C H A P T E R 7

Routing and Communications

To the left of the Close box is a text button labeled with the name of the routing action.Tapping this text button, which is known as the Send button, closes the routing slip, but with different animation than the Close box. First the lower panel slides up, as if it were going into the envelope part of the routing slip. Then the envelope slides off the screen to the right.

In addition to the routing slip closing, one of three things happens when a user taps a Send button. The outgoing item may be placed in the Out Box and sent immediately. The item may be placed in the Out Box and held there until a user sends it. Or a picker may pop up, giving the user the choice of sending now or later. Customarily a transport allows users to control which of those three alternatives happens by setting preferences in the In/Out Box application, as described in “Transport Preferences” on page 7-32.

A transport can also force the button to send now or later without displaying a picker. This overrides any preferences setting a user may have made for the transport.

When saving items in the Out Box for later transmission, a transport has to determine when it should get information from the sender’s owner and worksite cards. Although this issue doesn’t affect the user interface visibly, the issue does affect stability and consistency as they appear to users. In general, the transport should get information from the sender’s owner card at the time the item is sent to the Out Box. Such information might include the sender’s name, return address (such as fax number or e-mail address), credit card information, and so on.

However, if the transport uses worksite information to make a connection (for example, to determine how to dial the recipient’s fax number), the transport should wait to obtain the most current information—based on the user’s current worksite setting—until the item is actually transmitted from the Out Box, and make necessary adjustments at that time. For example, if a user queued several fax items at home but didn’t send them until at work, the transport might need to change the area code information for dialing the recipient’s fax number.

Routing Outgoing Items

7-19

Page 224 Page 226
Page 225
Image 225
Apple 2 manual Routing and Communications
Page 224 Page 226

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.
Top Page Image Contents