Super Snapshot V4.0

A Review

By Bob Nunn

I just received my upgrade from version 3 and was anxious to see all the new
features. For those of you not familiar with Super Snapshot it is a
multi-function cartridge that allows you to do several things. For my money,
it is the best cartridge of this type and I have seen all of them including,
the Final Cartridge among others.

Super Snapshot Main Features

  1. Fast Copy Functions

  2. Archival Functions

  3. Screen Copy

  4. DOS Wedge

  5. Code Inspector

  6. Boot Sector for the 64!

  7. Turbo DOS

  8. Extended Life

  9. Drive Monitor

 10. Other Functions

The FAST COPY FUNCTIONS are mainly what I use the Snapshot Cartridge for.  It
has a built-in file copier that supports 1541, 1571, 1581 copying from any
combination. It supports device numbers 8, 9, 10, 11.  The copier is super
quick and being able to move files around from my 81 and 41 drives make
running a bbs or any job I need to do with the computer faster.  Its main
drawback here though is that it will not copy relative files.  The file
copying functions are there when you boot up the system as the cartridge comes
up with the power. No loading programs.  The full disk copy features however
have been moved to a support disk that accompanies the cartridge and is
designed to auto boot on your 64! The file copier has an extended 239 blk
buffer thanks to the extra space available in the 8 k of RAM the cartridge
boasts. The file copier now supports copying to and from partitions on the
1581!!

ARCHIVAL FUNCTIONS are what many people buy this cartridge for. Its Snapshot
Process allows you to save all the memory after pressing the break button.
What this means to me is that if it takes me unusually long to set up a term
program that doesn't have a way to save the configuration, I can snapshot it
after setting it up and save it.  Then when I load up the program it comes up
with my configuration.  This allows you to make an unprotected backup of most
programs that don't go back to the disk, which loads much faster and doesn't
reck your drive heads. This one is as simple as they come. First you configure
the memory from the menu prompt, load your program and then press the button
at the point you want to freeze it. It will then prompt you for a filename and
to insert your disk.  What could be easier?  It doesn't work with all
programs, however. I have been trying to make a 1581 version of Print Shop for
some time for example and have yet to accomplish it. They do provide a
selection for parameters that allow you to back up many programs. The disk
also includes SHOTGUN II! It still is very useful in this area and I wouldn't
want to live without it.

SCREEN COPY is what all of you who read this get to see frequently. It allows
you to stop a program at any stage and copy the screen. Version 4.0 is much
improved here as it now copies sprites. Sprites are anything that moves on the
screen like for example a waterfall. With version 3 you missed all that and
what you got sometimes was less than adequate. Printer types supported are
1525, 1526 and Epson. This may not sound like much but that covers a broad
group. The Epson is compatible with my NX1000 and it also works with the
popular Panasonic 1092.  In fact, this will support most printers out there. I
would suggest you borrow and try one out if unsure. It also appears to me that
they have improved the format somehow. The screens printouts seem to be much
better than before.

DOS WEDGE is a feature that I use all the time. I use the Wedge built into
Jiffy Dos more frequently but this one is adequate and will allow you to get
along just fine if you don't have Jiffy Dos.

CODE INSPECTOR is a feature I personally use the least. Unless you know a bit
about machine language you will likely feel the same. I hope in the future to
learn more as this feature allows you to enter a running program and find out
what is going on in the system, and without corrupting it, so you can return
to where you were at with the program still running! Also included with this
monitor is the ability to edit the track and sector of your choice.

BOOT SECTOR for the 64! Yes, you heard me, now you can have your programs
autoboot at powerup just like the 128!  This utility is on the accompanying
disk and is menu driven and easy to use.

TURBO DOS is what the people at Snapshot call their program that enables fast
loading and saving. It works with the 41, 71, 81 and most compatibles. It
boasts time savings up to 15 times and is fairly compatible with most but
certainly not all programs. They have added utilities to the disk that allows
you to make Turbo Booter for most of your favorite programs and these fast
loading programs then will work with or without the cartridge.

EXTENDED LIFE is something that some of us would welcome in real life. When
you get to a certain place in a game, say near the final level you hit the
button. This can give you a breather and then let you resume the game. Or, if
you get killed just press the button and instead of starting all over at level
1 you are back were you where!

DRIVE MONITOR is new to version 4. With this module you can examine and modify
memory in the drive.

OTHER USEFUL FEATURES include a sprite monitor where you can view all the
sprites used in the current program. Included on the disk is a sprite editor,
and an extended basic called basic plus.

Lastly, the company provides 24 hour BBS support. They boast answers to most
question in no more than two or three days. They also say they like for
subscribers to offer suggestions so that they may continue to improve the
product.  My upgrade was well worth the $19.95. If you are looking for a
cartridge to do more than just speed up a few programs then Super Snapshot
V4.0 may well be the one for you. You can order one from Software Support
International, 2700 NE Andresan Rd., Vancouver, WA. 98661 for $64.95 and it
includes the disk.
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