Z TIPS: Members of Florida's Tampa Bay Computer User's Group
(Ron Schwabel, Charlie Hoffman, Joe Griffith, David Hunt, and
Steve Kapplin) have made an improvement to Z3INS. They modified
Z3INS by adding the ability to install one COM file simply by
using its full name (fn.COM) as trailing parameter, instead of
the fn.INS file name, usually ZCPR3.INS. What a nice convenience
feature being able to add only one file at a time to your
environment! Of course ZCPR3.INS could be edited and new file
added to the list, or a new one-file list created, but just using
Z3INS11 is so quick, simple, if but one file is being installed.
Joe Wright (EI team member, San Jose, California) has
extended the features of DIR to include both vertical and
horizontal sorted file listings and increased the maximum file
sizes accurately displayed from 512k-bytes to full 8-megabytes.
Also he has added screen highlighting to separate file columns
and disk statistics. Its capability fits in-between the present
transients DIR and XD. You find it your favorite--give it a try.
Dave Lucky (Crescendo Systems, Pleasant Hill, California) is
latest programmer to fix LDR.COM (we thought it was fully fixed
months ago, but we were wrong). LDR12 moves us one more step
towards perfection. Thanks Dave for getting us up a ladder-rung.
(These heights can dizzy!)
Peter Lyman (of JPL, Pasadena, California) has indicated
troubles with CLEANDIR when using really big disks with huge
directories. The problem occurs when there is not enough RAM
space to hold all the disk directory file names at once; problem
usually starts at over 1024 names (32 bytes per name), 48k-TPA
permits about 1500 directory files before trouble. His fix
allows user to realize situation and not proceed unless desired.
Upgraded program is called CLNDR11P; it and extended DIR11,
LDR12, and Z3INS11 are on ZCPR3 bulletin board at 415/489-9005.
Good News: Corporations, OEM's and VAR's are signing up for
volume usage of Echelon software. Thanks to William Dollar
(Ampro Computers), Allan Levy and Keith Milligan, Hetra
Corporation), David Lucky (Crescendo Systems), Terry Stanley
(DataCom Systems), Graham Campbell (Innovative Networks), Paul
Jones (National Public Domain Software Rental Center), Bridger
Mitchell (PluPerfect Systems), J.D. Wasson (Ford Aerospace),
Robert Richard (Systems Peripherals Consultants) for obtaining
licenses from us. We see vibrant life entering 8-bit hardware
because of new features, economy, efficiency, and ease of use
provided by Echelon Lasting-Value Software offerings.
More good news: Sol Libes and Dave Hardy, from erstwhile
Microsystems magazine, are doing columns for Micro Cornucopia
magazine (P.O. Box 223, Bend, OR 97709, 503/382-8048). Sol
writes about public domain software and Dave continues with his
S-100 bus column. More journalistic power moving from east to
west! We eagerly wait for Micro C's arrival, now that these two
have joined David Thompson, journal's Editor and Publisher.
More: ZRDOS (BDOS replacement) is shipping, ahead of
schedule! Presently being added to Z3-Dot-Com, becoming Z-Com,
is available for an additional $49.50 to those who have already
obtained Z3-Dot-Com from us. (See price list of 7 January 1985.)
Echelon announces complete operating system and support
utilities. Combining ZCPR3 and ZRDOS produces powerful computer
software called Z-System. Z is uniquely competent collection of
programs developed by individuals who care about resource (RAM
and disk space, processor throughout) management, efficiency, and
economy. We are concerned with aesthetic as well as pragmatic
solutions to coding: functional routines, yes! But also keep
track of everything in easy, elegant ways--a leap towards
creative stimulation. We break that conventional set, avoid
time-worn and obvious answers that are so boring and non-
stimulating.
Z-SYSTEM SUPPORT UTILITIES: Echelon software development system
(complementing operating system) utilities (Z-Tools) were
authored by a special group of people we wish you to know. All
encourage writing efficient (non-high level language) structured
code for 8-bit microprocessors. (This group is welcomed by our
corporate staff, as well as by now-famous triad of Joseph and
Dennis Wright and Richard Conn--we work with purpose, in harmony
for high productivity! (SDS tools make for efficient application
program writing, re-writing, with or without source code.)
1. Patrick O'Connell - relocating Z80 macro assembler,
generates Microsoft compatible REL files or Intel compatible HEX
files, compatible with DRI macro assemblers MAC and RMAC,
generates DRI compatible SYM files, handles complete Zilog
mnemonics, INCLUDE and MACLIB files, conditional assembly,
separate data, program, common and absolute memory space
allocation, with linker and library manager for REL files; and
over three times faster than Macro-80 (M80). Delivered with
8080-to-Z80 mnemonic converter and 55-page loose leaf instruction
manual. All for $95.00!
2. Robert Doolittle - debugging and translation of Intel,
Zilog, and CDL/TDL mnemonics; debugger sells for $50.00, set of
four translators for $40.00. Single break-point, patching, etc.
Intel to Zilog, Zilog to Intel, Intel to TDL, TDL to Intel covers
full range of possibilities. (Additional pseudo-ops easily added
by user.) Write code using Intel mnemonics, convert, then
assemble with Patrick's super fast Z80 relocating macro
assembler.
3. Al Hawley - program disassembling for $90.00; easily,
easiest-to-use disassembler available on the planet. Handles
byte (DB) and word (DW) data, disassembles object code up to 64k-
bytes long, comments may be inserted during disassembly. Command
set provides interactive disassembly, command strings and macros,
online help, calculations in any number base, flexible file and
I/O control. Remember when you didn't have source code for a
file: Resource was used to disassemble, first to come out and
was good; Dasm, came next and was better; but today Al's REVAS3
is best!
4. John Otken - screen oriented symbolic debugging sells for
$195.00. Operates with four major and two minor windows, each
independent of the other. Instruction, cpu registers, stack, and
memory are displayed in major windows; command line and message
echo area occupy minor. Two additional temporary displays
contain help and the breakpoints. Utility provides both real time
and simulation (control never passed to program) debugging!
Comes with carefully written 53-page loose leaf manual.
Our 8-bit seriousness is fully indicated by breath and depth
of activities. Counter-revolutions are fun to observe, but even
more so if you take part; will you?
Bulletin Board System becomes Z-Node: West coast tied together
with Z-System electronic bulletin boards. Al Hawley (Los
Angeles) and David McCord (Fremont) join operations and transfer
data from north California (NOCAL) to south (SOCAL), and vice
versa! Al's modem number is 213/670-9465. Much is planned to
expand Z-Node national, international, coverage. Sysops of
presently functioning RCP/M's wishing to become a Z-Node please
let us know; full details promptly supplied.
Software Domain Status Explained: There is some confusion
relative to the status of programs Discat, Z3-Dot-Com, and ZRDOS.
We have been informed of some of these files being put up on
RCP/M systems. Such action is illegal! We wish to make clear
meaning of public domain, copyrighted, and limited distribution
programs.
ZCPR3 and its utilities are released for private use by
individuals in non-commercial environments. This is called
limited or restricted distribution. You cannot sell ZCPR3 or any
of the utilities without first obtaining a license from Echelon.
All are copyrighted; copyrights have been assigned to Echelon by
Richard Conn. Owner of program copyright determines domain
status by whatever restrictions are placed at release.
The legal definition of "public domain" is: you may do
anything you wish--sell, give away, modify, do anything. ZCPR3
is not in the public domain; you cannot sell it without a
license. Presently three programs (with many more to come,
Term3, Emsg, Change Control Manager, etc.) are not to be uploaded
to the RCP/M network or traded among individual users, are under
strict license agreement: Discat, Z3-Dot-Com and ZRDOS. These
programs may be purchased only from Echelon. The COM files are
named: CATCHECK, CATERASE, CATFREE, CATMAKE, CATMERGE, CATNAME,
CATRMDSK, CATSCAN, CATUPD, Z3L, AC (archive copy), VIEW, COMP,
DUMP, SFA, and DFA; and the special files are ENV.SPR,
SYSFCP.SPR, Z3BIO.SPR, Z3CPR.SPR, Z3MOV.BIN, and ZRDOS.HEX.
These will never be released to SIG/M or public message networks.
These are programs to keep Echelon alive, making money, with some
of that money going to Richard Conn, Joseph Wright, Dennis
Wright, and others to follow.
Please guard our rights...if we don't stay in business there
will be no more ZCPR3's or enhancements or ZRDOS's or
applications taking special advantage of Z- System capability. We
are practically giving the software away now, not making much off
each package. Come and join in our deep-support of 8-bit computer
(downward compatible with CP/M-80) world, an important, furtile
world many so quickly abandoned!
Now, we ask all those who have obtained ZCPR3
and its utilities from RCP/M's, or SIG/M,
(estimated, over 10,000) and have found the collection to be
useful, helpful in learning structured programming,
in improving and automating
microcomputer operations, please financially support us by
sending $35.00 (user-supported free-ware concept).
You will receive one-year subscription to fortnighter
newsletter (Z-News) and written or telephone assistance
we can provide. If you like what we are doing
compensate labor and material we have directly (or indirectly)
given you--monetarily keep us healthy!
As Hindus would say, "It's good Karma." Thank you.
Wyse Technology (San Jose, California) adds WY-85: New terminal
is DEC VT-220 compatible, and emulates VT-100 along with VT-52
and ANSI Z3.64 codes; sells for only $799.00 and has similar
mechanical features of WY-50 (TVI 920/925 compatible) and WY-75
(VT-100 compatible): 80/132-column display, solid keyboard and
14" green screen. Wyse continues to impress!
Running a business with IBM your competitor is on road to near-
certain bankruptcy. IBM has shown their desire to not only be a
part of microcomputers but to dominate all aspects of the
marketplace! Remember, this is the company that fought
distributed processing tooth-and-nail in favor of one mainframe
computer. Our approach to such monoliths (modern-day Goliaths)
is to simply not approach; move away, do something different;
find a path, a way to our place of usefulness--that's what we
presently do.
Any entity having status to set de facto standards, no
matter what it offers, also possesses mind-numbing power to
stifle imagination, reduce available product diversity, suppress
innovation and creativity! Permission for and access to such
power comes from their customers--what does that tell us? We deal
with cosmic, race-heritage forces. (Besides, we felt dreadfully
common when last we used an IBM PC, but perhaps we think too
much. Better be robotic, not think at all? What do you think?)
What are we, Oh! mighty man,
We who fall even while we stand?
We who, if we can, grab an Infinite hand.
And with help, again we stand.
See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
101 First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 415/948-3820
ZCPR3 BBS & Z-Node: 415/489-9005
Trademarks: Z80/800, Zilog; VT-220/100/52, Digital Equipment;
Syslib3, Term3, Emsg, Richard L. Conn; ZRDOS, Dennis L. Wright;
Discat, Z3-Dot-Com, Lasting-Value Software, Z-System, Z-Tools, Z-
Com, Echelon; PC-DOS, IBM, Int'l Business Machines; MS-DOS,
Macro-80, Xenix, Microsoft; CP/M, MP/M, MAC, RMAC, Digital
Research; WY-50/75/85, Wyseword, Wyse Technology.
