EI Z-NEWS 701 26 January 1987
==============================================================================
Fortnight Flashs. Hitachi's HD63484 ACRTC (Advanced CRT Controller) makes it
possible--low cost, fast graphics. Steve Ciarcia writing in January 1987
issue of BYTE, "A complete screen (640 by 480) DMA transfer between SB180 RAM
and the frame buffer takes only a fraction of a second...it is quite possible
to convert other machines' bit maps (like Macintosh, Amiga, and Atari 520ST)
for use on the GT180... Now that high-performance, low-cost graphics hardware
is available, the SB180 and 8-bit software can evolve to include graphics
applications." Amen.
Informative Modula-2 article in Micro/Systems Journal, Jan/Feb '87 issue.
Written by Charlie Foster, "Any language is only as good as the extent to
which it helps the programmer. As an ex-Pascal advocate, I can say that
Modula-2 fits the bill. I don't want to beat the drum about all of its power,
but I do want to share with you one aspect that I have found outstanding." He
speaks of creating modules and of not having to "reinvent wheels." If
interested, get Vol.3, No.1, of MS/J--starts on page 57.
Ed Dell, Editor of Computer Symth magazine, Vol.2, No.3, delivers second
installment of his "Building the Ampro Little Board/Plus" construction
article. Over six pages, with photos, shows how to install SBC, floppy
drives, and cables into Integrand four-drive enclosure, with built-in power
supplies. (Earlier reported in Z-News 604-4.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20/20 Hindsight. Our oversight has been advantage to other than North
Americans. Overseas, Japan, Europe, Australia, South and Central America,
etc., Z-News subscriptions...we must increase subscription price to $38.00 per
year. Costs of postage (4-times that of USA and Canada) is major expense to
us--you understand. North American subscription price remains at $24.00
annually.
Good Book. Z80 assembly language programming is greatly simplified by using
SYSLIB, VLIB and Z3LIB, described in ZCPR3: The Libraries. Book, written by
Richard Conn and published by Echelon, uses practical, detailed examples, nine
of them, with commentary paragraphs, plus assemble, link and execution
displays. Forty-three pages of instruction by example. Book defines over 300
callable functions, is the most extensively cross-indexed volume (done with
StarIndex) we have ever seen. Item 82 on Price List, 310 pages in an Echelon
plastic binder, $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
Coincidentally, North American One-Eighty Group's newsletter, The One-
Eighty File, vol. 1, #9, 9/86, has an excellent Programmer's Corner, written
by Bruce Morgen, showing use of SYSLIB. Ask Bruce his thoughts on usefulness
of ZCPR3: The Libraries. NAOG's address: P.O. Box 2781, Warminster, PA 18974;
telephone is 215/443-9031.
More on JetFind. We benchmarked JetFind (aka ZGREP), created by Bridger
Mitchell, in Z-News 604-2 and 607-1; we discussed JetFind and showed its
syntax, modes, and string search features in Z-News 608-3; but, we didn't
point out just how useful and versatile it is in Z-System environment. It
types and extracts crunched, squeezed, and straight text members (files) from
libraries. JetFind types them to your screen, and optionally sends to printer
and a file. We renamed ours to JF for shorter command-line entry. Here's an
alias line, "t" for type, for your VFILER CMD script: t!jf -t %$ *.*. Each
non-binary member in library file pointed to (%$), squeezed, crunched, and
plain text, including WordStar-type files, is paged to your terminal; ^x moves
you to next file, ^c cancels, any other key to next screen. JetFind automati-
cally ignores C?M and R?L files, and six more file-excludes can be added, to
avoid typing COM, CQM, CZM, REL, etc., files doesn't occur. Here's another
menu command line (or it could be an alias) we call "e" for extract:
e!if %t=lbr;jf -fm .* %$ *.* >>%n.jf;else;echo file not library;fi
Here, all files in %$, library file you are pointing to with VFILER, are
unsqueezed and uncrunched as necessary, and appended into file named "%n.jf".
File has type of JF with name of pointed-to library file. The two right-
arrows cause appending, make it happen.
Now, say file ADDRESS.LST is a list of names, addresses, and phone
numbers in, e.g., A4:, in a database with format, structure like this:
name
street
city and state
telephone number
To find the entry for Davy Jones, use JetFind, setting the mode to r03 (a 4-
line display, starting at the matching line) and the filelist to
A4:ADDRESS.LST. Now if you, e.g., "save 47h address.com" just after exiting
JetFind, you can thereafter invoke clone with a minimum command such as
ADDRESS "DAVY JONES"<cr>
to find Davy Jones's address and phone number, or
ADDRESS JONES<cr>
to find all the Joneses--we said JF makes us think it a database manager, Z-
News 607-1.
Of course--to save disk space--aliases instead of JF clones
can be created to do database management things using just one
copy of default JetFind program. Quantity of JetFind
parameter options permit near-infinite alias possibilities.
you can use JF for all kinds of interesting searches. To find all five vowels
in one line, i.e., in one word, in a-e-i-o-u order, use search expression:
The first component, "[^aeiou]*a", matches any non-vowel zero or more times,
and then matches the letter "a". Remaining components do same for other four
vowels. Above expression works for word lists, one word per line. For
searching general, more than one word per line text files, start above
expression with "\<" and end it with "\>".
And, think of placing all your short text files into a library, to get
them out of the way and to save disk space. Then use JetFind to locate, and
extract, what you need as you need it. JF searches libraries as easily as
regular files. And zip/area-code lists, think JetFind. JF finds! JetFind,
Item 66 on our Price List, is but $39.95 plus S&H.
From Our Mail Box. "Thank you for a useful, informative, and well-prepared
newsletter. I can read the type, the margins are excellent, it photocopies
well--it is properly done. I appreciate it." Kind words come from Don
Halford, Boulder, CO, as he renewed his Z-News subscription. Thanks, Don--you
make our day! As we say so often: we do what we can with resources at hand.
Dr. Joel Tobias, Medford, OR, pokes us, "...recent note on alcoholic
preference...I don't know how anything useful is ever accomplished without
Henry Winehart's Irish Ale." Yea, that amber nectar, but don't forget the Tea
brew, roasted chicory root and crushed blackberry leaves! Continuing, "I am
interested in banked ZRDOS when it becomes available...can finally get rid of
my Z80B and get an Hitachi...what S-100 SBC will be supported?" We intend to
support all boards/computers using Hitachi HD64180 chip.
"...pass along this letter to the writer of 'Of Angels and Eagles'...the
section intrigues me very much and it is also read by the complainers...it
should always be remembered that the ONE who walked on water had his opponents
but he persisted and continued to... ," writes Lenn Hunt, Goodfield, IL.
"Whatever a person's role is in the scheme of things, it seems to me that the
contentious are usually ill-informed about the situation or striving to offset
some effort for their own purposes. Keep up your effort and vision for the
future." Lenn, we are neither mystic nor magician, jump through no rings of
fire--just concerned observers of our species.
Rick Charnes, San Francisco, CA, writes ZCPR3/Z-System column for Morrow
Owner's Review. MOR is an all-CP/M publication addressing more than Morrow
computers, but others as well. Rick, as some of you know (TLF, TLIB, and HD-
ARC2 author), is an avid Z-System user and a fast learner. Subscription to
MOR is $18.00 per year, six issues. Write P.O. Box 5487, Berkeley, CA 94705,
or call 415/644-2638, to place order.
Mike Richardson, Capitola, CA, writes to suggest we publish and maintain
a catalog of CP/M-compatible software from various vendors. You, write us
your thoughts about this.
Many letters are received each fortnight, too many for us to provide
individual replies. We use those (fragments) of general interest here.
Letters coming into Echelon are read by several members of our staff and we
respond accordingly. Even though we don't respond directly, please keep
sending us your thoughts, either by letter or as messages on Z-Node Central.
We respond one way or another.
Z-User's Corner. For those with many COM files and aliases, and wishing to
conserve disk space, using Jay Sage's ARUNZ is hard to beat. Here is how to
do it with COMMAND.LBR and renaming ARUNZ.COM to CMDRUN.COM (Z-News 203-2,3),
latter being default ZCPR3 extended command processor. Create, or modify
existing, ALIAS.CMD file to have a line for every COM file you have in
COMMAND.LBR, one alias-line per command. For example, if your LBR file has
these files in it, AN.COM, ASCII.COM, CPSEL.COM, DFA.COM, DUMP.COM, etc., fix
ALIAS.CMD to have a line per command, script section that looks like this:
an ROOT:lx an $*
ascii ROOT:lx ascii
cpsel ROOT:lx cpsel $*
dfa ROOT:lx dfa $*
dump ROOT:lx dump $*
....
z3loc ROOT:lx z3loc $*
: echo command "$0" not found;echo
LX runs COM files in COMMAND.LBR file. LX, conventionally in directory ROOT:,
is used by ARUNZ (CMDRUN) to quickly execute command in COMMAND.LBR, also in
ROOT: directory. If you enter dfa d3:*.*<cr> all file names in directory D3:
will be shown with current attributes. "$*" gets expanded as the complete
command tail, "$0" is name of alias itself, both features of ZCPR3 alias
parameter passing. ":" line is error handler, unique feature of ARUNZ. If
command needs no tail, trailing attributes, then leave "$*" as we did with
"ascii" above. (See Z-News 508-2 for summary of parameter passing
capabilities of Z-System utilities.)
At EI, one computer presently has 62 COM files in COMMAND.LBR which also
has alias lines to cover each, along with an additional 20 independent
aliases, in one 4k-byte ALIAS.CMD file in ROOT: directory. On this particular
4k allocation block hard disk system these files would occupy 432k-bytes
total. But files actually occupy only 212k, for big savings. Yes, in this
real-world example, 220k-bytes of disk space conserved by using LX-ARUNZ-
CMDRUN-COMMAND.LBR combination. It is a way to organize your computer...but
there are many other ways, because of extreme flexibility provided by Z-System
tools. And more tools are in developmental pipeline.
Here's VFILER CMD script line we use when we know we will background
print a file from Newword. Command is <esc> followed by "b".
b %d%u:;ROOT:ldr recorder.iop;record on p;BASE:nw %f;record off p; <<
ROOT:ldr bprinter.iop;bprint v printer.fil
Not knowing if RECORDER.IOP is still loaded from cold-boot, alias loads it.
Newword loads file pointed-to. We edit, and then "^kd"; but before exit, we
enter "p" followed by "^r" and "<esc>", for name of file we were pointing to
and then "print". NW quickly "prints" to file PRINTER.FIL. On exit, "x",
from NW, B/Printer starts printing file to the printer. We are now free to do
as we will, reenter NW or use our computer in other ways.
Hot Tip For Users Of Newword
NW underlines white space between words with its ".ul o" command.
But underlining two or more words only works in right-margin micro-
justified text if you use ^PO (fixed space character, see NW's
built-in ^P help screen) as the space between words to be under-
lined. Else, fixed width spaces, as seen on CRT screen, are used by
NW as padding to achieve justification, instead of building custom,
line by line, space character pad lengths as it normally does.
#############
Another Good Book. Early reports indicate Addison-Wesley's "MODULA-2: A
Seafarer's Manual and Shipyard Guide," by Edward J. Joyce, a seasoned salt and
Modula-2 skipper, is best choice for learning high-level languages. Book
costs $16.95, trade paperback. You can order directly from publisher.
Contact Lynne Bolduc, 617/944-3700, extension 2614. Please say Echelon sent
you.
Hot Stuff. Turbo Modula-2 is truly a sizzling dish, or is it disk?. For
$69.95 you receive a complete package for really quick, compared to other
high-level language environments, application program development.
Interactive two-way editor/compiler is a marvel to behold. Edit your source
code, compile, and at first error, editor enters source code at flawed
statement. After fixing error, exit editor, and compiler continues where it
left off. All automatically!
Wow! Here is way to quickly develop application programs using a high-
level language, leaving C, BASIC, and Pascal behind. Only full Ada, which
executes slowly even on an Intel 80286-based machine, has "power" greater than
Turbo Modula-2. Notice Telesoft Ada on a DEC VAX 11/780 runs BYTE Sieve of
Eratosthenes, Z-News 607-2 and 608-2, no faster than Turbo Modula-2 on a
Micromint SB180FX. See Z-News 604 for more Turbo language details. Or order
552-page User's Guide with 16-page Index and Table of Contents, for $19.95,
plus $6.00 shipping and handling.
Incidentally, User's Guide editing, page makeup, laser typesetting, and
multi-color cover design was done by Echelon staff in less than three weeks.
Photo-reduction, printing, and bookbinding took an additional four weeks--
seven weeks total!
Book price is applicable to program price when program is later
purchased. But why not take-a-risk and order complete program now. Call
415/948-3820 with your credit card handy. Shipping from stock.
Software Beat. British company, Wordsmiths Typsetting Limited, Z-News 605-5,
nears completion (of new versions) of TypeFit along with TypeSet, the CP/M-
compatible programs connecting our wordprocessors to laser printers and photo
typesetters. Handles WordStar/Newword-type files. Page makeup drafts and
proofs can go to inexpensive, Epson-convention, dot matrix printers; when you
are satisfied with copy, send it to laser or typesetter. TypeFit is probably
the only full-function copyfitting/typesetting package available for CP/M-
compatible computers. "We believe that TypeFit offers a real and proven
alternative to the over-marketed and often unusable 'what-you-see-is-what-you-
get' approach," says Tom Graves, Wordsmiths' Technical Director. "Because it
separates typography from text, it allows more freedom in structured designs,
making it more valuable in the editorial arena." We are reminded of text
formatting programs (e.g., TROFF from Unix) as we learn to place TypeSet
commands into files and use TypeFit to print. Full contr
ol, even character
kerning, of modern precision printers and typesetters is here.
PostScript or DDL drivers coming soon? Don't know yet. PostScript is
page description language from Adobe Systems, 1870 Embarcadero Road, Palo
Alto, CA 94303, 415/852-0271. DDL, Document Description Language, comes from
Imagen Corporation, 2650 San Tomas Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95052, 408/986-
9400.
Rules (standard solid lines) and measures (line lengths), leading (space
between lines), Pi sets (kerned and special characters), accents (usually for
foreign characters), enspace and emspace (horizontal standard space), points
and picas (depth, height and length measurements--72 points, 6 picas to an
inch, i.e., 12 points to a pica), line and page fitting, all come into our
vocabulary. For more information on TypeFit and TypeSet, from Europe, contact
Wordsmiths directly, 19 West End, Street, Somerset BA16 0LQ, telephone (0458)
47007; from USA or Canada, contact us.
Those into text creation, writers from scratch, might want to try
Punctuation and Style, $125.00, from Wayne Holder, Oasis Systems (spell,
review, markfix, The Word Plus), 2765 Reynard Way, San Diego, CA 92103,
619/453-5711. We have used P&S since early 1982 and feel we have obtained our
money's worth long ago from what we have learned--see user macros #3 and #4 of
General Purpose CMD script in Z-News 607-3. Central Computer Products, 330
Central Ave., Fillmore, CA, 93015, 800/624-5628, sells P&S for only $95.00.
And, those into electronic engineering design might want to try Z80
programs from BV Engineering. Communication design spreadsheet to solve link
equations, AC and DC network analysis, linear and non-linear signal processing
analysis, root locus, active filter design, plotting and graphing, and static
thermal analysis programs. For more information, contact BVE at 2200 Business
Way, Suite #207, Riverside, CA 92501, telephone 714/781-0252. Their free 52-
page sales catalog and applications guide tells all; well, almost all.
In Other Words. Japan is world's largest creditor nation; USA, largest
debtor nation. One has the most money to lean, the other owes the most. Will
we ever learn what brings happiness, fulfillment. We spend more than we
possess; we buy on credit and become debtors; we live on borrowed time of
which we have little idea of how to return or replace. Consumption,
materialism is near Pit's bottom. Let us stand tall knowing of our deeds and
thoughts, not bent over chewing our shoes.
We spend, spend, spend...the Japanese save, save, save. Saving, leaves
are always green on this tree. When we owe we become slaves of the God of
Repayment.
The Voyager's around-the-world flight on a tank of gas, piloted by Dick
Rutan, 48, and girlfriend, Jeana Yeager, 34--now that's Spirit (Soul) of
America. Congratulations!
==============================================================================
Of Angels and Eagles. Freedom is what we are all about. Unrestrained, we
move in directions of becoming more or becoming less than what we presently
are. We move to individual greatness or to individual shame--we choose based
on our vision. But sickening it is to watch scandals of Wall Street (junk
bonds from junk people), governmental betrayals of trust, duplicity (we bomb
Libya, sell arms to Iran), greed, greed, and more greed, indifference to
plight of many, to watch lack of justice, too much violence, seeming lack of
learning and understanding...same unacceptable level of man's inhumanity to
man on so many places of our globe; but still, opportunities abound for those
few who appreciate high morality, have integrity to overcome temptations that
short-circuit individual growth, to become more satisfied with their lot as
Homo sapiens, to become thrice-sapient--so be it! Victory over chaos, in our
time? It is up to each of us.
No snowflake in an avalanche admits causing it...no rain drop in a flood
claims responsibility...what we do is infinitesimal, but it is infinitely
important that we do it (Z-News 105-2, 506-5, 603-3). People who are
convinced they cannot get control of their lives, cannot control how the
fruits of their labors are employed, suffer from what Joseph Weizenbaum,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and Artificial Intelligence
pioneer, calls the "most pandemic mental illness of our time," i.e., belief
that you are powerless. What do you believe?
We do it again: use an expression and not give its meaning. "Sauce
Piquant." Pray tell, what is it and how do you make it? First, it is used
to top-off tacos, to pour over boiled shrimp/crawfish, steamed lobster, and
similar dishes. Recipe: mix 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1/4 cup chopped green
pepper; add 1-1/2 cups diced ripe tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chopped pimiento,
and 1/3 teaspoon powdered red pepper. Stir thoroughly. Makes 1-2/3 cups,
enough for 10 Zydeco tacos. Hint: most white Zinfandels have a little citric
acid in them. Such acid induces saliva to flow, producing a natural cleaner
and cooling agent in the mouth. Now, we listen to a Vera Lynn record. See
you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc. 885 North San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022 USA
Telephone: 415/948-3820 Telex: 4931646 Z-Node Central (RAS): 415/489-9005
Trademarks: Little Board/Plus, Ampro Computers; SB180, SB180FX, GT180,
Micromint; PRO-180, Magnum Digital; ON!, Oneac; DT42, The SemiDisk, Deep
Thought 42, SemiDisk Systems; TR-XL180, M.A.N. Systems; VAX, DEC, Digital
Equipment; HD63484/64180, Hitachi; 80286, Intel; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-
Tools, Zas, Zlink, Z-Msg, Term3, Quick-Task, NuKey, Echelon and authors; CP/M,
Digital Research; TurboROM, Advent; Graphix Toolbox, Turbo Modula-2, Borland
Int'l; Ada, U.S. Government; TypeFit, TypeSet, Anvil Systems; PostScript,
Adobe Systems; Newword, MicroPro Int'l; JetFind, Bridger Mitchell.
* *
Fly with Z!
* *
Z-News 701 is Copyright MCMLXXXVII Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Permission to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source
credit is given to Echelon.
