Media - Revision history

Stefan Haubenthal: /* Role of third-party products */

2020-08-18T11:15:19Z

Role of third-party products

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:15, 18 August 2020
Line 35:		Line 35:
	This became even more obvious in the year 1983 when the competition got harder and sales did not yield the expected amount. TI decided to modify the operating system of the console to ignore any cartridges which came with EPROMs only (which was possible before, and which was used for example for ''[[Atarisoft]]'' games). This OS version was mostly integrated in the last generation consoles which had a complete plastic case, colored beige (unlike the earlier version with black and silver look).		This became even more obvious in the year 1983 when the competition got harder and sales did not yield the expected amount. TI decided to modify the operating system of the console to ignore any cartridges which came with EPROMs only (which was possible before, and which was used for example for ''[[Atarisoft]]'' games). This OS version was mostly integrated in the last generation consoles which had a complete plastic case, colored beige (unlike the earlier version with black and silver look).

	The Atari cartridges, as well as others like Parker Brothers, were not manufactured by TI. They essentially made a TI Compatible cartridge. Here is a cartridge of the Atarisoft [[Atarisoft#Defender\|Defender]] game with a different case shape; such cartridges were not useable on the new console anymore. Also on genuine consoles some Atarisoft games had illegible characters (eg for the score) as they used the console's built in large character set by directly addressing it instead of looking up the location, and some consoles had a small offset.		The Atari cartridges, as well as others like [[Parker Brothers]], were not manufactured by TI. They essentially made a TI Compatible cartridge. Here is a cartridge of the Atarisoft [[Atarisoft#Defender\|Defender]] game with a different case shape; such cartridges were not useable on the new console anymore. Also on genuine consoles some Atarisoft games had illegible characters (eg for the score) as they used the console's built in large character set by directly addressing it instead of looking up the location, and some consoles had a small offset.
	[[Image:Defender_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|Third-party cartridge]]		[[Image:Defender_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|Third-party cartridge]]

Mizapf: /* Cartridges */

2016-05-12T22:20:16Z

Cartridges

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 12 May 2016
Line 24:		Line 24:

	[[Image:Rtpi_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|1983 cartridge style]]		[[Image:Rtpi_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|1983 cartridge style]]

			We have some more information on [[Cartridge technology\|cartridge internals]].

	[[Module\| List of cartridges released by TI]]		[[Module\| List of cartridges released by TI]]

Stephen Shaw: /* Role of third-party products */ add links for Defender and Donkey Kong

2015-01-03T13:42:43Z

Role of third-party products: add links for Defender and Donkey Kong

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:42, 3 January 2015
Line 33:		Line 33:
	This became even more obvious in the year 1983 when the competition got harder and sales did not yield the expected amount. TI decided to modify the operating system of the console to ignore any cartridges which came with EPROMs only (which was possible before, and which was used for example for ''[[Atarisoft]]'' games). This OS version was mostly integrated in the last generation consoles which had a complete plastic case, colored beige (unlike the earlier version with black and silver look).		This became even more obvious in the year 1983 when the competition got harder and sales did not yield the expected amount. TI decided to modify the operating system of the console to ignore any cartridges which came with EPROMs only (which was possible before, and which was used for example for ''[[Atarisoft]]'' games). This OS version was mostly integrated in the last generation consoles which had a complete plastic case, colored beige (unlike the earlier version with black and silver look).

	The Atari cartridges, as well as others like Parker Brothers, were not manufactured by TI. They essentially made a TI Compatible cartridge. Here is a cartridge of the Atarisoft Defender game with a different case shape; such cartridges were not useable on the new console anymore. Also on genuine consoles some Atarisoft games had illegible characters (eg for the score) as they used the console's built in large character set by directly addressing it instead of looking up the location, and some consoles had a small offset.		The Atari cartridges, as well as others like Parker Brothers, were not manufactured by TI. They essentially made a TI Compatible cartridge. Here is a cartridge of the Atarisoft [[Atarisoft#Defender\|Defender]] game with a different case shape; such cartridges were not useable on the new console anymore. Also on genuine consoles some Atarisoft games had illegible characters (eg for the score) as they used the console's built in large character set by directly addressing it instead of looking up the location, and some consoles had a small offset.
	[[Image:Defender_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|Third-party cartridge]]		[[Image:Defender_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|Third-party cartridge]]

	Consoles that do not support third-paty cartridges show a version number 2.2 on the master title screen. Ironically, the Atari company which was known for deliberately blocking Activision from entering the Atari market was now locked out by Texas Instruments.		Consoles that do not support third-paty cartridges show a version number 2.2 on the master title screen. Ironically, the Atari company which was known for deliberately blocking Activision from entering the Atari market was now locked out by Texas Instruments.

	And tragically, it is largely agreed that the best games were coming right from third-party manufacturers, with many ports of well-known, successful games like Donkey Kong, [[Atarisoft#Pac Man\|Pac Man]] and more.		And tragically, it is largely agreed that the best games were coming right from third-party manufacturers, with many ports of well-known, successful games like [[Atarisoft#Donkey Kong\| Donkey Kong]], [[Atarisoft#Pac Man\|Pac Man]] and more.

	[[Funware]] also released third party cartridges.		[[Funware]] also released third party cartridges.

Stephen Shaw: /* How do I work with and manipulate diskettes? */ add note re disk based disk managers.

2014-12-25T11:30:13Z

How do I work with and manipulate diskettes?: add note re disk based disk managers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:30, 25 December 2014
Line 161:		Line 161:
	====How do I work with and manipulate diskettes?====		====How do I work with and manipulate diskettes?====
	The most common operations for diskettes involve the use of the Disk Manager 2 cartridge. This cartridge is the utility cartridge that you can use to format, catalog, erase diskettes.		The most common operations for diskettes involve the use of the Disk Manager 2 cartridge. This cartridge is the utility cartridge that you can use to format, catalog, erase diskettes.

			To avoid having to swap modules many users preferred to use disk based Disk Manager programs which loaded with the Extended Basic module. The foremost and earliest was DM1000, later joined by many utilities which gave disk manager commands from the Extended Basic command line or at any time through FCTN key 7. Other disk manager programs included Disk Review within the [[Funlweb]] program set.

	====How do I save and load data from a diskette?====		====How do I save and load data from a diskette?====

Stephen Shaw: /* Role of third-party products */ add Funware

2014-12-25T11:26:09Z

Role of third-party products: add Funware

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:26, 25 December 2014
Line 39:		Line 39:

	And tragically, it is largely agreed that the best games were coming right from third-party manufacturers, with many ports of well-known, successful games like Donkey Kong, [[Atarisoft#Pac Man\|Pac Man]] and more.		And tragically, it is largely agreed that the best games were coming right from third-party manufacturers, with many ports of well-known, successful games like Donkey Kong, [[Atarisoft#Pac Man\|Pac Man]] and more.

			[[Funware]] also released third party cartridges.

	There was yet another type of cartrige having a completely different look like the cartridges from Tigervision. These cartridges were plugged into the I/O port on the right side of the console, so they were actually no proper cartridges from the system concept.		There was yet another type of cartrige having a completely different look like the cartridges from Tigervision. These cartridges were plugged into the I/O port on the right side of the console, so they were actually no proper cartridges from the system concept.

Stephen Shaw: /* Cartridge types */ add link to article PHM list of TI modules

2014-12-25T11:24:43Z

Cartridge types: add link to article PHM list of TI modules

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 25 December 2014
Line 23:		Line 23:
	The beige cartridge is an example of the 1983 batch of cartridges from Texas Instruments.		The beige cartridge is an example of the 1983 batch of cartridges from Texas Instruments.

	[[Image:Rtpi_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|1983 cartridge style]]		[[Image:Rtpi_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|1983 cartridge style]]

			[[Module\| List of cartridges released by TI]]

	=== Role of third-party products ===		=== Role of third-party products ===

Stephen Shaw: /* What Disk Managers are available for the TI-99/4a? */ remove dead external link and resulting dead article.

2014-12-24T18:58:00Z

What Disk Managers are available for the TI-99/4a?: remove dead external link and resulting dead article.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 24 December 2014
Line 157:		Line 157:
	====How do I work with and manipulate diskettes?====		====How do I work with and manipulate diskettes?====
	The most common operations for diskettes involve the use of the Disk Manager 2 cartridge. This cartridge is the utility cartridge that you can use to format, catalog, erase diskettes.		The most common operations for diskettes involve the use of the Disk Manager 2 cartridge. This cartridge is the utility cartridge that you can use to format, catalog, erase diskettes.

	~~====What Disk Managers are available for the TI-99/4a?====~~
	As of today we have identified 20 different Disk Managers available for the TI and created a text list of them. You can find this list on the ti-994a.com web site at the following URL: http://www.ti-994a.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/TI/L002-DiskManagers

	====How do I save and load data from a diskette?====		====How do I save and load data from a diskette?====

Stephen Shaw: /* Value of cartridges today */ remove dead link and resulting dead article

2014-12-24T18:56:54Z

Value of cartridges today: remove dead link and resulting dead article

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 24 December 2014
Line 65:		Line 65:

	Gram Kracker, Gramulator, and Maximem are sophisticated devices that just shows the user of the potential of the TI99/4A to have hardware accessories made for it that Texas Instruments never considered could be made for the computer themselves and therefore probably never anticipated that the general public would have access to such hardware.		Gram Kracker, Gramulator, and Maximem are sophisticated devices that just shows the user of the potential of the TI99/4A to have hardware accessories made for it that Texas Instruments never considered could be made for the computer themselves and therefore probably never anticipated that the general public would have access to such hardware.

	~~=== Value of cartridges today ===~~

	Depending on availability and other factors, various cartridges are worth more than others. You can find the latest copy cartridge list maintained by this site at: http://www.ti-994a.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/TI/L001-Software

	== Cassettes ==		== Cassettes ==

Stephen Shaw: add link to Atarisoft#Pac man

2014-10-06T14:06:25Z

add link to Atarisoft#Pac man

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 6 October 2014
Line 36:		Line 36:
	Consoles that do not support third-paty cartridges show a version number 2.2 on the master title screen. Ironically, the Atari company which was known for deliberately blocking Activision from entering the Atari market was now locked out by Texas Instruments.		Consoles that do not support third-paty cartridges show a version number 2.2 on the master title screen. Ironically, the Atari company which was known for deliberately blocking Activision from entering the Atari market was now locked out by Texas Instruments.

	And tragically, it is largely agreed that the best games were coming right from third-party manufacturers, with many ports of well-known, successful games like Donkey Kong, Pac Man and more.		And tragically, it is largely agreed that the best games were coming right from third-party manufacturers, with many ports of well-known, successful games like Donkey Kong, [[Atarisoft#Pac Man\|Pac Man]] and more.

	There was yet another type of cartrige having a completely different look like the cartridges from Tigervision. These cartridges were plugged into the I/O port on the right side of the console, so they were actually no proper cartridges from the system concept.		There was yet another type of cartrige having a completely different look like the cartridges from Tigervision. These cartridges were plugged into the I/O port on the right side of the console, so they were actually no proper cartridges from the system concept.

Stephen Shaw: Add link to Atarisoft and mention large character set bug.

2014-10-06T13:49:58Z

Add link to Atarisoft and mention large character set bug.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:49, 6 October 2014
Line 29:		Line 29:
	Creating cartridges with GROMs required licensing from Texas Instruments which made it virtually impossible for independent software authors to create own cartridge software. This was, as it is commonly believed, a strategy of Texas Instruments to exclude competitors from the software market.		Creating cartridges with GROMs required licensing from Texas Instruments which made it virtually impossible for independent software authors to create own cartridge software. This was, as it is commonly believed, a strategy of Texas Instruments to exclude competitors from the software market.

	This became even more obvious in the year 1983 when the competition got harder and sales did not yield the expected amount. TI decided to modify the operating system of the console to ignore any cartridges which came with EPROMs only (which was possible before, and which was used for example for ''Atarisoft'' games). This OS version was mostly integrated in the last generation consoles which had a complete plastic case, colored beige (unlike the earlier version with black and silver look).		This became even more obvious in the year 1983 when the competition got harder and sales did not yield the expected amount. TI decided to modify the operating system of the console to ignore any cartridges which came with EPROMs only (which was possible before, and which was used for example for ''[[Atarisoft]]'' games). This OS version was mostly integrated in the last generation consoles which had a complete plastic case, colored beige (unlike the earlier version with black and silver look).

	The Atari cartridges, as well as others like Parker Brothers, were not manufactured by TI. They essentially made a TI Compatible cartridge. Here is a cartridge of the Atarisoft Defender game with a different case shape; such cartridges were not useable on the new console anymore.		The Atari cartridges, as well as others like Parker Brothers, were not manufactured by TI. They essentially made a TI Compatible cartridge. Here is a cartridge of the Atarisoft Defender game with a different case shape; such cartridges were not useable on the new console anymore. Also on genuine consoles some Atarisoft games had illegible characters (eg for the score) as they used the console's built in large character set by directly addressing it instead of looking up the location, and some consoles had a small offset.
	[[Image:Defender_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|Third-party cartridge]]		[[Image:Defender_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|Third-party cartridge]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 12 May 2016
Line 24:		Line 24:

	[[Image:Rtpi_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|1983 cartridge style]]		[[Image:Rtpi_cart.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|right\|1983 cartridge style]]

			We have some more information on [[Cartridge technology\|cartridge internals]].

	[[Module\| List of cartridges released by TI]]		[[Module\| List of cartridges released by TI]]