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From: rtb@ihlpf.UUCP (Todd)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: ACTION, C compilers, and ROM cartridges
Message-ID: <918@ihlpf.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Dec-86 14:42:11 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpf.918
Posted: Fri Dec 19 14:42:11 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Dec-86 04:00:29 EST
References: <1881@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 30

> 
> Programs in ROM are not any faster than programs in RAM.  They just

I Agree.

> Therefore it is my view that in most cases those
> cartridges are obsolete.  Their current use is for a sceme of copy-
> protection (ugh: "we trust you SO LITTLE that we won't even SELL you
> a disk"),  and also for turnkey diskless systems (e.g. an ST set up
> as a dumb terminal).
> 

I disagree.

The cartridge port for the ST gives it an edge over 
Mac and IBM systems (Does the AMIGA have a cartridge slot??)
The advantage of a cartridge is that it allows you to have 
up to 128k of program without taking away system ram which
can then be used to make an even larger RAM disk. When ST
systems larger than 1 meg become commonly available this
won't be as important. Also, not being fortunate enough to own
a hard disk, having a large program  available instantly without
waiting for it load from a floppy drive would be great.

ROMS are more reliable than floyy or hard disks. Therfore
there is a greater chance that a ROM program will be there when I
need it. I admit I haven't lost a program due to floppy disk
failure yet, but it could happen.

						R.T. Bradstrum