Dilwyn wrote: >What sort of prices are we talking of in small quantities for the 32MB and >64MB models?
Pennies really... The 64Mb ones no longer show of the system, as they are not "obsolete" although I know we have at least 100 of them in stock. Just to put it in perspective, 128Mb ones (huge storage by QL standards) are selling at roughly EIGHT POUNDS EACH, selling in blocks of 10. Expect 64Mb to be about a fiver, probably less. >I've been asked several times to make a little CD or similar with a free QL >emulator on board and some games and general packages controlled by a >simple front end (a plug and go QL complete with software). 32MB or >64MBwould carry an emulator and plenty of software with ease. People like >Norman Dunbar and Ken Bain have already described in detail how convenient >these flash memory devices are. I have a 2GB one now, and have my life on it. Absolutely indispensable piece of kit. I have several episodes of Star trek, a few QL bits inc. a QXL.WIN, and a load of photos of the kids and work related spreadsheets and word docs- basically anything that can be stored in a file can be put on this. Better still in the docking station we do. A lovely little weighted desktop USB slot which has a long cable leading around to your PC, - very handy for making those hard to get at USB ports more accessible - if like me you don't have USB ports on the front of your machine. See the website. >I'd welcome ideas and comments on whether this is a good idea or not. >Here's a suggestion to get the ball rolling: >1. Put a QL emulator on it. >2. Put some QL games and other free software on it. A short QL demo might >be an idea if someone is interested in writing one. There is a QLDEMO thingy in the quanta library, though it probably needs updated... Esp. for high colour. >3. Put the QL manual on it (these are available on my website). This would >also eventually encourage users to learn a little bit of SuperBASIC >perhaps, and their QL interest might go beyond the "QL On A Stick" Indeed. >4. Put a sweet and simple front end, which could even be a SuperBASIC >program, to let the user select which game or program to run, preferably >with a short screen of information before the program starts, especially if >it's a program which does not return you cleanly to the menu. Yes, easy to program and easy to use. I was going to do this for the QL DVD idea anyway. >5. A fairly short DOS or Windows text file to explain what it's all about, >or a printed sheet of instructions. Easy. >To all intents and purposes, this would make it like one of these stand >alone video games packages, but one which works by plugging into a PC >rather than stand alone. >How I see all this is as something which might tempt ex QLers back via a >simple to use system which does what most users remember their QLs by - >simple to use computer, which is just that little bit different to other >computers, free word processor, database, spreadsheet and games, and >ability to use it all from a simple little PC plug in device which requires >no desk space or space for other computers, and above all hopefully >nostalgia will encourage users to take up the QL again without major >investment of money or space or effort! Well, the Spectrum one we are doing has taken Dixons by storm, they are very excited about it. I know the Emulator DVDs and CDs are popular too in mainstream stops. >I've convinced myself, where can I buy one Darren? ;-) Well, maybe Roy Wood can get alternate ones cheaper from Hamiltone, might be worth checking. There are lots of companies doing them - TwinMOS, Kingston, Iomega, etc.. We are quite cheap in that we manufacture them too. The other thing to ask is were have all the 8Mb and 16Mb ones gone? Are they still in use, or Are they in desk drawers or skips somewhere? Perfectly usable for QLers.... Well, I can get concrete pricing if you want it, The more we order the cheaper they will get - Doubt I can buy quantity at cost, maybe this is a worthwhile spend for some QUANTA funds? Or would this be deemed pushing it as it isn't QL native hardware...?? Darren. >Dilwyn Jones _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
