This is the edited transcript of the formal COnference held on the
*FlagShip* RTC on 11/23/86.  It was an enjoyable and informative two hours
with Mr. Dick Armstrong and his crew from InConTrol (I.C.T.).  Discussion
pertained to ICT's three new hard drive units, dubbed Data Chief.  Thanks
to you all for making the ICT folks feel at home, and special thanx to
Dick and company for taking time to join us!  -=:Michael:=-


From Steno: Jennifer Marlowe

Attendees:

[MICHAEL.M]
[[*Gayle*] TIGLON.G]
[[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST]
[[KeS] KEVIN-S.]
[[Phil] XY3035]
[DEB]
[JTAYLOR]
[RESONANCE]
[[Steve] S.MCRAE]
[D.LARSON]
[LEPARKS]
[GRAFIX.M]
[T.KARICKHOFF]
[BRIDGE-BUM]
[C.J.COOK]

Minutes:

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> Wow!  An actual, real live speaker!  On time, even!
<MICHAEL.M> Kevin - Yep Dick and Co. are pleasantly *early* even!
<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> Mike --- is there a limit of three /RAIses before we /CALl?
<MICHAEL.M> [smirk]  Cute, Kevin.
<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> (Never quite understood that.)
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Ace King Queen Jack Ten, (STRAIGHT)
<MICHAEL.M> Beats my two pair, anyway
<MICHAEL.M> Welp, since these great ICT folks were kind enough to be here 
ontime, I guess we will get this show on the road ontime!

<MICHAEL.M> For those interested, here is the formal COnferencing protocol.....
<MICHAEL.M> If you have a question, type /raise, and you will be called upon 
when it is your turn.  If you have a comment on the *current* topic, type an
 exclamation mark(!) and you will be called on before the next question is 
asked.  Any questions about this?
<MICHAEL.M> Great!  Then let me welcome our guest for the evening, Mr. Dick 
Armstrong of InConTrol (and fellow ICT-folk in the background) !  Welcome,
 Dick, and Congrats on your new baby!

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Thank you, we are glad to be here ga

<MICHAEL.M> Would you care to tell us a bit about ICT and its products before 
we take questions?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Ok, I.C.T manufactures a 5 10 and 20 meg hard drive 
for the Commodore  64/128...
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> and other peripheral products...
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Including some Future products for the AMIGA ga

<MICHAEL.M> For the Amiga?  Inneresting.  Phil, you have the first question. 
Shoot!  GA

<[Phil] XY3035> on the hard disk for c64...
<[Phil] XY3035> does it need a special DOS?
<[Phil] XY3035> ga

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> No All software resides on drive ga

<MICHAEL.M> How close (transparent) is it to Commodores own DOS, Dick?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> 99.99%  ga

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> How about sketching in some of the details of the drive for us.
.. how it interfaces, directory usage, etc.  A general overview.

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Turn Key system, Plugs into the standard serial port...
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> without any modifications, or special software patches.
..
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Directory usage is standard dos directory format...
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> The system is a partitioned Drive with the capability 
of chaining the partitions for reading and writing (a pseudo root file
system)....

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> Partitioned as in multiple device numbers?  Or how?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> The system can be expanded up to 80 megabytes on 
board.... If you are using
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Whoops... Single device number (8 to 11)Access to 
partitions by disk number (0 through 120) 0 being floppy  ga

<[Phil] XY3035> on speed... does it have to emulate the cbm drives?
<[Phil] XY3035> ga

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes for compatibility  ga

<MICHAEL.M> How fast is it compared to, say a 1541?  And is there a parallel 
option?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes, 20% faster than the 1541, And yes parrallel is 
IEEE 488 .ga

<MICHAEL.M> Did you include a hard-wired device number switch?  GA
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes 8 through 11 selectable on the front panel ga
<MICHAEL.M> Could you give us the pricing on all three of the units, and....
<MICHAEL.M> how one can expand it (and the cost for the cards)?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> 5-Meg $695.00 10-Meg $895.00 20-Meg $995.00 All units 
include a internal 5 1/4 Floppy drive....
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> On the stock controller you can add 1 more hard drive 
another card at a cost of $150.00 you can add 2 additional hard drives
 ga

<MICHAEL.M> Why is the price of the 20 meg only $100 more than for the 10 meg?  
GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> We are passing on the cost of the hard drive only and 
not marking up the price ga

<MICHAEL.M> Nice!  So, a C-64 owner can acquire an 80 meg hard drive for .....
<MICHAEL.M> ....<bad with math, help me out here>  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Counting fingers....

<MICHAEL.M> [hehe]

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> (counting pennies)

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Adding 3 additional 20 megs would be about $2295.... 
BUT!! starting with a full height 80 meg drive would be about $1595 ....
.. ga

<MICHAEL.M> So, you do offer the full height, 80-meg, custom-like?
<MICHAEL.M> ga

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes, and dont forget that you can daisy chain 4 DATA 
CHIEF SYSTEMS togeather for a total of )(Whatever)  ga

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> 320 meg, $6380!

<MICHAEL.M> Ahhh!  Wunnerful!   What does one recieve as a warranty?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> 1 Year.... ga

<MICHAEL.M> Kev - Dream on!  [smile]

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> We are limited to 1024  cyl by 16 heads per each of 
the 4 drive positions serviced by the system  ga

<MICHAEL.M> Okay, on to the C-128 and CP/M....How compatible?
<MICHAEL.M> ga

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> In single sided mode 99.99%  It supports all 7.0 dos 
commands....ga

<MICHAEL.M> It will not provide any support in DBL sided mode?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Not our HFD Model...ga

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> That would include the COPY command, finally!  Yes?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> YES!!! Absolutely   ga

<MICHAEL.M> What *isnt* compatible, Dick?  Command-wise?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> ANy Double sidded commands  GA

<[Steve] S.MCRAE> Is the floppy drive for back up only or can it be used as a 
1571/1541?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Only as a 1541, and can be used in anyway a standard  
1541......GA

<MICHAEL.M> It *is* provided with the 5 Meg unit as well as the 10, 20 and up 
to 80?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes there is a 5 Megabyte unit available for $695.00 
upgradable to Whatever you want, Also 80 megabyte is not the limit....GA

<MICHAEL.M> I had heard you had plans to drop the floppy altogether, still true?
  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Check back with us the First quarter of 1987   ga

<MICHAEL.M> Have you done any revisions since the Computer Shopper article?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> We Are light years ahead in compatibility and 
capabilities since the article was written  ga

<DEB> Nice to meet you, Dick, my apologies for being late tonight.  *I* am no 
teckie, but I would LOVE to have a Non Hardware Hacker's explanation of
how you make a Hard Disk expandable!

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Welcome Deb, it is nice to meet you..
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> With the standard unit you Just plug in another hard 
drive and connect the cables.... GA

<DEB> Hmmm....you actually purchase another unit then?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes for $450.00 including cables  ga

<MICHAEL.M> What about the single-unit, using cards?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Mike...Our single Unit allows 1 external hard drive....

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> What facilities are there available for backing up the unit? 
And, how do we cope with the issue of getting copy-protected software on
to it?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Kevin, Backup is currently device to device or 
partition to floppy... As for protected software.. We have mode 3 which allows
 using protected software ga

<MICHAEL.M> What is mode 3?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Mode 3 is a BOS function described in our literature...
 GA

<DEB> Will the unit function with just standard serial port Commodores, or will 
it also support IEEE machines?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> At this time it is shipping Only standard serial.... GA

<DEB> is there future support of IEEE planned?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> YES!!!! Oh Also The serial model will be upgradable to 
IEEE  GA

<DEB> GREAT!!!  *That* is the kinda news I wanted to hear!   ga

<MICHAEL.M> Dick - Can we talk you into posting specs/literature on our 
bulletin board here this week?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes We will be glad to (give me time enough to type it 
up hehe)  ga

<MICHAEL.M> You had mentioned something about future Amiga plans.  What might 
they be? GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Check back 1987... Ga

<MICHAEL.M> Not even a hint?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> No But it will be GREAT!!!!!  GA

<MICHAEL.M> [Smile]  Dangle those carrots!  Okay, what about CP/M?  Any 
problems with compatiblity at all?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Everything single sided works fine!!   GA

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> But... with the ICT installed as a single device number... 
CP/M will only see it as a SINGLE 1541, won't it?  You will only have 160K
 or whaterver available?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes Current version   GA

<[KeS] KEVIN-S.> So...only a minute fraction of that drive is useable under 
CP/M, and at 1541 speed?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Correct   GA

<[Steve] S.MCRAE> Can you store CP/M and BASIC files together on the hard disk?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes, with I.C.T. CPM module you can utilize the full 
hard drive   GA

<MICHAEL.M> No need to partition them??

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> No uses them as single disks   GA

<MICHAEL.M> What exactly have you revised on the units, since September.  Many 
people have read the Computer Shopper article, and may not know.  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> 2 serial ports accessed from the front panel, device 
switch also from the front panel,.....
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> BOS switch,(Including 4 MODES), and replaceable BOS 
PAC....     GA

<DEB> Mike/Dick ... do we have a review coming soonishly for *FlagShip* folks?

<MICHAEL.M> Surely, when I can talk Dick out of a unit!  [smile]

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Give Dick a Call, we will set something up... GA

<MICHAEL.M> Great!
<MICHAEL.M> This replaceable BOS PAC is actually included as such for future 
upgrades?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> YES, Current version is v3.1   GA

<MICHAEL.M> Still have the circuitry potted in epoxy?  [smile]  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Ahh but of course, wouldnt you? (hehe)  GA

<MICHAEL.M> Makes sense.  What is ICT's address, so people can write for more 
literature or order the units?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> InConTrol Inc. 103 Baughmans Lane Suite 301 Dept G  
Frederick, Md. 21701 301-371-4000 After Hours 6:00pm to 6:00Am Eastern ti
me BBS# 301-371-4020   GA

<MICHAEL.M> Any word as to *which* third party disk speed-ups will work with 
your units? GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> IcePIC, Fastload,- others under test GA

<MICHAEL.M> Plans to include your own still in the works?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes.... GA

<MICHAEL.M> How many of your units are actually out there, being used?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Currently over 50 units... GA

<MICHAEL.M> I can see the benefits of networking C-64's and C-128's to the Data 
Cheif, for use in schools and businesses.  Is this your present market
ing target, or individuals?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Both... BOSNET tm.   GA

<MICHAEL.M> BOSNET?!  What does BOS stand for?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Buffered Operating System GA

<MICHAEL.M> What are the physical dimensions of the units, and are they all the 
same?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes They are the same (for expandability) Case 
demension 7"h x 15"D x 21"W GA

<MICHAEL.M> With your Data Cheifs, any Vic-20, Plus/4, C-64 or C-128 owner can 
have themselves a networkable, large storage device of there very own!

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes any standard serial hookup..GA

<MICHAEL.M> What is the max number of partitions one can set up? GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> 120 per 20 megabyte drive... GA

<MICHAEL.M> Is the command format for opening one up fairly straightforward?  GA

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes it is the same as the nice user friendly Commodore 
CBM commands, (Bye th way total blocks free on 20 meg is 79680 blocks
free (hehe))  GA

<MICHAEL.M> Hmmm....how will one switch between partitions in CP/M?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> With the I.C.T. CPM module.... GA

<MICHAEL.M> Which is, in effect, what?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> DOS command access through CPM... GA

<MICHAEL.M> One cannot file-chain with this module to increase the partition 
sizes?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> With alternate CPM formats you can have multiple 
chained partitions... GA

<MICHAEL.M> How long does it take to do a complete copy <backup> of a partition?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST>  5 min full image copy  GA

<MICHAEL.M> Hmm...then you have retained image copying, and even the error 
emulation for copy-protected stuff?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Not on Hard drive, Must use mode 3..GA

<MICHAEL.M> Okay, this mode 3 is something we must hear more about, possibly in 
your bulletin board messages?  [plead, plead]

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Yes... GA

<MICHAEL.M> Great!  Well, I'd like to thank you all for coming!  [bravo!]....
<MICHAEL.M> ...Seems to have been a slow night [must be a Games Conference 
going on somewhere in GEnieland!]  <smile>
<MICHAEL.M> I will send you an UN-edited copy of the transcript, and post the 
edited version in the software library.

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Your are welcome... Thank you for giving us this 
opportunity to discuss the DATA CHIEF... GA
<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> CUL,ICT

<MICHAEL.M> Anything you want included in the steno before I send her home?

<[InConTrol] DEBS-GUEST> Nope thanks Jennie... GA

<MICHAEL.M> Thanx again, guys!!  It was a real pleasure!  I hope we can get
you back here again soon.  [G'nite Jenni!]