No. It's for real.
We have signed up at Kagi Shareware, a service specialized in processing shareware fees. Kagi is collecting shareware fees for us. However, Kagi is NOT offering any kind of customer support. All comments, suggestions and problems concerning registration codes should directly go to Fast Eddie Labs. In order to get the quickest possible answer, you should always send your e-mails to both authors, namely gudath@ubaclu.unibas.ch and andre.horstmann@unifr.ch.
What's the difference between the unregistered and the registered version?
The only difference is the 15 minutes limit. After working with Eddie for 15 minutes, the program displays a message and quits.
How do I register?
The Fast Eddie archive includes a Register application. Please fill in the boxes, choose a method of payment and forward this form to Kagi Shareware. How to contact Kagi is explained in the Fast Eddie Read Me.
IMPORTANT: when starting up, Fast Eddie displays a serial code. You should send this code along with a text copy of your order to gudath@ubaclu.unibas.ch and andre.horstmann@unifr.ch . As soon as we receive a confirmation from Kagi, we will forward you your registration code per e-mail.
This is confusing. What exactly do I have to do to register?
Funny, I registered Fast Eddie but it reverts to the unregistered version.
Please forward your old registration code and the serial number printed in the shareware notice to gudath@ubaclu.unibas.ch and andre.horstmann@unifr.ch . We will check the code and, if necessary, send you a new one for free. Please do not contact Kagi Shareware if you encounter problems with registration unless you have questions regarding your payment.
Is this fee valid for all upcoming versions of Fast Eddie?
Yes.
Why should I pay a shareware fee for a *beta*?
This is a good point. We believe that the current release provides enough functionality in order to use it as a game console or productivity tool.
Do you have special pricing for schools?
Yes, e-mail for details
Are you actually interested in any kind of feedback?
YES!
Could you send me a ROM image?
Sorry, no. We are not allowed to distribute ROM images.
I sent you an e-mail, but got no response. You guys suck!
I don't know how much e-mails we will get, but it is probable that we will get more mails than we can handle.
So, I don't own a Apple IIgs and can't make a ROM dump.
You are only allowed to use ROM dumps with Fast Eddie if you also own a "physical", non-virtual Apple IIgs.
I have a few suggestions regarding improvements. What are the chances that you put my suggestions on your to-do list?
99%
Do you offer on-line support?
Yes and no. We expect you to read the enclosed documentation, but if you still have questions feel free to contact us. We are also monitoring comp.sys.apple2 and comp.emulators.apple2.
comp.sys.apple2? I heard this newsgroup is an alias of alt.flame.
Hmm, that's correct. And we make use of FlameStation, although only on Eddie-users with unregistered versions. :-D
What do I need in order to run Fast Eddie?
You need a Power Mac (any), 640x480 (or more) display with 256 colors, a ROM image (ROM 01 or 3), and Apple IIgs software.
This thing is dog-slow.
Then your Mac is dog-slow. :) Seriously, Fast Eddie is running at 3Mhz and above with pure C code that is not optimized by the compiler. We don't think this is slow.
I don't understand. Why is it not optimized?
Because the compiler goes belly up while optimizing the CPU emulation.
Will it run faster on faster Macs? And if so, is there going to be a speed override control so that games will be playable at normal speeds, but applications like GWIII can operate at full speed?
It'll run as slow as you want, or as fast as your Mac allows it to run.
My old 601/66Mhz PowerPC is emulating faster than my supercool portable 603e/100 Mhz. What the hell are you doing?
Some 603 systems do not have level 2 cache that greatly speeds up Fast Eddie. Also, 603 systems are often built on low-performance mamaboards. Lastly, Fast Eddie has been compiled specifically for 601 PowerPC chips.
And when can I expect a faster version?
Soon. We will add hand-crafted assembly code soon.
Hey, and what about IWM emulation?
IWM emulation is actually mostly done (and even part of this beta!), but two things are missing so we have disabled it. Coming soon.
Iiik, and 1-bit sound, 5.25" disks and serial ports?
How embarassing. It's in the pipeline, promised.
Will it run HyperCard IIGS?
Yes. It will run any IIGS software with only very few exceptions such as demos or programs that play with border color cycling or display 3200 color images. It's almost impossible to handle these techniques since they're very time critical. I said 'almost' because 'impossible' was never an answer to a real Apple II programmer. :-)
Will 3rd party items like Control Panels, Finder Extras, NDAs, CDAs, and Extensions be able to be used?
Yes. No problem. See previous questions.
Apple employee Dave Lyons is also working on a IIGS emulator. I understand that his emulator will not support sound though, which is a real bummer if the intention is to play games, although rumour has it that they plan to also create a version that will run on a 68030 Mac or Quadra. Are you aware of his project and why should I go with yours rather than his?
We're aware of this project called "Gus". And I think the whole Apple II
community (Henrik and me included) are eagerly awaiting its release. But from what I read on the net about Gus, the developers are quite busy with their real job and hardly have any time for Gus, which seems to be a private project.
Fast Eddie is a product to which we will allocate continued support and development time. If you're taking a close look at the specs, you will notice a lot of differences between Gus and Fast Eddie. We strongly believe that Fast Eddie has some important advantages over Gus and that Apple II fanatics will appreciate the availability of two different emulators with different qualities.
We have great plans as to new features. We're planning an assembly upgrade to time critical parts to give it more punch. And, eventually Fast Eddie will become compatible with 680x0 Macs.
Why did you write Fast Eddie?
Our GS monitors turned very fuzzy recently, making it hard to read Merlin-16 code.
(a little off subject)... How about brushing off your GS skills one more time and writing something like the Mac Apple menu capability for the GS?
Actually we're still developing and supporting GS programs. Very recently Henrik released his unique FlameStation XL - I updated ShadowWrite to Hermes about a year ago. And I'm sure as soon as GS emulators are available, lots of former Apple II developers will improve and update their work.
Last but not least time for a personal note. Thank you very, very much for all your interest in the Fast Eddie project. Making an Apple II clone is something we consider the realms in Apple II computing. This space is dedicated to those who wished us luck - we needed it, and we found it. The feedback has been tremendous and was of great help. If you have any comments, questions or just want to say hello, feel free to contact us per e-mail. Apple II ad infinitum!
- Andre & Henrik
P.S. Special Thanks to Brendan Bellina for some of the questions!
Legalese
Copyright 1996 by Fast Eddie Labs. Web pages by Synergetix. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Mac, Apple II, GS, Ensoniq, Dolby Surround Pro Logic, THX are (registered) trademarks of their respective holders.