Commodore 64 User Manual page 9

A Datassette recorder costs approximately $75,
as compared to the S35 to $45 cost for a reg
ular recorder. However, because of its advan
tages, many people consider a Datassette
worth the investment. You can purchase a
Datassette at most computer stores.
If you already have a good cassette recorder
and you don't mind connecting a few extra
cables, you can get an interface to connect
your recorder to your VIC or 64. The cassette
interface is a cable that serves as an adapter
between the computer and a standard cas
sette player. It changes the type of electrical
impulse so that the two pieces of equipment
can communicate. Suitable adapters are sold at
most stores that sell computer equipment.
Diskettes: More Storage, Higher Cost
Diskettes (sometimes called floppy disks or sim
ply disks) look like thin stereo records. Pro
grams are stored on the magnetic surface of
the disk inside the protective, nonremovable
jacket. When you buy commercial software
programs on diskettes, these programs typi
cally cost about $5 more than cassette
programs.
If you are using diskettes, you also need a
Commodore disk drive. A disk drive is like the
stereo on which you play your records. The
disk head inside the drive goes directly to the
program that you want to run—much like a
stereo needle. Loading a program into the
computer from a disk drive is much faster than
loading a program from a cassette player.
Commodore disk drive, to be used with
diskettes for the VIC and 64.
Although blank diskettes (for storing your own
data and programs) are relatively inexpensive,
blank diskettes still cost about three times as
much as blank cassettes. The disk drive itself
costs hundreds of dollars. In the long run,
however, diskettes may save you money.
Disk programs certainly have their advantages.
First, they are much faster to load into the
computer. Second, they are more reliable:
every program saved on a diskette is auto
matically verified, to make sure that the copy
matches the original. [Doing this with a cas
sette takes extra steps.) And third, each disk
ette can hold twenty or more programs, as
opposed to the recommended one program on
each side of a cassette. Therefore you will
need fewer diskettes because they can hold
more. If you create a lot of your own pro
grams or store a lot of information, diskettes
may be cheaper and more manageable than
cassettes in the long run.
Why Not Use Both Cassettes and
Diskettes?
Eventually, you may want to have both a disk
drive and a cassette recorder. You can use the
disk drive for your own programs and those
sold or exchanged on diskette, but hang on to
the cassette recorder for the many programs
available only on cassette.
This ends our list of essential equipment for
your computer. You'll read about other often-
used gear in Chapter 4, "Peripherals." You'll
also learn more about buying and using soft
ware programs in Chapter 5, "Software."
WHAT COMPONENTS COME WITH
YOUR COMPUTER?
Your computer comes with the following
components:
• The computer keyboard console, which con
tains the keyboard and the circuitry that
runs the computer.
• A TV/game switch box, which allows you to
use the TV either as a TV or as a screen for
your computer.
• A modulator (FOR THE VIC ONLY], which
you connect to both the computer and the
TV. The modulator converts the VIC's video
output into a signal that most TVs can
understand. (The modulator for the 64 is
built into the computer.)
• A hook-up cable, which connects the TV/
game switch box to the modulator {ON THE
VICJ or to the computer [ON THE 64).
• A power connector box, which connects to
the computer and an electrical outlet. This
component gives the computer the power to
run.
• An instruction book and some important
papers. Don't lose any of these, especially
the warranty card. If anything goes wrong
with your computer during the first three
months you have it, your dealer may give
you another in trade, as long as you can
prove when and where you bought it.
You will also need a television or monitor,
which lets you view what you type into the
computer, as well as the computer's responses
to you.
Now it's time to get started. The next few
pages will show you how to set up your
computer.