8903

Date/TimeFromToReply ToNumberSee AlsoSubject
01 Mar 89 01:03:5Len RubinSysop-23mysteries
01 Mar 89 05:16:0SysopLen Rubin235FADDER
01 Mar 89 08:08:0SysopAll-4-ARchived Messages
01 Mar 89 16:12:2Victor RobertsSysop356FADDER
01 Mar 89 22:17:1SysopVictor Roberts56-FADDER
02 Mar 89 14:31:0Mark StueberEveryone-7-Z88 TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL
02 Mar 89 14:36:0Mark StueberPublic-8-Z88 PRICE
03 Mar 89 09:26:1Len RubinAll-910New Programs
03 Mar 89 12:13:3SysopLen Rubin91015Programs
03 Mar 89 20:19:2Victor RobertsAll-1112EDBAS.CLI
03 Mar 89 22:12:3SysopVictor Roberts111214Uploads
03 Mar 89 22:13:2SysopAll-13-Index Card Program
03 Mar 89 22:46:1SysopVictor Roberts1214-EDBAS.CLI
03 Mar 89 22:49:3SysopLen Rubin1015-CRDFIL
04 Mar 89 11:43:0SysopAll-16-CRDFIL
04 Mar 89 17:43:0Phill JacksonMichael Costello-1720MacLink
04 Mar 89 17:52:0Phill JacksonSysop-1819TDD 2
04 Mar 89 19:44:0SysopPhill Jackson181923Used TDD2
04 Mar 89 19:46:3SysopPhill Jackson172026Mac and Z88
04 Mar 89 20:31:3Chris FennSysop-2122CRDFIL.BAS
04 Mar 89 21:02:2SysopChris Fenn2122-CRDFIL
05 Mar 89 10:19:1Bruce DurocherAll-2440Basic and RAM
05 Mar 89 10:57:0Bruce DurocherAll-2527Reading Msg's.
05 Mar 89 16:48:0Phill JacksonSysop202628Null Modem z88/Mac
05 Mar 89 17:26:1SysopBruce Durocher252757FAst message read
05 Mar 89 17:32:1SysopPhill Jackson262832Mac Null Mdm
05 Mar 89 18:33:5Chris FennAll-2930HO HUM..
05 Mar 89 19:24:5SysopChris Fenn2930-Pico
05 Mar 89 19:25:5SysopAll-31-New CRDFIL.BAS/CLI/INF
07 Mar 89 05:36:3Phill JacksonSysop283239SE Pinout
07 Mar 89 05:45:0Phill JacksonAll-3334EPROM LIFE
07 Mar 89 22:15:2SysopPhill Jackson333460Eprom Life
08 Mar 89 15:10:1John SellSysop-3536Z88/Modem Cable
08 Mar 89 20:07:3Phill JacksonJohn Sell353637Cable
08 Mar 89 21:06:3SysopJohn Sell363738Z88 Modem Cable
08 Mar 89 21:08:2SysopPhill Jackson3738-Cables
09 Mar 89 00:58:3SysopPhill Jackson323941Mac Cables
09 Mar 89 01:02:3SysopBruce Durocher2440-Basic and RAM
09 Mar 89 19:10:0SysopPhill Jackson394144Mac Cables for Null Mdm
09 Mar 89 21:07:5Chris FennSysop-42431000
09 Mar 89 21:41:2SysopChris Fenn4243-1000+
10 Mar 89 07:20:5Phill JacksonSysop414445Null Modem
10 Mar 89 13:22:1SysopPhill Jackson444567Mac Null Mdm
11 Mar 89 00:13:1Len RubinAll-46-Messages CRDFIL etc.
11 Mar 89 00:16:2Len RubinPhill Jackson-4766TDD 2 Offer
11 Mar 89 12:32:4Victor RobertsSysop-4950CRDFIL
11 Mar 89 13:14:1SysopVictor Roberts495051CRDFIL & Z88COM
12 Mar 89 06:41:5Victor RobertsSysop5051-crdfil
12 Mar 89 07:15:3Victor RobertsSysop-52-CDRFIL
12 Mar 89 08:23:4Victor RobertsSysop-5354CRDFIL fix???
12 Mar 89 09:17:0SysopVictor Roberts5354-CRDFIL edit fix
12 Mar 89 09:40:1SysopAll-55-Minor CRDFIL Update
12 Mar 89 11:07:0Bruce DurocherSysop-56-Basic & RAM
12 Mar 89 11:09:5Bruce DurocherSysop2757-Fast read
12 Mar 89 12:40:1SysopAll-58-New CRDFIL
13 Mar 89 14:29:2Jim TittslerSysop3460-EPROM life
13 Mar 89 18:33:4Victor RobertsAll-6162EPROM Eraser
13 Mar 89 18:38:3SysopVictor Roberts616263Eraser
13 Mar 89 21:49:0Chris FennSysop626364Big Business
13 Mar 89 23:19:3Len RubinVictor Roberts636468Eprom erasers
14 Mar 89 15:18:0Victor RobertsAll-65-EPROM Eraser
14 Mar 89 18:51:5Phill JacksonLen Rubin4766-Drive
14 Mar 89 19:04:4Phill JacksonSysop456790Null
14 Mar 89 23:39:5Curtis ClaarChris Fenn646885Business
15 Mar 89 00:10:4Curtis ClaarAll-69-MacLite
15 Mar 89 20:12:5SysopAll-70-New CRDFIL
15 Mar 89 20:16:0SysopAll-71-New Files From U.K. Users Group
16 Mar 89 01:03:2Curtis ClaarAll-7273Connecting Point
16 Mar 89 17:07:2SysopCurtis Claar727376MacLite
16 Mar 89 20:29:3Charlie CarlonSysop-7477Online
16 Mar 89 23:16:3Curtis ClaarSysop737682MacLite
16 Mar 89 23:28:4Curtis ClaarSysop-7883Cambridege reference
17 Mar 89 18:25:0Bob HeelsAll-79-QUESTIONS?
17 Mar 89 21:07:3SysopCharlie Carlon7780-OnLine
17 Mar 89 21:10:1SysopChris Fenn7581-Huddle
17 Mar 89 21:11:5SysopCurtis Claar7682-Connecting Points
17 Mar 89 21:12:5SysopCurtis Claar7883-Referesnce
17 Mar 89 23:21:3Len RubinAll-8486Codebreaker
18 Mar 89 04:40:0Victor RobertsCurtis Claar688587EPROM
18 Mar 89 07:09:1SysopLen Rubin8486-CodeBreaker
18 Mar 89 07:10:4SysopVictor Roberts8587-Users
18 Mar 89 07:14:5SysopLen Rubin-88-CardBase
18 Mar 89 08:25:3Chris FennAll-89-UK STUFF
18 Mar 89 09:16:1Bryant PattenMichael Costello6790-Mac & Z88
18 Mar 89 18:16:3Chris FennCurtis Claar-91-Conn. Point
18 Mar 89 21:27:2Len RubinAll-9293EPCAT new stuff
19 Mar 89 08:24:2SysopLen Rubin9293-Stuff
19 Mar 89 20:08:5SysopBob Heels-94-Reply to Questions
20 Mar 89 14:21:5SysopAll-95-New BBS BAsic Book
20 Mar 89 22:39:0Stuart LeonardSinclair Ql Users-96-QL User Meeting
1 Mar 89 05:54:41SysopDavid Burnham-97-Downloads
21 Mar 89 17:04:4Victor RobertsAll-9899New Upload - EPCHK.CLI
21 Mar 89 18:12:0SysopVictor Roberts9899101Upload
21 Mar 89 18:12:4SysopAll-100-CRDFIL Mod
21 Mar 89 20:01:1Victor RobertsAll-103105Warning on EP-READ
21 Mar 89 20:41:2Chris FennSysop-104-Resolved mysteries
21 Mar 89 22:04:5SysopVictor Roberts103105107EP-READ
21 Mar 89 22:07:3SysopAll-106-BBC Ref Manual Summary
22 Mar 89 12:20:1SysopVictor Roberts105107110EP-READ Fix
22 Mar 89 16:01:5Don GerueSysop-108-Notes from new Z88 User
22 Mar 89 16:05:4Don GerueSysop-109111Notes from new user Pt 2
22 Mar 89 16:18:2Victor RobertsSysop107110112EP-READ vs EPLOAD
22 Mar 89 16:35:0SysopDon Gerue109111117Stuff 'n Things
22 Mar 89 16:38:4SysopVictor Roberts110112119EP-Read
22 Mar 89 21:08:5Chris FennAll-113-GAMES
23 Mar 89 16:58:4Victor RobertsAll-114-Time to erase EPROM
23 Mar 89 23:23:2Len RubinSysop-115116CRDFIL EPLOAD etc.
24 Mar 89 02:31:2SysopLen Rubin115116118Misc
24 Mar 89 13:55:2Don GerueSysop111117122Stuff'n Things
24 Mar 89 20:08:3Chris FennLen Rubin116118124try DIARY?
25 Mar 89 05:48:3Bob HeelsVictor Roberts112119-S.SGN
25 Mar 89 05:54:3Bob HeelsAll-120121UPGARDE
25 Mar 89 06:57:2SysopBob Heels120121-Z-Term Upgrade
25 Mar 89 22:16:4George BondSysop117122129This board
25 Mar 89 23:58:1Len RubinAll-123125Stuff
26 Mar 89 00:08:3Len RubinChris Fenn118124127DIARY SUGGESTION
26 Mar 89 05:47:2Victor RobertsLen Rubin123125128Changing EPROMs
26 Mar 89 09:04:2Victor RobertsSysop-126-Error handler for EPCHK
26 Mar 89 09:50:1Chris FennLen Rubin124127-SUSPENDERS
26 Mar 89 23:23:3Len RubinVictor Roberts125128130EPROMS
27 Mar 89 11:56:5SysopGeorge Bond122129131BBS
27 Mar 89 11:59:0SysopLen Rubin128130137Stuff
27 Mar 89 12:14:1SysopGeorge Bond129131132PATCH Pgms
27 Mar 89 13:35:5George BondSysop131132133Patches/COMM88
27 Mar 89 14:42:4SysopGeorge Bond132133134COMM88
27 Mar 89 15:01:3SysopGeorge Bond133134135COMM88
28 Mar 89 14:32:4George BondSysop134135151comm88
28 Mar 89 14:33:4George BondVictor Roberts-136144comm88
28 Mar 89 21:23:0Len RubinSysop130137-last message
29 Mar 89 04:17:2Paul BinghamAll-138139PIPELINE
29 Mar 89 05:53:0SysopPaul Bingham138139148Kudos
29 Mar 89 07:25:1Donald BarnardAnybody[d[d[d-140-z88 support
29 Mar 89 07:32:4Donald BarnardSysop-141-Z88 trouble
29 Mar 89 11:05:3Ken WishnuffSysoip-142143xmodem download to z88
29 Mar 89 12:29:3SysopKen Wishnuff142143-Xmodem
29 Mar 89 17:04:3Victor RobertsGeorge Bond136144145COMM88
29 Mar 89 17:19:4Victor RobertsGeorge Bond144145167Another thought on COMM88
29 Mar 89 17:25:0Victor RobertsSysop-146147Reply from Jerry Pournelle
29 Mar 89 17:31:2SysopVictor Roberts146147156Pournelle
29 Mar 89 17:53:5Paul BinghamSysop139148157BBS
29 Mar 89 17:56:5Paul BinghamPhill Jackson-149150Mac RS 422 to RS 232C
29 Mar 89 18:26:4SysopPaul Bingham149150-Mac Cable
30 Mar 89 02:14:5Tim WoodsSysop135151152comm88
30 Mar 89 06:09:1SysopTim Woods151152165COMM88
30 Mar 89 18:07:2Phill JacksonLen Rubin-154159Sent
30 Mar 89 18:17:3Phill JacksonLen Rubin-155160Names
30 Mar 89 20:01:4Chris FennVictor Roberts147156164Poof!
30 Mar 89 20:06:3Chris FennPaul Bingham148157-Greetings
30 Mar 89 22:35:3SysopJohn Amaral-158-Files Downloaded
30 Mar 89 23:28:4Len RubinAll-161162anecdotes etc.
31 Mar 89 06:14:4SysopLen Rubin161162166Miscellany
31 Mar 89 07:44:4Bruce DurocherAll-163171Help?!
1 Mar 89 17:30:17Victor RobertsSysop156164-Pournelle
1 Mar 89 17:34:18Victor RobertsTim Woods152165-COMM88
1 Mar 89 17:40:45Victor RobertsLen Rubin162166169Z88 to Z88
31 Mar 89 18:55:2George BondVictor Roberts145167168comm88
1 Mar 89 21:13:35George BondVictor Roberts167168-other modem

ARCHIVED BBS MESSAGES -- MARCH 1989
-----------------------------------

#2 39 01 Mar 89 01:03:57 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #3
Subj: mysteries

I have spent the last 40 minutes in fruitless attempts to use FADDER. So far,
no matter what I do, the result is a blank file! That is to say, I create a
file, evoke FADDER, specify the file & output file, hit enter, get a nearly
instantaneous beep, and, upon loading what I hope to be my file plus linefeeds,
instead find a TOTALLY BLANK FILE .
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!
-LBR




 #3 39 01 Mar 89 05:16:07 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #2 SEE ALSO #5
Subj: FADDER

It is indeed a mystery Len. Always works fine for me. But you've given me
very little info (clues) to go on.
1) How big is the original file?
2) What file names are you using?
3) What type of file is the original file? ASCII?
4) How was the original file created?
5) How much free memory do you have at the time of running?
6) Is the exit from the program normal (i.e., do you go back to a for
another file to process)?
7) Do you see the flashing "working..." while running?
8) When you say you are "loading" the file at the end, what does that
mean? PipeDream will not know the diff between a file with LF's and
one without, since it does not use them
9) Has FADDER ever worked for you?
My first idea is that you could have a bad copy of FADDER. So I suggest that
you download a new one.

Phil




 #4 38 01 Mar 89 08:08:01
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: ARchived Messages

Messages in this primary message area will now be purged after one month
(roughly a one-month moving window), and renumbered. This will make the
system run faster and let you search for recent mail without going back to day
1!

On a monthly basis I will archive messages in File Area 5, in the style
AREA1MSG.D88 (Dec 1988), AREA1MSG.289 (Feb 89), etc. For new users or those
who want to review old messages, these files can be downloaded more
conveniently than they can while in the message base.

I think this will make the system run faster and more "user-friendly".

Phil




 #5 36 01 Mar 89 16:12:26 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #3 SEE ALSO #6
Subj: FADDER

When I was working on UNTAB and playing with DETAB I found that if
my system did not have enough memory to store the target file it would NOT
give me an error message, but would either leave the target file empty or not
create it at all. (I don't remember which.) Also, remember that you need
sufficient space in the specific "device" (i.e. RAM card) you are writing to.
The free memory command gives total free memory in all devices. Based on this,
I would "second" one of your first questions: "how big was the file?" Before
downloading another version of FADDER it might be worthwile to test it on a
very small file.
Vic




 #6 40 01 Mar 89 22:17:11 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #5
Subj: FADDER

And the other thing is that Basic takes 40K+ in an expanded machine (128K RAM
or more in slot 1). So as soon as you go to Basic, memory available goes down
40K from where it was before -- or so the developers nots suggest.

Phil




 #7 41 02 Mar 89 14:31:08
From: Mark Stueber
To: Everyone
Subj: Z88 TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL

THE NEW Z88 TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL WILL BE AVAILABLE
NEXT WEEK. $34.95 + $1 s&h. SUPERCHIP-3 IS ALSO AVAILABLE
WITH ZTERM, zBASE, ZTAPE ALL ON 1 CHIP. WRITE OR CALL:
SHARP'S
BOX 326
MECHANICSVILLE, VA. 23111
(804) 730-9697
FAX (804) 746-1978




 #8 38 02 Mar 89 14:36:08
From: Mark Stueber
To: Public
Subj: Z88 PRICE

SHARP'S HAS DROPPED THE PRICE ON Z88'S TO $449.95.




 #9 34 03 Mar 89 09:26:16
From: Len Rubin
To: All
SEE ALSO #10
Subj: New Programs

Well, it's really great that Phil, Chris, Victor and others are writing, using
Basic and M/L programs and folks are inquiring about Forth, etc., but on a
more banal plane...how 'bout some fun graphics, games (visual), typing tutors,
American spell-checkers, forms generating programs (one of the most impressive
applications for the z88 is in the hands of outdoor sales reps, but they need
convenient purchase order/sales receipt capability, and many of them know
little or nothing about computers), printer driver codes for various laser
printers, z-base applications that are more friendly (even with the "Front
End" suite, this is a very limited and TEDIOUS package--but it need not be),
etc. for general business & pleasure use outside of the "techie" world?
Along these lines...I eagerly await my acquisition of disk drive and
operating system from Terry Kepner, et al., as this will allow me to sell the
five (5) EPROMs that I currently have filled with utilities, spreadsheets,
receipts (I use Pipedream to draw crude forms), personnel databases, etc.
The swapping of EPROMS is beginning to really bug me.
Now, if someone could only get started developing a VIDEO INTERFACE...
-Len




 #10 40 03 Mar 89 12:13:36 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #9 SEE ALSO #15
Subj: Programs

Gee, Len -- you should give it a shot! I am, personally, NOT very
game and graphics oriented. And I tend to write only programs which I will
use extensively -- and therefore make work really well. My two high priority
projects were a DOS and a comm program. When Nuge and I talked in November,
he showed interest in doing a DOS -- so we exchanged notes on that topic and
off he went. And now we will soon have both available. And the current
verwsion of the OS works just fine for me.

Graphics can be done, but you need the patches to do it well. The patch
programs (PATPCW &PAT2PCW are the best versions to get) provide a really good
set of graphic commands in Basic, as documented in Z88PATCH.DOC/PD.

My current project is a standalone Card File program, a rether simplistic
free-form database which I am converting from the Model 100 program done by
Tony Anderson. Some time ago he gave me permission to do a conversion and
make it available; that one may interest you.

Phil

p.s. -- One of these days I expect to get a Card BAse front end from UK --
which Clive Salvidge (zBase developer) recommends very highly. Keep you
posted on that.




 #11 39 03 Mar 89 20:19:28
From: Victor Roberts
To: All
SEE ALSO #12
Subj: EDBAS.CLI

I have uploaded two files: EDBAS.CLI and EDBAS.DOC

EDBAS.CLI is a BASIC line editor for the Z88. Except for a
few additional REMarks, it has been copied verbatim from a
technical note I received from M-TEC Computer Services in the UK,
publishers of BBCBASIC documentation.

It seems to function like the editors in PATPCW.BAS or
PAT2PCW.BAS, but is not as convenient to use. It must be reloaded
each time a NEW command is issued, while PATPCW.BAS and
PAT2PCW.BAS remain part of BASIC after they are CHAINed (until
that particular copy of BASIC is KILLed). I therefore recommend
that people use PATPCW.BAS or PAT2PCW.BAS for "general purpose"
editing.

If I don't recommend EDBAS.CLI, why have I uploaded it?
Well, it's useful as an educational tool for those users who,
like me, have wondered how a BASIC line editor works. Neither
PATPCW.BAS nor PAT2PCW.BAS are available in "source code"
version, and my attempts to LIST them have failed. EDBAS.CLI is a
Z88 BASIC program in text form which you append to the end of
your Z88 BASIC programs as described in the DOC file. You can therefore
study its operation if you like.

Instructions for loading and running EDBAS.CLI are in the
REMarks and the DOC file.




#12 36 03 Mar 89 22:12:38 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #11 SEE ALSO #14
Subj: Uploads

Thanks for the uplaods, Vic. Will get them available forthwith!

Phil




 #13 36 03 Mar 89 22:13:23
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: Index Card Program

I have just added to Area 1 the program CRDFIL, a standalone index card data
base program for the Z88. Genesis and original/new copyright notices are in
the REM's. usage is per CRDFIL.DOC. Program was written for the model 100 by
Tony Anderson fo the CIS M100 Forum -- and he has kindly permitted me to
convert it and make it available here.

In doing the program, I found an interesting foible in the OPENUP command in
Basic. This is summarized in the file OPENUP.TIP in ARea 2.

Phil




 #14 34 03 Mar 89 22:46:13 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #12
Subj: EDBAS.CLI

Interesting: That code is essentially identical to an editor in the
Developers' Notes, page 145. There it is a part of an Application intended to
burned into an EProm. I used that in doping out PATCH, and deciding how to
fix it.

I'm glad you uploaded it, for info at least. But I agree re the PATPCW and
PAT2PCW files being more functional -- and they add graphics, too!

Phil




 #15 39 03 Mar 89 22:49:31 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #10
Subj: CRDFIL

The new CRDFIL files in ARea 1 may interest you. Allows easy definition and
use of a "free-form" index card data base. And it is wholly self contained.

Will eventually provide a support program to print out the cards or data
within the cards.

Let me know what you think.

Phil




 #16 33 04 Mar 89 11:43:00
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: CRDFIL

You will find, soon enuff, that CRDFIL does not provide a capability to edit
"cards" already created. Since it is likely that we can use the CLI "tricks"
([]+S or []+P) to print the output to file or printer, I will next look into
adding the editing capability.

In the M100 version, the editing is done with a separate stand-alone program.
I will look into integrating it with the main program as another menu option.

This is strictly a "time available" project -- so watch this space!

Phil




 #17 31 04 Mar 89 17:43:08
From: Phill Jackson
To: Michael Costello
SEE ALSO #20
Subj: MacLink

Michael,
I have been using a Z88 with my MaC SE. I have been taking meeting notes,
returning to my office, plugging in the supplied cable and opening the Z88
transfer program on my SE. Twin windows, just like Works Transfer or Font/DA
Mover. Text files (Saved to RAM 1) come over as McWrite, but open fine in
Word 3.1. In McWrite, boldface, underlining and (maybe italics?) are
preserved.
Also did a PIpedream to Excel transfer. Quite slow, but it worked.
One GREAT PAIN is the cable supplied by Cambridge. The Mac end has a big fat
rubber collar around it and, to date, I can't get it to plug into my home SE;
it just won't go in far enough. At work I have been able to plug it in, but
it takes force, and it shouldn't. Best results have come from plugging it
into an AB dataswitch I use; that has the socket mounted more shallowly and
mating is easier.
If only used for text, I wonder if the MacLink is necessary. This PM I am
going to make a null modem cable and try sending across ASCII files using the
built Terminal program. I don't think that being able to do fancy typefaces
on the Z88 is all that valuable. I always want to reformat in the SE anyway.
If the null modem works, I'll mention it here.
Phill Jackson




 #18 33 04 Mar 89 17:52:05 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #19
Subj: TDD 2

I have a TDD 2 that I used with my M100. A friend of mine has it now but I
may recover it and if so, it would be available for sale. Let me know if
anyone is interested.
For rough condition travelling (cycle camping) I found that I preferred to
use the small cassette recorder Tandy offered rather than the bulkier and more
fragile disk. I dumped memory every few days to tape and then reloaded when I
got home and ported to the Mac. Never lost a character on tape; don't know
how tape would work with the Z88 but would be interested to hear.
Phill




 #19 31 04 Mar 89 19:44:01
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #18 SEE ALSO #23
Subj: Used TDD2

Best bet is to mention a price and see what happens.

It is most likely that the Z88 DOS will come packaged with a TDD2 -- making it
unecessary for folks to buy their own; but some may want to.
So you can likely sell it -- and the M100 Forum of Compuserve is also a good
place to advertize (active movement of most theings 100!)

Phil




 #20 34 04 Mar 89 19:46:39 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #17 SEE ALSO #26
Subj: Mac and Z88

Any info you can provide re Macs and Z88 will be of interest.
And if you have a LaserWriter printer driver for Z88 (PrintEd), please share
it with us.

Phil




 #21 30 04 Mar 89 20:31:31 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #22
Subj: CRDFIL.BAS


Phil, it's nice to see something familiar like CRDFIL.BAS. I
remember using it on my trusty old M200, and as usual you did it
justice (nice conversion). The only trouble I had with it on my 200
was that I had bought cheap 24K ram chips for it & my text was
always peppered with the dreaded "^@" which made the files fall
apart (at least I think that was the culprit). So I didn't bother to
set up any kind of database files on the 200. Anyway I don't have
that problem with the Z88. I find Pipedream acceptable as a database
& I haven't tried ZBASE yet, but the CRDFIL files look very
presentable.





#22 33 04 Mar 89 21:02:29 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Chris Fenn
REPLY TO #21
Subj: CRDFIL

Seems to me that CRDFIL will meet the need of someone who wants an index card
kind of set up with out a lot of bother. I am in the process of getting the
editing capability installed, adn may finish it tomorrow, chores allowing.
Glad you like the conversion!

Phil





 #24 31 05 Mar 89 10:19:13
From: Bruce Durocher
To: All
SEE ALSO #40
Subj: Basic and RAM

For those of us with (temporarily, I hope) unexpanded machines, an
estimate of which basic programs will run would be a great service. My boss
couldn't get any of the terminal programs I gave him to run with a 32K RAM
pack, and now that he has a 128K he wonders if he's OK for now? As a matter
of fact, until payday and my paycheck, is there anything I can run in my
cartridgeless machine?




 #25 32 05 Mar 89 10:57:03
From: Bruce Durocher
To: All
SEE ALSO #27
Subj: Reading Msg's.

Is there a way that I can do a continuous message read, and look over the
messages at home to reply to them? Even at 2400 baud, calling California is a
bit more expensive than I'd like, and the time I spend getting past the [next]
message is driving me batty. Have I missed/forgotten something? Thanks!




 #26 34 05 Mar 89 16:48:04 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #20 SEE ALSO #28
Subj: Null Modem z88/Mac

Hi,
As I mentioned last time, I am trying to make a null modem to allow me to
upload text to the Mac without the expense of the translation program. I have
had some, though not complete success: details follow.

The pattern for the cable is:
Mac z88
1 to 2
3 --------------------3
4 --------------------7
5 --------------------2
4 to 5 to 8
I connected the Z88 port to the SE modem port, started up Red Ryder on the SE
and terminal on the Z88.

Anything I typed on the Z88 was displayed on the SE, but the Z88 fiils to
respond to the SE signals.

I saved a Pipedream text file as text, then sent it via Export to the SE where
it was received in RR capture buffer. (I sent the file at 1200 baud, tried
9600 but got some errors) File came across fine, with the filename and
directory pasted in front. C/Rs were at each line end.

I would like for it to work both ways, maybe someone can help out who knows
more about serial communications.

If you write your Pipedream files without worrying about tabs, but separating
the paragraphs with an extra C/R, reformatting in Word takes only a minute or
two.

1) Search and replace all double C/R with something else:
Find ^p^p Replace with ##
2) Search and replace all single c/r with spaces
Find ^p Replace with (space)
3) Search and replace all something elses with C/R + tab
Find ## Replace with ^p^p^t

The result is a nicely formatted text which you can easily print with the
margins, typestyles, etc of your choice.

Phill




 #27 31 05 Mar 89 17:26:17 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Bruce Durocher
REPLY TO #25 SEE ALSO #57
Subj: FAst message read

Some tips, Bruce -- and they may help others, too.

The fastest way to get messages is one month at a time, after the month is
over. Three such message files (Dec, Jan, Feb) are in file area 5 now.

Otherwise: Set your help level to 1 and turn off "More" in the Change option
of the main menu. Then in the message system do R #### where #### is the
first message you want to read. Aftter doing that, just hit a whole gob of
ENTERs. I've been able to read lots of messages in a row that way (maybe
30-50 at a shot). Then an bit later hit ENTER a bunch more times, etc.

Phil




 #28 34 05 Mar 89 17:32:12 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #26 SEE ALSO #32
Subj: Mac Null Mdm

Ummm..Phill, tell me your Mac pinouts for RS-232 -- that is, what the manual
calls each pin (TXD, RXD, CTS, RTS, DSR, etc.). And how many pins (nine, I
assume now). Then I can reverse engineer my PC null modem prescription.

Phil




 #29 29 05 Mar 89 18:33:56
From: Chris Fenn
To: All
SEE ALSO #30
Subj: HO HUM..


Well it's too bad that PICO had to ride off into the sunset. I really
enjoyed the way they reported on little computers of all kinds with
good emphasis on the M100 class computers (including the Z88).
I had just renewed my subscription days before they hit the skids. As a
consolation I recieved confirmation that my subscription would be
fulfilled by "Portable Computer Review"(I think that's the right name).
I for one am underwhelmed. This publication seems to support mainly the
higher up machines or anything that "Traveling Software" supports,
abundant accollades for the NEC Ultralite; a machine that will set you
back mucho-dinero and never let you venture more than about two hours
from an AC outlet. I guess what really steams me is that they didn't
even bother to include the Z88 in their newest Buyers Guide (if we
ignore it, it might go away).

------\
/------\/|
| RIP |/|
* | PICO |/|
* *^ | 1989 |/|
\*^// | |/
\|/. . .---.--
... . . ...
. .. . .. .. .
. .. . .. . .. .
. . . . . .







#30 33 05 Mar 89 19:24:54 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Chris Fenn
REPLY TO #29
Subj: Pico

Nice epitapth, Chris. I will have to ask Mike Nugent to get a copy to Terry
kepner!

Phil




 #31 36 05 Mar 89 19:25:50
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: New CRDFIL.BAS/CLI/INF

I have now added editing to this program, letting you edit (or delete)
individual "cards" in your card file. Again I have helped myself to code in
the equivalent Model 100 versions -- tho the full integration of edit was
never accomplished in the 100 version (well, not yet!).

There is, at the end, a CLI program to do Delete and Rename of files in
symbolic form (i.e., F$ instead of explicit FILE.EXT format). This will be of
interest to programmers, and is the reason the program will seem to "run amok"
at the end of an editing session. Often my programs will run amok
unexpectedly; this, like EPLOAD, does so intentiionally!

Phil




 #32 30 07 Mar 89 05:36:32 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #28 SEE ALSO #39
Subj: SE Pinout

Phil,
Apple always does things differently; their port is not quite normal:
View from business end of Male plug

6 7 8
3 4 5
1 2

1= HSKO (HANDSHAKE OUTPUT
2= HSKI (HANDSHAKE INPUT)
3= TXD-
4= GND
5=RXD-
6=TXD+
7=GENERAL PURPOSE INPUT
RXD+

Now; all is clear, yes?
Apple pinout from Applelink Pro has Hayes cables wired using pins 3 & 5 so I
did the same with my null modem, crossing them of course. As I said, the mac
recognizes the Z88 but not the other way around.

Interested to hear your thinking on this.........Phill




 #33 33 07 Mar 89 05:45:05
From: Phill Jackson
To: All
SEE ALSO #34
Subj: EPROM LIFE

Hi,
Enlighten me someone, is there any limit to the number of times that an
EPROM can be erased?

The other Phil(l)




 #34 31 07 Mar 89 22:15:21 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #33 SEE ALSO #60
Subj: Eprom Life

Gee -- dunno. Good question. I would guess no limit.

Phil




 #35 31 08 Mar 89 15:10:13 (RECV'D)
From: John Sell
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #36
Subj: Z88/Modem Cable

I'm desperate for a modem cable for my Z88 to Hayes' Smartmodem-compatible;
got one back-ordered with Cambridge for weeks. Trying to rig my own
unsuccessfully. Do you know the 9 to 25 pin connections?




 #36 30 08 Mar 89 20:07:31 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: John Sell
REPLY TO #35 SEE ALSO #37
Subj: Cable

John,
I haven't tried this one personally, got it here, I think.
DB9 25
2------------2
3------------3
4------------4
5------------5
7------------7
8------------8 & 20
9------------6
Another one I did make and which seemed to work OK
2------------2
3------------3
7------------7
5/8/9---------20

Happy soldering, Phill Jackson




 #37 33 08 Mar 89 21:06:36 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: John Sell
REPLY TO #36 SEE ALSO #38
Subj: Z88 Modem Cable

John, go to file area 2 and get the file Z88-MDM.INF. It will give you just
what you need. I use the set-up there with Smartmodems and compatibles.

Phil




 #38 33 08 Mar 89 21:08:20 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #37
Subj: Cables

The second one is good, Phill. First one will not always work. See
Z88-MDM.INF in file area 2

Phil




 #39 32 09 Mar 89 00:58:30 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #32 SEE ALSO #41
Subj: Mac Cables

Ugh! Will ponder it, but all that TXD+ stuff sure doesn't sound like RS-232

Phil




 #40 31 09 Mar 89 01:02:31 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Bruce Durocher
REPLY TO #24
Subj: Basic and RAM

Good question Bruce. Sorry I am a little late in replying, but I missed the
message until now.

Two issues around RAM and BAsic.

1. With an unexpanded machine (no RAM packs) there are only about 20K of
usable memory, after system needs are taken care of -- all in :RAM.0.
That is a limit. If you add ANY RAM in slot 1, make sure you identify :RAM.1
as the default device so you have access to it.

2. With anything less than 128K *in slot 1*, you have an unexpanded machine
(Cambidge terminology). Among the limits then imposed is only 8K of memory
available in Basic. I presume this means you can only run programs which are
less than 8K (maybe less than 6-7K) in their tokenized BAsic form (size as
defined by Filer).
Since many of the programs here exceed 8K, I suspect that means they will not
run on an "unexpanded" machine.

By the same token, everything here should run nicely on a machine with 128K in
Slot 1. Note I keep repeating "Slot 1". That's because a RAM cartridge in
Slot 2 will add memory (in :RAM.2) but will not expand the memory available to
Basic.
So Add your first RAM cartridge in Slot 1, unless you plan never to use Basic!

Finally -- do not put RAM cartridges in Slot 3. That can result in significat
power drain increases, due to EPROM burning hardware connected to that slot.

A good question, this one. I hope the answere covers it.

Phil




 #41 30 09 Mar 89 19:10:02 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #39 SEE ALSO #44
Subj: Mac Cables for Null Mdm

Phill, I would try something like this:

Z88 MAC (8 PIN)
----- -----
1 (NC)
2 (TXD) -------------- 5 (RXD-)
3 (RXD) -------------- 3 (TXD-)
4 to 5 at Z88 1 to 2 at Mac
6 (NC)
7 (GND) -------------- 4 (GND) & 6 (RXD+) & 8 (TXD+)
8 to 9 at Z88

But this is pretty speculative, since I don't have a Mac to play with. but I
have 4 Mac-II's at work, so I will see how we are setting then up for comm.
Let me know it this helps at all -- or at least what it does and does not!

Phil




 #42 29 09 Mar 89 21:07:55 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #43
Subj: 1000

Congrats Phil, I noticed the callers tally has topped the number 1000 which
sounds like a little mile-stone.
Chris




 #43 30 09 Mar 89 21:41:20 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Chris Fenn
REPLY TO #42
Subj: 1000+

Well, it is a bit misleading -- since it is really the number of CALLS,
not callers! Total number of callers is in the region of 70 just now, with
someone new most every day, now.

Phil




 #44 30 10 Mar 89 07:20:52 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #41 SEE ALSO #45
Subj: Null Modem

Phil.....thanks, will try........Phill




 #45 31 10 Mar 89 13:22:19 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Phill Jackson
REPLY TO #44 SEE ALSO #67
Subj: Mac Null Mdm

One change, Phill. Unground the TXD+ line; just let it float.

The Macs have an RS-422 interface. Grounding RXD+ and floating TXD+ turn it
into an RS-423 interface -- which can interface with an RS-232.

Phil




 #46 31 11 Mar 89 00:13:19
From: Len Rubin
To: All
Subj: Messages CRDFIL etc.

A momentous event! I have finally discovered how to compose a message
offline and subsequently upload it, intact, to the message area of this
BBS!! It was, of course, in the documentation of Z-Term all the time.
This would not be so embarassing if the docs were a couple of inches
thick, but as any of you with Z-Term know, we're talking about a 28
page manual. Oh well...should be a lesson to all you programers out
there: never underestimate the laziness and impatience (not to mention
the lack of basic common sense) of the end user!
Kudos to Phil on the latest addition to his inspired body of work
for the Z88. I am refering to CRDFIL. This is perhaps the best all
purpose tool available for popularizing the Z88 in computer-illiterate
circles (Rubin, et al.) With it I have already painlessly created
several invaluable "databases" to support my personal and professional
activities. It is the first program for the Z88 that EASILY allows the
novice to FORMAT "fields" on-screen, which is essential on a machine
that has such a diminutive screen!
I understand from our conversation today, that Phil has hurt his
back, and is resting at home. My sympathy and best wishes, but if I
know this guy, then we'll have a sudden avalanche of top calibre M/L
programs within hours. When we spoke, he was already talking about
updates to CRDFIL. I've begun to entertain suspicions about whether he
is of this earth...Thanks for your unceasing efforts in support of the
machine and it's motley band of users.
-Len




 #47 32 11 Mar 89 00:16:22 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Phill Jackson
SEE ALSO #66
Subj: TDD 2 Offer

I am interested in buying a used TDD 2. If you are amenable to selling it for
$100 it would be sure sale. I still need to buy the Dos and perhaps pay
someone to modify the drive, so I hope to find one at this price. If that
seemss too low, let me know.
-Len





 #49 34 11 Mar 89 12:32:48 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #50
Subj: CRDFIL

Phil,
I am having a little problem with the editing screen on crdfil.
If I create a card format with data on the first line (line 0)
it displays OK for normal operation, but is blank when the card is
brought up for editing. It actually looks like the first line IS being written,
but then it is immediately erased!

Another strange problem with crdfil.cli. When I tried transferring it from
my PC to the Z88 with z88com, the transfer hangs up on block 17. I tried both
1200 baud and 2400 baud for the transfer, and tried versions 2.0 and 2.3 of
z88com. Of course, it may be a problem with the xmodem on my PC, but this is
the same program I have used all along
to get stuff from your bbs. Using z88com v2.3 the error message is something
like "block error" until the program times out and I get a "bad file handle"
message, which I believe is coming from the operating system. When I type "q"
accept the rror message and quit, z88com has been erased (not the directory
file, but the currently running copy.)
When the error occurred with z88com v2.0 (also at block 17) z88com did not
disappear, but the crdfil.cli was left open and I had to do a soft reset to be
able to erase the file. I later transferred crdfil.cli with pclink and the
transfer went OK (except, of course for the strange behavior on editing
reported above.) In case it makes any difference in understanding this problem,
I had renamed the file to crdfil11.cli
prior to the transfer.

Thanks for another great program !!! Any help with this minor problem
would be appreciated.

Vic




 #50 34 11 Mar 89 13:14:15 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #49 SEE ALSO #51
Subj: CRDFIL & Z88COM

I have been unable to repeat your problem with CRDFIL; but I will continue to
try. By the way, current project is to add the capability to output -- to
printer, file and (maybe) screen. May be able to work in mailing labels, etc.

On the Z88COM problem: Issue is that Xon/Xoff must be disabled in Panel, as we
discussed on the phone. I have added a NOTE to this effect at the beginning
of Z88COM.DOC (though it was already mentioned later in the file.

But don't feel bad. I could not get a log on to work, for the same reason!
Took me a couple of hours to figger it out!

Phil




 #51 27 12 Mar 89 06:41:57 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #50
Subj: crdfil

CRDFIL is now working OK. As we discussed, I originally had two entries in the
same place on line 0 and moved one of them when I was asked to confirm if the
card was OK. Well, I have also not been able to repeat
the problem. Thanks again for your help yesterday.
Vic




 #52 32 12 Mar 89 07:15:38 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
Subj: CDRFIL

Phil,
I finally HAVE been able to recreate the error I had yesterday.

If the card has entries on BOTH the first line (0) and the last line (7),
then the first line will scroll off the screen when the card is brought up for
editing. Apparently, the card display routine in the edit mode adds a LF at
the end of the display which scrolls the whole screen up.

I looked at the display routine in the Create mode and the display routine
in the Edit mode. They are slightly different. Line 290 has a PRINT TAB(93,
7);""; while line 2240 says PRINT TAB(93,7)"";

However, after I added the ; in line 2240, the results were the same. Is it
possible that when the data file is created an extra line feed is added which
is not there in the Create mode?

In any case, please see if you can repeat my problem with fields on both
first and last line.

Vic




 #53 33 12 Mar 89 08:23:40 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #54
Subj: CRDFIL fix???

Phil,
On line 2230, if you change B$(A):NEXT to B$(A);:NEXT the extra line on the
editing screen goes away. Please let me know of this modification
if OK, i.e. does it cause any other problems you know about????

Vic




 #54 31 12 Mar 89 09:17:04 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #53
Subj: CRDFIL edit fix

Good find, Vic. All print lines SHOULD terminate with a semicolon to prevent
scrolling. The versions in Area 1 will soon be corrected to reflect the fix.
Thanks for the detective work.

Phil




 #55 32 12 Mar 89 09:40:18
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: Minor CRDFIL Update

CRDFIL.BAS/CLI has been slightly modified this day (see preceding
messages). You can download the new one -- or fix it yourself. Fix is
simply to edit Line 2230, replacing the very end as follows:

:NEXT becomes ;:NEXT

Added semicolon prevents scolling when editing stuff on the bottom
line. Fix is thanks to Vic Roberts.

Phil




 #56 30 12 Mar 89 11:07:06
From: Bruce Durocher
To: Sysop
Subj: Basic & RAM

Thank you--I've been wondering about that...




 #57 33 12 Mar 89 11:09:59 (RECV'D)
From: Bruce Durocher
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #27
Subj: Fast read

Thank you very much for your reply. I will try it ASAP.




 #58 38 12 Mar 89 12:40:10
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: New CRDFIL

I've just added a new version (1.2) of CRDFIL to the system. It
provides the capability to output in a specific form to either a file
or the screen.

The format selected prints each Card File entry on a new line, and
groups the entries for each card. My thinking is that you can then go
into Pipedream and edit the resulting file -- using it to create lists
or even to print mailing labels.

In this version, all the editing must be done manually, in PD. perhaps
a stand-alone printing program with more capability will come in time.

Phil






 #60 36 13 Mar 89 14:29:27 (RECV'D)
From: Jim Tittsler
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #34
Subj: EPROM life

There is no practical limit... the parts usually seem to fail from
mishandling before they can no longer be erased/reprogrammed.




 #61 38 13 Mar 89 18:33:45
From: Victor Roberts
To: All
SEE ALSO #62
Subj: EPROM Eraser

My EPROM eraser finally arrived from Sharps. This thing is REALLY BIG,
13" x 5 1/4" x 2 3/4". It weighs 4 lbs. I think it is big enough to erase 6
EPROM cards at once......assuming anyone had that many, of course.

The question now is, how long does it take to erase one, and how do I know
when it is "done"?

Vic




 #62 37 13 Mar 89 18:38:37 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #61 SEE ALSO #63
Subj: Eraser

Mine is Really Big, too, Vic. I'd say it will handle about a dozen EPROM's --
gee, maybe it's a business!!

I run about 30 Min on mine for erasure. Only test is to put them into the Z88
and Cat the Eprom.

Phil




 #63 37 13 Mar 89 21:49:07 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #62 SEE ALSO #64
Subj: Big Business


Hey what an Idea Phil!

**********************************
* PHIL & VIC'S *
* EPROM ERASURE & TANNING SALON *
**********************************
* DUMP YOUR DATA & DARKEN YOUR *
* 'DERMIS. GET A PROGRAMMERS TAN *
**********************************

Let me know when you go public!
(just kidding..)
Chris





 #64 33 13 Mar 89 23:19:32 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #63 SEE ALSO #68
Subj: Eprom erasers

I have a large one too..(sounds like lockerroom stuff!) With my Psion EPROMS
I have to wait 30-45 minutes, but with the Z88 ones I have gotten complete
erasures with as little as 15 minutes, though I usually bake 'em a bit
longer...until golden brown and aromatic...uh, no--that's cookies.
-LBR




 #65 32 14 Mar 89 15:18:09
From: Victor Roberts
To: All
Subj: EPROM Eraser

Thanks for all the help. You guys have made my day!
Vic




 #66 33 14 Mar 89 18:51:55 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #47
Subj: Drive

Len,
I won't have the drive back for about a week; the turkey forgot to bring it
to our meeting. Give me call about this time next week and we'll talk. PS
voice line is 829-1230 (213)
Phill




 #67 35 14 Mar 89 19:04:47 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #45 SEE ALSO #90
Subj: Null

Phill-thanks for the additional info: as soon as I have time to plug in my
soldering iron, I'll try it.
Phill




 #68 38 14 Mar 89 23:39:53 (RECV'D)
From: Curtis Claar
To: Chris Fenn
REPLY TO #64 SEE ALSO #85
Subj: Business

Gee, I don't know why you're just kidding. Ocassionally somebody might need an
EPROM erased and they might just not want to buy an eraser or wait for ages
using the sun. For a small fee and postage, why not?




 #69 39 15 Mar 89 00:10:42
From: Curtis Claar
To: All
Subj: MacLite

What did y'all think of the 3-7-89 MacWeek Maclite ad? It has a new additiona
to it: "MacLite available at participating Connecting Point dealers". I'm
going to check mine tomorrow, but I doubt it.

Curtis




 #70 31 15 Mar 89 20:12:59
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: New CRDFIL

I am now in the process of adding a new version (1.3) of CRDFIL. It lets you
control the output mode better (and deletes the Screen output option).
Basically, you can now choose which card file entries to output and in what
order. Much better for mailing list applications, etc.

Look for it in File Area 1.

Phil




 #71 33 15 Mar 89 20:16:03
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: New Files From U.K. Users Group

I have just received an EPROM from the Z88 users Group in the U.K. Some stuff
is not new -- but some is. And there are several games, one of our weak
points here on this BBS.

I am pulling them off the Eprom this evening. As I get them checked out, I
will make them available -- most in Area 1 and some (zBase stuff) in Area 3.





 #72 32 16 Mar 89 01:03:26
From: Curtis Claar
To: All
SEE ALSO #73
Subj: Connecting Point

Well, I checked with my Connecting Point and YEP they are going to be carrying
the MacLite package deal. He just doesn't know when yet -- maybe 2 or 3
months. Phil: this CLOSER to "your corner drug store" or whatever you said
earlier.




 #73 31 16 Mar 89 17:07:29 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Curtis Claar
REPLY TO #72 SEE ALSO #76
Subj: MacLite

I musta missed something: What is a MacLite??




 #74 35 16 Mar 89 20:29:39 (RECV'D)
From: Charlie Carlon
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #77
Subj: Online

Thanks to your great BBS and a little wiring i am online. I called
Cambridge for a pinout of a modem cable and they sent me right
to this BBS . I just bought the Maclite Pkg and am very impressed
I used to have a Tandy 100 but like the Z88 much better. So far
I have had no problems with the Maclink program The only gripe
is the way it will only transfer files from the right to the left
which is different than other Mac programs. Anyway I just wanted to say
thanks for your help. Charlie Carlon SoftCity Inc Miami







 #76 35 16 Mar 89 23:16:31 (RECV'D)
From: Curtis Claar
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #73 SEE ALSO #82
Subj: MacLite

MacLite is "the next best thing" to a 2-pound Macintosh. Cambridge North
America is advertising it pretty big in the Mac mags (they are separate from
Cambridge Direct, right?). It comes with a Z88, 128K RAM cable, file transfer
software (Ithink a Z88 ROM and a Mac disk), and a HyperCard stack for
addresses, etc. The price is $849 and you cn try it for 21 days and then pay
(kind of).

Anyway, I've seen the ads lately. You can tell Cambridge Direct ads from
Cambridge North America ads because Cambridge Direct ads have red and CNA ads
don't. Anyway: the 3-7-89 MacWeek's CNA MacLite ad said for the first time
I've seen:
"Also available at participating Connecting Point
computer centers."

I called mine and low and behold, they plan to carry them! Z88's in Casper,
WY. Z88's in WY!! And a long time ago, you said something about, "right now
we can't just go down to our local computer shop on the corner and get a Z88.
Maybe in the future." Connecting Point seems to me to be a step to that future.

Do they have Connecting Points in LA?


Curtis





 #78 34 16 Mar 89 23:28:48 (RECV'D)
From: Curtis Claar
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #83
Subj: Cambridege reference

Hey, pretty impressive...
Cambridge refers people to you now. We (you) have a great thing going here I
would say.


Keep it up!
Curtis




 #79 31 17 Mar 89 18:25:03
From: Bob Heels
To: All
Subj: QUESTIONS?

I NEED SOME HELP W/ MY Z88
1) WHERE'S THE MINI GUIDE YOU HAVE FOR THE Z88
2) HOW DO YOU GET THE CLOCK TO READ I THE 12 HOUR AM PM INSTEAD OF THE 2400
MODE
3)WHAT DOES THE "DIAMOND" MARK MEAN BY THE MAP?
4) WHAT DOES THE "OZ" MEAN IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND SCREEN CORNER?
5) WHEN WORKING IN A "PIPEDREAM" DOCUMENT, WHEN YOU REMOVE A WORD FROM A
PARAGRAPH OF TEXT, THE FOLLOWING WORDS IN THAT SENTENCE MOVE UP, BUT NOT THE
WORDS FROM THE NEXT SENTENCE TO COVER UP THAT SPACE YOU CREATED FROM REMOVING
THAT WORD. CAN YOU CHANGE THAT?
6) CAN YOU INDENT A PARAGRAPH AUTOMATICALLY?
7) I SAVED A FILE CALLED "VCR-MOVIES", AND HAD TROUBLE SAVING IT. SO I WOULD
GET "IN USE" AND WOULD NOT SAVE IT. SO, THINKING THAT THE "-" IN THE NAME WAS
THE CULPRET, I CHANGED THE NAME TO "VCRMOVIES" AND IT WORKS FINE; HOWEVER, I
CAN'T GET RID OF THE FILE "VCR-MOVIES. CAN YOU HELP ME IN GETTING RID OF
"VCR-MOVIES"?
8)IN TYHE SPREADSHEET MODE AND USING "TABS", IF I GO BACK TO A TABBED AREA, I
CAN TYPE ONLY SO MANY WORDS AND IT DROPS THE TEXT DOWN TO THE NEXT COLUUM> DO
YOU KNOW HOW I CAN KEEP IT ON ONE LINE>??
9)LAST QUESTION: WHEN I USE MAC-LINK, I SEE A FILE:
FOLDER:RAM.0
FOLDER:RAM.1
PAGES.SGN..................WHAT'S THIS AND CAN I GET RID OF IT SOMEHOW




 #80 27 17 Mar 89 21:07:37 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Charlie Carlon
REPLY TO #77
Subj: OnLine

Charlie, glad you like the system. Use it freely and enjoy. Give us a review
of the "MacLite package" if you feel so inlcined.

Phil




 #81 29 17 Mar 89 21:10:11 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Chris Fenn
REPLY TO #75
Subj: Huddle

Chris, tell us all the tlephone number of the "Huddle System". I, at least,
would like to give it a try!

Phil




 #82 29 17 Mar 89 21:11:54 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Curtis Claar
REPLY TO #76
Subj: Connecting Points

Gee -- never heard of them, so I guess not!




 #83 28 17 Mar 89 21:12:50 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Curtis Claar
REPLY TO #78
Subj: Referesnce

Yup -- kinda satisfying. And I even get long distance voice calls fro the
U.K. (Wordmongers). At least they know we have a Z88 presence in the
colonies!!




 #84 27 17 Mar 89 23:21:38
From: Len Rubin
To: All
SEE ALSO #86
Subj: Codebreaker

I am a lucky genius!! so, appearently is anyone else who opts to play
Codebreaker, the game that was recently added from the U.K. BBS.
Regardless of the level of difficulty, number of players, etc.
selected, the "random" number that the computer generates is 1111.
When the omniscient player guesses this number through the use of
superior logical prowess, the machine barks, "Pure luck!", or "Lucky
Genius!" When you're hot--you're hot.
--Lucky Genius, LBR




 #85 27 18 Mar 89 04:40:09 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Curtis Claar
REPLY TO #68 SEE ALSO #87
Subj: EPROM

I would certainly be willing to erase an occasional EPROM, for no charge of
course, if the sender supplies return postage. I suspect I am one of the few
users of this bbs on the east coast, I may be more convenient for others so
located.
Vic





 #86 27 18 Mar 89 07:09:15 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #84
Subj: CodeBreaker

I haven't tried that one yet, Len. Are you suggesting it needs a fix to be
more useable? If so, I will take a look.

phil




 #87 27 18 Mar 89 07:10:42 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #85
Subj: Users

Actually, there are a fair number of callers from the east -- think you can
check this out at the main menu by doing 'U' by the way.

I echo you comments re Erasing: I'd be glad to as well.

Phil




 #88 28 18 Mar 89 07:14:56 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
Subj: CardBase

Let me know if CardBase stuff in Area 4 makes zBase more usable. The program
LABEL.BAS also looks good. And are you now using the latest CRDFIL? All of
this stuff is getting the data base area pretty well covered. And now there
are some gomes, too.

Phil




 #89 27 18 Mar 89 08:25:32
From: Chris Fenn
To: All
Subj: UK STUFF

Thats a nice little CARE-PACKAGE from the UK. I think I've played the
Catapillar game about 300 times now. I'm never any good at those things
but I keep on going at it. It looks like a good example of using the
Z88's UDG's. Thats quite a good little label program too!




 #90 30 18 Mar 89 09:16:12
From: Bryant Patten
To: Michael Costello
REPLY TO #67
Subj: Mac & Z88

Hi I have been using a Z88 with my mac for about 4 months and find it to be a
great combination. I gave up on Apple coming out with a laptop - particularly
when I realized its cost would be in the thousands. I had to build my own
cable originally before MacLink was available but I have since purchase
MacLink. If you want to talk further about it, leave me a message here or on
the BCS Mac board.
Bryant




 #91 26 18 Mar 89 18:16:37 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Curtis Claar
Subj: Conn. Point

I had not heard of the place until your msg., they even have one out here in
the desert(Las Vegas). I stopped by today & chatted however they are a brand
new store here & haven't decided what all they are going to carry. I offered
my support but they have many considerations.
But maybe they will toss the idea around, and we might have a dealer here
(right around the corner).
Chris




 #92 30 18 Mar 89 21:27:23
From: Len Rubin
To: All
SEE ALSO #93
Subj: EPCAT new stuff

New & interesting development: I now have an EPROM that EPCAT refuses
to recognize! When it is in slot 3 and I load and run the program, I
get "no EPROM in slot 3". If I trick it by inserting a
different EPROM and getting "There is a 128k EPROM in slot 3", I can
then swap EPROMS and it will read the contents! It just won't
initially acknowledge the existence of this particular EPROM for some
reason. There isn't anything unusual about it that I can tell, other
that the fact that it is very full.
I once had another EPROM that it failed to read, and that one had
spreadsheets with much graphic information (lines), and I thought maybe
that had something to do with it. Anyway this time it's all programs
and docs, so I dunno. I suppose it's possible that this is the same
EPROM (with different contents--I have several and reburn them often),
and that it's an "architectural" problem, so to speak--electrical/mechanical,
etc. The sceintifically rigorous thing to do would be to exchange
contents with another EPROM and see what happens, but I've not tried
that yet.
Different subject: the Caterpillar game ("CATAPILL.BAS") appearently has
no
means of allowing the user to select levels of competence or ity
Everyone I have shown the game to is defeated in .3 to .6 seconds. This
is silly. It could be thatwedo ot roery nertnd h crret operation of the game,
but i sems sraihtfoewar--lese etme
know if anyone has betkwth tis ting I m eatedto ee nw
files up on the board though. -LBR




 #93 28 19 Mar 89 08:24:28 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #92
Subj: Stuff

Len,

the recognition of an EProm as such is based on my program looking at two
bytes in high address space -- outside the space where files get written. If
it really does not look like an Eprom to the program, one or more of those
bytes in not what it should be for an Eprom. A likely cause would be
incomplete erasure last time around. Another would be a defective Eprom --
with only one byte off. But I do like your trick, and will keep it in mind.
BTW -- I assume it is a 128K unit; I still don't have any verification of the
program with a 32K Eprom.

I don't think I have tried that game. About the only time I have to do gaming
with the computer is on airplanes -- and then only if I don't have a project
underway.

Finally -- the end of your las message got scrambled. Assuming it was OK in
your Z88, it could be to overrunning the system by sending too fast. Try
increasing the delay in the message send per the document. For example,
change the value of PACE in line 90 from .2 to 1.0 (just type '90 PACE=1' and
resave the program). And perhaps a more modest increas (to .5?) should be
tried first -- all assumiong you are using Z88COM!!

Phil




 #94 30 19 Mar 89 20:08:58 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Bob Heels
Subj: Reply to Questions

Bob, this is a cut at answering your questions of 3/17 message.

1) Miniguide is for distribution with PipeLine newsletter -- as are all
Area 6 uploads. Once it has been published, I will update it and make
it available here -- probably in Area 5. But it was the idea of Tim
Woods, for his newsletter, so I feel oblidged to let him make first
distribution.

2) I doubt if the clock can be made to read in the 12 hour mode.

3) Characters appearing at the far right of the screen show keys which
you have pressed in pending commands. The diamond means you have
pressed the diamond key, but no completed the command sequence.

4) OZ is the name of the operating system; just a label with no special
significance -- so far as I know.

5) Should be able to fix the format with <>R (reformat paragraph)
command. <>=diamond key.

6) Auto para indent: I don't think so.

7) How did you create VCR-MOVIES? If with Basic, you may not have done
a CLOSE. If in pipeDream, you may have a suspended copy of PD which is
still using that file. Only sure way is to do a Soft Reset (see
manual). but save all suspended apps first!

8) Very hard to diagnose TAB effects remotely. But you can control
wrapping by: 1) Go to options (<>O) and set for no wrap; 2) set wrap
width large (<>H command).

9) Well, if on the Z88 end, PAGES.SGN may mean you have a file S.SGN in
RAM.-. Get rid of it, immediately (see PATPCW.INF in File Area 1 for
why!). Go to filer, do <>ER and name :RAM.-/S.SGN as the file name.
But I know from nothing re the Mac and MacLink -- so I am guessing a
bit!

Hope this helps, Bob.

Phil




 #95 25 20 Mar 89 14:21:50
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: New BBS BAsic Book

Last week I received a flyer from M-Tec in UK re "The BBC BAsic Reference
Manual for the Z88". Talked to Mark at Sharp's today, and that is what they
had been calling the Tech Ref Guide, or whatever.

Sharp's price is $34.95, and if it has all it says, it should be worth it.
Flyer summarizes contents as follows:
o General info re BBC Basic
o Assembler Language
o Statements and Functions
o The Screen Driver
o The Operating System interface
o Printing
o BBC Basic Files
o Math Functions
o Error Messages and Codes
o The Format of Program and Variables in Memory

I expect to have one delivered today or tomorrow; so I will review it and put
the review in a file or message (or both).




 #96 24 20 Mar 89 22:39:03
From: Stuart Leonard
To: Sinclair Ql Users
Subj: QL User Meeting

Attention QL Users,
Several of us are attempting to put together a QL users meeting
in May. If you are an old time QL user, and would like to stay
in touch, trade/sell software or hardware from your machine to
other QL users in Southern California, please let us know.
This would be an excellent time for those who have moved on
to the Z88 or other machines to have a captive audience for
your old merchandise.
Please reply and we'll let you know all the details.




 #97 3 21 Mar 89 05:54:41
From: Sysop
To: David Burnham
Subj: Downloads

David, any file ending in .BAS must be downloaded with xmodem or other
(non-ASCII) protocol, because these are binary files.

If you have a Z88, get Z88COM.CLI and Z88COM.DOC with an ASCII download and
install it. Then it will let you get the BAS files.

Phil




 #98 23 21 Mar 89 17:04:47
From: Victor Roberts
To: All
SEE ALSO #99
Subj: New Upload - EPCHK.CLI

EPCHK is designed to check an EPROM in slot 3 to insure it is fully erased. I
have uploaded both EPCHK.CLI and EPCHK.DOC.
Vic




 #99 24 21 Mar 89 18:12:09 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #98 SEE ALSO #101
Subj: Upload

Thanks, Vic. Will merge it as soon as I am off line.

Phil




 #100 23 21 Mar 89 18:12:48
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: CRDFIL Mod

Using a tip from my first 10 minutes in the BBC Basic Ref manual, I have
improved my rename/erase procedure in CRDFIL. No longer need to go execute a
CLI file -- due to proper use of OSCLI function!

Book is a good one. Spiral bound and high class. Apparently real author is
richard Russell, developer of BBC Basic, the Basic pateches , etc. Reall
defines every command in order, with good examples.

More on this later!

Phil







 #103 27 21 Mar 89 20:01:16
From: Victor Roberts
To: All
SEE ALSO #105
Subj: Warning on EP-READ

EP-READ, a file Phil received from the UK group writes a file to
:RAM.- as it works. The file is not erased and can lead to the
well documented system crash if you warm boot your Z88.

After using EP-READ, you should remember to erase :RAM.-/S.sgn
IMMEDIATELY.

Vic




 #104 28 21 Mar 89 20:41:23 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Sysop
Subj: Resolved mysteries

Love that OSCLI mod. you made to CRDFIL.BAS Phil, I've been trying to
figure that one out since day 1. I've tried (almost) everything. I
think this may be the book that I got a look at a while back. I think
it might be worth buying(even if all it did was explain OSCLI, Ha!).
Chris




 #105 26 21 Mar 89 22:04:52 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #103 SEE ALSO #107
Subj: EP-READ

Sheesh -- I should know better. Maybe I can fix it to make it nicer in that
regard. Those Redcoats are still setting traps for us Colonials!

In any case, gang -- EPLOAD.CLI/BAS does pretty much the same thing and is
safe.

PHIL




 #106 26 21 Mar 89 22:07:37
From: Sysop
To: All
Subj: BBC Ref Manual Summary

SUMMARY OF THE BBC BASIC REFERENCE MANUAL
-----------------------------------------
The "BBCBASIC(Z80) Reference Manual for the Z88" (the longish
actual title) is a comprehensive guide to the dialect of Basic built
into the Z88. Not only is it the ONLY real Basic reference for the
Z88, it is outstanding as such books go. I've been writing relatively
sophisticated Z88 programs for the past few months; but in a couple of
hours I learned several new things -- and I've just scratched the
surface.
The book is spiral bound, about half-again as thick as the manual
that came with the computer. Sections are summarized (with page
counts) below:
1. Introduction (3 pp)
2. General Information (43 pp) -- How Basic works, in detail.
3. Assembler (20 pp) -- General assembler operation, with simple
examples. Primary item is a "standard" error handler (from the
Developers' Notes. Operating system functions are not defined, so you
will still need the Develelopers' Notes for serious M/L programming.
4. Statements and Functions (168 pp) -- The detailed alphabetized
reference to the language. Very comprehensive, with examples.
5. The Screen Driver (19 pp) -- Escape codes, special fonts, VDU
codes, defining windows, etc.
6. Operating System Interface (19 pp) -- CLI command files, accessing
CLI's from Basic. Use of OSCLI. With examples.
7. Printing (18 pp) -- How to control the printer, the printer
filter. Includes diescription of the serial port.
8. BBCBASIC(Z80) Files (41 pp) -- Serial files, random files, indexed
files. Discusses file access from Basic, file types, how to create
files compatible with other Basic implementations (with programs). The
indexed data files appear unique to this Basic, and seem to allow very
sophisticated data base applications to be written in Basic.

Appendices include:
o Table of ASCII codes (4 pp)
o User programmable math functions (2 pp)
o Error Messages and Codes (15 pp)
o Format of Program and Variables in memory (17 pp)
o Index (28 pp)

If you program, or plan to program, the Z88, you will want this book.

Phil Wheeler [3/21/89]




 #107 24 22 Mar 89 12:20:12 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #105 SEE ALSO #110
Subj: EP-READ Fix

Well, I have fixed it -- sort of. In line 640, add the following just before
PROCRESET

OSCLI("DELETE :RAM.-/S.SGN"):

The "sort of" is because a user can miss that erase command if he leaves the
program by hitting ESC. Turns out I can probably trap that with an ON ERROR
GOTO setup, but is it worth it?

Overall, I prefer the implementation in EPLOAD. So should I really make this
potentially hazardous UK version available here? What's your vote?

Phil




 #108 23 22 Mar 89 16:01:50 (RECV'D)
From: Don Gerue
To: Sysop
Subj: Notes from new Z88 User

I have had the Z88 "MacLite" for two weeks now
and I have found it to be reliable and very
compatible with my Macintosh equipment both at
home and work.
x
The instructions given with the adapter cable are
a little laughable for those with upgraded
512machinces, if it were not for the problem of
tryingto carry them out. An adapter from the old
Mac serial port connector to the current Din plug
are not easy to come by. I finally had to start
from scratchand make one although you can use a
set of two sexinverters and an adapter if you
want.
x
In any case Iwas just working with basic on my
Mac II at work and found that for the simple
Basic program
x
10 Print "Hello"
20 For X = 1 to 10000
30 y = X^2
40 Next x
50 Print "End", Y
x
I had the following results
Z88 Basic ---- 60Seconds
Microsoft QBasic Interpreter ----10Seconds
Microsoft QBasic Compiled ---- 1 Second
Part Two follows




 #109 23 22 Mar 89 16:05:41 (RECV'D)
From: Don Gerue
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #111
Subj: Notes from new user Pt 2

Second .
A small problem the first trip I took with the
computer.I put it in the briefcase with my usual
stuffing procedure. When I arrived in L.A. an
hour later I found that when I tried to turn it
on nothing happenedfor 30 or 40 seconds. I had
this happen again at the next stop.
I suspected that maybe the keys weredepressed in
such a way that key strokes loaded the buffers or
some other strange thing like that. In any case
when I turned the machine around so that thekeys
were next to the top cover I stopped having the
problem. Thank you for your fine BB and keep up
the good work.
Don




 #110 22 22 Mar 89 16:18:28 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #107 SEE ALSO #112
Subj: EP-READ vs EPLOAD

I vote for EPLOAD! The only reason I loaded EP-READ was to see if it did a
EPROM check function like I was doing in EPCHK. After using it, I was very
surprised to see a file in :RAM.- . I would certainly vote for removing it
from your file list (unless you believe that is censorship.) I intend to
remove EP-READ from my Z88 and use EPLOAD.
Vic




 #111 25 22 Mar 89 16:35:06 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Don Gerue
REPLY TO #109 SEE ALSO #117
Subj: Stuff 'n Things

Interesting timings! I guess I'm not real surprised that the Mac's 68000
class system is a whole lot faster. But sometimes you need a more comlex
program to get a real comparison. Check out BENCH in area 1.

I have noticed the keyboard thing. YOur diagnosis is correct. I actually
exchanged mine to get one where that happeded less easily. I think they blew
it by not having a small on-off switch (vs. the key press scheme).

Phil




 #112 27 22 Mar 89 16:38:49 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #110 SEE ALSO #119
Subj: EP-Read

Well, I have removed it (when you first reported the problem) and it is no
longer available. BTW -- the OSCLI("DELETE :RAM.0/EE.CLI") commond can
probably be added to EPLOAD to get rid of the little CLI FILE IN ram.0. You
may want to try that -- but I likely will not change the version here, since
that small file is of little import.

Phil




 #113 23 22 Mar 89 21:08:56
From: Chris Fenn
To: All
Subj: GAMES


Well let's see... after a hundredy dozen games of"Eric! the
Caterpillar goes goes Munching". I've managed to get to a next
somewhat more crowded screen & I hit my all time high score of 807
before that mushroom ruined my fun. I think it's neat that I can exit
& resume the game easily, but I've got to remember to keep Eric
running in a straight line & away from harm so I don't lose him while
re-orienting after unsuspending the game. (Let's see ya play a
Nintendo at Denny's,Ha!) Hmmmm..... maybe ONE more try.





 #114 25 23 Mar 89 16:58:42
From: Victor Roberts
To: All
Subj: Time to erase EPROM

A couple of weeks ago, I asked how long it took to erase an EPROM, and
received a variety of answers. Well, with the help of EPCHK I was able to run
a little experiment last night.

My EPROM eraser (from Sharps) has a 6 watt germicidal lamp with the notation
G6T5 GL-6. It is located about 1.5 inches above the pad which holds the EPROM.
Time to erase will be different if your eraser uses a different size bulb or
has a different bulb-to-EPROM distance.

I first put the EPROM in for 5 minutes. EPCHK found that some, but not all the
data had been erased. I cooked it for another 5 minutes, and found that all
the data was gone. I then put it back for another 10 minutes (I like to be
safe.) I believe I will use 10 to 15 minutes as a typical erase time. As the
bulb ages, UV light output will decrease. However, I believe it takes a few
thousand hours for the UV output of this bulb to decrease by 10 to 20%. I will
check tomorrow. (I do R&D on the big brothers of these bulbs.)

Vic




 #115 25 23 Mar 89 23:23:27 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #116
Subj: CRDFIL EPLOAD etc.

Phil-
I've noticed that when you select "Quit" from your program menus, you are
exited into Basic. I think it would be nice to return to Index instead. I
realize that this is an EXTREMELY petty point, but I thought I'd mention it.
Also I'm really anxious to find some workable way to use the Z88 for the
telemarketing gig I just started for an outside company. CRDFIL is o.k.,
though a little cumbersome "on the fly", but as I indicated in my logoff msg.,
I need to be able to have many notes (conversations) associated with a single
card entry (customer), and I cannot add anything past one seven-line screen.
If you (or anyone listening can think of a practical way to set up something
that would do the job, please let me know. The other folks there are using
PCs, and running a shareware program called "Tracker", but, of course, I can't
use that on a Z88!
-LBR




 #116 29 24 Mar 89 02:31:29 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #115 SEE ALSO #118
Subj: Misc

Well, quitting to Index would not suit me most of the time -- since I usually
load some other program and run it, by typing NEW and then RUN"PROG". But you
can add that youself I suppose, to any of the programs (or most) with a CLI in
the BAsic program.

Likely it would be possible to develop a version of CRDFIL with a two-page
"card", or three or four. Short of that, I don't see a good answer -- but I
really haven't spent much time thinking about it. You might just try
specifying lines bigger than 7 for some of the prompts and see what happens.
I may even try it myself sometime. But as you may have guessed from the low
volume of new stuff lately, I have other pressures just now (relateing to the
organization I manage, being married -- sometimes gotta let my wife know it's
to here and not the computer -- etc.).

Phil




 #117 23 24 Mar 89 13:55:22 (RECV'D)
From: Don Gerue
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #111 SEE ALSO #122
Subj: Stuff'n Things

Of course your right on expectations of speed. Those who like bench tests are
allways looking for one more computer to compare with Hi.
I did the test with the bench.cli program in area 1. The program seems
weak in the floating point content but every bench mark program that
has been written has only one real supporter. The guy who wrote it. In
any case
QuickBasic Interpreter on Mac II with program as written (* changed to REM)
was 110 seconds
QuickBasic Compiled on Mac ii with same program as above was 9 seconds.




 #118 27 24 Mar 89 20:08:30 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #116 SEE ALSO #124
Subj: try DIARY?


Len, perhaps use of a DIARY file in conjunction with a CRDFIL file
might help you. You could keep your formal info. in a CRDFIL file and
put your more abstract info.in DIARY which would at the same time
track the dates of your last contacts. Each time you talk with your
contact you can MOVE that entry up to the current day. Diary also has
some extra listing abilities that are very handy, and you can also make
use of SEARCH & REPLACE and all the other built-in functions.
Chris




 #119 27 25 Mar 89 05:48:31 (RECV'D)
From: Bob Heels
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #112
Subj: S.SGN

THANKS FOR YOUR TIP AS I HAD SUCH A FILE AND I'M AS GLAD IT'S GONE AS
WELL AS KNOWING HOW TO GET RID OF IT.




 #120 23 25 Mar 89 05:54:35
From: Bob Heels
To: All
SEE ALSO #121
Subj: UPGARDE

DOES ANYONE KNOW "SHARP'S" UPGRADE POLICY AS FAR AS Z-TERM. I HAVE
VERSION 2.2 AND I UNDERSTAND VERSION 2.4 IS OUT. THANKS




 #121 25 25 Mar 89 06:57:26 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Bob Heels
REPLY TO #120
Subj: Z-Term Upgrade

YOu will have to call them. I upgraded to the SuperChip (with zBase) -- but
frankly I cannot recommend that, unless you have real use for zBase. And I
don't recall the cost differential.

Phil




 #122 20 25 Mar 89 22:16:49 (RECV'D)
From: George Bond
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #117 SEE ALSO #129
Subj: This board

Hi, Phil. Just checking in with my new Z88 (at 2400bps using
your Z88com program). Very nice board. Keep up the good work.
George Bond




 #123 20 25 Mar 89 23:58:19
From: Len Rubin
To: All
SEE ALSO #125
Subj: Stuff

I believe I have identified one cause of a problem by which I have been
beseiged, intermittently for months. The symtoms are: a frequent,
spontaneous "crash" of system (flashing "FAIL" sign in corner,
requiring soft reset), with a correlation between incidence of crashes
and of EPROM swapping. It now suspect that sometimes I open the flap,
remove an EPROM, and with the flap still open, insert another in its
place, and on other occasions close the flap in between removing one
and inserting the next. Since I have begun carefully observing my
behavior in this matter, and coincidently followed the latter practice,
I have not had a crash.

On another subject, since my change of timing in Z88COM (at Phil's
suggestion, to alleviate my scrambled uploads) to "90PACE=.6", I am no
longer being logged on -- I am connected, but left at the name prompts
to input manually. A coincidence?

And is there a way of restoring a document inadvertantly columnized by
a carelessly struck TAB key, short of resorting to an outside program?
I have no problem with DETAB, but many customers that call me with this
problem (most do eventually) do not have the program at the time.

For me, the Z88 is the "machine of a thousand mysteries". A
fetishist's dream!

p.s. Any word on that funny business with CODEBREAKER?

MAHAvin' a good time, VISHNU were here!
-LBR




 #124 20 26 Mar 89 00:08:35 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Chris Fenn
REPLY TO #118 SEE ALSO #127
Subj: DIARY SUGGESTION

THE MOST OBVIOUS SOLUTION HAD ELUDED ME! WHAT A PERFECT IDEA. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR INPUT, AND LET ME TAKE THIS OPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT I HAVE LONG ENJOYED
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS, BOTH ERNEST AND HUMOROUS.




 #125 19 26 Mar 89 05:47:24 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #123 SEE ALSO #128
Subj: Changing EPROMs

Len,
You should not have have to go through any funny business to
change EPROMs. However, you MUST make sure the Z88 is ON and in the INDEX.
(This is sometimes hard to do as your fingers may press some key as you are
trying to get the plastic cover open.) By following the above steps, and
watching where I put my fingers, I both replaced one EPROM directly with
another AND removed an EPROM and left the slot empty, and never received an
error message.
Vic





 #126 19 26 Mar 89 09:04:28 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
Subj: Error handler for EPCHK

Phil,
I have looked into your suggestion about an error handler
for EPCHK. This is definitely something I should learn more
about. I have been reading the developer's notes and some of your
programs to come up to speed on this.
However, I do not believe an error handler is needed for
EPCHK. While the program is executing the M/L routines, it does
not open, write or close any files, nor does it request any user
input. Therefore, I cannot see how the program can get "hung". I
have run some tests to see if I could cause the program to hang
up, and so far, have not found any way to do it. I have run EPCHK
with an erased EPROM, with an EPROM containing data, and with a
empty EPROM socket. In each case the program has run correctly
when left alone, AND has let me abort the run with ESC or
suspended it by going to the INDEX. EPCHK does not respond to ESC
or INDEX while actually executing the M/L subroutine. However,
since it takes less than one second for the M/L code to check
each EPROM page, the delay between the user request to abort, and
the execution of the abort command by the BASIC portion of the
code, can not be more than one second. (And the experts said the
Titanic could not sink!!!)
I could have used an error handler while I was developing
the code, since I could have gotten stuck in the M/L routine if
the "end of page" routine was not written correctly. However, I
lucked out on this and did not have any problems during
development.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Vic




 #127 19 26 Mar 89 09:50:13 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #124
Subj: SUSPENDERS


Thanks Len. The Z88 is such a new concept machine that obvious things
are not always so. We are used to dealing with computing problems in a
serial or straight line manner, but with the Z88's ability to keep
things SUSPENDED it is now very feasable to combine separate resources
to reach a more efficient end. Task switching is the single most
feature I like the best in this machine, and it's the hardest for
non-Z88 users to understand & appreciate (it doesn't always get
mentioned in reviews either). This makes for a great "hit & run"
machine too as your info. can be retrieved very fast if they are kept
SUSPENDED.





 #128 17 26 Mar 89 23:23:38 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #125 SEE ALSO #130
Subj: EPROMS

It's possible that this only happened when I replaced Z-Base (technically a
ROM) with an EPROM, or maybe it was something more mysterious. In any case, I
have always been very careful regarding the "protocol" that you descibed, so I
don't suspect that area. I have had a history of crashes under various
conditions with different machines (Z88s). I have learned to not carry
anything else anywhere NEAR the keyboard, when the computer is in a bag or
briefcase, and not to put it in a TIGHTLY fitted case. I have had far fewer
crashes now that I "baby" the machine, but I wish that it were built like my
Psion, which I demonstrate to customers by literally THROWING IT DOWN ON THE
GROUND!
It is virtually indestructable. Still, thanks to the memory, keyboard and
CRDFIL, Z88COM, this BBS, etc. I am really getting a lot of use out of the
Z88. The Diary in the Z88 has it "hands-down" compared to the Psion, as well!
-LBR




 #129 16 27 Mar 89 11:56:59 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: George Bond
REPLY TO #122 SEE ALSO #131
Subj: BBS

Glad it's all working for you, George. Keep coming back!




 #130 16 27 Mar 89 11:59:03 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #128 SEE ALSO #137
Subj: Stuff

1) Interesting info, re the Eprom bit; I've never closed the flap without
putting in a new one -- and it SHOULDN'T be a problem. But who knows. Key
thing is to be at the Index whenever you ad/remove an Eprom, according to
manual.

2) PACE will not affect log on -- different area of the code. Logon problems
of the type you mention usually are either having Xom/Xoff ON instead of OFF,
or using a cable which is not getting the responses back to the Z88 from the
Modem. Example: WorldPort with second cable in Z88-MDM.INF will have that
problem, but that calbe works fine with Hayes I have -- and the first
(recommended) cable works fine with either modem.

3) CODEBRK works fine for me; will not give me a prize on 1 1 1 1 as you
seemed to report.

4) I don't know how to DeTab without DETAB -- or I would not have written it!
Not that there is not a way, just that I have not found it.

Phil




 #131 16 27 Mar 89 12:14:12 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: George Bond
REPLY TO #129 SEE ALSO #132
Subj: PATCH Pgms

George, I notice that you have downloaded all the PATCH stuff. Be aware that
PATCH.BAS & PATCH2.BAS have been superceded by PATPCW.BAS & PAT2PCW.BAS.
These fix a major pitfall in the originals, as noted in PATPCW.INF. YOu need
all the DOCs and Examples for the originals, but the one byte changed in the
PATCH programs makes all the difference in the safety of using them. If you
have used them, go to Filer and ERase the wild card :RAM.-/*.CLI.

Phil




 #132 17 27 Mar 89 13:35:51 (RECV'D)
From: George Bond
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #131 SEE ALSO #133
Subj: Patches/COMM88

Thanks for the warning about the patches, Phil. I check to make sure I have
the correct one installed.
On another topic, I cannot get my copy of COMM88 to talk to my modem. COMM88
is v2.UK. The modem is a Datatronics Discovery 2400p. I know the cable and the
modem both are good because the terminal program and Phil's extensions work
great with them. The docs for COMM88 are, shall we say, not exhaustive and
lacking a few bits of technical information -- such as what it is looking for
from the modem. Suggestions?




 #133 16 27 Mar 89 14:42:44
From: Sysop
To: George Bond
REPLY TO #132 SEE ALSO #134
Subj: COMM88

Gee, I'm not familiar with COMM88. For some reason, I have the impression
that it is an early version of PC-Link; but that is a direct transfer program,
and does not use a modem at all. Hmmmm...looking for my copies of Z88 EPROM
from last year, but unsuccessful so far (they have ads, and maybe a review, of
COMM88). Aha -- found them! Ok -- the early version of PC-Link seems to be
called IMPEXP88, so I was wrong on that. And I am finding no reference at all
(ads, 1988 yearly index, etc.) to COMM88. But I was not aware of any other
modem-oriented comm program -- beyond Z-Term (and some other *-Term programs
for special purposes from Wordmongers) and my Z88COM.

But the name COMM88 does ring a bell, for some reason. Tell us more!

Phil




 #134 17 27 Mar 89 15:01:37 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: George Bond
REPLY TO #133 SEE ALSO #135
Subj: COMM88

George, I just looked back thru the message arechives, and there are two
messages from Victor Roberts in mid Jan which mention COMM88 and allude to it
being from Wordmongers and similar to Z-Term (I think he says a "companion" of
Z-Term).

Victor is a frequent caller, so why not leave him a message (likely he will
read these anyway!)

Phil




 #135 14 28 Mar 89 14:32:42 (RECV'D)
From: George Bond
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #134 SEE ALSO #151
Subj: comm88

Will do. Thanks, Phil.




 #136 15 28 Mar 89 14:33:43 (RECV'D)
From: George Bond
To: Victor Roberts
SEE ALSO #144
Subj: comm88

Phil tells me you have done some work with COMM88. I have a copy (v2.UK)
which will not talk to my modem, a Datatronics 2400p. The Pipedream comm
program works without any problem, but the same hardware with COMM88
yields an error message saying the program can't talk with the modem.
Any suggests on what may be wrong? Thanks, George




 #137 14 28 Mar 89 21:23:08 (RECV'D)
From: Len Rubin
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #130
Subj: last message

Yup, that xoff/xon was, of course, the culprit--I had forgotten a soft reset
at some point.




 #138 16 29 Mar 89 04:17:21
From: Paul Bingham
To: All
SEE ALSO #139
Subj: PIPELINE

Greetings, Z88 owners! This is your PIPELINE editor with a
message that you won't want to miss our next issue of Club
Z88 PIPELINE. We've got interviews, reviews and the inside
scoops on lots of great new Z88 hardware and software just
out! We also have lots of Macintosh users joining our ranks,
as anyone can see by perusing the messages! And we'll also
be covering more for them, as well as PC, Tandy, QL and all
the other diverse users buying and using Z88s.
And I think I speak for everyone else when I commend Phil
Wheeler, the board's fabulous sysop for the super job he is
doing here! Three cheers, Phil! And keep up the good work!



 #139 18 29 Mar 89 05:53:06 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Paul Bingham
REPLY TO #138 SEE ALSO #148
Subj: Kudos

Ah, shucks! Having a great time doing it. I just wish I had more time
nowadays for programming -- but maintaining the BBS is my main Z88 priority.




 #140 18 29 Mar 89 07:25:16
From: Donald Barnard
To: Anybody[d[d[d
Subj: z88 support

Persons in the Atlanta interested in Z8 should contact
Don at (D.I.T. Ent.) 404-469-0286.




 #141 14 29 Mar 89 07:32:41 (RECV'D)
From: Donald Barnard
To: Sysop
Subj: Z88 trouble

Anybody know how to upgrade the earlier versions of Z88 OZ so when I
use Purge the system dosn't crash.




 #142 15 29 Mar 89 11:05:33
From: Ken Wishnuff
To: Sysoip
SEE ALSO #143
Subj: xmodem download to z88

I'm having problems getting xmodem to work on the z88 using comm88 and
their pocket modem. I get time out errors every time. Something does not seem
to work properly. I have set all parameters per the documentation, but it
still doesn't seem to communicate. I've even to use a local tried to use a
local connection to a Tandy 200 to no avail.
Any suggestions? Need help despirately !!!!




 #143 16 29 Mar 89 12:29:31
From: Sysop
To: Ken Wishnuff
REPLY TO #142
Subj: Xmodem

Ken, my first suggestion is to use Z88COM from Area 1 of this system instead.
Even if it won't work for you, I can provide help, since it is my program!

Otherwise: Your message is very confusing. YOu say it does not communicate.
does that mean you cannot get logged on at all? Or do you mean that it is
only the xmodem part you are having trouble with? Local connection problems
to the T200 are not surprising by the way: That is hard to do with a typical
TErminal program.

Timeout errors suggest a problem in the Xmodem mode. It is not enuff to say
you have all params set per the docs; tell what they are! What protocol are
you trying to use: CRC or Checksum? What is the modem cable design (where did
you get it)? Is it the same as the one at the start of the file Z88-MDM.INF
in File Area 2? If not, try that one.
What modem are you using? One from Wordmongers? Is it supposed to be Hayes
compatible?

Bottom line is that there are many ways to make it not work -- and usually
only ONE workable way. So it is not uncommon to have these problems. In fact,
for about a month I could not get my WorldPort modem to handshake properly
with my Z88 using Z88COM (and I wrote Z88COM!); then I tried the modem cable
design in Z88-MDM.INF and -- voila! -- it works fine now.

Now -- a special offer. Leave me your phone number in a message, private or
otherwise, and I will try to give you some better help. Or you can call me at
213-371-2373 in the evening or on the weekend.

Phil




 #144 17 29 Mar 89 17:04:36 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: George Bond
REPLY TO #136 SEE ALSO #145
Subj: COMM88

George,
I did test COMM88, Version 2 UK, back in Dec, 88. My COMM88 came in a
package with a small 1200 baud modem, a "Datatronics Model 1200P".
It was very similar to my Worldport 1200. (a.k.a Travelcomm).
COMM88 works ONLY with a modem attached. I believe it sends out
an "AT" and looks for the "OK" returned by the modem. Therefore, your modem
must use the hayes command set. COMM88 worked with the modem supplied, and
also with a Courier 2400e from USRobotics and the Worldport 1200. I decided
not to keep COMM88 because it hid the built-in VT-52 terminal emulation of the
Z88 which I needed to communicate with our VAX hosts at work. Phil's Z88COM is
a much better communications program because it provides xmodem transfer AND
lets the built-in VT-52 emulation shine through.
My notes do not indicate any special cable requirements for COMM88. If
TERM works, and Z88COM works, I believe COMM88 should also work. However,
since I no longer have it, I cannot be absolutely sure that COMM88 does not
need some special cable connections.
I do not remember your note. Does your modem use the AT command set?
If not, try a modem that does to check for cable requirements. If your modem
does use the AT command set, but COMM88 still does not work, drop me another
note.
Vic




 #145 17 29 Mar 89 17:19:41 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: George Bond
REPLY TO #144 SEE ALSO #167
Subj: Another thought on COMM88

December was a long time ago, so I also may be wrong on this, but.....does
COMM88 use its own set-up program to set baud rate and stuff? If so, check
that it is set for a baud rate that matches your
modem.
Vic




 #146 20 29 Mar 89 17:25:06 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
SEE ALSO #147
Subj: Reply from Jerry Pournelle

Phil,
I received a reply from Jerry to my letter on his "review" of the Z88. He
claims that Cambridge agrees with him that suspended applications will "just
go away after a while" !!!!! The response overall was very nice and ANY
response at all is a real surprise,
considering how much mail he must get. Overall, he comes across as a
first-class guy.
Vic




 #147 16 29 Mar 89 17:31:29 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #146 SEE ALSO #156
Subj: Pournelle

Well, if he said Cambridge U.K. agreed, it would be interesting.

The domestic Cambridge No. America would be a different thing. They are not
generally regarded as experts on the technical aspects of the Z88 -- at least
that is my impression. Jerry could certainly pursuade them to "agree" with
him; he has a certain force of reputation.

Anyway -- the statement is just plain wrong!!

I have yet to get a reply; and I notice the letters being publihsed are about
5-6 months old. Snore.....

Phil




 #148 17 29 Mar 89 17:53:51 (RECV'D)
From: Paul Bingham
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #139 SEE ALSO #157
Subj: BBS

Phil, I appreciate all the work you do. Everything is well organized... not
like other boards I've been on lately. So accept the kudos gracefully --
they're deserved!
Paul




 #149 18 29 Mar 89 17:56:55 (RECV'D)
From: Paul Bingham
To: Phill Jackson
SEE ALSO #150
Subj: Mac RS 422 to RS 232C

Phil,
I couldn't help seeing your cable message. BYTE Feb 1989 has a great answer to
the problem on page 40. If you need a copy of it just write me:Club Z88
PIPELINE Editor, P.O. Box 2034, Mesa, AZ 85214. And good luck!
Paul




 #150 18 29 Mar 89 18:26:43 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Paul Bingham
REPLY TO #149
Subj: Mac Cable

Gee, I have that somewhere. I'll have to take a gander at it!

Phil




 #151 18 30 Mar 89 02:14:53 (RECV'D)
From: Tim Woods
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #135 SEE ALSO #152
Subj: comm88

Phil,
Not to break in here, but COMM88 is Wordmongers Ltd, re-packaged
ZTERM for CAMBRIDGE NORTH AMERICA. There was no difference between
ZTERM and COMM88 that I could see. (Only the name was changed....but all the
goodies were the same). My only answer for this is that Cambridge tried to
make ZTERM look like an in-house production rather than a Wordmonger's
product. They bundled COMM88 and a DATATRONICS pocket modem for big $$$$.
Tim




 #152 15 30 Mar 89 06:09:18
From: Sysop
To: Tim Woods
REPLY TO #151 SEE ALSO #165
Subj: COMM88

That's very useful info, Tim. Since I have Z-Term, that means I do know about
COMM88 after all! I'll look at the message again and see if I can add to my
advice.

Thanks!

Phil






 #154 13 30 Mar 89 18:07:24 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Len Rubin
SEE ALSO #159
Subj: Sent

Lynn,]
I sent off the drive Monday. You should have it by now. New changes here
re family situation make it impossible for me to go ahead with the buying Z88
from you at this time. Can we go back to the original idea of a straight sale
for the drive?
Phill




 #155 13 30 Mar 89 18:17:30 (RECV'D)
From: Phill Jackson
To: Len Rubin
SEE ALSO #160
Subj: Names

Len, sorry about the Lynn. My memory chip skipped a beat. Phill




 #156 14 30 Mar 89 20:01:40 (RECV'D)
From: Chris Fenn
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #147 SEE ALSO #164
Subj: Poof!

Well, that's still a new one on me Vic! I have never mysteriously lost
anything from mine. (and Cambridge agrees????????) Hmmmmmmmm.......




 #157 14 30 Mar 89 20:06:36
From: Chris Fenn
To: Paul Bingham
REPLY TO #148
Subj: Greetings

Great to have ya around Paul! Now we won't have to hog all the fun!
Chris




 #158 13 30 Mar 89 22:35:35
From: Sysop
To: John Amaral
Subj: Files Downloaded

John, I just checked out the files you downloaded tonight. YOu should be
aware that the Z88TRM files are outdated, superceded by the faster and more
capable Z88COM set of files. Also, to use PATPCW effectively, you will need
Z88PATCH.DOC or Z88PATCH.PD.

Of course, you may already have all of these; just wanted to make sure.

Phil







 #161 12 30 Mar 89 23:28:49
From: Len Rubin
To: All
SEE ALSO #162
Subj: anecdotes etc.

Well, I am pleased to announce that my Z88 is beginning to garner a few
wide-eyed stares on the job. I am working as an in-house marketing
and product development consultant and all around projects coordinator
for a small corporation in the Bay Area. At the same time I am doing
some telemarketing for them in the New York area. I am thus running
around from office to office throughout this company, and managing to
attract data like a magnet. I am using the Z88 to shuttle this around
between Macs and various PC clones. Using the CRFIL program that Sir
Phil Wheeler (I decided to knight him) developed to keep the
prospect/account information, and Diary to record the conversations and
dates (as per Chris Fenn's suggestion), I was able to completely
survive a potentially catastrophic hard-disk crash on the PC containing
that was running a telemarketing program called "TRACKER". That turned
a few heads, as I produced all the zapped records that hadn't been
backed up yet (I had a parallel "mock" of TRACKER in my Z88!

Then there is the daily pilgrimage to the HP Laserjet printer, during
which an entourage assembles behind me in the hall to marvel as I
connect my Z88 directly to the Laserjet and produce finished
presentation-quality letters. Noone in this hokey outfit can
currently interface with the one laser printer; they're all sending out
draft quality stuff, or typing, photocopying, etc.--It's like that
commercial for Wang or some other computer company where the guy is
describing a company in which everyone has a system, but there's no
network, and so no one can communicate with anyone else! And then
again, it's like those Apple commercials, in which there's a group of
employees in a meeting with "the boss" and everytime he asks for a
department that can get him one presentation or another, the same guy
keeps popping up with "I've can do that", or, "I've got that right
here", or whatever. Everytime I'm in a meeting with Sales or
Marketing, I've got notes, facts and projections right in front of me,
as well as phone numbers, copies of old conversations, letters, etc.
It's getting embarassing! Anyway, I just wanted to share this stuff
with you, given that I'm always grumbling about one thing or another.

Also, does anyone know how to communicate Z88 to Z88? I tried building
a cable using just 2, 3 & 7, with 2 & 3 reversed between ends. I then
tried S)end file (from Import/Export) on one machine and R)eceive file
on the other. This did not work (nothing happened). Rather than
possibly experiment for centuries I decided to ask around (I've asked
Sir Wheeler (Sir Phil?), and I keep forgetting what he said, other than
2,3 &7.)

One other thing, Phil--how does one (does one?) set/use functions while
in Z88COM?




 #162 13 31 Mar 89 06:14:40 (RECV'D)
From: Sysop
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #161 SEE ALSO #166
Subj: Miscellany

Great to hear of your productive use of the Z88, Len. And, if you are
printing to a laserjet, how about uploading the printer driver to Area 3?

Don't know what you mean by "set/use functions whilce in Z88COM". Like --
what functions do you mean?

On the null modem: I think you need to do something with 5, 8 and 9 on each
end. Best bet is to reverse engineer one of the null mdm cables used to work
with a PC. I did this once, wrote it down and even built a couple that work
fine; but I lost the piece of paper with the diagram. I'll try to dupe it
this weekend.

BTW -- gotta do my taxes this weekend, so the system will be down some.
Started a few weeks ago, but my version of Turbotax has a problem and I has to
wait for a replacement.

but call sometime Sat/Sun and I will try to have a null mdm prescription --
and also AREA1MSG.389 should appear in Area 5 sometime.

Phil




 #163 11 31 Mar 89 07:44:42
From: Bruce Durocher
To: All
SEE ALSO #171
Subj: Help?!

Does anyone else out there have an unexpanded Z88 that might be able to tell
me WHY I keep having the system lock up on me when I use the filer? I just
had to warm-boot my machine and lost a citation I had taken down from a
Small-Press publication that is out of Canada and that I don't have an address
for. AARGH! Perhaps I just have a flakey machine, or maybe I should just
give up on holding documents in the Z88 until I can get more memory or until
the disk drive comes out, whichever comes first. Any suggestions would be
appreciated--when the machine locks, it's all over. I'm being driven to
distraction...




 #164 8 31 Mar 89 17:30:17 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Sysop
REPLY TO #156
Subj: Pournelle

I assume he meant Cambridge North America, and I agree they are
not technical experts concering the Z88. I also agree, of course, that Jerry
is still wrong about this. If he is really having these problems, he must have
a bum machine.
Vic





 #165 7 31 Mar 89 17:34:18
From: Victor Roberts
To: Tim Woods
REPLY TO #152
Subj: COMM88

I must disagree. According to the documentation there IS a difference.
COMM88 is designed to work ONLY with a modem attached. (As I stated in my note,
I found this to be true by actual test.) ZTERM is supposed to work without a
modem. While I have not tested this, I assume from info on this board that
this is the case.
Vic




 #166 8 31 Mar 89 17:40:45 (RECV'D)
From: Victor Roberts
To: Len Rubin
REPLY TO #162 SEE ALSO #169
Subj: Z88 to Z88

While I have only one Z88, and cannot test Z88 to Z88, the following line swap
box works for Z88 to PC and should work for Z88 to Z88

1--------------1
2--------------3
3--------------2
4--------------5
5--------------4
20--------------6
6--------------20

Notice that this is symmetrical. Also, the above connections are at the 25-pin
connector. If you are working with a pair of 9-pins, I believe you just
substitute pin 9 for pin 20 in above diagram.

Vic




 #167 11 31 Mar 89 18:55:20 (RECV'D)
From: George Bond
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #145 SEE ALSO #168
Subj: comm88

Thanks for the info, Vic. I'm using a Datatronics 2400P with the Z88
(probably a later version of the 1200P). It has the full Hayes AT
command set. I took apart the cable that came with my Z88. It's a
marvel: on the DB25 end, pins 2, 3, 7 and 20 are connected -- but I
cannot tell exactly *where* and *how* they are connected because there
is a small can capacitor and a resistor soldered across the leads,
making it into a bowl of spaghetti. I'll try some other modems with
COMM88 and report the results.




 #168 9 31 Mar 89 21:13:35 (RECV'D)
From: George Bond
To: Victor Roberts
REPLY TO #167
Subj: other modem

I just tried running COMM88 to a Prometheus 1200. Same problem: the program
will not talk to the modem. It just generates the error message saying it
isn't meant for anything but the modem sold with it (apparently a Datatronics
or Worldport).