Z3 TIPS: CLEANDIR and UNERASE go together like a hand and custom tailored
glove. Running CLEANDIR does principally two things: sorts the directory of
a disk, making for faster other-program usage; and cleans out de-allocated
CP/M file block data from previously valid, but now removed files. If UNERASE
finds blocks with names the same as the file to be unerased, there is little
hope of a successful unerase. CLEANDIR removes all de-allocated names as well
as compacts the entire directory area, leaving only presently active data.
The problem with attempting to recover accidentally deleted files is with
potential previous disk/edit operations; many de-allocated disk data blocks
with the same name creates the impossible task of reclaiming the desired ones
of the present file. If you have run CLEANDIR and then accidentally erase and
attempt to recover, odds are near 100% the attempt will be successful.
Floppy Disk File Access Speed Increase Tip: Copy to a freshly formatted
system disk, one with CP/M on it, the files you most often use. The copy to
be singularly performed, one file at a time in the exact order they are
normally used. A boot disk for ZCPR3 might be ordered: STARTUP.COM first,
then LDR.COM, SYS.*, MYTERM.Z3T, followed by application MENU.COM and
MENU.MNU. Then your editor/wordprocessor, etc. Such system-disk preparation
may greatly increase access speed--files are all grouped close together on
disk tracks, eliminating need for lengthy disk-drive read/write head seeks.
Change of pace...we are looking at an excellent example of aggressive
ZCPR3 menus, from user John Gliedman, New York City, containing long command
lines. They appear especially useful in automating magazine-article and book
writing. The concepts are applied to a dual-drive Osborne with RAM disk,
using two versions of WordStar, MENU, IF, ELSE, GOTO, FI, REG, ECHO, ALIAS,
SAK, ZEX, etc. We plan to devote an entire newsletter to describing such
techniques, but for now just a little tickle showing the ramdisk load and
status commands, L and R, entered from the main menu.
Rif 9 9;if 8 8;echo ramdisk active and wordstar loaded;sak /p1;
else;echo ramdisk active but wordstar not loaded;sak /p1;fi;fi;
if ~9 9;echo ram disk inactive;sak /p1;else;fi
USER is a set-to-user-area program written by Michael Rubenstein. Ramdisk
activates ram storage, starting from DF00 and names it C:. MCOPY copies
quietly with trailing q. Registers are set using REG in several conditional
STARTUP files, for example:
STARTUP: ldr sys.env,sys.fcp,sys.ndr,myterm.z3t;reg s7 1;
if ex a:-diskname.001;reg s7;else;fi;fi;start2
START2: if 8 8;mcopy menu.mnu;c:;else;fi;fi;menu
Drive C0: is defined as BACKUP so MCOPY default directory search works.
Almost any computer task you think of is automatable using menu and alias
generation, and multiple commands per line capability of ZCPR3, and such is
accomplishable so swiftly. The tools are there--a little thought puts them
into action and to work.
A Note from Richard Conn -- "The BOOK: ZCPR3: The Manual is almost done, at
long last. To brief you on what has been going on, three editors have been
working on the book. Two are literary editors, and their job was completed
some time ago. The third editor is a technical editor, Chris Terry, formerly
of Microsystems magazine, has agreed to act as a technical editor for the
book, and I think he has done a marvelous job. He is currently reviewing Z3-
Dot-Com and is placing a section into the book on it. He has helped to
clarify several of the points stressed in the book and has really devoted a
lot of time and attention to it. I really appreciate what Chris has done and
feel that the book will be much better for it.
"Chris should complete his final review very soon. At this time, he will
send the book back to me on floppies, and I will run Star Index over it one
last time and perform a last-minute review. I will then send the Star Index
output back to Chris, who will print it out for the publisher [Zoetrope] to
typeset. We are running approximately one week later than the last posted
schedule, so the book is still set to go out around the end of October, first
of November."
Be assured, Echelon ships as soon as books come from printing presses!
DISCAT Reminders: Things DISCAT users may find useful: 1) Put all CAT
programs in A8: and using MKDIR name that directory CAT. 2) Again using MKDIR
create a directory called BACKUP for auto Master Catalog copying (para. 3.1.3
of DISCAT manual), as a second file, to another disk--good protection from
Master Catalog lose. Command #3 from the DISCAT menu erases the temorary
backup created on A8:CAT>. CATUPD also defaults to updating disks to selected
catalog from directory BACKUP (para. 4.2.8). So please make a named directory
with that name. If you don't, the default drive is B: as it is for disk
copying. 3) If you wish to change the directroy (disk/user area) that
receives disk names, change "catname" menu command line to that directory.
The DISCAT menu command line ncatname C31:"Name of Disk -- " (page 60 of
manual) controls these things. You may want to change the C31: to BACKUP:.
Notice that MCOPY has a default search for directory BACKUP, convenient
to use as backup copying for any file. That's why command lines like "bmcopy
master.cat m" work. By using MKDIR to establish a directory named BACKUP, a
disk/user area is defined for all your backup files.
If you have a hard disk occuping A: and B:, then you may find it cleaner
to keep all catalogs on B8: and the DISCAT utilities on A8:. Then B8: would
be named CAT, as in the DISCAT manual.
Good News: Phase 2 is shipping. Programs contained in this release catapult
the ZCPR3 System into new domains of elegance. Screen-oriented utilities,
easy-to-live-with computer resource control, each makes life pleasant for the
console operator. The release is in two groups and purchased from Echelon for
$8.00 per disk plus $3.00 shipping and handling. (California customers please
add 6.5% sales tax.)
The first_group, and probably more popular, is a two-disk set for $19.00,
complete, contains:
VFILER -- a screen-oriented file and disk housekeeping
manager, with marco-command menu (CMD files)
ability; a major tool to create streamlined,
menu-controlled turn-key systems
VMENU -- enhanced MENU with cursor addressing and partial
DIR display capability (VMENUCK locates menu
command lines containing syntax errors)
DU3 -- video version of famous DU, Disk Utility; full
disk editor with built-in help system
MU3 -- Memory Utility allowing RAM changes on-the-fly,
using screen cursor pointing to addresses be
changed, in either ASCII or HEX; has built-
in HEX calculator, a menu of commands, etc.
CMD -- places a multiple command line into the command
line buffer and executes
SHSET -- makes a Shell of any application program, even
WordStar or dBASE II
CLEANDIR -- clears out de-allocated disk data from directory
area, like public domain SAP but much faster; used
often, permits UNERASE to work nearly every time
DPROG.ASM -- device programmer, a tool file to initialize and setup
CRT terminal, printer, or other device parameters;
several may be used, each for different desired
environments (for each DIRectory, using CD and ST)
DEBUGRCP.ASM -- Resident Command Package (RCP) addition, useful during
program development sessions; a cut-down version of
MU3 but memory resident
Screen-oriented features of above commands should impress. Each comes
with an online help file consistent with ZCPR3 HELP System. These nine (9)
utility programs round out ZCPR3's capability to create the computing environ-
ment we dream about.
The second_group of Phase 2 consists of the above two disks plus four
more for $51.00, including S&H. If ordering from California, don't forget
6.5% state tax. The additional disks contain:
Source Code -- for all object files on disks #1 & 2
of group one, on two disks
VLIB -- library subroutine support for modern
CRT screen manipulation, cursor motion,
erase to end of line, clear screen, half-
intensity, etc., occupies 1/2 disk
Z3LIB -- subroutine library provides access to
ZCPR3-specific features, environment
descriptors, flow control, messages, and
utilities, on 1 1/2 disks
For those who ordered only the first group and now want the second, the
price is $35.00, S&H included.
These programs are of extreme value considering their usefulness, person-
hours required to write and debug, and ease of extension using SYSLIB, VLIB
and Z3LIB--that's quality, another example of Lasting-Value Software from
Echelon. They, separately a series of small gains, combined create a
revolutionary environment permitting modular application program development.
Stay tuned for description of upcoming TERM3 communications program. If
you like DISCAT and its blending with the ZCPR3 environment, you will love
TERM3. (We start shipping TERM3 soon, hopefully within a month or so.) This
application program, plus DISCAT, signals menu-driven, completely harmonious
systems are now within your grasp, if ZCPR3 is used. And you control the
menus, aliases, and macro command CMD files: you are free!
Very Bad News: IBM pulls an Osborne-style blunder in announcing and pricing
their new PC-AT (Advanced Technology) computer. In effort to cut AT&T off-at-
the-pass and dominate the PC market, as it has so competently done in the
mainframe business, the AT has been priced so low that sales of both the
standard PC and the PC-XT are being dramatically curtained. Additionally,
manufacturers of PC clones, super clones and supermicros just don't have the
volume production or buying power to price down in the AT range--hard times
ahead for them. But unplanned side effect is IBM being greatly impacted in
short term because they can't meet demand caused by shortages (that will last
for 9 months) of Intel 80286 chip used in the machine. Slow delivery of
product has caused a wait-and-see attitude in perspective buyers of full-up
PC's, IBM brand or otherwise. Potential customers presently inert waiting to
see what happens with IBM-Xenix, Unix System III and System V, and wonder if a
PC-DOS 4.0 with windows is soon coming to obsolete popular Xenix.
IBM can weather a storm they (in error?) created, but many small- to
medium-size companies are going to go under because of it. Unix future is
still quite unclear, especially System V. If AT&T starts losing money, and
there is chance it will, IBM big-victory is near. Next from IBM-ROLM come
power moves in integrated telephone data/voice switch (PBX) market toward
dominance. Can AT&T effectively, efficiently counter and be competitive? In
straight voice switches they aren't well, 8% of market versus ROLM's 35%.
In this pending calamity, an 8-bit Z800/ZRDOS/ZCPR3 combination could
gain a small minority foothold in personal LAN computing. Zilog could take a
path away from its present position of being fourth in a field of four in the
16/32 bit marketplace and make a real mark with a super performing 8-bit
machine. The Z800 has the architecture to be that machine. OEM's, are you
listening?
The difference between predicting (foretelling) versus dictating (deter-
mining) the future is interesting to ponder. The present is determined by
history (the past): the future is determined by what is past and what we do
now, the present. To dictate the future requires changing the past (present)!
Very interesting considerings. Can IBM change history, the past or present?
The thought chills.
New-Users-of-CP/M_Corner: Lots of first-time computer users are getting
acquainted with both CP/M and ZCPR3. The understanding to fully appreciate
how computers work takes time to acquire. And study and work and study. But
nothing of value is obtained unless we have been changed by the experience and
work changes us. Learning to use computers and their software is a life-time
adventure--one full of thrills and heart aches. But consider that solution to
any problem we face is simply to relax, observe characteristics of the
problem, think about it lightly, study more; the solution comes when we aren't
thinking about it! Relax, and learn what learning is all about. Getting up-
tight doesn't help--just wastes precious energy, energy to which access is
limited. Relaxation opens channels to more energy, knowing, understanding.
A human has untapped, strange powers
never used in normal circumstances. Glimpses
are recognizable during times
of eminent adversity, tragedy or extreme danger.
Necessity of survival drives forth to our consciousnesses the marvels
lingering beneath the surface. Break the covering
(through relaxation) and be surprised at the
wonderments contained inside us. Truly the Infinite is already locked,
vested profoundly internal and most of us sense it not.
The next paragraph was prompted by many new users of CP/M, and potentially
ZCPR. (Who said CP/M is dead!)
What it takes to handle installation of ZCPR3: Command files required are
MOVECPM, SYSGEN, DDT, MAC, ED, SID/ZSID, MLOAD, RELS.UTL, and EX. In
addition, if alteration of utilities is desired, M80 and L80 are necessary.
The public domain programs of the group (the last three in the list) are
supplied, courtesy, their authors and Echelon. As reported previously, we're
trying to negotiate a bargain deal to supply, with our documentation, MAC and
SID/ZSID, and M80/L80, from Digital Research and Microsoft, respectively.
Manual ZCPR3 installation (using DDT and MOVCPM) is easily handled by
programmers with two years experience with Assembly Language and CP/M;
the task is usually completed in four (4) hours. New computer users find the
chore difficult, but possible if time is taken to learn what's not known.
Echelon helps in this process whenever possible. Remember we are dealing with
an epic, a package of software that is equivalent to Unix. You can't expect
to understand it instantly (though Z3-Dot-Com installs almost instantly)! At
any point in time, we doubt if anyone fully understands the complete system--
it's simply too massive for a human to remember. The ZCPR3 online HELP is
competent aid to fallible organic memory. We are developing further aids to
assist the console operator; the GLOSSARY and ZCPR3 COMMANDS cards are early
products, already supplied to all our customers...it's a beginning.
Shipping and Handling (S&H) Explained: We control overhead in every
way
possible. Minimizing paper work is one. We charge a nominal average for our
shipping and handling. Thus a customer who orders a single disk is partially
paying for the one who orders a large amount of documentation and multi-disk
software. The large package is charged the same as the small. We feel the
average is treated fairly with the extremes getting a better or worse deal.
But our overall costs are lower with the reduced clerical and paper work. Our
software, we surely suspect, is already a bargain so we hope few get upset at
the sometimes high postage charged for a one-disk shipment. It's not a
perfect world; many stumble along the path thinking it is!
FLASH: New BBS and RCP/M now operates. This station is central, prime board
for ZCPR3 news. David McCord, Fremont, California, is SYSOP. Computer was
thoughtfully donated by Ampro Computers of Mountain View, California. The
METAL message system used (the best in the business, we think) was provided by
Tim Gary and Byron McKay of Delphi Data Systems, also of Mountain View.
Dave's joining the ZCPR3 team speeds both reaction to customer questions and
interchange of data and information, quickening knowledge and understanding of
ZCPR3 and the ZCPR3 System. We welcome his vital assistance! Please make
note of new modem number: 415/489-9005.
Public message networks informally receive ZCPR3 Newsletter. Through wizardry
Echelon customers receive the newsletter first-class US Mail. Those not
customers but who which to receive it (multi-color, hardcopy) may subscribe at
$24.00 annual rate. We promise twenty-two issues in any twelve-month period;
don't forget it's a fortnighter. We further promise no dull newsletters, only
newsworthy reporting, microcomputer-industry insider views, Z3 Tips & Bug
Reports, and an editorial now and then. Send your Visa/Mastercard number and
expiration date, or personal check, to Echelon to keep abreast of ZCPR3 and
CP/M-80 happenings. See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
101 First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 415/948-3820
(NEW) RCP/M & BBS Modem: 415/489-9005
Trademarks: CP/M, Digital Research; Z3-Dot-Com, Alpha Systems; Bookshelf,
Ampro Computers; Z80, Zilog; Unix, AT&T Bell Laboratories; ZCPR3, Syslib3,
Term3, Richard L. Conn; Discat, Lasting-Value Software, Disk7, Echelon; PC-
DOS, IBM, Int'l Business Machines; Xenix, Microsoft; WY-50, Wyseword, Wyse
Technology; ZRDOS, Dennis L. Wright; Metal, Delphi Data Systems.
Newsletter 008 is Copyright 1984 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permis-
sion to reprint automatically granted if source credit is given to Echelon.
