Z Tips. File COMMAND.LBR is great place for keeping your little-used COM
files (for speed, frequently-used ones are outside). By putting many files
into one file you save disk space (on average, one-half allocation block size
per file, i.e., 1k-byte if 2k-byte block) and directory entries (important if
only 64 or 128 file entries permitted per disk). But you soon forget what's
in the LBR and using LU or NULU takes too much time to determine only file
names. Solution: a neat little alias, we call it SEE, "ROOT:llf ROOT:command
/ic" quickly displays files in COMMAND.LBR. That's all there is to it--we
said neat! SEE<cr>. Shows files sorted, CRC and index values, sizes in both
records (128 bytes per) and k-bytes rounded up to next kilobyte. LLF is
ZCPR3's "list library files" utility. See Z-News 305 for more details and for
other such utilities: LX, LGET, LHELP, all written by ZCPR3 author Richard
Conn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
From Our Mail Box. Ken Davidson (Micromint, Inc., 25 Terrace Drive, Vernon,
CT 06066, 203/871-6170) supplies early indications of Borland's Turbo Modula-
II speed. Bench1 and Bench2--see Z-News 409 and 501--took only 164 and 96
seconds, respectively, on SB180 HD64180 computer with no memory wait states.
Compare with Aztec C II and C/80 C Language, from Z-News 501, of 263 and 135,
and 135 and 74 seconds, respectively. Assembler for Bench2, using same
computer, was 29 seconds. Put into a table:
Lachlan Myers, from Moonee Ponos, Victoria, Australia, writes of "an
excellent product." Well, it turned out to be a production prototype SBC
using HD64180 and Z-System, designed and produced by our soon-to-be OEM and
Australian distributor, Microtrix. SBC is STD-bus based and runs with two 1.2
megabyte 5.25" floppies and 512k-bytes of RAM. As long as the $US/$A rate
stays as is, it should be a winner down under. If any of you Aussies are
interested in such a computer, contact Mr. Frank Wrobel, 24 Bridge St.,
Eltham, Victoria, 3095, Australia.
"Hope is not a way out. It is a way through."--Steven J. Daniels
Amateur Z-User's Corner. Z-News 401 shows a VMENU script useful for program
development. We here extend it while making all aspects, hopefully, work
correctly, plus add a writer's workbench and housekeeping section. Files used
by menus are in BASE:A0> or ROOT:A15> directories, along command search path,
or in "public" areas.
#x
Arrow Keys move Pointer Use "+" and "-" if More Files
+++ WRITER'S WORKBENCH +++
0 - WordStar Edit using Document Mode Newword - 1
2 - V-Spell Spelling Check and Correction Word Plus - 3
4 - Style Writing Grammar - 5
6 - StarIndex Communications - 7
8 - ASCII to WordStar File Conversion WordStar to ASCII - 9
N - Number of Words in File Print File using PropStar - P
M - Menu Housekeeping VFILER - W
^Q to change File Sort
#
0 $d$u:;PRIVATE:ws $pf
1 $d$u:;BASE:nw $pf
2 $d$u:;era vspell.mis;PRIVATE:vs $pf;if ex vspell.mis;era vspell.mis; <<
era BASE:vspell.bak;BASE:nw $pf;fi
3 a$u:;era $u:errwords.txt;PRIVATE:spell $d:$pf $slic;PRIVATE:review;if <<
ex $u:errwords.txt;PRIVATE:markfix $d:$pf $m#;$d:;BASE:nw $pf;else;$d:;fi
4 a$u:;PRIVATE:cleanup $d:$pf $m#;$d:;BASE:nw $pf
5 a$u:;PRIVATE:phrase $d:$pf passive.txt;$d:;BASE:nw $pf
6 $d$u:;PRIVATE:starindx $pf
7 MAIL:;ROOT:setfile 1 t3.mnu;ROOT:menu t3.mnu
8 $d$u:;BASE:;txttows $pf
9 $d$u:;BASE:;filtw $pf
n $d$u:;BASE:;wc $pf
p $d$u:;BASE:;ps $pf
m:3
w ROOT:vfiler $d$u:
z!"$d$u:Command>"
#x
Arrow Keys move Pointer Use "+" and "-" if More Files
+++ INTERACTIVE ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT +++
Current File is $f1
A - Assemble/Link/Load (ZAS/LINK)
E - Edit $f1 (WordMaster)
R - Run $n1.COM
S - Set Current File to Edit/Assemble/Link/Load/Run (SETFILE) - S
Pointer File
1 - Edit (Newword) Assemble/Link/Load Z80's (ZAS/ZLINK) - 2
3 - Assemble/Link/Load MAC'S (M80/L80) ASM's (MAC/MLOAD) - 4
5 - Interactive (ZAS/ZLINK/WM) Convert Intel to Zilog (ZCON) - 6
7 - Edit (LZED) View (VTYPE) - 8
9 - Enter Library (NULU) Edit (WordMaster) - 0
#
a $d$u:;zas $n1;if er;sak /p2 errors in assembly--canceling;else;zlink <<
$d:$pn,a:grwlib/,a:grxlib/,a:vlib/,a:z3lib/,a:syslib/;era *.rel;fi
s ROOT:setfile 1 "Enter file name (fn.ft) to edit/assemble/run -- "
e $d$u:;PRIVATE:wm $f1
r!$d$u:;$n1 "Trailing Parameters, if any (<cr> if none) -- "
1 $d$u:;get 100 ROOT:nw.com;poke 74e ff;poke 787 ff;go $pf
2 if12 $pt=z80;$d$u:;era $pn.bak;zas $pn;if ~er;zlink $d:$pn, <<
a:grwlib/,a:grxlib/,a:vlib/,a:z3lib/,a:syslib/;era *.rel;else; <<
sak /p2 errors;fi;else;sak /p2 not z80 type;fi
3 if12 $pt=mac;$d$u:;era $pn.bak;m80 =$pn;sak /zp7 errors, cancel <<
link (^C)?;l80 /p:100,$pn,a:vlib/s,a:z3lib/s,a:syslib/s,$pn/n/u/e; <<
era $pn.rel;else;sak /p2 not mac type;fi
4 if12 $pt=asm;$d$u:;era $pn.bak;mac $pn $$-spz;sak /zp7 errors, <<
cancel load (^C)?;mload $pn;era $pn.hex;else;sak /p2 not asm file <<
type;fi
5 $d$u:;zas $pn;if er;sak /zp3 link cancelled;wm $pf;else;zlink <<
$d:$pn,a:grwlib/,a:grxlib/,a:vlib/,a:z3lib/,a:syslib/;era $pn.rel; <<
$pn;fi
6 $d$u:;BASE:zcon $pf
7 $d$u:;BASE:lzed $pf
8 ROOT:vtype $pf
9 if ex $d$u:$pn.lbr;$d$u:;nulu -o $pn -f;else;sak /p2 library cannot <<
be found;fi
0 $d$u:;PRIVATE:wm $pf
z!"$d$u:Command>"
#x
Arrow Keys move Pointer Use "+" and "-" if More Files
+++ HOUSEKEEPING +++
Pointer File
C - Copy to another Directory (CP) P - Print (to printer) (PRINT)
E - Erase (delete) (ERA) R - Rename (REN)
N - Enter Library File (NULU) V - View (bidirectional) (VTYPE)
System Functions
F - Files Capable of Being 1 - Sort and Pack Directory (CLEANDIR)
Recovered (UNERASE) 2 - Disk Catalog Menu (MENU/DISCAT)
U - Unerase Files (UNERASE) 3 - Enter SHOW System Utility (SHOW)
W - File Manipulator (VFILER)
#
c cp "Copy to Directory (DU: or DIR:): "=$ d$u:$pf
e echo $pf - Delete (Y/N)? ;if in;era $d$u:$pf;fi
p!poke fe37 "How many columns to print, in hex (50h=80, 64h=100)? "; <<
ROOT:print $pf "Options (<cr>=default, e=exact): ";poke fe37 50
r ren "New Name of File (no wild cards): "=$pf
v ROOT:vtype $pf
n if ex $d$u:$pn.lbr;$d$u:;nulu -o $pn -f;else;sak /p2 library cannot <<
be found;fi
f!ROOT:unerase *.* l
u!ROOT:unerase "Name of File to Recover (wild cards okay): "
w ROOT:vfiler $d$u:
1 ROOT:cleandir $d:
2 CAT:;ROOT:menu discat.mnu
CAT:catscan 'Define File Search Mask (e.g. *.doc): '
3 ROOT:show
z!"$d$u:Command>"
##
Taking tip from Newword handling of text, and also from VFILER, Version
4.0, all menu lines are in half-intensity; all command letters and numbers,
full. You may wish to have the program names also half-intensity, but not
parenthetical brackets--more distinctiveness that way. Embed ^A (use ^PA with
NW, WS, and LZED; <esc>^A for WM) in menu to start half-intensity, ^B (^PB) to
stop. Use up to 14 lines for displayed text; more causes internally generated
command line to lap into your text lines. (VMENU uses four lines for pointer
files, one for "more files" message, one for title banner, and one for CL
prompt, plus two for application program generated lines. Allowing a blank
line between prompt and menu's last text line results in total 10-line
overhead, leaving 14 for your menu screen.
Screen arrow points to Pointer File; Current File is name given to System
File, number one (1) in this case, the S command. Use SHOW's number 4 command
to see the up-to-four System File assignments. Study and modify menus to your
specific needs and liking.
Many functions are handled from WRITER'S WORKBENCH menu. Document
editing, printing, word count, file conversion, spelling, and style and
grammar check. Choice of using either Newword or WordStar wordprocessor,
depending on your mood. But much can be done to customize menu, improving
cosmetics, tailoring to your daily operations.
ASSEMBLY menu provides three major program development options. 1) Using
Pointer File with commands 2, 3, or 4 depending on whether using ZAS, M80, or
MAC assembler, 2) using ZAS and command 5 to automatically go from assemble,
link, and run, or to edit if assembly errors occur, and 3) using Current File
(System File 1 set with SETFILE using S command) and using commands A, E, and
R to assemble/link/load, edit, and then run program, a semi-automatic inter-
active process. Menu command 2 nearly fills command line (CL) buffer of 204
characters. Remember, each parameter takes up more space than in script,
e.g., $pf can expand up to 12 characters of file name. We used *.rel instead
of $pn.rel to permit command 2 to function without overflowing CL buffer. If
you get a CL error message when executing a long script line, try shortening
file name to be processed to less than 8 characters; or take out some unneces-
sary script text. We use Newword (non-document mode), WordMaster, and LZED as
program editors.
HOUSEKEEPING menu has features worth noting: 1) using POKE to change the
SYS.ENV segment area in memory. Here we change Printer 0 (see CPSEL command
detailed in ZCPR3: The Manual, pages 28 and 29) from its default line-wrap
value to value specified at prompt. Makes for quick printing of files with
long lines using PRINT, which uses SYS.ENV for wrap column value. System
Environmental Descriptor (base address here of FE00 hexadecimal, hex for
short) positive offset of 37 hex (number added to base) is for Printer 0; 3B,
Printer 1; 3F, 2; and 43, 3. Use SHOW<cr> or Z3LOC Z<cr> to determine base
address for your system. You can use POKE to change many default values,
maximum drive and user area, CPU speed, CRT and Printer selection, etc. Study
source code for your SYSENV.LIB file for more details. ZCPR3: The Manual,
pages 300 to 304, also discusses this system segment. And, 2) commands S and
U using UNERASE utility program to list, to potentially recover erased files.
Notice renaming and erasing (you may wish to try GETVAR/RESOLVE to improve
this command--more on these Dreas Nielsen utilities next fortnight) of Pointer
File. And Z command hidden from menu screen.
VMENU, Version 1.5 or later, is a wonder to behold going from one menu to
the next--the main reason we added two menus, for writing and housekeeping.
Visualize four lines, four columns, of files remaining stationary as displayed
menu is replaced with another, when you enter "." followed by ",". Don't
forget you can use these keys instead of "<" and ">" to go from menu screen to
menu screen; thus, no shift key involved.
The VFILER CMD command line we use, 5, to enter writing and code develop-
ment menus, called ASM/WRITING.VMN, is either:
depending from which directory we use "5", i.e., which VFILER CMD file is in
the directory we are in. (Notice script convention of directories in upper
case, commands in lower.)
Of course, you can enter menus from directory where they are located
without using a VFILER CMD command. Command path is searched for MNU and VMN
file type. Our Assembly Language development area is B10: and is named ASM.
Our CAT directory is, by convention, drive/user area A8:. Writing occurs
mainly from B0: and C0:, the WORK: and LETTERS: directories. Presently, F0:
is our BACKUP: directory (floppy drive).
Study Z-System User's Guide, Section 6.3.2, pages 6-12 to 6-16, for
details of syntax and grammar of VMENU. And ZCPR3: The Manual, Chapter 5,
pages 133 to 147, covers MENU and VMENU uses and operations. Study it also!
Learn meanings of #, ##, !, :, $, pf, pn, pt, fn (where n=1 to 4), nn, tn, -,
x, c, d, and p.
You find these menus, with appropriately embedded screen highlighting
codes fully in place, along with WC, FILTW, TWTTOWS, and more, as file WORK-
VMN.LBR on Z-Nodes.
Z Node Activity. More nodes online..."pvac" Z-Node #72 is run by Harris
Edelman, Venice, CA 90291, 213/306-3611. George Allen starts up #73 from
Ballwin, MO 63021, with RAS number of 314/394-6279. E-Com Z-Node #74 is to be
run by Nelson Lesmerises, Hookset, NH 03106. And Mel Spencer (CDR Systems,
Heath) runs Z-Node #75 in San Diego, CA 92138, 619/560-8929. They all want
callers, well? The beat goes on...
Joseph Wright (San Jose, CA), Good-Neighbor Helper, author of Ampro's
floppy disk BIOS, Micromint and Oneac's BIOSs, and Z3-Dot-Com and Z-Com, has
produced new Z3INS, Version 1.4, and LDR, Version 1.5, utilities and have
placed them on Z-Node Central, 415/489-9005. Path file search and more name
flexibility are features. Serious Z-System users will want to get these new
versions.
"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow."--Swedish Proverb
Lunch Break. Games soon offered...all run under ZCPR3 and Z-System...take
full advantage of operating system features. Watch these lines for further
details.
Right in our backyard (El Dorado) lives BDS Corporation--they make LASER
printers that act like Diablo 630 daisy wheels, using ubiquitous Cannon
marking engine. Newword completely controls their printer; WordStar, not
beyond controlling features of a standard 630. Write or call them, 800 Maude
Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043, 415/964-2115. Mr. Jeff Holden, BDS Sales
Manager, can direct you to nearest dealer. BDS sells not to end users.
Makings of a good advertisement. Anatole France (novelist and satirist,
1844-1924) is quoted as saying, "It is human nature to think wisely and act
foolishly." That may be true, but if you buy our products, you'll be acting
as wisely as you think!
Our Shipping and Handling (S&H) policy for overseas orders has changed,
regrettably. We must now charge actuals for mailing to Europe, Australia, and
Asia. Our cost has been two to three times the nominal $18.00 we have been
charging. What this means to most is no more prepayments with checks (see
next paragraph). You can still use your credit card to place an order and you
will be charged actual postal costs plus $2.00 for our handling.
We no longer accept checks drawn on other than USA and Canadian banks.
Our local bank goes through too much trouble (and expense) converting such
checks to US dollars. So please send only checks drawn on USA or Canadian
banks. On the other hand, Visa and MasterCard numbers from any country are
acceptable. Plastic over paper!
====================================================================
Of Cabbages and Kings. You think we are overly
critical of our industry, our
society, its work ethic and morality? Yes, you do--admit it! Our view of
conditions in beloved America: cradle to grave fundamental changes required if
we are to avoid going way of British or ancient Roman Empire. Attitudes of
let-George-do-it, of wanting more for less--these do us in! Parents, schools,
voters, management, labor, capital, government, all require huge changes to
avoid what living on borrowed time (and money) has done to our culture. Now,
the moment of truth! We need to discover America; so far we have only
colonized it--an act of violence. One group conquering another, of bias and
bigotry, of rape, waste and hatred. Gone With Wind are the days--we are both
happy and sorry to say--of the cowboy (John Wayne, six-gun style) rescuing a
damsel in distress. Remember the Lone Ranger of Saturday matinee movies? He
is never alone but always has Tonto (plus Silver and Scout) nearby, a
partnership (a strategic alliance)...
Partnerships in business, in marriage, in living, in deep living, that's
what we need. Competition without combat, friendly competition, between
partnerships! Reduce quantity of adversary relationships to nil. See noble
goal mentally, group together to achieve it physically.
Think...of people-energy expended using hair grooming spray, both men and
women...effort to produce the sticky stuff. We individually work so hard to
look good on the outside, while doing little for the inside. Vanity, Oh!
Vanity. All is vanity. Or is it? Think of this people-energy asserted to
exit uni-dimensional living, to learn about Life...think! We try, we try.
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: TKBBS, SB180, COMM180, Micromint; PRO-180, MDC-1, Magnum Digital;
XL-M180, Intelligent Computer Designs; ON!, ONFILE, Oneac; DT42, Deep Thought
42, The SemiDisk, SemiDisk Systems; HD64180/63484, Hitachi; NSC800, National;
Z80/180/280/800, Zilog; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Zas, Zlink, Z-Msg,
Term3, Quick-Task, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon; CP/M, Digital Research;
Turbo Modula-II, Borland; LZED, Zivio; Word Plus, Oasis Systems; V-Spell,
CompuView; WordMaster, WordStar, MicroPro; Newword, Newstar; SCSI/Plus, Little
Board, Bookshelf, Ampro Computers.
eagle
* here
Z sets you FREE!
* *
Z-News 504 is Copyright 1986 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
