993 (November?).
    - FTe SpartaDOS 3.2g changes included:
    o Support for a ninth drive, D9:
    o D: means current working drive, instead of D1:
    o Full support for upper/lower case
    o CWD, CREDIR, DELDIR commands changed to CD, MD, RD
    o TDLINE Y2K bug fixed
    o 1200XL function keys work properly
    SpartaDOS 3.2gx differs only in that it locates the disk buffers under the
    OS to save RAM. 3.2gx is intended for use in systems that include a
    parallel device (MIO, Black Box); it is not compatible with BASIC XE nor
    any other programs using RAM under the OS.
    - Many disk-based SpartaDOS versions are available for download from
    Thunderdome, kept by SysOp Fox-1: http://mixinc.net/atari/a8men.htm
    Direct link: http://mixinc.net/atari/download_a8/sdsys.htm#top

    SuperDOS V2.9 (C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.3E(C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.3T(C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.4 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V5.0 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V5.1 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SUPERDOS V5.2 (C)2012 JAMES BRADFORD
    ------------------------------------
    - Developed by Paul Nicholls for Super Products (Australia), Happy Computers
    (USA), Technical Support (USA), Antic Arcade Catalog (USA)
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) Atari 1050 (& compatible)
    3) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    4) Supermax high speed (versions 4.x and up)
    5) XF551 high speed (versions 5.x)
    6) US Doubler UltraSpeed (versions 5.x)
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    3) Atari DOS 2.5
    4) "Atari DOS 2 Skewed Sectors" for Supermax drives
    Antic: "Skewed sector disks read and write much faster than standard
    format disks (while Atari DOS 2.0 and 2.5 can still read and write
    them)."
    - Menu driven. Density-smart: Automatic density detection.
    - Fully RAM-resident. Highly configurable.
    - Supports four floppy disk drives and assumes that any drive reference above
    4 is a RAMdisk.
    - RAMdisk support is provided for the Atari 130XE and upgrade formats
    including 128KiB and 256KiB Axlon, 256KiB XL and 320KiB XE.
    - V5.0 changes:
    1. Full support for the Atari XF551 disk drive, including Double-
    sided/Double density and high speed transfer.
    2. Complete XF551 compatibility with previous disk drives. Double
    density drives can read files on Double-sided disks (just as
    Single density drives can read Enhanced density disks).
    3. High speed transfer and skewed sectors for US Doubler, XF551, and
    SUPERMAX.
    4. Full sector count displayed, no more 999+.
    5. Full support for Newell 256KiB memory upgrade for 800XL.
    6. Hold down [Esc] during boot up to reserve the 130XE memory banks
    for your program. 256KiB and 320KiB computers can use BASIC XE and a
    RAMdisk.
    7. Bug in RAMdisk reboot (coldstart) routine fixed.
    8. The right margin is no longer set to 37.
    - Rights and source code purchased by James Bradford (1994?)
    - V5.2 changes:
    - Modded slightly to increase the RAMdisk speed
    - Disabled the Axlon banking access
    - Available:
    http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/197622-superdos-ramdisk-speed/

    BiboDOS V 5.1N (p) E.Reuss (c) 1987 COMPY SHOP
    BiboDOS V 5.2F (p) E.Reuss (c) 07/1987 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 5.4RF (p) E.Reuss (c) 06/1988 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 6.4RF (p) E.Reuss (c) 06/1988 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 5.4AN Turbo-BASIC-Version/R-Disk Jan/89
    Bibo-DOS 7.0 (p) E.Reuss (c) 1990 by J.Kruszona
    --------------------
    - XL/XE only
    - Densities supported: single, medium, double
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.5 Enhanced Density ("Medium Density")
    3) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    4) "Atari DOS 2.0 Quad Density" (XF551 DSDD 360KiB)
    - Version 6 and up only
    - Extension to above standards:
    Long/large directories (128 files per disk)
    - N versions without high speed support
    - F versions support high speed with the Speedy 1050 and Happy
    - R versions support 64KiB, 128KiB, or 256KiB RAMdisk
    - 130XE and Compy-Shop memory upgrade types supported by default;
    can also be customized to support other memory upgrade types

    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 1.5 (1988 February)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 1.7 (1988 August)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 2.0 (1989)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 2.1 (1990)
    --------------------------
    - Developed by Martin Reitershan, Herbert Barth, and Frank Bruchhaeuser
    for Martin Reitershan Computertechnik
    - Supports a wide range of relatively advanced hardware while maintaining a
    very high degree of compatibility with Atari DOS 2.5.
    - Master-Disk produces 4 different versions:
    1) Normal Version
    2) HS: Version for 1050 with Happy or Speedy 1050
    3) XF: Version for XF551 high speed
    4) EX: Full version (all three versions)
    - Andreas Koch contributes:
    supports 256KiB Xtra RAM / RD and supports use of batch files; has converter for DOS 3 and DOS 4; supports 4 formats, up to DSDD 360KiB; does not use RAM under OS ROM; DUP uses a Command Processor; all commands are available via
    HELP key; works with XL/XE computers only, does not load/boot on Atari
    400/800.
    - Atari DOS XLE (1990), developed by Reitershan, was built upon Turbo-DOS.

    BW-DOS Ver. 1.00 (C) BEWESOFT 1994 (Jiri Bernasek)(94-06-16)
    BW-DOS Ver. 1.10 (C) BEWESOFT / ABBUC 1994 (94-07-14)
    - Update #1 Released: 4/95
    BW-DOS Ver. 1.30 (C) BEWESOFT 1995 (Jiri Bernasek)(95-12-17)
    - Update #2 Released (with Ver. 1.30): 95-12-17
    ------------------
    Another popular, powerful DOS is BW-DOS (it is pronounced "Bay Vay Dos"), freeware by Jiri Bernasek - BEWESOFT.
    Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 2.0
    Andreas Koch writes: "SpartaDOS compatible. Does not use any speeder internally, but comes with external XF551 speeder. Supports 4 drives and RAMdisk, comes with RAMdisk driver for XE compatible RAMdisks up to 1MiB; supports 4 densities: a) Single (90KiB), b) Enhanced/Medium (130KiB), c)
    Double (180KiB) and d) DSDD (360KiB); does not use any RAM under OS ROM (so it works on an Atari 800 and with Turbo-BASIC XL); unlike SpartaDOS most commands are external, thus the DOS is only 5KiB short; supports a PAL clock (made by ABBUC regional group "ARGS"); comes with many great utilities (which can also be used with SpartaDOS)."
    - Ver. 1.10 distributed by ABBUC as the "Jahresgabe" 1994
    - BW-DOS Update #1 Released: 4/95
    - New versions of: MENU, RAMDISK, DIRMAST.
    - New commands: MOVE, RTIME8, ARGSRTC
    - New driver: ARGSPRN
    - New program: BWDFUNCT.BAS
    - New in BW-DOS 1.30:
    - Reading the last byte of a file is now indicated by status 3.
    - Installation of new "E:" drivers is now allowed.
    - The command "TYPE" is no more limited to 64 characters per line.
    - The method of handling the allocation pointers (positions 18 and 20 in
    sector 1) was changed. The new method provides much better protection
    of the directory-area on disk, and so the directories are not mixed
    between data sectors as often as under older BW-DOS versions or
    SpartaDOS. This results in faster access to directories. 100% read/
    write compatibility with every SpartaDOS versions 2.x and later
    retained.
    - BW-DOS Update #2 Release: 12/95 with BW-DOS 2.30
    - New versions of: BACKUP, COPY, UNERASE
    - New commands: DOSDRIVE, NEWED
    - New driver: RAMBOX
    Available: http://wiki.strotmann.de/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=BEWE%20DOS%201.30%20Manual

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.3.5) What should I know about filenames and filename extensions?

    Atari disk operating systems generally support file specifications in the form of a filename of 1 to 8 characters, with an optional filename extension of
    zero to 3 characters.

    Valid characters for use in filenames/filename extensions:
    (varies somewhat by DOS version)
    - The letters 'A' to 'Z'
    - The digits '0' to '9'
    (Many DOS versions do not permit filenames to start with a digit.)
    - The underscore character ('_') (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    - The "at" symbol ('@') (DOS XE)
    Spaces and other characters are generally not permitted.

    Filenames, including filename extensions, are generally arbitrary, but file naming conventions can be helpful. The most common method is to reserve specific extensions for certain types of files. The following list contains some of the more commonly used extensions and their typical corresponding file types.

    Filenames reserved by some DOS versions for files to be automatically run at system startup are listed here as well.

    File formats are binary unless described below as "text" where:
    - Binary format files are made up of a sequence of bytes of any value from
    0-255.
    - Text format files (technically, a special case of binary files) are
    limited to printable/displayable alpha-numeric characters and symbols,
    organized into lines.

    .ACT Action! program source code
    .ALF AlfCrunch archive file containing one or more compressed files
    .AMP Antic Music Processor file
    .AMS Advanced MusicSystem file or Advanced MusicSystem II file
    .ARC Archive file containing one or more compressed files, compatible with
    the multi-platform SEA ARC format. On the Atari, best supported by
    SuperARC/SuperUnArc or the SpartaDOS X ARC external command.
    .ASM Assembler Editor program source code, LISTed. ATASCII text.
    .ASC ASCII text file
    .ATA ATASCII text file
    .BAS BASIC SAVEd program. Less common: .SAV
    .BAT Batch file of DOS commands (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS). ATASCII text.
    - AUTOEXEC.BAT batch file runs at system boot
    (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    .BIN (1) File transferred using CompuServe CIS 'A' Protocol. Fully supported
    on the Atari by TSCOPE/MSCOPE/RSCOPE; also download support by Express!
    3.x (file naming convention used on CompuServe before February 1987); or
    (2) a ROM dump file as described in another section of this FAQ list
    regarding file formats for entire disks/tapes/cartridges.
    .BXL BASIC XL SAVEd program
    .BXE BASIC XE SAVEd program
    .CMD Batch file of DOS Commands (XDOS). ATASCII text.
    .COM DOS external Command (DOS 2.5,DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS,XDOS)
    .CTB Compiled Turbo-BASIC XL program
    .DAT Data file (typically created/used by another program)
    .DCM Disk Communicator 3.2 disk image file. Less common: .DSK or .DC3
    .DOC Documentation text file (perhaps ASCII or ATASCII)
    .DOS DOS system file (SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    .EXE Executable ('Load and Go') machine language (object code) program
    .HLP Help text file (perhaps ASCII or ATASCII)
    .LGO LOGO SAVEd workspace file. ATASCII text.
    .LST LISTed BASIC program. ATASCII text. Less common: .LIS
    .M65 MAC/65 SAVEd program source code
    .MIC Micro-Painter picture file ("uncompressed"; 62 sectors under DOS 2.0S).
    Format, minus color data, also supported by Illustrator versions using
    the filename PICTURE and [Insert] to save file or [Clear] to load file. .MUS Music Composer file
    .OBJ Object code (machine language) file (not 'Load and Go')
    .OBX Modern naming convention for an object code (machine language) file (not
    'Load and Go'). Used to discourage modern computers from thinking that
    Atari .OBJ files might be MS-DOS/MS-Windows object code files.
    .PIC Micro Illustrator/KoalaPainter/AtariArtist "compressed" picture
    .PLT PILOT SAVEd program. ATASCII text.
    .PRN Text file formatted for copying to Printer (perhaps ASCII)
    .SAV File named MEM.SAV may be employed by DOS to preserve the contents of
    memory to disk when DUP.SYS (DOS 2.0,DOS 2.5) or KCP.SYS (DOS 3) is
    loaded into memory.
    .SCP SpartaDOS SCOPY disk image file. Used with SCOPY, an external command
    distributed with SpartaDOS 3.2.
    .SFX Self-Extracting archive file. Created with the CTH SFX program.
    .SYS DOS System file or driver
    - AUTO.SYS can be used to automatically poke data in RAM locations on
    system startup (DOS I)
    - AUTORUN.SYS binary file is launched on system boot
    (DOS 2.0,DOS 3,DOS 2.5,RealDOS,XDOS)
    - AUTORUN.SYS batch file of DOS commands runs at system boot (XDOS)
    .TUR Turbo-BASIC XL SAVEd program. Less common: .TBS
    .TXT Text file (perhaps ATASCII or ASCII)
    .UTL A DOS external utility program (DOS 3)
    .XEX Modern naming convention for an executable ('Load and Go') machine
    language (object code) program. Used to discourage modern computers
    from thinking that Atari .EXE files might be MS-DOS/MS-Windows
    executable programs.
    .XMO Binary file, uploaded/download using XMODEM file transfer protocol
    (file naming convention used on CompuServe before February 1987)

    Additional file extensions associated with Atari picture formats are listed at the website for RECOIL (Retro Computer Image Library), a viewer of pictures in native formats of the Atari 8-bit (and other platforms) for modern computers: http://recoil.sourceforge.net/

    Additional file extensions associated with Atari music formats are listed at the website for ASAP (Another Slight Atari Player), a player of Atari 8-bit music for modern computers: http://asap.sourceforge.net/

    File extensions associated with Atari disk image, cassette image, or cartridge ROM formats normally used with Atari emulators, rather than on the Atari itself, are described elsewhere in this FAQ list.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.3.6) What Atari programs can use MS-DOS 5.25" or 3.5" diskettes?

    Except for recent versions of SpartaDOS X, Disk Operating Systems designed for the Atari are not designed to use MS-DOS format floppy disks directly, in part corresponding to the fact that disk drives designed for the Atari do not normally support such disk formats.

    This section highlights software programs designed to run on the Atari that allow the Atari to use an MS-DOS formatted floppy disk in combination with a disk drive also supporting such formats.

    Solutions involving modern storage devices with firmware that emulates Atari floppy disks, so that the devices can be used by Atari DOS versions using native Atari DOS filesystems, are described elsewhere in this FAQ list.

    IBMXFR IBM Transfer Program, by Happy Computers, Inc.
    - For use with the Happy 1050 Enhancement upgrade for the Atari 1050
    - Can read/write 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks

    IBM DOS and IBM 360, by TOMS
    - Available on ROM in TOMS Turbo Drive LDW, TOMS Multi Drive LDW, and
    TOMS Multi Drive 1050 disk drive upgrades
    - Can read/write 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks

    IBMST, by TOMS
    - Available on ROM in TOMS 720/720C/720CR floppy disk drives for the Atari
    - Can read/write:
    - 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD Atari ST (MS-DOS like) format 720KiB floppy disks

    IBMREAD.COM IBM/ST Transfer Utility, by Computer Software Services (CSS)
    - Supplied on disk with the XF Update, XF Single Drive Upgrade, and
    XF Dual Drive Upgrade for the Atari XF551
    - With XF Update, can read:
    - 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - With XF Single Drive Upgrade or XF Dual Drive Upgrade, can read:
    - 3.5" SS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" DS-DD MS-DOS format 720KiB floppy disks
    - Supports the increased sector density of the 'twister' ST disk formats
    (10 sectors/track)
    - Supports ASCII->ATASCII text conversion

    BBXFER.COM, version 1.9, by Computer Software Services (CSS)
    - Available on ROM in CSS Black Box/Floppy Board interface combination
    - Can read/write:
    - 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-HD MS-DOS format 1200KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" SS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" DS-DD MS-DOS format 720KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" DS-HD MS-DOS format 1440KiB floppy disks

    SpartaDOS X, by DLT Ltd.
    - Can read MS-DOS FAT12 (as of SDX 4.46) or FAT16 (as of SDX 4.47)
    format storage media, including floppy disks and hard disks
    - Hardware device must support 512-byte sectors
    - SDX detailed elsewhere in this FAQ list

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.4) Are there Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for the Atari?

    Section started by: Andreas Koch
    Other contributors: Mathy van Nisselroy, Kathleen Ferrante

    G.O.S. by Total Control Systems (David Sullivan)
    - Public domain program released 1986 (written in Action!)

    Window XL/XE (c)1986, by Joerg Forg / Megamania Soft inc.
    - Andreas Koch writes: a Turbo-BASIC XL GUI with some nice add-ons, like
    calculator, editor and other things.

    RAOS (Rat Actuated Operating System) by Zobian Controls
    - Marketed 1986/1987 for use with the company's SuperRAT or earlier RAT
    mouse controllers (neither of which shipped)
    - Was to include Z-DOS desktop (DUP.SYS replacement)
    - Never shipped

    XL-TOS by Marc Ebner
    - Published in Atari Magazin, 1987/01 Jan/Feb, with supplements published
    in issues 3/4-87 Mar/Apr and 5/6-87 May/Jun.
    - Andreas Koch writes: the BASIC file, which consists of many data lines
    creates a short object code file); unfortunately this GUI only looks
    good, it loads almost nothing...

    GOE (cartridge), developed by Total Control Systems (David Sullivan)
    - Written in Assembly
    - Promoted by Merrill Ward & Assoc. / Shelly Merrill as "ST Jr." early 1988
    - Demo version(s?) released by TCS fall 1988
    - Full cartridge version never shipped.

    Diamond GOS, developed by Reeve Software / ReeveSoft (Alan Reeve)
    (co-marketed by USA Media / Shelly Merrill as "ST Jr." Aug 1988 - Apr 1989)
    - Supports: DOS 2.5 and compatible, SpartaDOS, DOS XE
    o Diamond GOS version 1 (1988)
    - Diamond DeskTop 1.0 (disk) DUP.SYS replacement
    o Diamond GOS version 2 (1989) package:
    - Diamond DeskTop 2.0 (cartridge) + Utility Diskette
    - Diamond Programmer's Kit (Programmer's Manual)
    - Diamond Paint (disk)
    o Diamond GOS version 3 (1991) package:
    - Diamond DeskTop 3.0 (cartridge) + utility diskette
    - Diamond Paint (disk)
    - Diamond Write (disk)

    Atari Desktop, by Piotr Bieniek (c) 1992 ABC Software (Poland)
    Andreas Koch writes: includes editors, converters, file copiers, sector
    copy, tape+turbo tape copy, small games, CMC finder and player and much
    much more; works with 64KiB RAM and keyboard input; disk manuals only in
    Polish language...

    Screen Aided Management (SAM) by RaindorfSoft for Power Per Post (Germany)
    - It is available in two different versions:
    a) Atari magazin type-in listings or Lazy Fingers disks (public domain)
    b) Commercial version 2.0 which has many add-ons
    - Supports: Atari DOS 2.5
    - V1.25i, 1994 is available from DGS, http://www.dgs.clara.net/
    DGS SAM page: http://www.dgs.clara.net/sam.htm

    BOSS-XL by Mirko Sobe (MS Software)
    - Requires 64KiB XL/XE
    - Supports: ATARI-DOS, Turbo-DOS
    - Current Version: v4.5 Edition 2000 (primary development 1993-1997)
    - System Software:
    - File Manager (Desktop was the BOSS-XL V2.0)
    - BOSS-font editor (XE-version)
    - Icon Editor (XL-/XE-Version)
    - Written in Turbo-BASIC XL

    BOSS-XE by Mirko Sobe (MS Software)
    - Requires 64KiB XL/XE, 128KiB or more recommended
    - Supports: ATARI-DOS, Turbo-DOS
    - Current Version: v8.1 Edition 2000 (developed 1997-2000)
    - Written in Turbo-BASIC XL
    - System Software:
    - BOSS parameter
    - BOSS-font editor (XE-version)
    - Icon editor (XL / XE version)

    BOSS-X by Mirko Sobe (MS Software)
    - Requires 128KiB XL/XE, 256KiB or more recommended
    - Supports: MYDOS 4.50 and above; Atari ST Mouse
    - Current Version: 10:33, 2003 (developed 2000-2003)
    - Written in Turbo-BASIC XL
    - System Software:
    - File Manager
    - BOSS parameter
    - BOSS-font editor (X version)
    - Icon editor (X version for colored symbols)
    - BOSS-X framework
    - multiple screen savers

    ST-TOS a small BASIC program, that looks like a GUI; it can merely load
    BASIC files and do a few DOS commands, like lock, unlock, delete and such...


    [continued in next message]

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Michael Current@21:1/5 to Marc G. Frank on Thu Mar 19 10:20:42 2020
    [continued from previous message]

    - Warp Speed DOS XL, including under cartridge, under ROM and Axlon RAM
    versions, was distributed by Happy Computers, Inc. for use with Happy
    810 Enhancement (Rev 7 capable units) or Happy 1050 Enhancement
    - Shipped with: Amdek AMDC-II, Astra 1620, CA-2001, Concorde C-221M,
    Indus GT, LDW Super 2000, NCT 810 Turbo (1983 units), Percom AT88-S1,
    Percom AT88-S2, BASIC A+, MAC/65
    - Rights purchased from OSS by ICD in January 1988
    (but ICD discontinued DOS XL in favor of their own SpartaDOS)
    - Rights purchased from ICD by Fine Tooned Engineering (FTe) in 1993
    - FTe DOS XL 2.30 (including 2.30C and 2.30X) released on 6/22/94.
    They are identical to the OSS releases of the same versions.

    K-DOS By K-Byte Copyright 1981 Kay Enterprises Co. ---------------------------------------------------
    - By Kay Enterprises Co. (John Mathies, K-Byte general manager)
    (the makers of K-Razy Shoot-Out and K-Razy Kritters)
    - Disk drive types supported: Atari 810 (& compatible)
    - Disk allocation/filesystem: Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    - Command line driven
    - Memory resident

    OS/A+ version 4.0 (1982 - MC is still looking for a copy of this version)
    OSS OS/A+ - ATARI version 4.10 Copyright (C) 1982 OSS --------------------------------
    - Port of Apple DOS for the Apple II (which was developed by Paul Laughton for
    Shepardson Microsystems, Inc. (SMI), predecessor to OSS)
    - Requires, and runs on, only double density or larger disk drives
    - Disk allocation/filesystem:
    - Mapped file structure (true random access to data files)
    - Physical sectors of either 256 or 512 bytes
    - Disks with 128 bytes per sector would use pairs of sectors to emulate
    256 byte sectors
    - Sectors are grouped into blocks of n sectors in length, where n is a power
    of two between 1 and 128
    - Files are at least one block in length, and up to 16MiB long
    - Maximum number of files per disk depends on the disk capacity. For a
    single-sided, double density (180KiB) disk the maximum is 105 files.
    - Disk drives ranging in storage size from 128kB to over 15MB
    - Interoperability with OS/A+ version 2:
    - ADOS command allows the user to access version 4 disks as Dn: while
    accessing version 2 disks as An:.
    - COPY24 command can copy version 2 files to version 4 diskettes, or vice
    versa.
    - Shipped with: Percom RDF40-S1 (later units), Percom RFD44-S1 (later units),
    Percom RFD40-S2, Percom RFD 44-S2, Percom AT88-S1PD, Percom AT88-SPD,
    Percom Doubler, NCT 810 Turbo (1983 units)
    - Also sold by Software Publishers/SWP for use with ATR8000, 1982-1983

    DOS-MOD (1983)
    (c) 1984 R.K.Bennett TOP-DOS v1.1
    (c) 1984 R.K.Bennett TOP-DOS v1.20
    TOP-DOS 1.4 (1984)
    TOP-DOS 1.5 (c) 1985 R.K.Bennett
    TOP-DOS 1.5a (c) 1985 R.K.Bennett
    TOP DOS 1.5 Plus (1986)
    TOP DOS Professional (1986)
    ---------------------------
    - Developed by R.K. Bennett for Sunny Software / Eclipse Software
    - Sold commercially by Sunny Software (original DOS-MOD release) or
    Eclipse Software (later DOS-MOD release and all releases of TOP-DOS)
    - DOS-MOD: Enhances Atari DOS 2.0S
    o Menu-driven, Full screen use
    o Command files
    o Expanded wildcard capability
    o Fixes 11 bugs in DOS 2.0S
    o Single and Double Density versions
    o DD version supports HELLO command file option on startup
    o DD version supports cartridge-bypass feature on startup
    o DD version can also run in the SD mode
    - TOP-DOS: Standalone product, includes all the features of DOS-MOD
    o Uses Atari DOS 2 single and double density filesystems, or
    proprietary variations on the DOS 2 filesystem. The TOP-DOS unique
    filesystem is not supported by any other DOS for the Atari.
    o 1 to 8 disk drives
    o Alphabetization and compression of the disk directory
    o Drive support: 5.25": SD, DD, DSDD. 8": DD
    o Specify the number of sectors desired, up to 944 per side in single
    density and up to 1968 in double density
    o Reformat only the VTOC, on a previously formatted disk
    o RAMdisk support: Axlon and Mosaic
    - TOP-DOS 1.5:
    o RAMdisk support: 130XE Extended
    o 1050 Enhanced Density Support
    o "WISE" Density Control
    o High Speed Data Transfer (Happy Warp Speed)
    o Improved Status Display
    o Hex-Decimal Conversion
    o 90KiB buffer for one-pass disk duplication
    o Four-level command file nesting
    o Ad: Antic v4n9 Jan86 p.44
    o Shipped with: Astra "Big D" (later units), Astra The "One"
    o Also distributed by Happy Computers, Inc., 1986- for use with Happy 810
    Enhancement (Rev 7 capable units) or Happy 1050 Enhancement
    - TOP DOS 1.5 Plus:
    o Allows multiple RAMdisks, SD or DD
    o Accesses Atari DOS 2.5 files
    o Supports other RAM boards
    o New sector number display and tone control
    o Better warp speed and group autorun control
    o BASIC enable/disable for XE/XL with built-in BASIC
    - TOP DOS Professional:
    o Up to 16MB disk capacity
    o Sub-directories
    o Sector read, write & compare
    o File compare
    - 1.5 Plus / Professional ad: Antic v5n2 Jun86 p.27
    - Apparently released into the public domain, approximately 2005

    MYDOS
    -----
    MYDOS 3.05 [reported to exist]
    MYDOS 3.07 -- copyright 1983,WORDMARK (August 16, 1983)
    MYDOS 3.08 -- copyright 1983,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 3.12 -- copyright 1983,WORDMARK ATR8000 RS232 Version, by C. Marslett MYDOS 3.09 [reported to exist]
    MYDOS 3.13 (August 8, 1984)
    MYDOS 3.010 - copyright 1983,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 3.011 - copyright 1984,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 3.16 [reported to exist]
    MYDOS 3.012 - copyright 1984,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 3.013 - copyright 1984,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 3.18 -- copyright 1984,WORDMARK ATR8000 RS232 Version, by C. Marslett MYDOS 3.014 - copyright 1985,WORDMARK (February 18, 1985)
    MYDOS 3.19 -- copyright 1985,WORDMARK ATR8000 RS232 Version, by C. Marslett MYDOS 3.015 [reported to exist]
    MYDOS 3.016 - copyright 1985,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 3.016AX copyright 1985,WORDMARK Axlon RAMdisk version
    MYDOS 3.116 - copyright 1985,WORDMARK ATR8000 RS232 Version, by C. Marslett MYDOS 4.0 --- copyright 1985,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 4.2 --- copyright 1985,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 4.2C -- copyright 1985,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 4.3A (October 21, 1986)
    MYDOS 4.3B -- copyright 1986,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 4.50 -- Copyright 1988,WORDMARK (11/28/88 freeware, from Bob Puff)
    MYDOS 4.50T - Copyright 1988,WORDMARK
    MYDOS 4.51 -- copyright 1989,WORDMARK (6/14/89)
    MyDOS 4.53/3 and 4.53/4 (David R. Eichel rel.ver.1/1/90)
    MyDOS 4.55 Beta (Lee Barnes March 17, 2003)
    -----------------------
    - Primarily developed by Charles W. Marslett
    - Menu driven, modeled after Atari DOS 2
    - Uses Atari DOS 2 single and double density file systems, extended with
    support for larger capacity diskettes
    - First Atari DOS to support dynamic density changes (user-initiated, but
    without rebooting the system).
    - Earlier versions were sold commercially; 4.5x versions shareware/freeware
    - Versions 3.x sold by SWP for use with the ATR8000:
    - 3.0x versions are the standard releases
    - 3.1x versions have an integrated R: handler for the ATR8000 serial port
    - Sold by SWP in disk-side or system disk builder pairs. Known version-
    pairs include: 3.08/3.12, 3.09/3.13, 3.011/3.16, 3.013/3.18, 3.014/3.19
    - 3.2x versions were developed for use with the never-shipped SWP ATR8500
    - Versions after 3.08/3.12 include support for subdirectories
    - RDOS 800 (early name ROMDOS) is MYDOS 3.0 but can occupy less user RAM.
    - Revisions: 0.0, 0.1 (1984), 0.11, 0.12, 0.14. Versions:
    - Can reside in the 4KiB unused memory address space in the 400/800
    (49152-53247 or $C000-$CFFF) for permanent availability on ROM
    (i.e., Newell Ramrod personality board or CDY Omnimon! board)
    - Can reside in OSS SuperCartridge banked RAM address space
    - Can reside in standard RAM
    - 0.14 additionally can reside under XL/XE built-in BASIC
    - OMNIDOS is Wordmark ROMDOS/RDOS and CDY Omniview on one 8KiB chip for
    Newell Ramrod personality board or CDY Omnimon! board
    - MYDOS 3.016 shipped with: Astra "Big D" (earlier units)
    - Versions 4.x include support for high capacity drives (hard drives), up
    to 16MiB per partition.
    - Versions 4.x have full read compatibility with the Atari DOS 2.5 format,
    but will only write to the first 720 sectors of the disk. (MYDOS has its
    own format for enhanced density disks that allows full access.)
    - Versions 4.x shipped with RS-232 driver for the ATR8000
    - MYDOS 4.x shipped with: SupraDrive, BTL Hard Disk System,
    TOMS 720 (on ROM), Newell 256KXL
    - Version 4.3 adds 'S' command to set the RAMdisk drive number and adds 'V'
    to turn on and off write-verify.
    - Versions 4.5x include:
    - ATARI850.AUT - for loading the R: handler from the 850 interface ROM
    - ATR232.AUT - RS-232 driver for the ATR8000
    - ATR232HD.AUT - RS-232 driver for ATR8000 with ATR hard disk interface
    - Bob Puff/Computer Software Services offers version 4.50 (first freeware
    release): http://www.nleaudio.com/css/files/MYDOS45M.ARC
    - Charles Marslett/Wordmark Systems makes version 4.51 source code available:
    http://www.wordmark.org/mydos.html
    - MyDOS 4.53 was released by David R. Eichel on 1/1/90, making minor changes
    from the released 4.50 and 4.51 source code.
    - Supports multiple AUTORUNs at boot up (*.AR0 through *.AR9).
    (Support for the traditional AUTORUN.SYS is removed.)
    - Fixes broken Axlon RamDisk support
    - Version 4.53/3 gives 3 character file length/free sector count instead
    of the normal (for MyDOS) 4.
    - Version 4.53/4 is the same as 4.53/3, but uses a minimum of four
    characters in the sector count just like most versions of MyDOS.
    - More recent work on MyDOS by Lee Barnes is available, along with many
    earlier MYDOS versions, from Mathy van Nisselroy's MyDOS page:
    http://www.mathyvannisselroy.nl/mydos.htm

    DOS 4.0 (Copyright 1984 Michael Barall, released to the PD via Antic in 1986) -------
    - Developed by Michael Barall for Atari as QDOS during 1983-1984.
    - Existed as early as July 1983. (source code)
    - Speculation: Originally commissioned by Atari, Inc. as a DOS III candidate.
    - While not selected as DOS 3 in fall 1983, the QDOS project was revived in
    winter 1984 when the 1450XLD project was revised to include a larger-
    capacity 360KiB disk drive than could be supported by the released DOS 3.
    - Atari hired Barall to direct Atari OS and QDOS development in April 1984.
    - Rights to QDOS reverted to Barall upon the July 1984 sale of Atari assets
    by Warner Communications.
    - QDOS development continued into fall 1984, when Atari, Corp. ultimately
    declined to acquire the software (pitched as: Atari DOS 4.0).
    - Released by Barall into the public domain as DOS 4.0 through the Antic
    Catalog, first appearing in the February 1986 issue of Antic magazine.
    - Supports any combination of serial bus (SIO) and parallel bus disk drives
    - Supports 8 physical drives (1-8), and 10 logical drives (D0:-D9:)
    - Data on the disk is physically organized into sectors:
    SD disks: sector = 128 bytes
    2D or DD disks: sector = 256 bytes
    - Data on the disk is logically organized into blocks:
    SD disks: 6 sectors/block, or 768 bytes/block
    SS/2D or SS/DD disks: 3 sectors/block, or 768 bytes/block
    DS/DD disks: 12 sectors/block, or 3,072 bytes/block
    - Five disk drive types supported:
    A. SS/SD 810: 708 sectors
    708 sectors / 6 sectors/block = 118 blocks
    118 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 90,624 bytes
    B. SS/2D 1050: 513 sectors
    513 sectors / 3 sectors/block = 171 blocks
    171 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 131,328 bytes
    C. SS/SD Percom compatible: 708 sectors
    708 sectors / 6 sectors/block = 118 blocks
    118 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 90,624 bytes
    D. SS/DD Percom compatible: 711 sectors
    711 sectors / 3 sectors/block = 237 blocks
    237 blocks * 768 bytes/block = 182,016 bytes
    E. DS/DD Percom compatible: 708 sectors
    708 sectors / 6 sectors/block = 118 blocks
    118 blocks * 3,072 bytes/block = 362,496 bytes
    - Allocation of blocks is controlled by the contents of a sector called the
    Volume Table of Contents (VTOC). (A large VTOC may occupy two sectors.)
    - File directory cannot contain more than 128 entries
    - Filesystem could support disks up to 384KiB (drac030, AA Forums 2010.07.21)
    - DOS 2 to DOS 4 Conversion Program
    - DOS 3 to DOS 4 Conversion Program

    SmartDOS Beta Test Version 1.5R (C)1984 John Chenoweth & Ron Bieber
    SmartDOS (C)1984 John Chenoweth & Ron Bieber
    distributed by Rana Systems 6.1D
    SmartDOS (C)1984 John Chenoweth & Ron Bieber
    for The Programmer's Workshop 8.2D
    --------------------
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    - First Atari DOS to be "Density Smart" (changing between the disk drive's
    density settings dynamically, in accordance with the format density of the
    inserted media, without user-intervention)
    - Menu additions that allow sector copying, drive speed checking, bad sector
    testing, write verify on/off, and drive reconfiguration
    - Original Master diskette, shipped with earlier SmartDOS versions, contains:
    DOS.SYS, DUP.SYS, DEFAULT, ARCREATE.BAS, RS232.ARx, AUTORUN.SYS
    - DOS.SYS is Atari DOS 2.0S version under license from Atari.
    - Disk is used only to create a Working Master diskette.
    - Working Master diskette, created using the AUTORUN.SYS file on the Original
    Master diskette, or shipped with later SmartDOS versions, contains:
    DOS.SYS, DUP.SYS, DEFAULT, ARCREATE.BAS, RS232.ARx
    - DOS.SYS is proprietary SmartDOS version.
    - ARCREATE.BAS is used to create a file that will autorun a BASIC file upon
    system boot.
    - Multiple autoload file support, for files named *.AR1 through *.AR9
    - RS232.ARx loads the R: handler from the 850 interface ROM.
    - Should be renamed RS232.AR1 to be autorun by SmartDOS
    - Supports both warm and cold re-boots of the system
    - Shipped with: Rana 1000, Astra 2001, Astra 1001

    Mach DOS v2.1 XL (c) 1984 stace
    Mach DOS v2.6 XL (c) 1984 stace
    MachDOS v3.7a (c) 1985 stace
    -------------------------------
    - By Hadley V. Stacey
    - Pre-release name: MACH 2XH DOS
    - Early versions supplied with the NCT 810 Turbo (1984 units); later released
    directly into the public domain
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    3) DSDD 5.25" Double-Sided, Double Density
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    3) DOS 2.0 Double-Sided, Double density
    - Intelligent detection and support for double density and double-sided disks
    - v.3.7a RAMdisk types supported: 130XE, Axlon, Mosaic, Intec boards as well
    as the 800+ and MACE modifications
    - RAMdisk is D4:
    - Mach File disk image files
    - [SELECT] key toggles menu on-screen

    SpartaDOS Version 1.1 Copyright (C) 1984 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Version 2.3b D Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Version 2.3b C Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Ver 2.3e 1-Nov-85 D Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Ver 2.3e 1-Nov-85 C Copyright (C) 1985 by ICD, INC.
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2c 30-Jan-86 Copyright (C) 1986 by ICD, Inc.
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2d 17-Feb-86 Copyright (C) 1986 by ICD, Inc.
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2f 25-Feb-94 Copyright (C) 1994 by FTe
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2g 04-Jun-94 Copyright (C) 1994 by FTe
    SpartaDOS Ver 3.2gx 04-Jun-94 Copyright (C) 1994 by FTe ---------------------------------------------------------------
    - Originally developed by Mike Gustafson of Spartan Software of Minnesota/
    ICD, and shipped alongside US Doubler as ICD's first two products in 1984.
    - Often included with US Doubler
    - Version 1.1:
    o Requires 24KiB RAM 400/800/XL/XE
    o Supports 5.25" and 8" floppy disk drives, single- or double-sided,
    single or double density (35, 40, 77, or 80 tracks)
    o Supports 4 disk drives
    o SPCOPY command for single or dual drive transfers between SpartaDOS
    and/or Atari DOS 2 compatible formats
    o Available AT_RS232 R: handler for ATR8000 support
    o Available RDAXLON command sets up a 112KiB Axlon RamDisk
    o Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 1.1
    o 128 or 256 bytes/sector
    o Four sector types:
    - Bit maps. Contain a list of bits corresponding to all sectors on
    the disk, indicating whether each sector is currently in use.
    - Sectors 1-3 are boot sectors, containing the boot record accessed
    by the Atari OS at system power-up. (OS reads 128 bytes/sector)
    - Sector maps. Contain a list of data sectors making up a file,
    plus links to previous and next sector maps.
    - Directory data sectors. Contain a directory file, consisting of
    information about each file in the director, and information about
    any subdirectories
    - User data sectors
    o Subdirectories supported, up to 128 files per directory
    o Time/date stamping
    o Disks have volume names
    o Up to 16MiB per drive
    - Several flavors of Version 1.1:
    o STD_HS.DOS (original name) or SPEED.DOS (later name)
    - Full version including UltraSpeed support
    o STD.DOS (original name) or STANDARD.DOS (later name)
    - Full version except without UltraSpeed support
    o RO_HS.DOS (original name) or NOWRITE.DOS (later name)
    - Miniature version; can only read from disk; UltraSpeed supported
    o RO.DOS (early distribution only)
    - Miniature version; can only read from disk; no UltraSpeed support
    o NOCP.DOS (later distribution(s) only)
    - No command processor (but can both read/write); UltraSpeed supported
    - Tries to load an AUTORUN.SYS file before it passes control onto the
    cartridge
    - Changes for Version 2.3, packaged as the SpartaDOS Construction Set:
    o Requires a 64KiB XL/XE
    o An enhanced Atari DOS 2 handler: Can read, write, and run Atari DOS 2
    formatted diskettes in both single and double density
    o Supports 8 disk drives
    o UltraSpeed High Speed built in
    o 14 new internal command processor commands
    o 8 new XIO functions
    o Extra 4KiB program area
    o RDBASIC sets up an 8KiB RAMdisk on any XL/XE computer
    o RD130 sets up a 64KiB RAMdisk on a 128K XL/XE computer
    o Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 2.0
    - Generally compatible with SDFS version 1.1, but some changes to data
    contained in boot sectors mean that SDFS 1.1 disks should be used
    with DOS versions supporting SDFS 2.0 only with caution.
    - Two flavors of 2.3 (2.3b, 2.3e) versions:
    o XD type (XD23B.DOS or XD23E.DOS) is the full powered DOS; recognizes
    the STARTUP.BAT file when booted and priority is given to DOS (rather
    than the cartridge).
    o XC version (XC23B.DOS or XC23E.DOS) is the same as XD versions except
    AUTORUN.SYS is recognized when booted and control priority is given to
    the cartridge.
    - Changes for Version 3.2, packaged as the SpartaDOS Construction Set:
    o Better time and date support (internal TD, TIME, DATE commands)
    o Internal R-Time 8 interface
    o Internal JIFFY clock interface (for non- R-Time 8 users)
    o Internal 32 character keyboard buffer (and KEY command)
    o Automatic mini-buffer system for fast byte PUT and GET functions
    o New vectors added for machine language support
    o Control returned to DOS if DOS was active during RESET
    o Supports both a STARTUP.BAT and an AUTORUN.SYS file
    o Compatible with BASIC XE, 1200XLs and many modified Operating Systems
    o BASIC ON/OFF command operation from within a batch file (not end only)
    o NOISY I/O flag recognized
    o Support for the Supra Hard Disk Interface
    o All command entry in upper or lower case
    o Full read capability for Atari DOS 2.5 type enhanced density format
    - Several notable patches to SpartaDOS 3.2d have been developed, such as:
    o Bob Woolley created a patch utility program that will modify SpartaDOS
    3.2d to support the XF551's high speed I/O
    o "SpartaDOS 3.2z" was the result of a patch developed and distributed by
    Computer Software Services (CSS, Bob Puff) for SpartaDOS 3.2d to allow
    SpartaDOS to support the CSS Multiplexer (MUX).
    See: http://nleaudio.com/css/products/Mux_docs.htm
    - Rights purchased from ICD by Fine Tooned Engineering (FTe, Mike Hohman) in
    1993 (November?).
    - FTe SpartaDOS 3.2g changes included:
    o Support for a ninth drive, D9:
    o D: means current working drive, instead of D1:
    o Full support for upper/lower case
    o CWD, CREDIR, DELDIR commands changed to CD, MD, RD
    o TDLINE Y2K bug fixed
    o 1200XL function keys work properly
    SpartaDOS 3.2gx differs only in that it locates the disk buffers under the
    OS to save RAM. 3.2gx is intended for use in systems that include a
    parallel device (MIO, Black Box); it is not compatible with BASIC XE nor
    any other programs using RAM under the OS.
    - Many disk-based SpartaDOS versions are available for download from
    Thunderdome, kept by SysOp Fox-1: http://mixinc.net/atari/a8men.htm
    Direct link: http://mixinc.net/atari/download_a8/sdsys.htm#top

    SuperDOS V2.9 (C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.3E(C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.3T(C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.4 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V5.0 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V5.1 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SUPERDOS V5.2 (C)2012 JAMES BRADFORD
    ------------------------------------
    - Developed by Paul Nicholls for Super Products (Australia), Happy Computers
    (USA), Technical Support (USA), Antic Arcade Catalog (USA)
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) Atari 1050 (& compatible)
    3) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    4) Supermax high speed (versions 4.x and up)
    5) XF551 high speed (versions 5.x)
    6) US Doubler UltraSpeed (versions 5.x)
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    3) Atari DOS 2.5
    4) "Atari DOS 2 Skewed Sectors" for Supermax drives
    Antic: "Skewed sector disks read and write much faster than standard
    format disks (while Atari DOS 2.0 and 2.5 can still read and write
    them)."
    - Menu driven. Density-smart: Automatic density detection.
    - Fully RAM-resident. Highly configurable.
    - Supports four floppy disk drives and assumes that any drive reference above
    4 is a RAMdisk.
    - RAMdisk support is provided for the Atari 130XE and upgrade formats
    including 128KiB and 256KiB Axlon, 256KiB XL and 320KiB XE.
    - V5.0 changes:
    1. Full support for the Atari XF551 disk drive, including Double-
    sided/Double density and high speed transfer.
    2. Complete XF551 compatibility with previous disk drives. Double
    density drives can read files on Double-sided disks (just as
    Single density drives can read Enhanced density disks).
    3. High speed transfer and skewed sectors for US Doubler, XF551, and
    SUPERMAX.
    4. Full sector count displayed, no more 999+.
    5. Full support for Newell 256KiB memory upgrade for 800XL.
    6. Hold down [Esc] during boot up to reserve the 130XE memory banks
    for your program. 256KiB and 320KiB computers can use BASIC XE and a
    RAMdisk.
    7. Bug in RAMdisk reboot (coldstart) routine fixed.
    8. The right margin is no longer set to 37.
    - Rights and source code purchased by James Bradford (1994?)
    - V5.2 changes:
    - Modded slightly to increase the RAMdisk speed
    - Disabled the Axlon banking access
    - Available:
    http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/197622-superdos-ramdisk-speed/

    BiboDOS V 5.1N (p) E.Reuss (c) 1987 COMPY SHOP
    BiboDOS V 5.2F (p) E.Reuss (c) 07/1987 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 5.4RF (p) E.Reuss (c) 06/1988 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 6.4RF (p) E.Reuss (c) 06/1988 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 5.4AN Turbo-BASIC-Version/R-Disk Jan/89
    Bibo-DOS 7.0 (p) E.Reuss (c) 1990 by J.Kruszona
    --------------------
    - XL/XE only
    - Densities supported: single, medium, double
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.5 Enhanced Density ("Medium Density")
    3) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    4) "Atari DOS 2.0 Quad Density" (XF551 DSDD 360KiB)
    - Version 6 and up only
    - Extension to above standards:
    Long/large directories (128 files per disk)
    - N versions without high speed support
    - F versions support high speed with the Speedy 1050 and Happy
    - R versions support 64KiB, 128KiB, or 256KiB RAMdisk
    - 130XE and Compy-Shop memory upgrade types supported by default;
    can also be customized to support other memory upgrade types

    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 1.5 (1988 February)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 1.7 (1988 August)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 2.0 (1989)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 2.1 (1990)
    --------------------------
    - Developed by Martin Reitershan, Herbert Barth, and Frank Bruchhaeuser
    for Martin Reitershan Computertechnik
    - Supports a wide range of relatively advanced hardware while maintaining a
    very high degree of compatibility with Atari DOS 2.5.
    - Master-Disk produces 4 different versions:
    1) Normal Version
    2) HS: Version for 1050 with Happy or Speedy 1050
    3) XF: Version for XF551 high speed
    4) EX: Full version (all three versions)
    - Andreas Koch contributes:
    supports 256KiB Xtra RAM / RD and supports use of batch files; has converter for DOS 3 and DOS 4; supports 4 formats, up to DSDD 360KiB; does not use RAM under OS ROM; DUP uses a Command Processor; all commands are available via
    HELP key; works with XL/XE computers only, does not load/boot on Atari
    400/800.
    - Atari DOS XLE (1990), developed by Reitershan, was built upon Turbo-DOS.

    BW-DOS Ver. 1.00 (C) BEWESOFT 1994 (Jiri Bernasek)(94-06-16)
    BW-DOS Ver. 1.10 (C) BEWESOFT / ABBUC 1994 (94-07-14)
    - Update #1 Released: 4/95
    BW-DOS Ver. 1.30 (C) BEWESOFT 1995 (Jiri Bernasek)(95-12-17)
    - Update #2 Released (with Ver. 1.30): 95-12-17
    ------------------
    Another popular, powerful DOS is BW-DOS (it is pronounced "Bay Vay Dos"), freeware by Jiri Bernasek - BEWESOFT.
    Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 2.0
    Andreas Koch writes: "SpartaDOS compatible. Does not use any speeder internally, but comes with external XF551 speeder. Supports 4 drives and RAMdisk, comes with RAMdisk driver for XE compatible RAMdisks up to 1MiB; supports 4 densities: a) Single (90KiB), b) Enhanced/Medium (130KiB), c)
    Double (180KiB) and d) DSDD (360KiB); does not use any RAM under OS ROM (so it works on an Atari 800 and with Turbo-BASIC XL); unlike SpartaDOS most commands are external, thus the DOS is only 5KiB short; supports a PAL clock (made by ABBUC regional group "ARGS"); comes with many great utilities (which can also be used with SpartaDOS)."
    - Ver. 1.10 distributed by ABBUC as the "Jahresgabe" 1994
    - BW-DOS Update #1 Released: 4/95
    - New versions of: MENU, RAMDISK, DIRMAST.
    - New commands: MOVE, RTIME8, ARGSRTC
    - New driver: ARGSPRN
    - New program: BWDFUNCT.BAS
    - New in BW-DOS 1.30:
    - Reading the last byte of a file is now indicated by status 3.
    - Installation of new "E:" drivers is now allowed.
    - The command "TYPE" is no more limited to 64 characters per line.
    - The method of handling the allocation pointers (positions 18 and 20 in
    sector 1) was changed. The new method provides much better protection
    of the directory-area on disk, and so the directories are not mixed
    between data sectors as often as under older BW-DOS versions or
    SpartaDOS. This results in faster access to directories. 100% read/
    write compatibility with every SpartaDOS versions 2.x and later
    retained.
    - BW-DOS Update #2 Release: 12/95 with BW-DOS 2.30
    - New versions of: BACKUP, COPY, UNERASE
    - New commands: DOSDRIVE, NEWED
    - New driver: RAMBOX
    Available: http://wiki.strotmann.de/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=BEWE%20DOS%201.30%20Manual

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.3.5) What should I know about filenames and filename extensions?

    Atari disk operating systems generally support file specifications in the form of a filename of 1 to 8 characters, with an optional filename extension of
    zero to 3 characters.

    Valid characters for use in filenames/filename extensions:
    (varies somewhat by DOS version)
    - The letters 'A' to 'Z'
    - The digits '0' to '9'
    (Many DOS versions do not permit filenames to start with a digit.)
    - The underscore character ('_') (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    - The "at" symbol ('@') (DOS XE)
    Spaces and other characters are generally not permitted.

    Filenames, including filename extensions, are generally arbitrary, but file naming conventions can be helpful. The most common method is to reserve specific extensions for certain types of files. The following list contains some of the more commonly used extensions and their typical corresponding file types.

    Filenames reserved by some DOS versions for files to be automatically run at system startup are listed here as well.

    File formats are binary unless described below as "text" where:
    - Binary format files are made up of a sequence of bytes of any value from
    0-255.
    - Text format files (technically, a special case of binary files) are
    limited to printable/displayable alpha-numeric characters and symbols,
    organized into lines.

    .ACT Action! program source code
    .ALF AlfCrunch archive file containing one or more compressed files
    .AMP Antic Music Processor file
    .AMS Advanced MusicSystem file or Advanced MusicSystem II file
    .ARC Archive file containing one or more compressed files, compatible with
    the multi-platform SEA ARC format. On the Atari, best supported by
    SuperARC/SuperUnArc or the SpartaDOS X ARC external command.
    .ASM Assembler Editor program source code, LISTed. ATASCII text.
    .ASC ASCII text file
    .ATA ATASCII text file
    .BAS BASIC SAVEd program. Less common: .SAV
    .BAT Batch file of DOS commands (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS). ATASCII text.
    - AUTOEXEC.BAT batch file runs at system boot
    (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    .BIN (1) File transferred using CompuServe CIS 'A' Protocol. Fully supported
    on the Atari by TSCOPE/MSCOPE/RSCOPE; also download support by Express!
    3.x (file naming convention used on CompuServe before February 1987); or
    (2) a ROM dump file as described in another section of this FAQ list
    regarding file formats for entire disks/tapes/cartridges.
    .BXL BASIC XL SAVEd program
    .BXE BASIC XE SAVEd program
    .CMD Batch file of DOS Commands (XDOS). ATASCII text.
    .COM DOS external Command (DOS 2.5,DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS,XDOS)
    .CTB Compiled Turbo-BASIC XL program
    .DAT Data file (typically created/used by another program)
    .DCM Disk Communicator 3.2 disk image file. Less common: .DSK or .DC3
    .DOC Documentation text file (perhaps ASCII or ATASCII)
    .DOS DOS system file (SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    .EXE Executable ('Load and Go') machine language (object code) program
    .HLP Help text file (perhaps ASCII or ATASCII)
    .LGO LOGO SAVEd workspace file. ATASCII text.

    [continued in next message]

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