[Paul Guyot]

Since I cannot post this announce to NewtonTalk, I decided to post it on WebForums.

I'm pleased to announce ATA Support 0.1a1 for NewtonOS. It wouldn't have
been possible without the help of many Newton users and developers. Thanks
a lot to all.

This release includes several known bugs and serious limitations. It is
mainly published to allow users to test their ATA cards in their Newtons.

This version only works with MP120 US and MP2100 US. I'll publish soon
instructions to get the missing informations for the other models so that
I'll be able to build a version working on every 2.x Newtons.

There are several bugs in the graphical interface but the main problem is
that the stores are not unmounted.
Therefore, to remove a card, you'll need to restart and to remove the card
while the Newton is rebooting (before the card is mounted which happens at
the end
of the boot sequence). Since I don't have any linear card recognized by the
MP120, this problem won't very probably be fixed before I get my MP2100
back. Besides, ATA Support doesn't handle the removal of the card (which is
a real pain in the neck).

As you understood it, ATA Support 0.1a1 is for the braves and the thrill
seekers only. Of course, if you use it, it's at your own risk.

To-Do:
Fix bugs in the graphical interface
Allow to unmount the stores
Optimize the commit and abort methods (they currently read
and write the map once per sector)
Implement the driver cache
Finish the power handling
Release ATA Support 1.0b1
Write the NewtonScript interface to the low-level functions
Finish the interface to test the card
Add an interface to precisely define the partitions
Release ATA Support 1.0
Implement support for Stores in volumes declared by MBR/Apple
Partition Map
Publish a Software Development Kit
Finish the tool to backup/restore the disk via a Mac connection
Write a defragment tool
Define a universal interface to access the file systems
Implement the Windows file systems handling
Implement the MacOS file systems handling
Search a way to perform a dynamic patch for the TPSSManager so that we
could have more than 4 mounted stores per card

ATA Support 0.1a1 can be downloaded from my website:
http://www.kallisys.com/newton/ata/

Regards,

Paul

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Newton Evangelist and developer:
http://www.kallisys.com/newton/

[TimmyDee51]

Huzzah!!! Thank you Paul! This is a huge step for the Newton. I would like to express my thanks for your perserverence. You and others like you are why the Newton is still a very viable platform.

As for NewtonTalk, I cannot post or read any traffic either (if there is any). Anyone have any idea what's going on?

[sine -''-..-]

Woohoo! no i have to get myself a CF mem card! I already bought an adaptor in preparation, but now that its finally out, i'll need to pick up some media.

this is an insanely great leap for newton, and an absolutely dazzling expample of Paul G's power if there was an auditorium full off all the newton users, we'd all be standing and cheering.

s i n e
-''-..-

[WL2100]

Way to go Paul!!! I owe you a few beers...

Looks like NewtonTalk has an overzealous anti-spam software working too *well*, so well that NewtonTalk has restored from a backup, but it's an old backup. Try signing up for the list, not digest. HTH!

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!ooW ÷)