New Products Update. We run from 6 to 10 weeks behind our original new
product development schedule (Z-News 401), were delayed mainly by graphics and
Term3, Release 2, packages--but, now they are finished. Hurray! So, on to
the other equally important stuff: ZCPR33, ZCPR/S3, ZCPR/B3, ZCPR/M3, and
ZRDOS3. Look for 3.3 by end of April, rest by, hopefully, beginning of
summer--June 1st. B3 and M3 along with ZRDOS3 usher in a new era for high-
performance 8-bit systems. CP/M is dead--long live Z! Wide and local area
networking with E-Mail, multi-tasking, graphics, flexibility, speed and
efficiency, these are features of Z-System.
ZCPR3: The Libraries. Robert Blum (Norcross, GA), erstwhile CP/M columnist
of Dr. Dobb's Journal and now columnist for Micro/Systems Journal, graciously
consents to write FOREWORD to next edition of The Libraries. We felt Bob
ideal, as he so loves to use previous SYSLIB versions. (Look for FOREWORD on
Z-Nodes as file FOREWORD.RB.)
As you may guess, we are proud of The Libraries. Nothing we know of
compares to it regarding assembly language programming, that programming we so
love. In addition to explaining programming philosophy, what each routine
does, and how each routine is used, nine (9) example programs really promote
quick learning, show structure-technique of assembly language program design
and coding using REL libraries. The Libraries, SYSLIB, Z3LIB, and VLIB, are
premier tools to efficiently control microcomputer tasks, and provide much of
the abstraction of Pascal and C languages but without poor code density.
Here's way to learn programming by trial and self-correction. You
learned to walk that way, not through instruction from your parents. The
idea: try, try, try...never think of lack of success as failure...your self-
worth is increased by trying, followed by being able to keep up with change,
thus changing yourself, your world. Book creates environment for learning.
It promotes learning-oriented, in addition to less-important goal-oriented,
programming activity.
Book, with huge Table of Contents and Index--likes of which we have
never seen before--sells for only $29.95 plus $4.00 S&H, continental USA.
Contains 310 loose-leaf pages in big and tan, plastic and indestructible, 3-
ring binder. Need we say more?
Z-Node Activity. The beat goes on! Zee Tall Trees Z-Node is online and a
downloader of our proprietary software. Sysop Bob Peddicord, Selam OR, is no
stranger to community, being author of TALIAS. Bob is in evergreen tree
country and becomes node #60 with 503/597-2066 modem phone number. Welcome to
the ever growing z-noder group, Bob. Each willing to provide emotion, feeling
is welcomed to the list.
To cover western side of Missouri and eastern Kansas, Gregg Britton
becomes Z-Node #61 with 30 megabyte hard disk on Heath H89. Gregg operates
from Whiteman Air Force Base, MO 65305, an area with little RAS activity.
With Gregg's enthusiasm that situation soon changes.
Another down-under Z-Node now online, #62, is run by Sysop Lindsay Allen,
Perth, Western Australia, 6153, 61-9-364-9924 on a Morrow. He is also a ham,
VK6LJ call letters, and an airline pilot. Welcome aboard, Lindsay.
Michael Breaux, Poway (San Diego), CA 92064, 619/486-0735, becomes Sysop
of Z-Node #63. He runs a CompuPro 6-mHz Z80 and has 80 megabytes storage
online. Here's much-needed addition to assist Roger Warren, Z-Node #9,
619/270-3148, with southern California traffic.
Edward Mecka, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 201/798-0065, Z-Node Node #64, starts to
handle east coast Z traffic.
And--that's makes it 7 new nodes for this fortnight--thirty megabytes of
storage online comes to us from Laurence Langer and his modified Kaypro. Node
is based in cowboy country, Cheyenne, WY 82001, 307/635-8366. Z-Node #65
mixes it up for you guys tired of punching doggies.
From Steve Kitahata, Z-Node #57, Gardena, CA, 213/532-3336, comes, "...by
becoming a Z-Node and making my own contributions, I hope to help you in
supporting the most powerful operating system written for microcomputers, bar
none!" Thanks, Steve, for recognizing something we have been telling of for a
long time.
Our between Dallas and Fort Worth node (Bedford, TX) signs as downloader
of EI proprietary software. Terry Carroll, Z-Node #56 Sysop, 817/283-9167, is
ready to sell you what you want. Give him a try.
Bob Finch, ham radio packet to Z-Node #21, is soon ready to connect phone
line to his RAS. Then the fun begins!
Amateur Z User Corner. Our communications menu evolves as we gain experience
using Term3 software system, modem wide and RS-232 (and SCSI) local area
networks. Single menu below can be expanded to control everything you
normally do with your computer. Many more screens, up to 255, are controlled
from this single top view. You can use up to 36 single-keystroke commands
from each screen, several on each screen-line, not one or two as we show here.
We try for menu-display distinctiveness (using ^A and ^B codes for line,
phrase, word, and character highlighting) and ease of use, clarity along with
functionally. (Can you imagine boxes and windows applied to a menu screen
like this?) Setting System File to name of menu permits going back and forth
from editor to screen, interactively developing menu--demonstration of
recursion!
-dpx
#
>>>>> TERM3 COMMUNICATIONS MENU <<<<<
===================================================================
1 - Originate Phone Call (dial from directory) (T3FILER) - 1
2 - Answer Phone & Enter: Conversational Mode (T3ANSWER) - 2
3 - Terminal Mode (T3ANSWER) - 3
4 - Computer Command Line (T3ANSWER) - 4
5 - Message System (T3LOGIN/T3ENVSET) - 5
6 - Communications Control Menu (T3FILER) - 6
C - Communication Set Editor Macro Segment Editor - M
T - Telephone Directory Editor User Database Editor - U
7 - Originate Phone Call (for T3DO) (T3TERM) - 7
8 - Scan User Activity Log (T3NOTE) - 8
9 - (spare) - 9
0 - Initialize Modem and Telephone Interface (T3INIT) - 0
==========================>>> H - HELP <<<=========================
System File is $f1
E - Edit System File (non-document mode) (Newword) - E
S - Set System File Name (SETFILE) - S
V - Invoke VFILER Scan Master Catalog (Discat) - D
Z - Enter Command Line
#
1 BASE:t3dial /m;if ~er;BASE:t3filer /t;fi
2 BASE:t3answer;if ~er;BASE:t3filer /c;fi
3 BASE:t3answer;if ~er;BASE:t3filer /t;fi
4 BASE:t3answer;if ~er;dev c crtmod;fi
5 ROOT:dev c crtmod;BASE:t3answer;if ~er;BASE:t3login;BASE:t3envset;fi
6 BASE:t3filer /m
c TERM3:;edcst;$d$u:
m TERM3:;edtmc t3;$d$u:
t TERM3:;edtxd;$d$u:
u TERM3:;eduser;$d$u:
7 BASE:t3dial /m;if ~er;BASE:t3term /t;fi
8!BASE:vtype TERM3:activity.txt
0 BASE:t3init 2;echo modem initialized and set to 1200 bps;sak /p1
h!HELP:;help term3;$d$u:
s ROOT:setfile 1 "Enter Name of System File (fn.ft): "
e get 100 ROOT:nw.com;poke 74e ff;poke 787 ff;go $f1
d CAT;catscan "Define Optional File/Disk Search Mask: [*.doc [*.25?]]<cr> <<
";$d$u:
v ROOT:vfiler
z!"$d$u:Command>"
##
Our system disk, disk A, named directories are: A0=ROOT, A8=CAT,
A12=HELP, A14=TERM3; and A15=ROOT. Most work is on disk B and D, backups go
to floppy disk C. Notice we sometimes log-into the directory and other times
not, depending on needs that get job done quickly and efficiently. From the
menu, we can get to Discat Master Catalog, use VFILER, and by setting
filename, use Newword (or any other editor or word processor) to edit any
filename known to be in current directory. We typically use a VFILER CMD
macro to go to MAIL directory from any location on disk system. Macro line is
simple:
Here, 1) we log into B7:MAIL> directory, 2) set System File #1 to name of menu
(we continue to work on communications menu, better to serve our mutual
needs), 3) run MENU, then after leaving menu with ^C we, 4) return to
directory from which we called VFILER macro command. B7: is used only for
mail and files, received either locally or from Z-Nodes and other RASs.
You may wish to use VMENU instead of MENU for your communications menu.
Each program has its advantages and disadvantages. Although at present
program version levels, to have 16 pointer file names displayed with VMENU you
give up only six (6) lines (16 total, versus 22 for MENU) that could be used
as text and commands in menu screen--not much of a trade-off! Having ability
to use both System Files and Pointer Files is fun (fulfilling). Review file
S.VMN in DEMO.LBR. Therein VMENU power shows.
We use recursion, procedures that repeat (use) themselves indefinitely or
until a specific condition is met, with reverence. Why? It's catalytic,
stimulates learning. And that's what Echelon is about and...
Of Cabbages and Kings. Something-for-nothing! Where did such misunder-
standing come from? To become more than what we are, individually and
collectively, requires effort, work on the physical, the intellectual, the
emotional, on the Being. Anything coming easy, needing little or no work
doesn't alter the status quo, the balanced forces of stability. Change comes
from conscious effort, resulting in new structure. Majority of us understand
not the path, way to fun. We WONDER not, seem to be insufficiently
knowledgeable or wise...now back to Zinfandel, and a light head. See you down
the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
885 N. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022 USA
Telephone: 415/948-3820
Z-Node Central (RAS): 415/489-9005
Z-News 406 is Copyright 1986 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
