BPrinter. Long wait is over--BPrinter ships, EI Price List Item 41, our
print despooler. It prints even during heavy disk accesses--other despoolers
don't. BPrinter is ideal for RAM and hard disk based systems. It is easy to
use and adheres to Z-System segment and tool philosophy. But you must have
I/O Package installed in your BIOS (Micromint's SB180 does) or be using Z-Com,
Price List Items 5 and 6. All who ordered should have received it by now.
(Item 84, ZCPR3 and IOPs tutorial written by Richard Conn, sells for only
$9.95, shows how to modify your BIOS for Z-style I/O redirection.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
More Benchmarks and the Future. Programs Bench 1, 2, and 3 from Micro C
magazine (Z-News 409) compiled with Software Toolworks C/80 produce quicker
running code than does Manx Aztec C. But clearly these programs are more a
test of compiler design than of computer throughput. Furthermore, it also
should be clear programs for high-performance 8-bit systems should be coded in
Assembly Language--ZCPR3: The Libraries, Item 82 at $29.95 from EI Price List,
shows how easy it is. Aztec is acceptable if custom link libraries are
written for it, as Tim Gary did for Z-Msg. Assembler loop, compare, and I/O
functions run two to six times quicker; math routines have not been worked out
yet.
With 38,400 baud ASCII terminals, 5.2 seconds is lower limit for Bench 3.
(First 76,800 baud terminal appears soon?) Notice only Assembler permits
achieving it. C/80 comes close. Screen painting, updating is important if
doing word and text processing. Also essential, good quality screen display,
e.g., quality offered by Wyse 50+ and TeleVideo 955. (Benchmark programs are
on Z-Nodes as file BENCH01.LBR.)
File Manx Aztec C v1.06
Computer Configuration Save Bench1 Bench2 Bench3
Deep Thought 42 (12.288mHz 64180) RAM 1.1 131.5 72.5 7.7
using Assembler (Syslib v3.6) n/a 15.6 5.2
using C/80 v3.0 68.2 37.6 6.4
using BDS-C v1.5a 134.0 97.0 7.2
Symmetric 375 bsd4.2 Unix (10mHz 32016) 5.3 20.8 11.8 8.3
Micromint SB180 (6.144mHz 64180) RAM 2.5 263.0 135.0 15.1
using Assembler (Syslib v3.6) n/a 29.3 5.2
using C/80 v3.0 135.4 74.3 6.7
using BDS-C v1.5a 268.0 194.4 14.6
AT&T Unix 5 PC (10mHz 68010) 49.1 25.1 15.3
Micromint SB180 (one wait state) RAM 3.3 344.7 176.9 19.8
Dual Systems S-100 Unix (8mHz 68000) 5.5 100.2 70.1 23.5
Slicer (8mHz 80186) 23.1 13.7 23.9
Oneac ON! (4mHz Z80) RAM 6.1 478.0 244.5 25.6
using Assembler n/a n/a 6.9
using C/80 239.6 129.0 8.5
using BDS-C v1.4a 624.0 248.6 10.2
Ampro Model 1210 (4mHz Z80) 14.7 480.0 246.0 27.5
using Assembler (Syslib v3.6) n/a 55.1 7.8
CCS S-100 (4mHz Z80) 8" floppy 16.5 478.0 244.0 27.3
using Assembler (Syslib v3.6) n/a 56.2 8.1
using C/80 v3.0 241.9 130.1 9.8
IBM PC (4.77mHz 8088) 54.7 28.7 73.6
� Using WordStar 3.0 (vi if Unix machine), "Save" benchmark is obtained by
adding time-to-save to disk value, in seconds, 68k-byte SCAN.EI text file (Z-
News 409) when WS cursor is at top-of-file to value when at bottom-of-file.
Divide by two to obtain average.
A C Language compiler written especially for Hitachi HD64180 would put
results for this chip in truly superior class. Enhancements planned for ZAS
assembler makes 64180 even better than it is now.
RAM disk versus program memory space (TPA) philosophy--many small
coordinated files allocated memory, i.e., loaded, versus single large program.
Quickly locating files through OS file structure versus code segments by
vector? Speed and flexibility of each approach, that's the trade. When we no
longer have to consider sluggish magnetic disk accesses, our software design
procedures change. (Term3 and Discat designs are fully justified, because of
increased flexibility offered, even without RAM disks.)
Operating systems generally were not designed with abundant fast memory
in mind. Unix and later, CP/M 1.4, considered 16k-bytes of "core" as their
starting points; CP/M 2.2, 20k-bytes. Now, these limited memory structures
don't seem appropriate when megabytes of inexpensive and fast memory are
available and online.
After using RAM-disk machines for sometime now, conscious of costs and
reliability factors, we suggest getting hard disks out of our small desktop
super microcomputers--like Oneac did--and using only RAM main memory with
battery and removable floppy disks (Kodak) for back-up. Think--it means no
more cold booting. Big ROMs and PROMs go away. One-time boot, load Z-System,
load utilities, and one-time load application programs--that's it. Save to
high-density floppy--forget hard disks of less than 30-megabytes. (Z-News 502
tells of DT42--it handles 76,800 baud terminals, even 153,600 and beyond;
future is now!) Leave AC power on at all times, auto-turnoff of CRT screen
after 20 minutes of non-use, no moving parts except for floppy drive during
actual back-up operations. Such machines are always ready, ready when you
are. Ideal!
Z-System Site License Policy. Simple policy which we think fair and
reasonable. No big deal many companies make it. You pay retail
price for the first copy of program and 20% of retail for each
additional copy you wish to use on-site, up to 15 copies. Above 15
copies, price drops to 15% of retail, 85% discount. You do program
disk copying. You receive one set of applicable documentation.
More sets are purchased at volume discount rates shown on our
current Price List. Example: six copies of program are twice the
price of one. Five sets of additional documentation are purchased
at 25% discount, i.e., 75% of retail; 50 sets, 33%; 250, 40%. So
what's the big deal? (No site license or runtime fees required for
Quick-Task (tm), use it on as many computers and for as many jobs as
you choose. But each physical site or corporate division requires
one master license costing only $249.00.)
Trenton Computer Festival. Oldest hobby computer faire huge success. This
eleventh year, biggest yet! Sol Libes, Editor and co-publisher of
Micro/Systems Journal, chosen as Hobbyist-of-the-Year, tears in his eyes.
Phil Lemmons, BYTE Magazine Editor in Chief, Saturday night banquet keynote
address speaker, encouraged use of more imagination and asked programmers to
write other than business wordprocessor and spreadsheet software. Thousands
see and hear latest in microcomputer developments. Two-hundred indoor
exhibits, hands-on graphics and communications demonstrations. Bargains
galore at gigantic (5 acres of) outdoor flea market. Continuous technical
sessions...Richard Conn's Z-System session packed beyond standing-room-only.
� Many microcomputer pioneers attended, Keith Peterson, Charles Strom, Jud
Newell, Sigi Kluger, Steve Ciarcia, Dave Hardy...fun to meet dozens of Echelon
customers. Thanks to Alan Katz and his students and to Trenton State College
for volunteer support and use of beautiful campus facilities. See you there
next year, in and down the lines. But hard as we looked, not one drop of
California Zinfandel could be found anywhere, red or white.
Z-Node Activity. Barron McIntire III is prime operator of Z-Node #65 in
Cheyenne, WY, 307/635-8366. Lawrence Langer is secondary or co-sysop. Give
their upgraded to 30-megabyte Kaypro 10 a call--lonely country up there in
Wyoming.
"Hidden Valley" Z-Node #68 is up. Sysop and long-time ZCPR3 user, Tim
O'Loughlin, mans Epson QX-10 with 10 megabytes of storage space. Tim has over
1500 files online and uses USR 2400 bps modem for quick transfers. Vernon, NJ
07462, 201/764-2507 is his location and phone number. Four Z-Nodes cover
state of New Jersey, very satisfying. The beat goes on.
From Essex, England, R.C. Page signs as Sysop of Z-Node #69. Also, yet
another Californian signs up making it 17 for state. Z-Node #70 is to be run
by Jim Moyer, San Jose 95129. Phone numbers for both are passed on we we get
them.
Norm Beeler's ZeeMachine Z-Node #35 worth calling. He has two lines into
one Z-System, common message and data base, with auto call-forwarding to
second line if first is busy. Try 408/735-0176 to see of things to come.
Norm's RAS is in Sunnyvale, CA.
Echelon moves, has risen up, electronically by "word-of-mouth" using Z-
Node network--unique! Sysops use Z-System because they believe in it, believe
in high-performance 8-bit operating systems and their future, for getting work
done with grace and speed.
From Our Mail Box. "It is one thing to read your ads and other's
enthusiastic comments, but actually using Z-System is a truly exciting
experience... " writes Julian Olson, Outremont, Quebec, Canada. Common
observation of those starting to use Z, excitement! Excitement continues
because so many features keep your interest, peak your curiosity. Let friends
know what you learned from high-performance 8-bit computers. Spread the word!
From Z-System Good-Neighbor Helper, Rick Swenton, "I have developed a
patch to Heath/Zenith's BIOS Configuration Utility Version 2.2.04 which will
disable those options which would corrupt ZCPR3 or ZRDOS, namely mucking with
echo-on-delete in the BDOS and poking file names into the CCP for execution on
cold or warm boots." Rick sends you his patch for a self-addressed stamped
business-sized envelop. Address and phone number: 19 Allen Street, Bristol,
CT, 06010, 203/589-7297. Remember, Rick is a Heath H8 and H89 ZCPR3 expert.
If you need installation assistance, please contact him.
Amateur Z User Corner. Publication of Z-System User's Guide opens door to
substantial information and potential knowledge and understanding of our 8-bit
operating system (OS). It's Item 88 on EI Price List selling for $14.95 plus
$4.00 shipping and handling, continental USA. Don't forget back issues of Z-
News offer many tips on using Z-System. And "Z Column" written by Art
Carlson, The Computer Journal, is another good source for user information.
If you don't already subscribe to TCJ, now's the time starting with Issue 23.
Six issues for only $14.00. Call or write 190 Sullivan Crossroad, Columbia
Falls, MT 59912, 406/257-9119.
Potpourri. We express appreciation, long overdue, of DisCopyLabs, San Jose,
CA, for quality diskette duplication and downloading. As most such companies
have gone away, DisCopyLabs gains strength, and size, through attention to
�detail and having deep regard for each customer, no matter how large or small.
Thanks Norman and Antonia Tu, and each member of your staff, for doing unto
Echelon as we attempt to do for our ZCPR3, ZRDOS, and Z-System customers.
Anyone needing disk duplication services, write or call DisCopyLabs, 2610B
North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134, 408/435-5444.
Zilog becomes second source for Hitachi HD64180 high-integration super 8-
bit chip. Slightly modified design--Z180 it's called--offers full
compatibility with all Z80 support peripherals. It provides "an upward
migration path to the Z800" scheduled for shipping this calendar quarter. Can
you believe it? Zilog's Alan Hamilton, Director of Component Marketing, tells
us to. The Z180, we believe; Z800, we believe when we have one in hand. In
Z-News 207, page 5, we hoped HD64180 is called either H180 or Z180.
ON! computer from Oneac (Z-News 408) is one outstanding machine, an
office (and software development) package that's better than any we have used.
Styling: so good-looking, engaging. And machine doesn't waste your time.
Never have to cold-boot, it's always ready to be used and it's here, so get
it--you don't have to buy IBM or Apple to run your small-to-medium sized
business--your secretary will respect you more; your bottom-line will show
better, because of increased productivity, hers and others of your staff. And
why use a DEC VAX or an IBM PC host to develop target 8080/8085, Z80, NSC800,
or HD64180 code when ON! using Quick-Task, ZAS and ZLINK is so much faster and
more efficient? Office or lab, it's up to you! Others have wrought, have
done their part by conceiving, designing, documenting, producing, and offering
an extremely attractive alternative to main stream, to trooping... call Oneac,
312/680-5999, for literature and volume pricing arrangements.
Common Ground. Many feel offended--you know who you are--by being requested
to read everything seven (7) times (Z-News 302, page 3). Technique as
explained is basis for Western concept of study. Without study learning
occurs slowly. Why are we as we are? We learn so slowly, if at all. Most of
us are born, spend years on planet, die, and: so what! We die as we were
born--no soul developed beyond that passed genetically to us. LEARNING
REQUIRES GREAT EFFORT! Work (study) concerns, is about learning. We only
think we learn if we but go through the motion. (We speak now on non-physical
level.) Give it a try...read, study something thoroughly, completely, and
feel new understanding. Do it! What can we lose?
====================================================================
Of Cabbages and Kings. Words have power. Many have questioned our use of
data, information, knowledge, and understanding, a virtual word pyramid. And
grasped not notion of reality and dimensions. (If shoe fits, wear it even if
pinching! Truth, sweet to the taste, is bitter in the stomach.)
Move from one word to another and feel mental and emotional change as you
go. Relax. Ponder each; concept of levels of perception is recognized. Data
is not information is not knowledge, not understanding, not...remember?
Gushing of words from river of thought:
Data: evidence known facts statistics
reports raw materials information
Information: derived compiled acquired data
learning instruction knowledge
Knowledge: learned integrity interpreted facts
sight integration enlightenment
science erudition understanding
Understanding: fathom comprehend be aware of
grasp perceive appreciate
know insight see the light
master acceptance read between the lines
� realize sense control wisdom
Wisdom: ....
Reality is relative; to think we capable of imagining it absol
ute is
illusion. (Any concept we have of God, infinity, is also relative and
subjective, thus fickled. If the majority agrees with us it becomes solid-
fact, but majorities do not determine reality.) Reality changes to new levels
as our subjective position changes; changes occur as we more fully integrate
experience with data, information, knowledge, understanding. Integration
involves perceiving, adapting, assimilating, blending, extending dimensions to
higher levels, to higher limits. Levels and limits change, expand as we
learn, as we grow, as we live; integration (integrity) further involves,
requires getting control, Control, and finally CONTROL.
Reality is something neither derivative nor dependent but exists of and
by itself--is fundamental and essential existence. Dimensions give measure to
existence, spatial extensions starting with thought, moving into less mobile
substances. As more dimensions are perceived, approaching infinity but
simultaneously curving back to zero, freedom increases, fewer laws are active-
-reality less relative, approaches Absolute. Then human thought soars as if
equipped with gossamer wings of magic eagles! Another outpouring:
Dimensions: extent size measurements
height length width
aspect scope magnitude
Reality: firm solid having existence
original true state of being
genuine authentic state of thinking
material corporeal substantial absolute
Absolute: ....
(Above and below were composed in response to Byron McBride, Michael
Durant, among a dozen others. Though these words fall as water on desert
plants, soon evaporating, some computerists find them useful, just as such
plants need little water for growth and flowering.)
Our reality, altered as our perception, as our being moves from level to
level, is wholly subjective. The word objective, applied at times to the
absolute we think we achieve or understand, means an absolute; striving for
such is a perpetual goal, seemingly .rm 42
never achieved. Show us an objective
human being! If a single one cannot be
found, how can groups or organizations of
them exist! We see far but not beyond the
macro (infinity) frontier; exact same
boundaries mark limits of the micro (zero)
frontier. Much stone is lifted before SKETCH
water not only tastes like but is wine.
Think of the great Egyptian pyramids: Queen of Hearts saying,
the steps represent levels of thought; the "Don't use words with me..."
overal� shape� a� infinit� numbe� o� t� Alice.
potential dimensions. Our perceptio�
point, our perch, our platform, our
ground, is somewhere in the middle between
zero and infinity. (From Z-News 304, zero
equals eight equals infinity...a
paraphrasing of the Law of Octaves on
which our musical scale is based. Two
zeros, one on top of the other is the
�eight; two zeros side by side, infinity.
Numbers exist without mathematics and
arithmetic.)
Build a mental pyramid! Start with
highest level of symbolism, our imaging:
1) Absolute (All, God, Law, unity, the
gods, infinity, principle), 2) love, 3)
truth (wisdom), 4) ideas (mind), 5) books,
6) words, 7) letters of the alphabet, 8)
neocortex (recently evolved brain), 9)
rhombencephalon (animal or ancient brain), 10) nucleic acids, 11) synapses,
and finally, 12) neurons of the brain (inviolable, sacred hardware level)--a
few levels of comprehension from viewpoint of a newsletter writer and
computerist. Other levels could be developed representing more points along
the Path.
Attempt comprehending a book's meaning from letters-of-the-alphabet
level. Concept of levels then quickly come into sharp focus.
Remarkably, reality is a combination of perception levels containing many
dimensions concurrently active to transmit, communicate harmony. (It's
impossible to pluck a flower without affecting a galactic star, a sneeze
ricochets amongst the planets.) In the world of "hard-reality" only four
dimensions exist: width, length, height, time. In our reality, time takes on
additional dimensions, resulting in all-time and eternity. The consequence
normally is sensation of only the present. All that was, is, and will be is
now! Enough...some people tell not all they know. Oops, knocked over the
glass of Zinfandel. 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
Trademarks: SB180, COMM180, TKBBS, Micromint; PRO-180, MDC-1, Magnum Digital;
XL-M180, Intelligent Computer Designs; HD64180/63484, Hitachi; NSC800,
National; Z80/180 Zilog; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Zas, Zlink, Z-Msg,
Term3, Quick-Task, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon; CP/M, Digital Research;
Unix, AT&T; Ada, AJPO of US Government; H8, H89, Zenith; IBM, International
Business Machines; Apple, Apple; VAX, DEC, Digital Equipment; ON!, ONFILE,
Oneac; V-Spell, CompuView; Newword, Newstar Software; SCSI/Plus, Little Board,
Bookshelf, AMPRO Computers.
eagle
her� *
Z sets you FREE!
* *
�
Z-News 501 is Copyright 1986 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
