Of Significance. A wish comes true...M.A.N. Systems, 323 North Third,
Medford, OK 73759, telephone 405/395-3849, has XLR8 boards ready to ship for
enhancing Ampro Z80 computers. Enhance, how? Co-board turns Little Board
into a zero-wait state HD64180 computer adding two additional serial ports,
real time clock, and 256k-bytes of extra RAM. And most importantly, thanks to
Arleen Nipper, XLR8 includes an XBUS expansion port to run Micromint's GT180
high resolution color graphics board. Installation requires cutting two
traces on Ampro's Little Board and adding a short wire, plus two socket
jumpers. Resulting combination provides one Centronics parallel and four RS-
232 serial ports. Prices: 6mHz version is $299.95; 9mHz version is $349.95.
Think, your Ampro Little Board running at 9mHz with the GT180 color graphics
board.
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We welcome Matric Limited to our community. Matric makes a complete line
of hardware with supporting software for demanding locations and applications
in process control, plastics industry, oil wells and mobile mining equipment.
Boards are all CMOS (low power) using 1802, 1805, Z80, HD64180, and 68HC000
CPU chips. A complete line of support I/O, memory, communications, and
analog-to-digital conversion Microboards (either EuroDin or edge connectors)
are available from one source. If interested, write or call for catalog and
pricing. Matric Limited, RD 1 Summit Drive, Franklin, PA 16323, 814/432-2180,
toll free 800/462-8742 in PA, outside PA 800/341-2667, Telex 5106005642.
Ken Davidson informs us of 9.216mHz upgrade kit (SB180-9UPG) to SB180
computers. For only $79.00 you receive everything needed to increase speed of
SBC by 50% over 6.144 mHz original. To order call 800/635-3355.
Echelon negotiates to become a distributor of Plu*Perfect's BackGrounder
ii and DateStamper, both programs written by Bridger Mitchell, author of
string-search speedster, JetFind. Watch for further details.
From Our Mail Box. "I recently received Z80 Turbo Modula-2 and I am very
pleasantly surprised with its sophistication and ease of use. The performance
of the edit/compile/debug cycle on my 6-mHz Z80 system with a one megabyte
RAMdisk is amazing!" writes Eric Schuyler, Amherst, NY. "Will technical
support and/or upgrades be provided by Borland or Echelon?" By us, Eric. We
fully support TM-2, and its integration with assembly language code and our
libraries. (Eric sent along some of his benchmark data confirming our testing
of Z-News 607-2, 608-2.)
Glenn Brooke, Evanston, IL, asks about run-time package automatically
contained in Turbo Modula-2 COM files. Yes, there is one, Glenn, and we are
working to break it up into many small modules so only the pieces required for
a particular program need be included. We are also working on routines that
let you use SYSLIB, VLIB, and Z3LIB from within TM-2. It's coming real soon
now. Watch the Z-Nodes! Be sure to get Good-Neighbor Helper Steven Kirsch's
white paper (in file TM2NOT10.LBR on Z-Nodes and SUS #9) on using assembler
and interrupt driven task-switching with TM-2. Steven has quite a story to
tell, being the first user to develop a complete product using TM-2.
Lots of reports coming in comparing FTL (Workman and Associates) and
Turbo Modula-2. TM-2 has an editor that handles files larger than available
TPA, as large as disk space. FTL has a two-file editor but editor is so big,
over 40k-bytes, there is little room in TPA to edit two files; FTL's editor is
memory based. After error correction, FTL compile starts over at the begin-
ning, Turbo starts where it left off. FTL produces small COM files, but they
run slower than Turbo's files which usually are larger. FTL compiler is fast
but linker is slow. Seems FTL (Faster Than Light) has a companion that out
runs it. Both must be from another world because nothing can be faster than
light in this one.
"I have recently received a copy of your Z-Catalog. As a user of the
SB180 computer and the Z-System that came with it, I find your approach to a
catalog refreshing in that you not only cover your own products, but provide
some coverage on the latest in Z-System compatible hardware," writes William
Hassard, North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Z-News, our fortnighter, covers just
about everything of interest to the community, including product updates,
revision levels (Z-News 602-1), and latest in hardware developments. William,
thanks for your software order.
From mile-high Boulder, CO, Don Halford sends magazine article (Computer
Design, January 1, 1987 issue, pages 21 through 29, written by Ken Marrin,
Senior Editor) reporting computer technology conference, about how many
vendors feel assembly language should not be allowed to be used! What we see
is a general lack, lack of drive to understand what is necessary to excel. So
many want instant results, or near so, without doing much to get them.
Article claims most people see assembly language as "too challenging."
Solution: use high-order language, fully portable from one CPU to another,
forget machine overhead (memory and speed) consequences. Go for lowest common
denominator, that's the common advice. Use machines without knowing what
makes them tick...disciples of ease, consumption...woe to us...where are we
being lead?
Now-and-then we are asked about floppy disk drives and "which one is
best." Well, we have no scientific means to determine longevity, ruggedness,
compatibility, acoustic noise levels, and other characteristics. But we do
have a feel, an opinion, because of using so many for so long. Hands down
winner are those from Fujitsu. They seem to be fastest and quietist of the
lot, more reliable than most. Second is Canon, reliable and fast but noisy.
Mitsubishi, Qume, Panasonic, Chinon (here's one to watch), Teac, Shugart,
Tandon, you take it from there.
Z-Node Activity. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sysop Terry Smythe, Z-Node #40,
204/832-4593, has developed a standard for submitting public domain software
to Remote Access Systems. "Necessity is mother of invention." Terry's
recommendations are sound; we approach and encourage all to follow them when
writing and when documenting programs for release to public domain. Get file
PDGUID02.LBR from Z-Nodes and SUS #9.
Z-Node #4 Sysop Ken Jones, Salem, OR, 503/370-7655, takes us to task for
thinking he is in Selma, as Bob Peddicord is, and for calling his node by less
than its formal name, "The Time Taker." Sorry about that, Ken, but we thought
we had correct information. Incidentally, Cairn, Ken's wife, is taking
computer classes and may soon join him using the Z-System, making his Z-Node
"a family affair." Also, let it be known that Ben Grey, Z-Node #4, 503/644-
4621, calls his RAS "Cedar Mill" in Portland, OR 97229.
ZPATCH.LBR comes to us from Z-Node #15 and ZSIG. Written by Steven
Cohen, Chicago, IL, ZPATCH is the best patcher we have seen, by far! Takes
the screen oriented character of DU3 one step further along the path. It's a
full Z-System shell, runs other programs from within itself, has contextual
help, and complete online ZCPR3-type HLP file. Here's the kind of user-
developed, user-friendly program that makes us all feel good, want to dance.
Z-System offers the power to permit great support utilities to be created.
Who submits the next one?
Z-User's Corner. We look at PRINT, controlling hardcopy documentation, and
text sent and received over remote access systems (Z-Nodes, BBS's, and other
electronic message handling systems).
PRINT is covered in ZCPR3: The Manual on pages 73 and 74, in Z-System's
User's Guide on pages 7-5, 7-7, and 7-8. Z-News also discusses using PRINT in
a number of ways, even in CMD and VMN (or MNU) command lines that permit
control of printer line-wrap column. See issues 005-2, 007-3, 504-3 and 4,
and 607-3.
PRINT is versatile, we know that...the next point is the form of the text
sent over communication networks. Most documents we receive from RASs are
pre-formatted, left and right margin justified, created by word processors
outputting text to a file. Of course, whole space characters are used as
padding to line-up right margins. When we print such documents on our printer
we find reading difficult, not smooth.
If document had been formatted and transmitted ragged right, i.e., justi-
fied left margin, unjustified right, we could re-form and have microspace
justification on our precision dot-matrix, daisy wheel, and laser printers.
If we don't want to re-form we use PRINT to page out the file on any one of
our printers. If the document has been pre-formated, the page breaks don't
necessary line-up to the printer being used. Here, PRINT's "exact" (E) mode
comes in handy.
If you use WordStar or similar word processor to create text, before
sending it over to a RAS, we have found Irv Hoff's FILTW extremely helpful.
It's on SUS #3, along with TXTTOWS. FILTW turns WS files into straight ASCII
ones. But if you have left/right justification, all the soft spaces between
words get turned into hard spaces. Hard spaces can only be removed using your
intelligence to know which should be removed and which should not.
Hard carriage returns are easily converted to soft ones using utility
(Z)TXTTOWS. Hard spaces created by running left/right justified WordStar-type
files through FILTW (WSTOTXT) must be manually removed one by one. There is
nothing more distracting than multiple full-space-characters used to line-
justify text. Ragged right is far easier to read. Studies have shown ragged
right is, in general, easier to read than justified left/right. Only if
microjustification, white spaces between words incrementally varied (adjust-
ment resolutions of 1/60 to 1/120 inch is standard) along with space between
characters of words, and with accurate word hyphenation to control degree of
white space adjustment required, is right/left justification as easy to read
as ragged right.
Files for general electronic distribution should be ragged right and
unpaginated. If the receiving person wishes to get justified print out, he
can run file through TXTTOWS and then reform paragraphs automatically using
WordStar (Newword) ^QB command. Printing with PRINT, VFILER's P command, or
through a word processor handles pagination, with optional page numbering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We take this space to let you, our customers, users of Z-System and
its support utilities, know how much we appreciate and value your
business. We thank you for your past patronage, and invite you to
continue to do business with us. We promise to do as well as, if not
better than, we have done in the past to provide you with quality
products and material that enliven your life. Thanks!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From Webster's Dictionary. "Kern (corner, hinge)--a part of a typeset letter
[character] that projects beyond its side bearings." In the world of
typesetting, kerning means to "tighten-up" where it makes sense, keeping
overall white space area visually constant between characters, as casually
observed by scanning eye of reader.
Kerning goes beyond proportional spacing and gives "typeset" its unique
quality, and easy-to-read character, no pun intended. Nonetheless, above all
else, typeset means sharp images, high-resolution letters on paper.
Capital letters, J, V, W, Y, followed by a diminutive lower-case letter,
are perfect candidates for kerning. T followed by a lower-case o, beginning
of a sentence with word "To", is also perfect. Move the "o" to the left,
under the right horizontal overhang of the "T" and you have it. To becomes To
when kerned; You goes to You.
Now go over Z-News looking for examples of kerning--there is plenty here.
Hint--notice "Ke" and "go" in "Kerning goes" clause opening second paragraph
of this section. (Only in hardcopy version is kerning to be noted.)
A printer's (either mechanical or human) main responsibility is producing
pages as pleasant to read as technically possible, to hardware/software
limits. Whenever the reader is distracted by the typography (i.e., style,
arrangement, or appearance of printed matter), the "type" is not efficient.
Many a 9-wire dot-matrix printer and worn-out ribbon have joined to make
reading less than smooth, to make reading a distracting process. And, though
cosmetics are important contents are even more so. We work on both.
By Another Name. An alternate alias editor/generator technique is available,
similar in philosophy to ACREATE developed by Howard Cripe. Ernest Stiltner,
an avid Z-System user living in Boulder, CO, is author of new BA, Build Alias,
utility. We intend to make it part of our "Writer's Workbench," but for now
we separately present BA for $12.95 plus shipping and handling. Includes
extensive online HLP file, but no hardcopy documentation. Item 67 on EI Price
List. (We have not established prices yet for Writer's Workbench of which
JetFind is part of, or for previously mentioned "Programmer's Toolbox.")
Being able to use your editor, any editor, to create and modify aliases,
i.e., batch files of more than one command, is BA's main attraction. Our
present screen-oriented alias editors, BALIAS, TALIAS, and VALIAS, are patter-
ned after WordStar control codes for cursor movement, saving, etc. BA uses a
"skeleton" ZCPR3 alias file and overlays your editor-created script into it.
Any editor you are comfortable with may be used. Alias COM file created is
always 1k-bytes in length. Number of bytes to be held by command line buffer
(CLB) is given, for maximum expansion of parameters in alias.
First time, you create alias script with your editor and use PROTO.COM as
skeleton. Forms acceptable: 1) separate command per line, or 2) multiple
commands per line separated by semicolons. Lines with a semicolon in column
one are retained as comments. You start up with blank alias provided, a
skeleton named PROTO.COM. The flow is:
newalias.CMD
\
BA ==> newalias.COM
/
oldalias.COM
Syntax:
BA<cr> The command file "newalias.CMD" is requested from the console.
The skeleton alias is read first time from file PROTO.COM, then each time
thereafter "oldalias.COM" is read.
BA commandfile<cr> Commands are read from commandfile, "newalias.CMD".
The skeleton alias is read from file PROTO.COM, "oldalias.COM".
BA commandfile skeletonfile<cr> Commands are read from "newalias.cmd".
The skeleton alias is read from skeletonfile, i.e., previous COM version of
last edited alias script, i.e., "oldalias.CMD".
An alias can be used to update an alias: edit a15:$1.CMD;BA a15:$1.CMD
a15:$1.COM. "edit" is your editor or wordprocessor, e.g., LZED or Express;
CMD is file type of script created by you. COM is runnable alias.
Distribution alias is named EA, Edit Alias. Command line syntax: ea
alias<cr>, where "alias" is name of alias you wish to modify. From any
directory you can immediately edit aliases
in the directory, A15: in this
example, where you keep all your aliases. BA features:
1. Last two versions of alias are displayed on console screen.
2. Two character counts are displayed: for new source file (script of
alias.CMD), and for if "$" parameter fields are expanded to their
maximums. Comparing counts with length of your CLB catches possible
buffer overflow.
3. The alias script is available to be included in documentation. In menu
systems, alias scripts easily converted to command macros.
4. CRC value displayed for latest version of alias.
5. CP/M file convention of spaces expanded from tabs correctly handled.
6. Online ZCPR3-convention HLP file.
Show Aliases alias: sa contains ROOT:dir14 ROOT:*.cmd h to display all
CMD aliases in ROOT: directory. sa<cr> is simple syntax.
Those who create, edit, and manage text on a regular basis, using
Z80/HD64180-based computers to develop magazine articles, reports, books,
etc., appreciate ability to use same wordprocessor or editor to create,
modify, and manage ZCPR3 aliases. Give BA a try and see what you think.
########################
Education makes life much easier.
Think, if you had not learned to sign your name,
you would have to pay cash for everything.
Software Beat. New book, "The Ada Software Repository and The Defense Data
Network," written by ZCPR3 author, Richard Conn, is off the presses. For the
first time, a comprehensive tour of both gigantic Ada Software Repository and
equally gigantic DDN is available for but $16.95. From New York Zoetrope, 838
Broadway, New York, NY 10003, toll-free 800/242-7546, book contains 200+
pages, is bound paperback. In New York state, number is 212/420-0590.
Zoetrope takes Visa/MC credit cards.
Word is MicroPro will have out Version 4.0 of WordStar for CP/M before
1987 year ends. (MS-DOS version is planned to be out by end of February, this
month, 1987.) If you receive a notice from MicroPro announcing v4.0, be sure
to return their enclosed card and indicate your interest in upcoming CP/M
version. Thanks.
In Other Words. Twelve points to a pica, 12 inches to a foot, 12 months to a
year, 12 Constellations in the Zodiac. Twelve, a dozen, of what significance
is such a number? Is there more to numbers than meets the eye.
Chaos, mentioned in Z-News 606-3, is not all bad...its teaches things we
need to know...using non-linear computer models we learn even the most random
of things can have a pattern, a design plan...geometric structures called
fractals come to mind, elegant example shown in sidebar. Maybe there is no
random behavior in our universe...
"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and
that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future
but by the past."--Patrick Henry, 1736-1799, American statesman.
We thought of a joke symbolizing so many North Americans. Two joggers are in
the woods, relaxing after a hard run, when suddenly, a big black bear comes
charging towards them. One starts putting on his jogging shoes as the other
says, "You know you can't outrun a black bear!" "I know I can't, but I only
have to outrun you." Long term goals aren't important, just what I can make
on the next deal. That's it! That's the majority of people making up
corporate-America leadership--ignorant, self-centered, thus non-whole.
On the other hand, orchids, champagne, and congratulations go to Dennis
Connor, to his crew and supporters (San Diego Yacht Club plus others) for
winning back America's Cup. "Stars and Stripes" swells our chest by winning
over our Down Under friends. Aussies have nothing to be ashamed of either.
Jobs well done!
==============================================================================
Of Angels and Eagles. So many just want to use, and not to learn...surface
actions, thoughts. Power comes from understanding, not simply from blindly
using and producing...mental attitude is everything...one person's work is
another's play, fulfillment...truck not in slothfulness. When we learn
fundamentals of a process, we...we learn of Life! Now to our Patsy Cline
records. 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
Z-News 703 is Copyright MCMLXXXVII Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Permission to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source
credit is given to Echelon.
ghts Reserved.
Permission to reprint, wholly or partially, aut
