ƒTurbofile       Z ‡PRG formatted GEOS file V1.0ż˙˙˙€˙ˆ‹˙ÁŠAŠ˙ńŠ€ŠŽŠ€Šż‘Š€ŠŸŠ€Šż‘Ž€‚ż‘ƒ€€€€˙ń˙˙˙ƒ˙˙Write Image V2.1geoWrite V2.1@đŒż?˘É1đʎ AŠ˘9 8%­…ÉĐLh9Š2Z­ż?\, A0 ˇÁ˝8‰ n5­ţ-…­ý-…Š… Š… ś'ŠĐF & % t %ŠĐ7Š €ÂŠĐ/ x9ŠĐi—Ž4Č 8 ;  E x * \=˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙@ŠH ŠThis file is a GEOmerge document. To print it out properly make sure Commodore 10 point font is on the disk, use GEOmerge and answer the prompts with the neccesary information about your self. But first read the article written by me about turbo processors and there use on the commodore 64 and 128 as well as what we all need to do to get these turbo processors produced. Then read over the form letters and add anything you wish to those. In fact write your own letters in your own words if you have the time. You can take the article with you to user group meetings or give it to another concerned Commodore user so they two can write. If you are on any local BBS's or National networks feel free to upload this file there. The key is to send so much mail so these companies can't ignore our demands for a turbo processor.ŠH @1ŠHLet's go Faster! Š@By Joe Tom Collins ¸ĐĐĐĐĐĐĐĐиŠThis article may be distributed freely and without royalty so long as it is not modified in any way. @Š@The Commodore problem.Š Commodore (CBM) computers have had a few draw backs for a long time. Slow disk drives with small storage, limited memory, and slow processing speed have all contributed to the perception that Commodores are "toy" computers or "game machines". However the C=64 and 128 obviously have their strong points as well. The 64's low price has made it the top selling computer of the 1980's and for that matter the top selling computer to date! According to the numbers, even MS-DOS magazines have to admit that the installed base of Commodore computers beats out any individual clone manufacturers sales. As the 64 pushes towards it's tenth anniversary we've seen a lot of yester years problems with the 64 and 128 start to fade. Creative Micro Designs (CMD) product, JiffyDOS, as well as other products have speeded up the drive access, Commodore in some of it's brightest decisions, made the 1571 and 1581 disk drives with larger storage capacity and the ability to write MS-DOS format disks, and CMD is now producing a full fledged set of hard disk drives with the SCSI standard used in almost every computer. CMD is also making a RAM expansion unit capable of be expanded to 4 megabytes and compatible with CBM's own 1700, 1764, and 1750 line of RAM expansion units offering 128K, 256K, and 512K respectively. Berkeley Softworks has released their geoRAM with 512K. And there is rumor of RAM units offering as much as 16 megabytes in the not so far distant future. This brings us to the last big inadequacy of the Commodore 8 bit line. Processor speed. The Commodore can only plod along at 1 to 2 MHz, ( A MHz is a term used to describe how many times a microprocessor does it's job in a second), while the super computers of today zip along at speeds from 7 to 33 MHz! But just like any barrier the C=64 and C=128 have run into this one to can be solved. The problem has already been addressed by companies like Schnedler System who make the Turbo Master CPU, a cartridge for the 64 that basically re-creates the 64 with chips capable of faster speeds, using the computer only for disk access and video support. However the unit is not 100% compatible with all software, and it takes up the cartridge port so that additional RAM cannot be added. But if your desperate for faster spreadsheets or graphic programs you can get 4.09MHz, or put simply, 4 times the speed from your programs for under $200. Š@The Apple AnswerŠ In case you don't know anything about the Apple I'll give you a quick summary. Commodore and Apple computers are very distant cousins. When Commodore made the PET, and the Vic 20 line of computers they used the same type of processor as Apple used in it's computers, the 6502. The 6502 was so popular that people made dozens of improvements to it bringing about the 6502A, B, and C, which were slightly faster than the original, the 65C02 (used in the Turbo Master and the Apple ][e and ][c), the 6510 (The heart and soul of the Commodore 64), the 65816 (used in the ][GS), and the 8502 (The Commodore 128's engine), not to mention those varieties of the 6502 I forgot and those I never heard about in the first place! For quite some time there have been speed up boards for the Apple replacing it's 1 MHz processor with one of the faster ones. This was easy because all the Apple's except the ][c had special expansion slots designed to take boards. Just picture your Commodore with 7 to 8 cartridge ports that all worked together and where protected inside the case! However with a wealth of boards out there for other functions, (SCSI drives, MIDI ports, disk drive controllers), Apple users didn't feel they wanted to "waste" a slot on a processor speed up board. @ Š This was when a small company named Zip Technologies, decided to make a custom processor based on the 65C02 using special cache memory, (memory set aside for speeding things up, like a print buffer), built right onto the chip so that by simply removing the old 65C02 and putting in the Zip Chip Apple users could get much more speed from their system with out taking up a slot! This method was also the only way to speed up an Apple][c which like the 64 and 128 has no slots. This was such a great idea that a company named Bytes and Pieces decided to do it too, only faster! Both companies were so successful with their 4 and 5 MHz chips respectively, that both companies decided to make even faster ones. Zip Technology came out with the Zip Chip ][ with a speed of 8MHz (faster than a stock Amiga 500 or 2000) and Bytes and Pieces came out with the Rocket Chip ][ at 10 MHz! To add to it's success Zip also made the Zip Chip GS for the Apple ][GS based on the 65816. Š@Why not us?Š Now there is a lot of different support hardware that separates the Commodore and Apple computer lines, but there processors are so close that software producers usually release versions for both computers at the same time because they do not have to start from scratch! So why don't Commodore users have a turbo processor chip to bring us up to date? When I called the support line of both companies their technicians said it should be possible, but their marketing people said they didn't think there was a market for a turbo processor and that speed was not a big issue with Commodore users. Well, Schnedler System proved that wrong by making the Turbo Master! They then told me that they didn't think Commodore users would be willing to open up their computers to put in a turbo processor. CMD proved that wrong by their success with JiffyDOS in the Commodore market requiring not only the computer to be opened but also the disk drives! Now I can't think why two companies who's sole products are turbo processor chips, would want to exclude as many as 14,000,000 potential customers world wide. The entire Apple][ line has only sold about 6,000,000 machines world wide including the Apple][, ][+, ][e, ][c, and the ][GS, most of which are in schools who have little use for speed when they're just using the machines to teach, and who don't have the budget for adequate RAM expansion never mind turbo processors. Where as there are over 10,000,000 owners of Commodore 64's who's computer are at home, where the heart is, and at least 4,000,000 Commodore 128 owners who are most likely former 64 owners who upgraded and expanded their system because they loved their 64 and are dedicated to their 128! Š@What can I do? ŠYou can write a letter to all the companies involved and all Commodore magazines. There will be a list of who to mail to at the end of this article as well as a set of form letters for downloading on Q-link and GEine. Remember, the magazines make a lot of their money selling advertising space, and a couple of full page advertisements like Zip and Bits and Pieces take out in the Apple magazines would be a welcome site for our Commodore magazines, so they have an interest in helping us. If you are a member of a user group take this article with you to the next meeting and get them to write to the various companies. Pulling Apple developers into the Commodore 8 bit market at this point would show the entire computer industry that Commodore is far from dead. With 8 to 10 MHz processor speed all 64 and 128 productivity software or math based software would be a pleasure to work with. If you need a comparison just look at GEOS on a 128 and on an Apple][e with a Zip Chip! The Apple blows our doors off right now. There is even the possibility that faster modems and other higher end peripherals would be able to work giving our little 64's and 128's new life right on through the 90's! @0Š@Oh yeah, well I know a thing or two about my computer and this is impossible!Š Nothing is impossible. Even if you don't believe it would work what have you got to loose from sending some mail to people asking them to try. The total cost of mailing will be under $5.00 and for that little fee which you will pay in stamps and envelope licking the computer you own now will last you well into the 90's and maybe even into the year 2000. It's a lot cheaper than $700 to $1000 you'll have to pay for an IBM clone that doesn't do as much and that you own no software for! Don't waste time being a skeptic, just write the letters and see what happens. Š@What will it cost if it does come out? ŠWell one can only judge from the pricing on the Apple chips as to what the Commodore version will cost. The 4 MHz Zip Chip costs $149 And the 5MHz Rocket Chip is listed at $189. Through mail order dealers I've seen the 8MHz Zip go for $179 and the 4MHz go for $139. Well worth it if you decide to pick up your speed, but only if you have the choice. This product would allow extra RAM, can be made compatible with any 64 system and already has competition from Schnedler! The future is in your hands, and remember the old adage, "The pen is mightier than the sword." So write those letters! @0ŠHCompany Listing: Š@ Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave. Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932 Twin Cities 128 C/O: Loren Lovhaug P.O. Box 11578 Minneapolis, Mn, 55411 Run C/O: Mail RUN 80 Elm St. Peterborough, NH,03458 Compute!'s Gazette C/O: Lance Elko P.O. Box 5406 Greensboro, NC, 27403 INFO Mail 123 North Linn St., Suite 2A Iowa City, Ia, 52245 FAX: (319)338-0897 Phone: (319)338-0703 Transactor: Crawford Publishing Inc. 85-10 West Wilmot Street Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 1K7 ISSN# 0838-0163 @€Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> Š@Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave. Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 Mr. Stivers, I wish you and your marketing department to know that there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from your company's knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors. I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of your Zip Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. A company named Schnedler Systems already produces a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. I understand that you feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users. I beg to differ with you. Speed is important to us as the Schnedler product and this letter demonstrates. I also understand that you feel Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in your product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure that if your product was compatible with products like JiffyDOS, and other products of the like, and that you advertised in the Commodore magazine like you do in the Apple magazines you could recoup your investment and then some. I urge you to seriously consider producing for the Commodore market. If you have any questions about the Commodore market or would like to get information on Commodore hardware I would suggest the following authorities. @€ Twin Cities 128 C/O: Loren Lovhaug P.O. Box 11578 Minneapolis, Mn, 55411 Creative Micro Designs, Inc 50 Industrial Drive, P.O. Box 646 East Longmedow, Ma, 01028 Charles Andrews or Charles Chistinson Jr. (413) 525-0023 Joe Tom Collins 1545 Archer Road Bronx, NY, 10462 (212) 874-9676 Ext 249 @€I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to Bytes and Pieces Technology. Sincerely, <> @€0Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932Š Mr. Martin, I wish you and your marketing department to know that there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from your company's knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors. I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of your Rocket Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. A company named Schnedler Systems already produces a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. I understand that you feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users. I beg to differ with you. Speed is important to us as the Schnedler product and this letter demonstrates. I also understand that you feel Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in your product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure that if your product was compatible with products like JiffyDOS, and other products of the like, and that you advertised in the Commodore magazine like you do in the Apple magazines you could recoup your investment and then some. I urge you to seriously consider producing for the Commodore market. If you have any questions about the Commodore market or would like to get information on Commodore hardware I would suggest the following authorities. @€ Twin Cities 128 C/O: Loren Lovhaug P.O. Box 11578 Minneapolis, Mn, 55411 Creative Micro Designs, Inc 50 Industrial Drive, P.O. Box 646 East Longmedow, Ma, 01028 Charles Andrews or Charles Chistinson Jr. (413) 525-0023 Joe Tom Collins 1545 Archer Road Bronx, NY, 10462 (212) 874-9676 Ext 249 @€I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to Zip Technology. Sincerely, <> @€0Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> ŠTwin Cities 128 C/O: Loren Lovhaug P.O. Box 11578 Minneapolis, Mn, 55411Š Mr. Lovhaug, I believe there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors possessed by: @€ Š@Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave., Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Zip Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 8 MHz for under $200. @€and Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas, Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Rocket Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 10 MHz for under $200.Š I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of the Zip Chip or Rocket Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. Schnedler Systems already produces the Turbo Master CPU, a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. However, these companies seem to feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users and that Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in their product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure with your help in getting out the message that such a product could be developed your rewards would come when these companies placed full page advertisements in your magazine. I don't need to tell you how scarce advertisements has been for the Commodore 8 bits lately. My request is that the names and addresses above be published along with a brief description of the possible products, suggested prices, and a request for all readers to write these companies expressing interest in turbo processors development. I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to ever other major Commodore Magazine. Being a respected, and well distributed voice in the Commodore community your help in this matter could bring the volume we need to get the job done, and as responsible media it is you duty to inform the public of developments like this effort. Sincerely, <> @€0Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> ŠRun C/O: Mail RUN 80 Elm St. Peterborough, NH,03458Š To whom it may concern, I believe there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors possessed by: @€ Š@Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave., Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Zip Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 8 MHz for under $200. @€and Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas, Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Rocket Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 10 MHz for under $200.Š I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of the Zip Chip or Rocket Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. Schnedler Systems already produces the Turbo Master CPU, a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. However, these companies seem to feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users and that Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in their product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure with your help in getting out the message that such a product could be developed your rewards would come when these companies place full page advertisements in your Commodore magazine like they did in your sister publication A+/InCider. I don't need to tell you how scarce advertisements has been for the Commodore 8 bits lately. My request is that the names and addresses above be published along with a brief description of the possible products, suggested prices, and a request for all readers to write these companies expressing interest in turbo processors development. I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to ever other major Commodore Magazine. Being a respected, and well distributed voice in the Commodore community your help in this matter could bring the volume we need to get the job done, and as responsible media it is you duty to inform the public of developments like this effort. Sincerely, <> @€0Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> ŠCompute!'s Gazette C/O: Lance Elko P.O. Box 5406 Greensboro, NC, 27403Š @€0 Mr. Elko, I believe there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors possessed by: @€ Š@Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave., Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Zip Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 8 MHz for under $200. @€and Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas, Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Rocket Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 10 MHz for under $200.Š I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of the Zip Chip or Rocket Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. Schnedler Systems already produces the Turbo Master CPU, a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. However, these companies seem to feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users and that Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in their product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure with your help in getting out the message that such a product could be developed your rewards would come when these companies place full page advertisements in your Commodore magazine like they did in your sister publication Compute!'s Apple Applications. I don't need to tell you how scarce advertisements has been for the Commodore 8 bits lately. My request is that the names and addresses above be published along with a brief description of the possible products, suggested prices, and a request for all readers to write these companies expressing interest in turbo processors development. I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to ever other major Commodore Magazine. Being a respected, and well distributed voice in the Commodore community your help in this matter could bring the volume we need to get the job done, and as responsible media it is you duty to inform the public of developments like this effort. Sincerely, <> @€Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> ŠINFO Mail 123 North Linn St., Suite 2A Iowa City, Ia, 52245Š @€ To whom it may concern, I believe there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors possessed by: @€ Š@Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave., Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Zip Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 8 MHz for under $200. @€and Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas, Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Rocket Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 10 MHz for under $200.Š I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of the Zip Chip or Rocket Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. Schnedler Systems already produces the Turbo Master CPU, a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. However, these companies seem to feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users and that Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in their product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure with your help in getting out the message that such a product could be developed your rewards would come when these companies place full page advertisements in your magazine. I don't need to tell you how scarce advertisements has been for the Commodore 8 bits lately. My request is that the names and addresses above be published along with a brief description of the possible products, suggested prices, and a request for all readers to write these companies expressing interest in turbo processors development. I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to ever other major Commodore Magazine. Being a respected, and well distributed voice in the Commodore community your help in this matter could bring the volume we need to get the job done, and as responsible media it is you duty to inform the public of developments like this effort. Sincerely, <> @€0Š <> <
> <>, <>, <> ŠTranactor: Crawford Publishing Inc. 85-10 West Wilmot Street Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 1K7 ISSN# 0838-0163Š @€0 To whom it may concern, I believe there is a large installed base of Commodore computer owners who would benefit greatly from knowledge in cache memory technology as it relates to 6502 based microprocessors possessed by: @€ Š@Zip Technology, Inc.Š C/O: Dick Stivers 5601 West Slauson Ave., Suite 190 Culver City, Ca, 90230 (213)337-1734 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Zip Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 8 MHz for under $200. @€and Š@Bits & Pieces Technology, IncŠ C/O: Dennis Martin 31332 Via Colinas, Suite 110 Westlake Village, Ca, 91362 (818)706-7932 @€Producers of the Apple turbo processor called the Rocket Chip, which allows the Apple ][ line to process information at speeds of up to 10 MHz for under $200.Š I myself am one of the interested parties who would be willing to pay <> for a turbo processor in the nature of the Zip Chip or Rocket Chip for the Apple ][ line of computers if one were available for the Commodore line of computers. Schnedler Systems already produces the Turbo Master CPU, a turbo processor board for the Commodore 64 that retails for $199. However, these companies seem to feel speed is not as important to Commodore users as it is to Apple users and that Commodore users would not wish to open their case and risk voiding of their warranty to put in their product. To this I point out the success that Creative Micro Designs has had with their JiffyDOS product, a ROM replacement which increases drive speed. Creative Micro Designs has sold over 17,000 units at $60 to $70 a piece which not only require the replacement of the 64 or 128 ROMs, but also the replacement of the ROM in the Commodore disk drive. Not only does this prove the Commodore market is willing to pay for speed but that we are willing to do what is necessary to use it. I am sure with your help in getting out the message that such a product could be developed your rewards would come when these companies place full page advertisements in your magazine. I don't need to tell you how scarce advertisements has been for the Commodore 8 bits lately. My request is that the names and addresses above be published along with a brief description of the possible products, suggested prices, and a request for all readers to write these companies expressing interest in turbo processors development. I would also like you to be aware that an almost identical copy of this letter has been sent to ever other major Commodore Magazine. Being a respected, and well distributed voice in the Commodore community your help in this matter could bring the volume we need to get the job done, and as responsible media it is you duty to inform the public of developments like this effort. Sincerely, <> @€Š @€