============================================================
The DataCOM Network consists of three remote CP/M databases
with 60 megabyte of files available to members 24 hours at
300 or 1200 baud. An annual fee of $30.00 is required for
access, an application may be downloaded by calling System
#1 at (813) 937-3608 at 300/1200/2400 baud or send a SASE
along with your request to:
NOTE: Articles and reviews of machines, hardware, software,
and other peripherals reflect currently advertised prices as
released by the distributors and are included here for YOUR
INFORMATION ONLY. The TBKUG/DataCOM Network is NOT being
paid to advertise these products and we cannot be held
responsible for the price and/or performance of said
products.
============================================================
<<<<< SYSTEM #1 NOW SUPPORTS 300/1200/2400 BAUDRATES >>>>>
--={ NEWDOS on System #2 }=--
Users who are familiar with my "NEW" command (a ZCPR3 alias
that logs you to drive B, user0 and runs DIRF.COM) should
feel right at home with the "NEWDOS" command. NEWDOS is
another ZCPR3 alias that now logs you to drive D, user2 and
runs DIRF.COM in the new DOS file section.
The NEW command is for those who wish to see WHATSNEW in
CP/M-80 and other non-DOS operating systems. The NEWDOS
command is for those who wish to see WHATSNEW in IBM (and
compat) DOS programs.
The NEWDOS command and file area is ONLY on system #2.
--={ DDraw and ZCPR2/3 on the Kaypro }=--
DDraw is a fantastic little graphic doodling program for
video-able Kaypro models written by TBKUG member Dan
Griffith of Tampa Florida. I was having some problems with
a few of the graphic routines not running quite right on my
Kaypro 10 under BIOSMMR. BIOSMMR is a ZCPR3 plus BIOS
replacement for the Kaypro 10 written by TBKUG member
Michael Rubenstein. BIOSMMR makes use of some intelligent
routines to facilitate the handling of characters with the
high bits set (ala Wordstar) and was blocking some of
DDraw's video calls.
BIOSMMR users should issue the following command before
running DDraw:
KSTAT CON=GRAPH
and then after DDraw to put it back the way it was use:
KSTAT CON=-GRAPH
KSTAT is a special utility supplied with BIOSMMR to change
device assignments and also to toggle the graphics filter
that is built-in to the new BIOS.
For users with John Smith's K10ZCPR3.LBR or the K484ZPR3.LBR
files, you should issue the following command:
A0>GRAF {transient GRAF.COM}
And finally for users running the K10ZCPR2.LBR files:
A0>GRAF {resident command}
Once the appropriate command has been issued then all
further screen graphic modes will be enabled as designed
into DDraw. I was experiencing trouble with the help
messages that appear on the upper left corner of the CRT.
They would print and then stay on the screen, the next
message would just partially over-write the previous message
causing a very messy looking screen. After issuing the
KSTAT command everything began to work as advertised.
Dan Griffith, DDraw's author has told me that he will
release the source for DDraw which is in Turbo Pascal, after
Micro Cornucopia's Turbo contest is over. Good luck in the
contest Dan, DDraw is definitely a winner and gets my vote!
Dan has also informed me that he is currently working on
adding printer support for the Epson RX-80 and Okidata 92
models. DDraw currently supports only the Gemini 10 printer
for it's two different modes of screen to printer dumping.
--={ Product Review: Courier 2400 Modem }=--
U.S. Robotics Inc. of Chicago, Illinois has recently begun
selling a new high-speed capable 300/1200/2400 baud modem
called the Courier. A good number of the DataCOM System's
users had inquired when I would be supporting 2400 baud and
the answer is NOW! I would also like to let others know of
the features and performance of this fine modem so here they
are.
Courier 2400 Specifications:
Bell 103-, 113-, 212A-compatible, V.22 bis-compatible, or to
put it simply; 300/1200/2400 baud capable.
Supports all standard 'AT' commands made popular by Hayes
plus an extended set that also includes BUSY, NO ANSWER,
CONNECT 2400, RINGING, and VOICE response codes.
The Courier can check the phone line for (1) dialtone before
attempting to dial, and (2) the proper mode of dialing,
pulse or touchtone.
Has 9 LED indicators on the front for (1) HS High speed
(2400bps), (2) AA Auto Answer, (3) CD Carrier Detect, (4) OH
Off Hook, (5) RD Rec Data, (6) SD Send Data, (7) TR Terminal
Ready, (8) MR Modem Ready, and (9) AL Analog Loopback Test.
Built-in speaker with a really nice and accessible side-
mounted slide volume control. The Courier also has a new
ATM3 command to silence the speaker during dialing, turn it
on after last digit, and then turn it back off again after
connection is established with the remote.
Now the unique features. The Courier has built-in help
screens that tell you (1) what the current S-register
settings are, (2) a summary of the ATD dialing sequences,
and (3) a summary of modem commands. It even has a built-in
clock that can either (1) keep track of the time between
CONNECT and NO CARRIER or (2) be set for real-time display.
The Courier will automatically fallback to 1200 bps if you
had previously dialed out at 2400 bps and connected with a
system that only supports 1200 bps as it's highest speed.
The Courier also has the ability to dial numbers entered as
alphabetical characters like 1-800-DIAL USR. Also handy for
those who use alternate long distance carriers like MCI or
SPRINT is the "W"ait command which will wait for a second
dial tone and then enter your password or ID#. The Courier
can even be used to transmit Morse Code as the dot and dash
characters generate the necessary pulses and have the proper
amount of time delay between them.
The Courier is housed in an attractive dark grey plastic
case with a silver front just larger in depth and width than
the Hayes and about the same heighth. All of the 10 DIP
switches are found on the bottom of the unit and you don't
need to open the case to change any of them. Also located
next to the DIP switches is a big one that will
automatically reverse the data in/out lines (2 & 3) and
eliminates the need for different DTE/DCE cables for the RS-
232C interface to the computer. You do not need to
constantly referrence the user's manual while setting
switches either. All switches are plainly marked with a
very nice silk screen layout on the bottom of the modem
(hookah!)
Performance Report: I'm happy to report that all the
systems I've called supporting 2400 baud (no matter which
modem is being used) has produced excellent results with
very low numbers of CRC errors during transmission. Some
area's phone networks will have a hard time handling the
higher speed and some degradation while be apparent when
using alternate carriers but this is normal even at 1200
baud. The only minor hassle is when you are set for 2400
baud and connect with a 1200 baud system, your screen will
generate garbage until you reset to 1200 baud. The modem
falls back automatically but not the software and/or
computer. Ron Fowler of NightOwl tells me he is already
working on a MEX and MexPlus overlay to take advantage of
the Courier's new features.
The change from 1200 to 2400 is not as drastic as when you
go from 300 to 1200. But even at only (ha ha) twice the
speed of 1200 baud the savings are considerable on your long
distance bills.
All features considered and rapidly dropping prices makes me
believe this modem is a real winner! I just saw the July
issue of PC World and an outfit called MicroFlash is selling
new Courier's for $495. I have also noticed that the prices
for the Hayes 1200 Smartmodem (which have held at $600 for 2
years now) are rapidly dropping. Also the best price for a
Hayes 2400 I've seen by mail is $699. If you do a
considerable amount of telecomputing then this modem is just
what you need! {ed}
{ Note to Sysops }
Just a quick note to System Operators (Sysops) of RCP/Ms and
RBBSs. If your system is actively online you qualify to
receive a brand new US Robotics Courier 2400 baud modem for
only $350.00 !! US Robotics is out to corner the on-line
market and is making their brand new 300/1200/2400 (Hayes
compatible protocols) modem available very reasonably to the
Sysop community.
Needless to say I've jumped on this deal and have already
contacted US Robotics for my copy. The #1 Kaypro 10 system
at (813) 937-3608 now supports 300/1200/2400 baud at time of
logon.
Let me just say that it is nice to see a company that
realizes the influence that RCP/M systems have on the buying
marketplace. If systems like DataCOM did not offer 2400
baud who would bother to buy a 2400 modem? My hats off to
U S Robotics for making such a gracious offer to the
telecomputing community.
This offer expires around July 15, 1985 so don't delay.
Sysops of "active" systems should call the sales dept:
U S Robotics, Inc.
8100 McCormick Blvd
Skokie, IL 60076
(312) 971-8355
--={ Plu*Perfect's DateStamper(tm) }=--
Product Review by Steve Sanders
I can't remember how many times I've said that I wished CP/M
could time/date stamp it's directory entries like DOS. Well
there's good news - it now can thanks to Plu*Perfect
Systems' program system called DateStamper (tm). This
system operates just fine without a real-time clock by
keeping track of entries via a relative clock that is
incremented each time you access a file.
True time/date stamping can be accomplished with the
addition of a real-time clock such as the one built into all
new Kaypro models. In addition to the Kaypro factory clock,
DateStamper also supports the Legacy, Holmes, and Kenmore
add-on clock boards for the Kaypro from a program called
SETUPCLK which is menu-driven. I just received the newest
CLOCKS.DAT file which works with the SETUPCLK program and it
now supports 30 different built-ins and add-ons.
Ready-to-run clock patches are available for the Otrona
Attache, Big Board II, Compupro, Epson QX-10, Heath, and
Xerox 820-I and II machines. Also patches for the following
hardware clocks; Advent, Mountain, QT 8080 and Z80, S-100
with 5832 and 8255, and CCS 2805. Plu*Perfect will also
help you customize a special clock patch if you supply them
with a sample program and all available doc on the clock
being used.
DateStamper is very easy to install, just run a program
called SETUPDS and pick your options. In the default
configuration, DateStamper loads itself into memory just
under CP/M's CCP area and occupies approximately 1k of RAM.
DateStamper may be configured to run above the CCP if you
are familiar with MOVCPM and how to create a smaller CP/M
system. DateStamper's buffers may also be relocated to any
area in memory you have open which will shrink the size of
the running code below the CCP. I have it running now on
the Kaypro 10 (2.2G model) with BIOSMMR (a ZCPR3-type super
BIOS) and a 55k TPA. There are certain conflicts with
memory-hungry programs like EX14 (however EX15 seems to run
OK) and SMARTKEY which also attempt to load and run just
below CP/M's CCP. This is another good reason to MOVCPM
down and run DateStamper above the CCP.
Plu*Perfect has another program called the BACKGROUNDER(tm)
which is a keyboard re-definition program similar to
SMARTKEY(tm) which runs in conjunction to DateStamper with
no problems. They also have an enhanced CP/M system called
CP/M 2.2e that completes their 'custom' operating system and
gives you additional benefits like PUBLIC files. PUBLIC
files can be accessed anywhere in your system as if they
were on the current drive/user area. CP/M 2.2e has other
ZCPR-style advantages over standard CP/M 2.2 but that's
another month's product review.
Enough technical mumbo-jumbo, if you have a 52k or larger
TPA area, you should have no problems. So, WHATZITDO? Well
DateStamper keeps track of the time/date a file was created,
accessed, or modified and stores this info in a file called
!!!TIME&.DAT. This file is initially set-up with the PUTDS
utility which installs this file as the very first directory
entry on a given disk (floppy or hard). If PUTDS encounters
any files already occupying the first entry, said file(s)
and data are moved to another entry and !!!TIME&.DAT is
created and initialized for use. This file may be either
$DIR (visible) or $SYS (invisible) status, whatever you
like. DATESTAMPing can only occur on a disk that has been
installed with PUTDS utility first.
The DateStamper package includes a special version of SD
(the directory program) and SWEEP that allows displaying and
manipulating time-stamped files. Both SDD and DATSWEEP are
easily configurable for any terminal's video attributes via
the SETTERM utility and use graphic line and inverse video
to give you a very fancy looking display. The fancy
graphics and line drawing routines are not used on the older
Kaypro II and pre-84 Kaypro 4 models. A typical SDD display
looks like this:
Drive A15: 81 files, using 852k (1048K FREE) +2087-02 Jun
--file size created accessed modified--
----------------------{relative clock}----------------------
A15:ALIAS .COM 4K | +0000-30 May +2000-02 Jun
A15:CLS .COM 4K | +0000-30 May +0002-02 Jun
A15:COPY .COM 4K | +0000-30 May +3235-01 Jun
A15:D .COM 8K | +2073-02 Jun
------------------{real-time clock running}-----------------
A15:SDD .COM 8K | 10:43-30 May 14:12-02 Jun
A15:SWEEP .COM 12k | 17:19-04 Jun
A15:TIME .COM 4k | 08:35-29 May 19:37-04 Jun
A15:Z3INS .COM 4k | 09:12-01 Jun 14:01-03 Jun
(Note: SDD's actual display is wider than can be reproduced
in this magazine's 60 column format.)
The above example shows the type of date stamping with info
coming from the {relative clock}, and the {real-time clock}.
The relative clock is advanced everytime a file is accessed
by a BDOS (Basic Disk Operating System) call and is
perfectly acceptable for most uses. Without a clock
DATESTAMP will prompt you to enter the current month and day
each time it is initiated after a cold start. It is not
affected by CTRL-C warmboots only cold resets.
SDD may also be changed to display only the filenames and
sizes, or filenames, sizes, and date last modified, or in
it's default form it produces a complete display like the
one shown above
DATSWEEP is patterned after the older
SWEEP v3.1 written in 'C' and is much larger then NSWEEP
(32k vs 11k) but does a lot more. DATSWEEP allows you to
change the create, access, or modified times and dates and
also allows for backing up files by time and or date.
DATSWEEP also uses a lot of inverse video and line drawing
routines for it's fancy looking menu and has a lot of on-
screen prompting and help messages. The real-time clock
display in DATSWEEP is constantly updating itself while the
program is loaded (if you have a clock). For most ordinary
file manipulations I prefer the smaller and faster NSWEEP
or the ZCPR3 resident CP (copy file) command, but DATSWEEP
has it's own special uses as well.
I would highly recommend the DateStamper package to writers
or hackers who alter and modify programs on a continual
basis. Time-stamped files make an easy job of figuring out
which one was the first one and which was the latest created
when sifting thru your directories. The actual stamping of
files is done automatically and does not slow down normal
operation very much. You will notice slightly longer disk
saves and access times as DateStamper actual intercepts all
BDOS calls to decide whether a file is being accessed or
not. Even an experienced hacker (like myself) will not mind
the slightly longer disk I/O times involved when you
consider the advantages to date-stamped files. This also
helps me put off buying a DOS-based machine for a while
longer as stamped files was one of the 'frills' I really
wanted to implement.
Now take all these features of time-stamped files and all
the special utilities included in the package and ask
yourself what is all this worth? The DateStamper package,
utilities, and documentation is available for only $39.00
complete. The BACKGROUNDER (requires CP/M 2.2e) is
available for $45.00, and the enhanced CP/M 2.2e is only
$32.00 and includes Wordstar enhancements as well.
Plu*Perfect also has a deal for users without real-time
clocks, you can buy an Advent clock board for $79.00 ($10
off normal price) with an enclosed coupon.
Plu*Perfect Systems has other enhancements and products
available as well, see their ads in Profiles each month or
write to them at:
Plu*Perfect Systems
Box 1494
Idyllwild, CA 92349
--={ WHATSNEW in Public Domain }=--
by Steve Sanders
Warning: The program NSWP208.COM being distributed on most
RCP/M systems is NOT authorized by Dave Rand the author.
NSWP208 has been removed from the DataCOM Network Systems
and Dave tells me he will retaliate with NSWP209 very soon.
Note: I cannot believe the amount of new public domain that
has come through the DataCOM systems in the last 30 days. I
do not have enough room here to go into all of them and will
do my best to highlight only the very best.
EG*.LBR A fellow by the name of Eric Gans in California is
a very avid Kaypro fanatic and has developed a whole bunch
of highly useful CP/M utilities. There's EGBAS.LBR with
some MBASIC utils, EGPASS.LBR for the Turbo Pascal user,
EGKTEN1.LBR and EGUTIL41.LBR are super nice if you have a
Kaypro 10 with a hard disk drive. Eric has written a very
nice back-up for the hard disk called BBACK and there's
others for ERAsing and RENaming and changing user
assignments, on and on... There are several other libraries
as well, space doesn't permit describing all of them. Eric
is also the author of the popular DR13/14/15 programs and
also the SRW121/131 programs. I have taken all of these
really fine libraries and put them on TBKUG User Disk #066,
and of course they are available for download.
MAIL20A.LBR is Jim Gronek's dBase mailing database system.
This is a comprehensive menu-driven database for maintaining
names, addresses, and phone numbers.
ERAQ19.LBR contains a UNIX-style ERAse command file. It
allows for single-file, wildcard, or mass erasures. It will
also display the amount of FREE space in 'k' remaining on
the logged drive after all erasures.
PCSWP210.LBR Here's a NEWSWEEP for PC/MS-DOS users. Has
most all of the standard SWEEP functions; Erase, Rename,
Tag, Log, Space, etc. An all around great utility.
IBMMINI.LBR has an IBM and compatible mini-version modem
program supporting most standard protocols for transfer and
the COMM1 and COMM2 ports on the IBM (works great on K16s
and new 2000 models as well.)
QMODEM85.LBR has a bit more complex full-featured modem
program for use with 'Qubie and Hayes modem cards. Pull-
down windows and lots of other features. For IBMs or
compatibles only.
WSFAST24.LBR has all the files you need to patch Wordstar
v3.30 for faster operation and edit while printing feature.
The library now contains three .SUB files, one has the
previous patches and the other has those plus the default
drive B logging installed. If you have Wordstar as shipped
with the Kaypros from '83 to late '84 - this is for you!!
Just added WSFST24k.SUB into the library, this submit file
will also patch the video of the Kaypro to use 1/2-intensity
inverse and clear the screen on startup and exit.
LOCK10.LBR will allow you to password code .COM or ASCII
type files so they cannot be read or run until they are
un-locked again. Very nice program and works as advertised.
If you look at the file after encoding there is nothing
legible there at all. Run it through UNLOCK with the proper
password again and it's back to normal.
PAIRX12.LBR contains a nice utility for checking Wordstar
formatted files and will detect un-balanced pairs of printer
control characters. Really helps you to find the missing
^PB before printing a whole page boldfaced.
KPORTS.WQ is a well-defined breakdown of all the ports used
by the Kaypros for all of it's functions. If you've been
hunting for just the 'right' number to plug into a program
to make something do something - check this file out.
K484RCPM.LBR This is The Poor Man's RCP/M version for the
Kaypro 4'84 model and uses the internal modem and clock.
Terry Carroll is Sysop of The Poor Man's RCP/M in Texas and
has put this set of ready-to-run BYE, XMODEM, and other
utilities together for the 'occassional' Sysop. This system
uses the newest MBYE36, XMODEM106, and CHAT programs but
does NOT include a formal message (RBBS) system. Terry has
included a program called NOTE which allows remote callers
to leave up to a 17-line message which is appended to an
existing file somewhere on the system. The Sysop may read
this file later or impliment his own RBBS-type program.
Terry has included the source code for the patch files which
are MBK484-1.AQM and MBC-K484.AQM for use with MBYE36 and
also XMK484-1.AQM for use with XMDM-106. Now all you need
to do is put together a message system and add some security
like ZCPR3 and away yo go weekend Sysops.
GAMNIV01.LBR is TBKUG member Dave Oshel's reply to certain
commercial game vendors. This is a really nice graphic
gammon game for use with most Kaypros capable of extended
video addressing like the 10s and most new post '84 models.
This game pits you (the pathetic human) against the computer
in a test of skill and wits. Your Kaypro screen will show
you the board at all times and if you know basic gammon
moves and rules you should really enjoy this one.
--={ SHADES OF WORDSTAR (WINDOWS) }=--
by Dick Ezzard
One breakthrough for a writer working on word processor
comes when he unshackles himself from the habit of most
always working on the tail end of a writing project -- a
habit grooved and re-grooved because with a typewriter (or
quill pen), the tail end is always the most convenient place
to work. That's where the blank paper is.
What does phonetic writing represent? The networks of my
thoughts are multi-colored, many-dimensioned, infinitely
interconnected, and instantly associated and re-associated
according to my own idiosyncratic learning experiences.
Compared to the intricate, immense, technicolor, 3D, living
web of human thought, text extruded by a typewriter or even
a word processor is a poor, skinny, little worm, -- an
essentially linear artifact. Like typewriter text, a
WordStar file is a string of characters with various knots
such as word spacings, line endings and paragraph endings
tied into the string.
But just as a reference book permits multiple easy access at
any point for reading, so does the word processor instrument
facilitate access to text at any point --at infinite
points-- for writing. The text string can be cut into and
re-arranged and new knots can be tied effortlessly. Re-
arrangement and interjection operations in the paper-and-ink
world are cumbersomely involved with note slips and note
cards and physical cutting and pasting but they come easy
with a word processor. (Deletion is almost too easy!)
The freed-up writer learns the use of place-markers to jump
around and work throughout an entire WordStar file --
instead of merely adding on to a string's tail end. The
writing process becomes much more like blocking out and
filling in. You get to write in the middle and at the
beginning as well as at the tail end.
The second breakthrough comes when the writer enlarges his
canvas by one more dimension: Instead of working throughout
a single file, he works all over the system! Even though
WordStar will suck you into one-file operations, there is no
need to so stultify yourself. You can easily work in two or
more files simultaneously. You can append notes to the end
of another file. You can quickly glance at an outline. You
can work all over the disk, indeed, you can work all over
the system. And it doesn't take a new high-cost program to
do these things, just the application of your own human
technique to available WordStar interfile power.
Avoid file focus! Try to make it a habit to work in two or
more files simultaneously.
This technique is especially valuable when you are working
on some writing of a certain heft, something more than just
a simple letter, some kind of ... Project. One problem with
computers is the tiny periscope view which forces us to
focus on the current segment of text rather than the
context. A sweeping panoramic overview is difficult. Since
layout of an entire complex project may be difficult to hold
in the mind's eye, it is often useful, sometimes essential,
to have a jotted outline to refer to when you are working on
a mural-sized piece, so you can momentarily step back for a
full project overview. Let's say you are writing along,
finish a segment, and need to glance at the outline of your
project to see where to go next. You hit a special function
key and your outline comes into view. After browsing,
finding out what you wanted to know, you hit a couple of
keys and the outline goes away again.
Okay, many of the newer, more elaborate word processing
programs boast a "windows" feature. Windowing allows you
look at two (or more) files simultaneously, work in either
or both, yet maintain separate identities for filing on the
disk. Typical uses for a window feature are to glance at an
outline file when working on text (just what we're talking
about here), or to jot down something which is not germane
to your main effort of the moment by jotting in a separate
"Odd Notes" file.
While WordStar does not have a specific windowing
capability, ingenuity lets you achieve the same logical
effects with an "almost windows" facility I'll call "Window
Shades." Shades technique has the metaphorical effect of
(while working in a main file) pulling down a shade with a
message written on it (such as your outline). You can look
at the outline, then snap the shade back up out of the way
and go back to working in your regular window.
Shades starts with WordStar's regular ^Kr command which will
bring any other file into the file you are working in. The
simple ^Kr file read command, however, once executed does
not differentiate between the stuff that belongs to the file
you are working in and the material you have brought over
from the other file. It may be bothersome to have extraneous
bits and pieces of the outline "welded" into your text where
it is hard to strip out again.
The technique part involves thinking ahead, to be prepared
for what you will want to do later, which is erase! The
solution is to bring the extraneous matter in as a marked
block. Then you can easily see on the screen what is the
outline you are referring to and what is your text file. And
as soon as you have glanced at the outline, you can erase it
with a ^Ky and go back to what you were doing. So you want
to pull your shade down as a segregated marked block.
To do that, you pre-mark a tiny block into which you read
the reference file. Use ^Kb, <return>, ^Kk, ^Qb (puts cursor
into the currently marked block) and then do ^Kr to bring in
your reference material. It comes in already marked as a
block. When you are done looking at it, ^Ky snaps the shade
back up by erasing it in the file in which you are currently
working. (It still exists for repeated reference in its own
file and you can glance at it again anytime by just
repeating the operation.)
Because the operation is a little complicated, if you are
going to do shades a lot, you will want to automate the
whole thing by setting up a pre-programmed special function
key to cascade the WordStar commands involved. Many systems
allow for programming function keys. Another alternative is
to use a special program such as SmartKey I or II, ManyKey,
ProKey, QuikKey, etc., to work in conjunction with WordStar.
The keystrokes you want to put into a special function key
are as follows:
^Kb<CR>^Kk^Qb^KrO<CR>
where <CR> stands for the RETURN key or ENTER key.
To use this special function key properly you have to pre-
set your reference outline file in a file called "O" which
is the file always read in by this particular sequence.
Properly installed, when you hit this special function key,
bang, in comes your outline as a marked block, just like
pulling down a shade in front of your main file. As
mentioned previously, ^Ky gets rid of it again. And you are
right where you were before pulling down the shade.
Before you install a special function key, you may want to
give youself a walkthrough demonstration, slow test the
operation "by the numbers." Put something in a file called O
and then see how easy it is to bring it in, glance at it,
and erase it. The technique involved, your own mental ju-
jitsu, is first to always keep the outline of your current
project in a file called O. (Different outlines from
different files on different disks can be easily swapped
into your O file at the start of a writing session.) And
secondly, because you will just want to glance at it
momentarily, you bring the shade down prepared for easy
erasure by pre-marking the block. Human foresight and
WordStar tools together yield the desired effect.
You can also, of course, rig a similar key to expedite
writing notes out to another file. Let's say that your
application requires that you keep a separate set of
footnotes or endnotes to each chapter. As you are writing
along, you write a note or a citation which has to be sent
to the endnote file. You mark the note as a block and hit a
special function key which brings in the note file,
integrates the new note at the bottom of the notefile,
writes the whole thing back out and erases the note in your
current text file.
In this case, you write something to be included in the
"shade" which gets pulled down and snapped up automatically.
The technique:
1) Write your note wherever you happen to be in the
current text file.
2) Do ^Kb to mark the beginning of the note, then
immediately hit <return> to push the note down one line. Go
to the end of your note, hit <return> and mark ^Kk (block
end). Your note is now configured as a block with a blank
line at the top, and a line ending included at the bottom.
3) ^Qb puts the cursor at the top of the note on that
blank line.
4) Read in your note file, ^Kr (it comes "into" the
block) and immediately write it back out again. That's Kw
back to the same filename, and Y for yes to overwrite that
file.
5) ^Ky to erase the block in your text file, away
goes the note.
Steps 3, 4, and 5 can be automated with the following
programmed special function key:
^Qb^KrN<CR>KwN<CR>Y^Ky
which will always bring in a file called N and overwrite out
to a the file called N. All you have to remember is to keep
your current notes file in a file called N.
This same technique works even if you are not intentionally
keeping a separate footnote/endnote file. Say you are
working on a current project and a thought occurs about
something off point that you'll want to keep for future
reference. Jot it down in a block and hit your notes key.
Bang, it's gone from your current text, saved in your notes
file.
If you absolutely need to look at two (or more) files
simultaneously, rig a special function key to print a marked
block, pull down the shade (like your outline), hit this new
special function key, then rip the outline out of your
printer and tape it up next to the screen. ^Ky gets the
shade out of your way on the screen. A special function key
which cascades the commands to accomplish instant printing
of a marked block is:
^KwP<CR>Y^KpP<ESC>
You can see that this command set writes any marked block
(possibly your outline pulled down as described) out to a
special file called P for printing, and immediately prints
it. The "Y" is in there to answer "Yes" to the overwrite
query WordStar will give you if a previous P file exists on
your disk. (And if one does not exist, the single character
"Y" will be entered in your file, a relatively harmless
effect.)
One final comment: Although these commands work just fine
with WordStar on a regular system, there is some slight
delay for disk accesses as WordStar writes back and forth to
files, perhaps has to load up part of the overlay file to
get going. Where cascaded commands on programmed special
function keys really come into their own is when you operate
WordStar on a RAM disk, either a portion of memory confi-
gured as a disk or an add-on piece of hardware like the
Drive C sold for the Osborne computers. With that kind of
setup you get snappy shades indeed.
In conclusion, although WordStar has no separate windows,
ingenuity will allow most people to get along with pull down
"shades" to glance at other files. Perhaps the most
important thing to be learned from this is that when working
with WordStar you should AVOID FILE FOCUS. Don't get stuck
in the habit of working on the tail end of only one file at
a time. There are many techniques that allow you to work in
several files simulta-neously, and if you break typewriter
tunnel vision habits, you can work all over your system,
writing to several files on any disk in any one session.
Last, in this hurried note, here's an update, this time
tested, of the WordStar Ghostbuster special function key:
^K0^QE^QS^KB^QX^QD^KK^Q0^K0
This will make the entire screen into a marked block, wiping
out the ghosts as it goes, and returning the cursor to
whence it came. To unmark the block, either hit ^KH or hit
the ghostbuster SFK a second time; it works as a toggle. The
same idea can be used to delete an entire screenful, or to
dump a screenful to the printer. That's all for now.
--={ Interview: Ward Christensen }=--
by Keith Petersen, W8SDZ
The following is an edited copy of an interview that
appeared in the form of several messages on Ward
Christensen's bulletin board. It offers some interesting
insight into the life and times of our "CP/M Guru".
From: Ward Christensen
Re: Interview
I'm a negativist, hater of life, and have a short fuse - it
doesn't take much to set me off. That's why I'm into
computers - its almost like a drug, letting you get so
completely wrapped up in it, the "world passes you by", i.e.
I've been known to have a bad headache or stomach ache, but
an hour of computing, and I'm oblivious to it, until I stop
for something. It's a totally engrossing way to "pass the
time".
What I do for IBM and why I like working there? Well, very
long story, but you asked for it. Lets go back to my Sr.
year of high school. I "built" a computer - merely a 10-
stage binary counter with phone-dial input, and some wires
to handle carrying from one "flip-flop" to the next, and
lights to show output, etc. After pi__ing away 3 semesters
at a big university not being sure what I wanted to do with
my life (still the case, by the way), I dropped out and went
back "home" - and skipping a few chapters of the book, got
asked that since I'd "built" a computer in high school,
would I like to learn to program them? This was in '65 or
so. I said "sure", and took a few IBM classes in Milwaukee,
riding into school on my motorcycle. After a few months, I
realized that I really liked computers - I was technically
inclined, and somewhat a loner, and what better thing could
there be? Sure, I liked going on motorcycle rides, but not
in the winter, etc.
Came time to go back to college, I talked with our IBM
Systems Engineer, and asked what kind of schooling I should
get. I hoped he wouldn't say "business degree", 'cause that
turned me off. No, he said math, sciences, etc. So I went
to a small college (now bankrupt, R.I.P.) and got a Physics
Major, Chem Minor, and hit "deans list" 6 semesters in a
row, then took ONE job interview, IBM. I figured simply
that I could either work for someone who USES computers, or
someone who MAKES them, and the decision sounded easy if I
wanted to be "where he action is".
However, I wasn't smart enough to go looking for the best
job in IBM, instead I just interviewed the local office,
which was looking for a systems engineer - the "technical
side of sales", i.e. doing configurations, performance
planning, helping solve bugs, etc.
I wound up in the Hammond IN branch, and have stuck with it
since.
If I had it to do over again, I'd look for a job in research
or something more technically involved. Matter of fact, it
came as quite a shock to find the IBM office back then
didn't even have a computer in it! Here I was, working for
a computer mfgr, but not working with a computer! I was
only able to work with the customer's machines!
So, I guess that got me interested in a home computer. I
remember being interested in the very early 70's, and bought
a Data General Nova instruction manual, got literature from
TI on their minicomputers, etc. I learned about the 8008 in
Jan '74, and taught myself TTL that summer, and bought an
Altair, the "first popular" computer kit, in early '75.
SO, long answer - what do I do for IBM? Well, I'm still an
SE, but have moved up a few jobs - trainee, assistant,
associate, se, and now advisory. We are just now starting
to have PC's in the offices.
As to my view of "IBM vs my personal contributions" - well,
I guess that after writing a letter to IBM trying to get
them to come out with a personal computer, and receiving a
reply "we don't think there is a market for them", I kind of
"went off on my own". For conflict of interest reasons, I
decided that I'd give away anything I did, rather than
trying to sell it. This is a very "conscientious", or
whatever word fits - thing for me to do - people say I've
passed up millions $ in the many things I pioneered. But, I
wasn't the entrepreneur type, and IBM paid well enough to
finance my hobby. I'm sure it helped my IBM related career,
i.e. outside recognition, etc.
I guess I don't remember the Ted Nelson thing fighting to
get the "world up in arms against the computer giants".
I've seen nothing wrong with "computer giants" - thought I
admit that when a company gets larger than some critical
mass, it gets a "momentum" disproportionate to its technical
abilities - allowing it to sometimes come out with products
that would have failed if done by other companies - perhaps
the PC Jr is such - having recently had new life breathed
into it ala new keyboard, and significant price cuts
(temporary tho they were).
The kind of practical innovation that has come out of IBM
has been VERY fascinating. I used to like to talk to fellow
computer hobbyists about the printer we had that printed
about as fast as you could pull paper out of a box; and
about the 2.5 BILLION byte "boxes" of disk storage, etc.
I always kept my hobby separate from my job - I didn't see
how I could enjoy the hobby if it became the same as my job,
but as of Jan 1, I knuckled under to that, too, and am now
the workstation specialist (means PC's and terminals) for
one of the branch offices in downtown Chicago. (which I
really hate - being a small town "boy", the big city is
really a pain!) But, having bought a house at a time that
interest rates were low, its like having a rich uncle, what
with what has happened to interest rates. It tends to keep
me rooted in one spot. (I always was very conservative).
Old Q's: "you were 29 when you got into this, right? And
what background did you have to read TTL tech material
anyway?" Yes, 29. And for technical background, I had a
degree in physics, and even from a liberal arts college, you
DO learn some basic electronics. Also of course remember
I'd built this computer in high school, but still I was most
certainly not one of the "jocks". TTL just came natural to
me, I guess because its so mathematical in nature. Its as
"simple as" 0 volts being a "false" value, and 5 volts being
a "true" value, and voila (or is it viola?) you could do
things like and, or, exclusive or, not, not-and, etc - but
instead of numbers on a sheet of paper, they were electrical
signals.
History on the micro? When did it go from switches on the
front panel? I guess '76 or so - or whenever the apple ONE
came out, and the SOL, which was a small machine based upon
similar technology to the original Altair that is credited
with starting it all. But then again, my current CP/M
machine, with 256K, 3 floppies, and 8M of hard disk, still
has front panel switches, and LIGHTS. I sure miss the
LIGHTS on my PC - you can tell what its doing, how its
doing, etc.
When did I first discover I could "play" with a computer?
Well, I guess that high school project was one. It was
purely a technical challenge, and learning tool - had no
practical application. Actually, I was motivated to spend
the $$ to build it knowing I'd win first prize (I suppose I
could be a bit less egotistical and say "hoped.."), of $75.
Sure enough I won, but got a hand-shake and 'gee, sorry - we
never got out to get funds for a bond' story. Owell.
Then, within my first year working at IBM, the first
customer I worked with was sufficiently impressed to try to
hire me away, and a whopping 40% pay hike over what IBM paid
- but I figured I'd be better in the long run to stay with
IBM. Right! That company doesn't exist any more!.
What "clicked" to make me excited about the fact of having
my own computer? Well, I don't remember, sorry. I guess I
just never found anything technically challenging enough,
and realized that a computer would be a tool of unlimited
variability that could do what I wanted it to do. I guess I
was just a computer junkie, even though at the time there
weren't home machines. I remember this customer (that
offered me the job) wasn't allowed to trust me with a key,
but they approved me sleeping over Friday night so I could
use the computer Saturday. As a result, they got some
results they certainly didn't get out of their own people -
because I was willing to spend so much time at it. It
really IS a "habit" - like a drug, etc. Why else would I be
- as I am now - typing at after midnight, having to get up
shortly after 6:00 tomorrow, etc. It is just so completely
unlimiting, I guess. Today, I was stuck in a VERY crowded
elevator for about 6 minutes. Two of the people were
claustrophobic. I say this because somehow my interest in
computers is as inexplicable as the claustrophobia is to
them - it is just there. I think because I was a loner, I
never got interested in the more "humanitarian" things -
never got interested in "partying", owning a boat, etc. I
HATE driving - being very law abiding, it is unbearable to
be placed in a situation of watching everyone else break the
law, from failing to signal, to parking in two places, to
speeding, - sitting home at my computer is perhaps a sign of
"withdrawal". I did fall in love once, 1977, er, March, ah,
March 2nd, ah, 8:30 PM (not that it made a big deal to me,
heh heh). Believe it or not "my disk drives rusted up" as
a result of that - but sadly for the wrong reason -massive
depression because she was a "career worman", and I just
didn't fit in her life. It did open my eyes to a lot of
life, but also made me sort of "give up" - I look at it as
both the best and the worst thing that ever happened to me.
What did I do in '55 w/hen Chuck Berry and Bill Haley
revolutionized music? They did? Was I building radios? No,
I didn't have the ambition to learn anything that
complicated. I just mixed chemicals together, and blew up
the back yard, I guess. (take one part gunpowder, bury in 1
foot deep hole; bury a wire with fine wire wrapped around
match head in it, cover with dirt, go in house and plug
other end in socket, go back out and apologize to neighbors
cookout for sprinkling dirt on them..
"Get a job" was the first 45 I bought, and I didn't buy
many. Came from "college educated" family, with sort of
"snobbish" mother - when we got a TV, unlike everyone else
who put an antenna on the roof, she insisted it go in the
attic so no one would know we had time for such frivolity.
I think they sort of turned me into a loner, too, by
steering me toward the "children of their friends", rather
than the local neighborhood kids, who were mostly factory
workers' kids (not all, one friend's father was doctor,
etc).
I guess it was HeathKit that got me into electronics - I
built their 16-in-one transistor experimentors kit my jr
year of High School; Oh, also I think I subscribed to
Popular Electronics. Later to Radio Electronics. You are
bound to pick up some things from
that, by osmosis if
nothing else. I was even known to buy old used computer
boards for two bucks fifty, and literally blow-torch the
chips off of them to make my projects.
Ward was asked why he was using an IBM computer now and he
replied, "One day I decided I wanted to use a slow computer
with a lousy keyboard."
--={ Editor Speak }=--
I'm not even going to say a thing, Ward said it all.
Until next month sportsfans (and computer orphans) ...
