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GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 4:21 pm
by motrucker
I haven't seen any mention of a GEOS thread here. As popular as GEOS is, it only seems fair to have one here. GEOS has developed into a very powerful operating system, making it more than just "software".
http://www.zimmers.net/geos/GEOSFAQ.html When the C-128 V2.0 was released, it was a milestone in a GUI 80 column OS.
This is when the then new Commodore REU became so important. The 1750 was the most popular REU when it was first introduced, with a huge(?) 512Kb of RAM. http://commodore128.mirkosoft.sk/reu.html Of course when GEOS users saw the 512Kb, their reaction was to want more RAM, of course. The first logical upgrade was to go to 1Mb, then 2Mb of RAM. http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/funet/c ... to2MB.html
Of course the software had to keep pace the hardware advances too. The then new 2.xx version did this nicely, with new versions of GeoWrite, GeoPaint and loads of support files
I still use GEOS 2.xx on my C-128, with a 2Mb REU. It can produce work almost as good my newer computers. Upgrades like Wheels take it to new levels of productivity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheels_%2 ... _system%29
Wheels can be downloaded now, so you can have access to this newest upgrade in GEOS. http://cbmfiles.com/

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:24 pm
by merman
Used to use GEOS a lot, created several disks of extra fonts and scanned graphics (using the HandyScanner).

I must try it out with the 1541 Ultimate some time.

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:40 pm
by bjonte
I played with it back in the days and I remember it as very powerful at the cost of a lot of disk swapping. Really taking advantage of the C128 was very cool.

When I tried to use it recently because I bought a RAMLink I found the max three device limit to be a big problem. This and the fact that there is no directory caching regardless of how much memory you have is a bit of a downer. I have never tried Wheels. How does this compare?

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 3:36 am
by motrucker
bjonte wrote:I played with it back in the days and I remember it as very powerful at the cost of a lot of disk swapping. Really taking advantage of the C128 was very cool.

When I tried to use it recently because I bought a RAMLink I found the max three device limit to be a big problem. This and the fact that there is no directory caching regardless of how much memory you have is a bit of a downer. I have never tried Wheels. How does this compare?
There are loads of utilities for GEOS, written by all sorts of people. Having a good collection of utilities can ward of many problems.
http://c64warez.com/downloads/category/ ... ities.html And http://www.everythingcommodore.com/download.php?view.48

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 9:28 pm
by Virginia Slim
@bjonte; congrats on picking up a ramlink! If I can answer your question about Wheels on a ramlink:
The three-drives of Geos become a four-drive system. Plus, it gives full use of CMD equipment, partitioning, & up to 16megs memory utilization. Also better use of native-mode subdirectories on 1581, more features which make the system easier to operate. I have used it since '98 on my ramlink. be happy to try to answer any questions you have. I still have the manual, just in case.
Problem is, I don't seem to be able to find any downloads for Wheels (?!?).

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:35 pm
by Nonefornow
It seems that any talk about GEOS is always associated with productivity and its suite of word processor publishing spreadsheet etc. But let's not forget that there is also a large number of games produced for that O.S.

The best collection for me was published by RUN magazine in their GEOS companion and Power PAK diskettes. http://www.bombjack.org/commodore/magaz ... /rerun.htm

Also, let's not forget the GEOspecific CD which includes the GEOmetrix set of diskettes.
http://members.shaw.ca/cue64/CD.html

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:49 pm
by merman
There are some fun games, yes. GEOS was suited to more strategic games though rather than action.

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:21 pm
by Zippy Zapp
merman wrote:There are some fun games, yes. GEOS was suited to more strategic games though rather than action.
My thoughts exactly. I remember playing a Risk type strategy game that was lots of fun.

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 5:26 pm
by merman
There are two versions of geoWar, one with a larger scrolling map.

Re: GEOS for the C-64 & C-128

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 3:59 am
by Zippy Zapp
merman wrote:There are two versions of geoWar, one with a larger scrolling map.
Yeah, that was it I think! I'll have to go through all my GEOS disks. I haven't booted up GEOS in 20 years. Since I took all my stuff out of storage I haven't gone through all my disks yet and I haven't got to the GEOS stuff yet other than to check out the disks.