Comment Line. Time invested in learning software and money spent on hardware
makes us all want to continue pushing 8-bit computing. We don't quickly or
easily discard what has served so well, provided base to think freely, open
our minds, learn. It's fact!
You notice we go against grain, don't troop (Z-News 304), offer an
alternative that's upward-compatible with CP/M, similar to UNIX, but fast and
efficient: Z-System, an 8-bit OS soon to have multitasking capability added
to its other present big-system features.
By summer we should have new elements in place (Z-News 401), debugged, to
permit 8-bit systems to communicate over local area networks and to control
and be controlled by 16/32/64-bit machines running other OSs. And coming from
others, industry-standard bit-mapped graphics interface packages will be
available.
Z-System multitasking means low-priority tasks get processed when main
processor unit has time to work with them. Top priority is always given to
task the console (keyboard and CRT) is associated with. Nonetheless, operator
is alerted through screen status window when background tasks need attention,
i.e., input from keyboard.
FLASH. Ready now! We have ZCPR3 extended TCAP business-graphics (straight-
lines, squared corners, intersects, and boxes) provided by modern ASCII
terminals, e.g., TeleVideo 950/955, Wyse 50, Qume 108, etc., in GRXLIB.REL
library, written by Z-Team member, Dennis Wright. Plus windows! Yes, up to
16 of them using new GRWLIB.REL library, also from Dennis. (Small windows are
used to monitor concurrent task status in multitasking OS.)
Primitives handle everything for you, make job intuitive. Simple syntax:
function call followed by (in decimal notation) row, column, length, height,
direction, etc., as appropriate for particular drawing. Next newsletter shows
what our kind of graphics and windows look like--beautiful. Price is $49.00
for the two REL libraries on disk and online and printed documentation.
We ponder impact of graphics and windows on our tools and utilities, on
8-bit application programs in general. Z-Nodes presently have a demonstration
file (GRXDEMO.LBR) to show what can be accomplished with graphics and windows.
Presently over 32 subroutines exist to handle new functions. Functions
like DRVERT, DRHORZ, DRBOX, OPENW, WXYMSG, and CLEARW for draw vertical line,
draw horizontal line, draw box, open window, write text at window row, column,
and clear contents of an open window, respectively. Windows are numbered from
1 to 16. Windows may overlap on screen, be used as panels and tiles, or be
pop-up style.
Example (sample code fragment placed in utility or application program):
ext wxymsg ;reference routines to fetch at link time..
ext drbox ;..from GRXLIB and GRWLIB libraries
...
call drbox ;draw a box using graphics characters
db 2,3,6,34 ;box upper left row, column, box height, width
...
call wxymsg ;print message at window row and column
db 5,2,4 ;window number, window row and column
db 'After selecting options, please' ;msg first line
db 'Strike Any Key to continue... ',0 ;msg ending
DOUBLE FLASH! No later than 15 February ZCPR3: The Libraries ships. Loose-
�leaf, 3-M ring plastic binding, 8.5" by 11.0", 300+ pages, comprehensively
cross indexed by subroutine name, chapter-named logical function, and
relocatable library name. Extensive Table of Contents (TOC), 5 pages. Dozens
of examples make learning easy. Now there's no excuse to not learn the
advantages of structured assembly language programming. Author, Richard Conn,
using both Reference Manual and User's Guide sections of The Libraries, takes
reader by the hand, and together, walk the path of learning efficient design
and coding techniques. We are taking orders now for The Libraries. Price is
$29.95, plus $4.00 shipping and handling if within USA.
Incidentally, manual covers Rick's recently completed subroutine
expansions, SYSLIB Version 3.6, Z3LIB Version 1.3, and VLIB Version 1.1.
Loose-leaf book makes it easy to keep up with changes--simply add and replace
pages as changes occur. New price for 9 to 12 diskette set (number depends on
computer disk size and format), including source code and online
documentation, is $69.00.
Entire libraries package, book, graphics documentation, SYSLIB, Z3LIB,
VLIB, GRXLIB, and GRWLIB, is discount priced at $129.00, a saving of $18.95
from individual package purchases. Order now.
Z TIPS. ZRDOS COMP utility, Version 2.8, with trailing T option for setting
Register 9 (of ZCPR3 REG utility) with codes 0 to 3, indicating files (source
and destination) not found, and files are either identical or different, makes
for some interesting possibilities. Updating backup-disks from RAM disk, and
loading or re-loading RAM disk from hard or floppy disk, come to mind. Using
GOTO loop, AC36 archive-bit file copy, and IF13 wild card file matching
capabilities, it should be possible to create a ZEX file completely automating
all-important disk backup chores.
Single file copy offering (COPYIF.ZEX, on Z-Nodes) from Dennis Wright:
COMP $1 $2 /T ;note compare two files with test-only option
IF 9 1 ;note if source not found
ECHO -- $1 NOT FOUND
ELSE
IF 9 2 ;note if destination not found
ECHO -- DESTINATION FILE DOES NOT EXIST, COPYING $1 TO DESTINATION
AC $2=$1
ELSE
IF 9 3 ;note if difference found
ECHO -- FILES ARE DIFFERENT, UPDATING $2 WITH $1
AC $2=$1
ELSE
ECHO -- FILES ARE IDENTICAL, UPDATE NOT REQUIRED
FI ;note if 9 3
FI ;note if 9 2
FI ;note if 9 1
Syntax is COPYIF <du:source filename> <du:destination filename><cr>. Script
works as alias or, as Dennis suggested, ZEX file. Now, think of another
level, that uses above script to process one file, that allows wild card
declared files, each file handled by Dennis's script as nested alias in GOTO
loop. Okay, we think!
New subject. A neat CMD command line we use under VFILER to edit and
auto back-up files you might wish to experiment with (also try in a MENU or
VMENU command line, but don't forget to alter for syntax differences between
VFILER and menus):
1 %d%u:;nw %f;if12 %f=z.?0?;ac BACKUP:=%f /a;fi
�
Pointer file (%f is full file name) is called to load under Newword (or any
other word processor or editor). After edit session, if file matches wildcard
name (using IF12 or later version to determine), it is auto copied (using
ZRDOS AC) to BACKUP directory disk, but only if file has been altered by
editing. Notice how we hard log into current directory--make current the
default--before calling editor. Such allows moving from user area to user
area, finding pointer file, with BAK file created by edit process placed where
it logically should go: on current drive in current user area. (See page 4
below for another assembly automation script.)
PRODUCT REVIEW. Newword word processor (Version 2.17 sells for $125.00 plus
$4.00 S&H) from Newstar Software, Inc., 1601 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA
94523, telephone 415/932-2526, looks good to us because, among other things,
it tells of use� areas. And has lots of printer support,
including HP LaserJet (though not with
justified, proportional spacing) and
late-model dot matrix types. And after
using WordStar for years, to use Newword Sketch of White Knight and
is like coming home to a freshly painted Queen Alice.
house, like finding a little of El
Dorado. NW is a superset of WS.
Newstar supports 8-bit computing; Sorcim
is another! (Ashton-Tate and MicroPro
go way of DRI, forget their origins?)
In this one package there's
Mergeprint, like WordStar's MailMerge
but more conditional IF, THEN, ELSE
testing possibilities available, up to
three lines for header and footer text,
and most importantly, an undelete
command. The latter (command is ^U)
lets you recover a word, line, or block
of text accidently erased, something WS
has needed from its beginning. And a
^QS save quickly brings you back to
exactly where you were in the file. You
don't end at beginning of file and have
to enter ^QP to return to where you were
before save.
Another feature is automatic whole-
document reform, in addition to
paragraph-at-a-time, with ^QB command.
In find (search) and replace function
there's an option R for "rest of
document," in addition to global; latter
starts at beginning of file and is not
always desired. Command ^QP finds a
numbered page. The column replace (^KI
in addition to ^KN, WS's column mode)
command requires no reformatting when
moving columns around. And there's six,
instead of four, user functions (^PQ,^PW,^PE,^PR,^P[, and ^P]) to control the
printer.
If you are in a user area other than zero, sorted file directory and main
menus (but not status line) show both area and drive. Main menu L command
permits logging into any user area. And PUBLIC ZRDOS Plus makes using NW from
�any directory, as with WS, a snap, with but one copy of main program and
overlays on disk system. Incidentally, NW can be installed to have internal
directory not display COM, REL, OVR, and other files a text editor shouldn't
be used on. WS directory function seems to fall apart after about 70 files
are included, shows all files in strange sort.
A feature hard to describe, must see to appreciate fully: the .RM and
once, WS only one. These two commands permit many indents and different right
margins to exist in a single file. The below-status-line ruler showing left,
right margins and tab stops in effect automatically change as you, within a
file, cross over an RM or LM dot statement--real video magic!
Number of copies to print is built-in and selected as response to prompt
(default is one copy). Multiple printer drivers are also built-in, so only
one copy of installed program need be resident to control several printers you
use. One thing lacking is ability to print a file from within the edit
session--that we miss! (Feature in not included because of concern for data
security; NSI is a conservative company.) And also the tight spacing of
punctuation provided by WS is not performed by NW; that too we miss. But NW
microjustify algorithm more closely follows classical typographical standards
than does WS. To justify right margin, white space is added between words
rather than between characters of words. Overall effect is more pleasing to
the eye in former case; WS uses latter. Compare printing of Z-News 402 with
401.
Newword impresses as refined product, developed by people who knew how to
design a super word processor. Though NW and WS operations are similar--
commands are near identical--we know NW to be an original work of art and
recommend it to anyone wishing a full-feature word processing program. We
have seen none better, few as good. (Next, we review a super spelling checker
from CompuView.)
From Our Mail Box. Mike Lambert, 1153 Dublin Place, Herndon, VA 22070, signs
up as Good-Neighbor Helper. He runs an Eagle IIE and has full knowledge of
what it takes to install ZCPR3. Give Mike a call if you need assistance
getting Z3 installed. His voice telephone is 703/471-0429.
Mark Little, Z-Node #50, also signs up as Good-Neighbor Helper. Mark's
new address and home voice phone is 1 Waving Court, Alice Springs, N.T.,
Australia 5750, (089) 528 230. Down-under folks needing help with
understanding Z-System should give him a call, especially if using Big Board
I.
"ZCPR3 is great and I don't know how I ever lived without it this long!"
from Art Carlson, publisher of The Computer Journal. Art, if more writers and
editors took the time, as you have, to get Z-System running on their machines,
they too would understand what we have been reporting for so long. Alas, such
people are too busy with bigger and more important things than 8-bit software.
"I am glad you are still in business and supporting the non-IBM world.
You have spent a lot of money on newsletters to me and I am enclosing a
check... " comes from Bob Chappelear, Cincinnati, OH. Thanks for money and
words of encouragement, Bob; we could use a little more of both.
Another writes to add his name to Good-Neighbor Helper Roster: Mike
Blackwell, for Otrona assistance, One South 135 Eliot Lane, Villa Park, IL
60181, 312/882-4673. Thanks, Mike, for joining list of helpers--we need
assistance from all corners.
Amateur Z User's Corner. Lots of you are getting your feet wet with assembly
language programming using Z-System source code as a base. A neat CMD command
line we use here, instead of a ZEX file, you may wish to try when next
developing a changed program. It's our number 2 macro command used by
VFILER.CMD in ASM directory:
�
2 %d%u:;if12 %f=*.z80;zas %n;if ~er;zlink %d:%n,a:z3lib/,a:vlib/,
a:syslib/;era %n.rel;era %n.bak;echo done;else;echo errors - link
cancelled;fi;else;echo file not z80 type;fi
We use Version 2.2a of ZAS which sets the ZCPR3 error message flag if an
assembly error occurs. (Any who bought or upgraded to 2.2 may receive a free
update, if original diskette is returned along with $4.00 to cover shipping
and handling.)
Simply point to the file to be assembled and linked from REL to COM and
VFILER does the rest. If you point to a file not of type Z80, you are
informed; general housekeeping is automatic, erasing BAK and REL files not
normally required. Of course similar command script can be used to do just
about anything you need to do, greatly reducing the number of required
keystrokes (and inevitable typing errors) from you.
Notice we log into current directory as script is executed. We have
found this generally better than staying with the default being other than
current. Using many directory areas, moving freely from one to another, and
still have CMD script work correctly with a wide variety of application
situations is what we seek.
Don't forget command line (CL) length limitation (SHOW utility tells
length available; use #1 menu.) of approximately 200 characters. Also,
remember alias parameters are expanded and actual command stings usually are
longer than script character count.
Z-Node Activity. Another node online--Peter Glaskowsky, 13421 SW 69 Court,
Miami, FL 33156, signs as Z-Node #53. Remember from Z-News 309, Pete is a
Lobo MAX-80 expert. Dial, hopefully using Term3 *.TXD telephone library,
305/235-1645 to reach him.
Jim Altman, Z-Node #46, with his 200 megabyte hard disk system (see Z-
News 309), signs up as downloader of EI proprietary software. Atlanta area
computerists wishing to buy Z-System packages, and also those wishing to
check-out such a big system, should give Jim's node a call: 404/627-7127.
And, Sysop Richard Jacobson adds another telephone line to his Z-Node
#15, has two RAS numbers. New, second line is devoted to Z-System software;
original line is more general. Try 312/664-1730 for pure Z, 312/649-1730 for
normal node.
Announcement. Trenton Computer Festival (conference and swap-meet) occurs
19, 20 April this year. Richard Conn is a featured speaker with two
subjects
scheduled: (1) Ada Language and (2) Z-System Evolution. Trenton, in its 11th
year, is the oldest of such microcomputer gatherings. Plan to attend. Who
knows, you may see Dennis Wright, Dave McCord, or other members of Echelon's
team there, along with, for sure, Steve Ciarcia, Steve Leon, and Sol Libes,
and maybe, Irv Hoff.
Doings. High level language, Modula 2, being developed to take full
advantage of Micromint SB180 computer and Hitachi HD64180 processor features,
includes use of large memory address space and hardware multiply (MLT
instruction, see Z-News 208). In beat test now, designed by none other than
Borland International, Scotts Valley, CA, 408/438-8400. If consistent with
Borland's normal pricing, should be economical to buy. (Early testing
indicates it's much faster than Tubro Pascal on a Z80.)
Mr. Robert Andrews, Zilog marketing manager for new products, recently
told us of progress made with their Z800 chip, the one code-compatible with
Z80. He reports giving up design of NMOS product because of internal micro-
thermal hot spots, have converted the product to low power CMOS. First
�version will run at 10 mHz with execution through-puts of from 1.1 to 5.2
MIPS, depending on instruction mix (sounds like a 5 or 6 stage pipeline
design). Chip has on-board MMU, DMA, cache memory, UART, and CTCs. Perhaps
Hitachi HD64180 will have competition in third quarter of 1986, when Z800
full-production is scheduled. What a wait this is!
One More Time. Many computer magazine editors have little or no investment
in or emotion for our industry or its hardware. But they heavily influence
the reading majority. Yet these same editors seem to realize not the
importance of their leadership positions, seem to take the easy, shallow way
to living. They sense not the opening available to each of them; they don't
go for IT! They tread, they grind; but what a drag! You notice they seldom
say anything that offends anyone; you notice they remind melba toast. If you
follow their recommendations and you happen to come up short, what have they
lost? They simply recommend another of the many similar products available.
They show little love! Remember, their revenue comes mainly from advertisers,
not from you their readers. But increasingly, anything that is not IBM
compatible won't fly well in corporate America, or with these editors and
their
reporting staff. What do estimated over-2-million CP/M users read? Not much!
What grade are we in? Do we troop, live deeply; are we less than high-
grade? See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
101 First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 415/948-3820
Z-Node Central (RAS): 415/489-9005
Trademarks: SB180, COMM180, TKBBS, Micromint; HD64180, Hitachi; Z80/800,
Zilog; NSC800, National; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Z-Com, Zas, Zlink,
ZDM, Revas4, Z-Msg, DSD, Term3, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon and their
respective owners and authors; CP/M, Digital Research; WY-30/50/75/85/350,
Wyse Technology; PropStar; Civil Computing; WordStar, MicroPro; Newword,
Newstar; SCSI/Plus, AMPRO Computers.
big thumb
* here
Z F r e e s !
* *
Z-News 402 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
