Mark Percival
2003-08-05 15:10:49 UTC
No Slot Clock Group Buy FAQ
(V1.0 - 5 Aug 2003)
Q: Who are you?
A: My name is Mark Percival and I live in Quebec, Canada. I have been
an Apple II user since 1979. Today I am an Apple II collector with a
dozen machines in my personal collection. I am also a staff member of
Syndicomm Online and host a weekly chat (RTC or Real Time Conference)
in the A2 Forum every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Pacific time.
However this group purchase I am organizing is not affiliated with
Syndicomm Online as I am doing it on my own.
Q: What is in this for you?
A: I have been a supporter of the Apple II for a long time and
typically do small requests for free (making disk images mostly).
When I heard that No Slot Clock's were still available for purchase I
ordered one. Once I found out how easy they were to install and setup
I decided to organize a group purchase. If I am able to put together
a minimum order of 25 units I am willing to go ahead with the
purchase. I am doing this at cost + 10% of the unit cost per chip.
With this 10% I hope to earn enough to take my wife and child out to
dinner. I am not normally in the Apple II hardware business.
Q: Are the batteries fresh? Hasn't it been a long time since NSC's (No
Slot Clocks) were manufactured?
A: NSC's were originally sold for the Apple II by Systems
Manufacturing Technologies of San Marcos, California starting in the
late 1980's. It is my understanding that all they did was resell
Dallas Semiconductor Smartwatch chips. Dallas Semiconductor still
manufactures them as they are still used in a variety of components.
Q: Will these clocks work on Dos 3.3, CP/M and Pascal?
A: I am able to provide the proper patches for ProDOS only. I am
unaware of patches for other OS's. However I am including the source
code for the ProDOS patch so you may be able to devise your own.
Q: Which models of Apple II will they work in?
A: They will work in any Apple II with a 28-pin ROM socket. The Apple
IIe, Apple IIc and Apple IIc+ all have such ROM sockets for their
system ROM's (CD ROM, EF ROM or CF ROM) on the motherboard. The
Apple II / II + lacks a 28-pin ROM socket on the motherboard but I've
been told they will work under a 28-pin ROM socket on a peripheral
card.
Q: What is the cost?
A: Price is dependent upon quantity I am able to purchase. Here is
the info I have at this time from Dallas Semiconductor (In US$):
Quantity 1-24: $27.21
Quantity 25-99: $21.47
Quantity 100-999: $17.68
Quantity 1000+: $14.51
These prices include Canadian GST (7%) and a 10% markup. Sometimes
GST isn't charged so if that happens I will pass on the saving to you.
Shipping is extra but shouldn't be much since they are pretty light.
You pay whatever it costs me to ship it to you. I do not make any
money on shipping. Of course the more you buy the less the per unit
shipping cost will be.
Q: Will you ship International (outside Canada and USA)?
A: Yes but shipping cost will be adjusted accordingly.
Q: Where is the software available?
A: I will provide all the software you need to patch ProDOS and set
the clock via e-mail (free) or diskette (cost of diskette).
Q: How do I put my name on the list?
A: Send an e-mail letting me know how many you would like. I will
send you an e-mail confirming that you are on the list. My e-mail
address is (decode spam block) "mark at syndicomm dot com". If you
don't receive a confirming e-mail within a couple of days, resend.
Q: When will you place the order?
A: My thinking is that a minimum order of 25 would give us a decent
price break and worth doing. I would really like to be able to order
100 minimum. I don't think 1000 is realistic. Once I have everybody
I think is interested I'll make a "last call", provide specific
shipping cost and ask for money. Once all the money is collected I'll
place the order. Dallas Semiconductor says they have the chips in
stock and estimate 4 business days for me to receive them. I will
then notify you when I receive them and again when I ship your order.
Q: Your e-mail address has you with Syndicomm Online. Is this group
buy affiliated with Syndicomm Online?
A: No. I am on staff with Syndicomm Online but they have no
connection with this group purchase. The success or failure of this
purchase is totally my responsibility.
Mark R. Percival - RTC Host - Syndicomm Online Apple II Forum
"Midweek Madness!" Every Wednesday Night : 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Pacific Time
http://www.syndicomm.com
(V1.0 - 5 Aug 2003)
Q: Who are you?
A: My name is Mark Percival and I live in Quebec, Canada. I have been
an Apple II user since 1979. Today I am an Apple II collector with a
dozen machines in my personal collection. I am also a staff member of
Syndicomm Online and host a weekly chat (RTC or Real Time Conference)
in the A2 Forum every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Pacific time.
However this group purchase I am organizing is not affiliated with
Syndicomm Online as I am doing it on my own.
Q: What is in this for you?
A: I have been a supporter of the Apple II for a long time and
typically do small requests for free (making disk images mostly).
When I heard that No Slot Clock's were still available for purchase I
ordered one. Once I found out how easy they were to install and setup
I decided to organize a group purchase. If I am able to put together
a minimum order of 25 units I am willing to go ahead with the
purchase. I am doing this at cost + 10% of the unit cost per chip.
With this 10% I hope to earn enough to take my wife and child out to
dinner. I am not normally in the Apple II hardware business.
Q: Are the batteries fresh? Hasn't it been a long time since NSC's (No
Slot Clocks) were manufactured?
A: NSC's were originally sold for the Apple II by Systems
Manufacturing Technologies of San Marcos, California starting in the
late 1980's. It is my understanding that all they did was resell
Dallas Semiconductor Smartwatch chips. Dallas Semiconductor still
manufactures them as they are still used in a variety of components.
Q: Will these clocks work on Dos 3.3, CP/M and Pascal?
A: I am able to provide the proper patches for ProDOS only. I am
unaware of patches for other OS's. However I am including the source
code for the ProDOS patch so you may be able to devise your own.
Q: Which models of Apple II will they work in?
A: They will work in any Apple II with a 28-pin ROM socket. The Apple
IIe, Apple IIc and Apple IIc+ all have such ROM sockets for their
system ROM's (CD ROM, EF ROM or CF ROM) on the motherboard. The
Apple II / II + lacks a 28-pin ROM socket on the motherboard but I've
been told they will work under a 28-pin ROM socket on a peripheral
card.
Q: What is the cost?
A: Price is dependent upon quantity I am able to purchase. Here is
the info I have at this time from Dallas Semiconductor (In US$):
Quantity 1-24: $27.21
Quantity 25-99: $21.47
Quantity 100-999: $17.68
Quantity 1000+: $14.51
These prices include Canadian GST (7%) and a 10% markup. Sometimes
GST isn't charged so if that happens I will pass on the saving to you.
Shipping is extra but shouldn't be much since they are pretty light.
You pay whatever it costs me to ship it to you. I do not make any
money on shipping. Of course the more you buy the less the per unit
shipping cost will be.
Q: Will you ship International (outside Canada and USA)?
A: Yes but shipping cost will be adjusted accordingly.
Q: Where is the software available?
A: I will provide all the software you need to patch ProDOS and set
the clock via e-mail (free) or diskette (cost of diskette).
Q: How do I put my name on the list?
A: Send an e-mail letting me know how many you would like. I will
send you an e-mail confirming that you are on the list. My e-mail
address is (decode spam block) "mark at syndicomm dot com". If you
don't receive a confirming e-mail within a couple of days, resend.
Q: When will you place the order?
A: My thinking is that a minimum order of 25 would give us a decent
price break and worth doing. I would really like to be able to order
100 minimum. I don't think 1000 is realistic. Once I have everybody
I think is interested I'll make a "last call", provide specific
shipping cost and ask for money. Once all the money is collected I'll
place the order. Dallas Semiconductor says they have the chips in
stock and estimate 4 business days for me to receive them. I will
then notify you when I receive them and again when I ship your order.
Q: Your e-mail address has you with Syndicomm Online. Is this group
buy affiliated with Syndicomm Online?
A: No. I am on staff with Syndicomm Online but they have no
connection with this group purchase. The success or failure of this
purchase is totally my responsibility.
Mark R. Percival - RTC Host - Syndicomm Online Apple II Forum
"Midweek Madness!" Every Wednesday Night : 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Pacific Time
http://www.syndicomm.com