From: utzoo!watmath!bstempleton
Newsgroups: net.micro
Title: Re: commodore 64 info requested
Article-I.D.: watmath.4374
Posted: Thu Jan 20 22:21:19 1983
Received: Fri Jan 21 07:03:00 1983
References: sri-arpa.276

You got a lot of facts wrong on the 64.  I have had one for about 8 months
now and think it's the best value on the market in bang/buck.

There are not 256 colours, just 16 which include 5 grey-scales.  You can
get 320 by 200 resolution with a different set of colours in each 8 by
8 block, and with interrupts you can (almost) get 160 by 200 resolution
with 16 colours per pixel.

The character generator can't provide reverse video, but does allow
256 characters.   The built in rom is just addressed so that the upper
characters cause a reverse.   You can put in your own charset (including
braces) fairly easily.  It comes with two character sets.

It's really not like a vic at all except in looks.  The apple can not
provide the resolution of the 64, let alone more.  The apple's memory
is arranged very screwed up. The 64's is also screwed up but not as
much.

As for software, it's a new machine, so there is less, but most PET
software will run directly or can be easily modified.  I myself have
an assembler and Programmer's aid package on the market already (PLUG)