C H A P T E R 7

Routing and Communications

The Out Box

The Out Box holds data items coming from all applications and waiting to be printed, faxed, beamed, e-mailed, or sent by other Newton transport software. Items in the Out Box stay there until a user physically connects the Newton to a suitable output device and chooses to send the items. For example, a user may choose to fax and e-mail several items while aboard an airplane. Those items go into the Out Box and wait until the user connects the Newton to a fax modem and a phone line and sends the items.

Users can view many types of outgoing items while the items are still in the Out Box. In addition, users can change the content, routing, or addressing of some items in the Out Box. For example, a user could direct a printed item to a different printer, edit the text of an e-mail message, or change a fax number.

Users can also send some Out Box items directly from the Out Box. For example, if the Out Box contains a fax waiting to be sent, a user can also print the waiting fax directly from the Out Box.

A transport can be designed to connect and transfer out data items a user sends to it as soon as those data items appear in the Out Box. For example, a transport for wireless communications could automatically transfer out items as soon as a user sent them from an application, without the user having to open the Out Box.

In/Out Box Items

The In/Out Box shows the same header information for each item it displays in the In Box or Out Box. Each item’s header consists of an icon that identifies the transport, followed by the item’s title and status. A second line shows the name of the sender or recipient, followed by the date and time the item was put in the In/Out Box. Table 7-1 explains the meanings of the standard status words displayed in the In/Out Box headers.

7-4

The In/Out Box

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Apple 2 manual In/Out Box Items

2 specifications

The Apple II is a defining product in the history of personal computing, first introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer, Inc. Designed by Steve Wozniak, the Apple II was one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products and played a significant role in bringing personal computers into homes and schools.

One of the Apple II's standout features was its color graphics capability. It was one of the first personal computers to provide color output, thanks to its built-in video interface. The initial model supported a resolution of 280x192 pixels with a palette of 6 colors, which allowed for vibrant visuals that set it apart from contemporaries like the monochrome Altair 8800.

The Apple II was notable for its open architecture. This design allowed users to expand the computer's capabilities easily through a series of expansion slots. Users could add floppy disk drives, additional memory, and various peripheral devices, making the system highly adaptable to individual needs. This encouraged a thriving ecosystem of third-party hardware and software, which contributed to its popularity.

Another significant feature was its use of the 6502 microprocessor. This 8-bit CPU was not only affordable but also powerful for its time, allowing the Apple II to run various applications efficiently. Along with a built-in keyboard and an innovative plastic case that housed its components, the design was user-friendly and appealing.

The Apple II also introduced the concept of “bootable software” through the use of floppy disks. The disk operating system (DOS) allowed users to store and run multiple programs without having to reload software manually, providing a level of convenience that had not been widely available before. Key software like VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program, helped boost sales, showcasing the Apple II's utility in business and education environments.

The computer was also well-known for its early adoption of BASIC programming language. Apple provided an operating system that supported Applesoft BASIC, which enabled users, including students, to write their programs, further fostering a community of developers.

In summary, the Apple II's color graphics, open architecture, powerful 6502 processor, innovative use of floppy disks, and support for BASIC programming made it a revolutionary product in its time. Its legacy laid the groundwork for future personal computers and established Apple as a leader in the burgeoning tech industry. The Apple II remains an iconic symbol of the early personal computing era, reflecting a generation's transition into a digitally connected world.