Proposal For A Collaborate National CP/M User's Group
June 26, 1980
I would like to propose a merging of the "SIG/M" CP/M User's
Group now in it's formative stages with "CP/M-NET (tm)", for
the purpose of public access (via modem) dissemination of CP/M
compatble public domain software. Benefits to be derived to the
"programming public at large" are:
1.0 Free access to "professional quality" software for the
price of a telephone call.
2.0 A "try before you buy" access of "commercial software"
3.0 Software "critique's" of "commercial software"
4.0 "language access" availability as a tutorial aid to a
better understanding of various languages (BASIC, FORTRAN,
COBOL, PASCAL/UCSD, PASCAL/M, PASCAL/MT, PASCAL/Z, "C",
etc.).
5.0 A program "forwarding" network for "mass dissemination" of
software.
6.0 An "on going" dialogue of "here's how to do it"
documentation, for implementation of software (e.g., how
to get MP/M running on your system...,etc.). Believe me,
alot of people out there are "baffled" at how to write a
BIOS, or how to change I/O for various systems, etc.!
These are just a view of my thoughts that have come to mind on
this issue, and I am sure that you could add quite a bit to
this...
The time and ability is certainly "at hand", by evidence of
Keith Petersen's system, Tom Churbuck's System, the Valley
Computer Club system, my system, and other's...If we could
standardize access methods, utility formats, etc., as
"affiliate systems", we could offer quite a bit to the public
"education" of the utilization of computers.
I would be more than willing to be the "West Coast" affiliate
system, and help in all details of this proposed project.
Additionally, we might publish a quarterly "news letter",
requiring possibly a $12 per year membership fee to cover
expenses of system operation and maintenance. Of primary
interest to me, is to make public domain software PUBLIC! Not
under the control of profit making organization such as
�Lifeboat (read Tony Gold here...) that (in general) have little
professional software to offer in their control of the
CPMUG/Lifelines "racket", much less some of the really "crap"
commercial software like "BSTAM"! (WOW, did I say that?!?).
Also, I suspect that if "SIG/M" really gets "rolling", you
will have your hands full with the logistics of distributing
"physical diskettes" to the public...my proposal would
certainly take care of any problems in that area.
To conclude, give this some thought as what we "collectively"
might do...leave any correspondence on this matter on my system
or Tom Churbuck's system as an "open forum".
Best Regards,
Kelly Smith, CP/M-NET (tm)
3055 Waco Avenue
Simi Valley, California, 93065
(805) 527-9321 (300 Baud Modem)
(805) 527-0518 (Verbal)
