[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

Well, I think 99% of the folks here would say you made a good decision.  In the long-run, I'm sure you will be happy you made these choices.  Now you have a lot of software available that your system can run, instead of constraints.  And the rest of us can go back and take a nap!  😉

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

Sorry, I don't understand.

But if I were in your situation, I'd try Lite Dos, latest version.  Mr-Atari.com.  If you are not satisfied with it, then try MyDos 3.07 or 3.08.

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

The "issue" with BW-DOS, is that it is a command line dos.  You have to remember all the commands.  You can try it and see if it is right for you.  Atari (for better or worse) has a bunch of different dos versions.  If I were a newcomer, I'd stick with the menu-type dos.  A hybrid model is Dos XL.  It is command line, but they also provide a menu as an aid.  There may be other CL dos versions that also have a menu.

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

So if you are happy with the limitations of 16K, you're good.  If you want to save a program, you will need a Dos of some type.  Some of the very early versions of MyDos 3.07, 3.08,  etc. are pretty small.  But once any Dos is loaded, you will have little memory left for BASIC programs.  Lite Dos might be OK for your particular needs.  It's free, so you can try it.  In the early days of 8K and 16K systems (and I'm talking about 1980 and 1981 -- 800s and of course 400s), people used all kinds of tricks to make every byte count.  There is an APX program called MASHER that compressed BASIC programs.  But that all ended pretty quickly as ram prices fell and 32K and 48K systems became very common.  You'll make a great leap forward by getting the SDrive, and you can wait and see if you are satisfied with 16K before getting a ram upgrade.

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

So the SDrive Max can R/W to ATRs, but Read Only for CAS files? 

I hadn't seen that video before. Sorry he is no longer doing business.

[The TRAK track buffer?]

Mr. Martian did us a lot of good with his UltraSpeed roms for Indus, Rana (IIRC), and Trak.  Wish he would drop in and say "hello."

[Fun with the Ultimate 1MB Upgrade]

Hi Angelo-

"IMPORTANT:  These programs were written for the Ultimate 1 MB upgrade.  Atari 130XE machines also have extended memory but these programs should not be used on an Atari 130XE.  The memory on these machines is handled differently."

 

Can you explain the difference(s)?

 

Thanks!

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

I don't believe that anyone has mentioned another storage ATR device -- the SIO2SD.  Developed some time ago and has fewer features than SDrive Max, but typically cheaper and may do everything that you want.  I don't know about using CAS files with SIO2SD.  I haven't used cassettes/files since about 1982.  Lotharek (in Poland) sells these.  About $23+shipping for the base model, but another $10.00 or so for an SIO connecting cable.  These are listed under "Atari 8bit mass storage devices."  I have both these devices, and I prefer using the SIO2SD, but prefer APE to them both, so I rarely use them. 

 

https://lotharek.pl/products.php?id=16

 

Edit: Another possible lower cost alternative is the UNO Cart.  It can load many standard ATR files, but has limitations explained in this thread: 

The UNO was popular before the AVGCART, but has largely been replaced by AVG.  The OP might be able to buy one from someone who upgraded to the AVG. (?)  Again, I don't know about UNO and cassette files.

 

 

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

Has anyone here used cassettes with the AVG (or SUB) CARTs?  Can you describe what they can/can't do?  Supports CAS files?  I know that the SDrive Max and APE can do those, but was not aware the AVG CART could.  The memory upgrade (including the fill-in of the missing 48K on a 600XL) seems like a strong factor for buying an AVG.  But it is a fairly expensive proposition -- well over $100 including cables and shipping.  The SIO2PC is the "low priced leader," but having the computers in different rooms is a real issue.

[can someone point me to the least expensive, yet still legit, SIO2PC device?]

You might go to the pinned "Newbies..." thread, and you can get some really good background info.   One thing is certain, there are lots of very strong opinions here about the "best" device to buy.  IIRC, you can even use an old Android phone as a host!  I've personally used an old Pentium 7" "laptop" with Win95 to run APE for Windows perfectly. 

[tape based type-in spreadsheet basic program for Atari 600XL or 800XL]

@dmsc

"About the long lines, those are because the program that you typed is not the "original" one, it is recovered from a version that was protected, with all the variable names erased. So, to un-protect it, the variables were replaced by V1 to V99, making some of the names bigger."

 

Could you explain how this works?  The only thing I can think of is that the original variables are still in the Variable Name Table, and the new ones were added, making it longer. (?)

[tape based type-in spreadsheet basic program for Atari 600XL or 800XL]

11 hours ago, newTIboyRob said:

@MrFish ...  I am very close to making the SIO2Cable and 64K RAM expansion purchase, thanks to you. I just have a few things I want to make sure of before I take the plunge.  Should I post a few questions with basically yes or no answers here?

It's 2023, so this may not still be a problem, but be aware that some SIO2PC-USB cables/boards have (had?) bogus FTDI chips, and don't work or do not work correctly.  Lots of threads about these cables here at AA.   FWIW, I still think that the SIO2PC is the most flexible peripheral system ever created, and the lowest cost, too (assuming one has an old laptop, etc. to host its system).

[tape based type-in spreadsheet basic program for Atari 600XL or 800XL]

@newTIboyRob  You know, if money is truly an issue, there are folks here who would very likely donate surplus equipment to get you going (you may have to pay shipping).  Clearly, this project shows that you have perseverance.  Just think what awaits you with 64K and and an ATR-friendly device!  BTW, where are you located -- U.S. based, or?

[ATR file manager for Windows?]

Atadim lets you import and export files, but I don't think you can have two ATRs open at the same time.  I really like Atadim, though.  With APE or RespeQt, you would have to R/W connected to an Atari, wouldn't you?  Same with Altirra, except no real Atari, and you could use Warp Speed. 

[found a potentially usable basic spreadsheet program for the 600xl...but not written in Atari basic]

That is quite a useful list!

[SFF 320XE - "designed in Sunnyvale California"]

Perhaps I missed it, but how do you currently do I/O?  I saw the mention of an SD card, but can't see it in the pics. Maybe the little daughter card at the upper left?

[found a potentially usable basic spreadsheet program for the 600xl...but not written in Atari basic]

If anyone is interested, here is a site with all of the SofTalk magazines, and the several I've looked at are really clean scans.  Might be easier to OCR?  I've always enjoyed reading the mags of other systems, and SofTalk looks like a good one.  (BasiCalc is listed in Vol 2, #11)

 

https://vintageapple.org/softalk/

[Access through Opera One]

On 9/10/2023 at 2:13 PM, CharlieChaplin said:

 

Yes, on my other PC with MS-DOS and Win 3.11. 

 

Now that's what I call a retro PC!

[found a potentially usable basic spreadsheet program for the 600xl...but not written in Atari basic]

Will the Atari Microsoft Basic cartridge run in 16K?  Never cared much for AMSB, but it should make conversion easier.  Of course, he'd still have to come up with a cartridge or multi-cart.  As others have said, a 16K cassette system is so extremely limited!

[Production of new 130XE or 800XL machines]

@foft and @santosp have already demonstrated with the eclaire XL that it is feasible to recreate the Atari computers with FPGA.  Whats missing is a case (or a form factor that would fit the existing case(s) and the ability to attach a real Atari keyboard.  I have one of them, and it sure feels real to me. 

[SpartaDOS X and "custom" RAM Disk code]

@ClausB, just curious -- did the checksums slow down the the ramdisk operation much?

[Hardware vs. Software]

I think I understand what you're asking... When I started out, it was all about software.  I was enthralled by the "shiny new thing" of home video games.  But as time wore on, games provided less and less of a kick.  I wrote quite a few Basic or hybrid-Basic utilities; then even that wore thin.  But hardware still provides nice new "toys."  It is still enticing, so hardware is my answer to your question!  P.S. I am still amazed by Altirra and Phaeron's knowledge.  Lots of others, too, but Altirra stands out.

[The utilities that others might not know]

A lesser-known one (I think) is the Swifty Utilities, available at Atarimania.  These are credited to Jerry White and Fernando Herrera.  They are Basic utilities, and it was the first Basic utilities package that I bought BITD.  I had a lot of fun with these, and used them a lot.

[SpartaDOS X and "custom" RAM Disk code]

Can you share a little more info about the board?  And how does your ramdisk differ from other available ramdisks?

[Weird O.S. in 800XL]

I went through that Expander thread tonight.  Really interesting product -- hopefully the docs will turn up.  Even if they are "terrible" (as the reviewer stated), I'm sure it's much better than no docs.  Also interesting that Brad Coda (BEST Electronics) entered into the mix trying to buy the product/rights.  What makes this OS intriguing to me is that it provides some features that AFAIK only otherwise exist in the Ultra Speed OS from CSS, and of course, it is locked up with protection firmware.