1 Introduction This manual is an introduction to the inbuilt operating system ( 1616/OS ) for the Applix 1616 computer. Many commands described in this manual, including multitasking, are available on every Applix 1616 the moment you apply power, because they are built into the eproms on the Applix motherboard. Unlike other computers, you do not need disk drives to use an Applix. The Applix 1616 will start whether a disk drive is supplied or not, however some activities are rather restricted. We recommend that all experienced users obtain floppy disk drives (and possibly hard drives as well), to fully enjoy using the system.
This manual does not specifically cover the setting up of Applix disk drives. This chapter briefly describes the many manuals and programs available for the Applix 1616. It indicatesthe intended audience for the computer, theuses to which it might be put, and the facilities available. The operating system is briefly described, together with suggestions about standards, plus how to enhance and upgrade the system. Finally, the typographic and keyboard conventions used throughout these manuals are described. The Applix 1616 is designed to be helpful and easy to use for programmers, rather than neccessarily easier for end users of programs.
This is an important distinction that makes the Applix 1616 unique among home and educational computers, because it enormously increases the power available to the new programmer. The manual This manual includes brief introductions on some of the concepts underlying 1616/OS , and includes some examples of their use. It also includes tutorials on some of more complex utilities, such as the extensive command line editor, and the full screen editor. A separate reference section towards the end of this manual lists by category all the inbuilt commands that appear in the 1616/OS operating system program. The many programs available on the Applix User Disk are described in a separate manual.
The original version was written by Andrew Morton for builders of his Applix 1616 kit computer. It now includes additional tutorial material, and introduces some concepts with which a new computer owner may not be familiar. If you have no background in computers, you will find it helpful to read some introductory books while you learn about your new computer. We recommend the cheap Understanding ... range devised by Texas Instruments, and sometimes available from Tandy or Radio Shack. A list and description of these is contained in the Applix Hardware and Construction Manual , although I must warn that these books may now be difficult to locate. Introduction User Tutorial Manual Page 1