        Explanation of files contained in "vic-tech.zip" archive.
             All texts and programs are (c) by Ward Shrake.



This set of files is a set of programs and related technical information, 
intended for Commodore Vic20 computer hobbyists and/or hardware hackers.

The files found in this zip file are all related to the same subject, but
they cover it in slightly different ways. All are included with the idea that 
the (a) the download time will still be short enough, (B) although there 
might be considerable rehashing of the same info, maybe someone will "get
it" better with one or the other. Who knows. Anyway, there's lots to read!

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The file "bits.txt" is the one you're probably going to be most interested
in. It explains the cartridge archiving process, step-by-step. I originally 
submitted it to the e-zine "C= Hacking", which any good Vic20 or Commodore 
hacker will definitely want to check out. This is straight out of issue 14.

The file called "inthevic.txt" is probably the oldest of the files. It is
sort of my first draft, if you will, of this information. Covers lots of
theory, but without going very deeply into practical applications of it.

The file called "cartgrab.txt" was the second in the series, if you want to
call it that. It was intended to be a companion to the first file; the text
that described things you could do with all that theory you just read about.

The file called "pinouts.txt" is sort of a cleaned-up rewrite of both of the
last two files, but doesn't include all the info the originals contained. It
is shorter, perhaps less technical, and just briefly touches on some newer
ideas and concepts that eager hobbyists might want to explore, to go deeper.

There are two BASIC programs contained herein, as well. If you are already
used to transfering files via the "X1541" or "Trans64" hardware cable setups,
the binary files are included here. Just transfer them to a CBM diskette. If
you have no idea what I just said, or don't have the required hardware to do
such a transfer, I've included the ASCII text versions also. With these, you
print out the listings on the computer you used to download this with, then
you simply type the listings into your Commodore computer, and SAVE them onto
a diskette. Either way, you end up with two short, useful utility programs.

The "archiving help" file is just that: when loaded onto a Vic20 computer,
(which has been modified as described in the texts above) it determines what
your RAM and/or ROM configuration is. This is useful when you have defeated
the autostart cartridge routines, have inserted a cart into the computer,
and you are ready to dump its ROM images onto diskette for archiving.

The "sys.prg" file is a very short program, written in BASIC, that simply
tells you what a cartridge's cold and warm starting address information is.
The archiving program includes this information as part of its repertoire.

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Together, the author hopes you'll find something of interest here. Enjoy!
Ward Shrake, July 1997





