Z TIPS: VFILER is an important ZCPR3 shell. Running your entire computer
system from its CMD files is easy. At cold boot your startup alias is used to
load VFILER as the last operation, turning control over to you, ending in
splendid DIRectory screen of VFILER. From there you have access to ten macro
commands for further operations. If you move to another directory, another
ten could be available.
Housekeeping is VFILER's strength. Fully screen oriented, can point to
files to further process them: tag for group copy to another directory, for
deletion as a group, with or without individual verification prompting;
rename, size, view (if text file) or send to printer. You may organize your
system from CMD macro menus, VFILER's secondary strength. Housekeeping plus
command menus tie your activities together. If you design CMD's to automate
normal tasks, your overall efficiency is greatly improved: through reduced
keyboard inputs, less typing, thus fewer typing errors; and reduced mental
(mnemonic) overhead!
An example CMD command and menu file:
! Vfiler CMD File for Word Processing, Database and Communicatins
!reminder --> %d=current disk %u=current user %f=current file
! --> %$=%d%u:%f
0 xd %d:*.* 'Attributes (p=send to printer, ah=fn.ft, horiz sort): '
1 ws %$
2 BASE:;spell %$ $slic;review;markfix %$ $m#;WORK1:;ws %$
3 a:;cleanup %$ $m#;WORK1:;ws %$
4 a:;phrase %$ passive.txt;WORK1:;ws %$
5 CAT:;catscan 'Master Catalog Search (e.g. *.doc): ' *.*;WORK1:
6 tmaker get finance.tmk e;copy BACKUP:=%d:finance.tmk /a
7 modem7
8 mbasic %d:dims
9 protect %$ 'Attribute (r=r/o, s=system, a=archive): '
#
>>> WORD PROCESSING, DATABASE and COMMUNICATIONS Menu <<<
----------------------------------------------------------------
0 - Directory of Current Disk (XD) - 0
1 - EDIT Current File (WordStar) - 1
2 - Spelling Check and Correction (SPELL+) - 2
3 - Punctuation and Grammar Check (CLEANUP) - 3
4 - Style Check (PHRASE) - 4
5 - Scan Master CATALOG from Console (CATSCAN) - 5
6 - Financial Tally (T/MAKER) - 6
7 - Telecommunicate via modem (Modem7) - 7
8 - Database Management System (MBasic + DIMS) - 8
9 - Set Current File Attribute (R/O, R/W, Archive) (PROTECT) - 9
----------------------------------------------------------------
Note leading ! starts comment line (any character other than a number or
# can also); the # means end-of-commands, start of menu displayed when # is
pressed by console operator. Looking at Command 6: T/MAKER3 integrated
multi-purpose program loads which then loads (get) special text file
FINANCE.TMK and goes into edit mode (e); after editing is complete and exit
occurs, ZRDOS COPY program loads and automatically archives text file to
directory BACKUP, normally disk C0 on Echelon's corporate computer. BASE is
always A0; B0, WORK1; and A8 is CAT (A8 is not along COM file path seach).
Commands 2, 3 and 4 use Wayne Holder's (Oasis Systems, San Diego, California)
The WORD Plus and Punctuation and Style.
Command structure and syntax come from VFILER online help at menu entry
(creating) User Functions (0-9 and #). You learn to use VFILER from within
itself. VFILER has full CRT screen of instant, built-in help (menu of
available commands) obtained by typing ? (or /) at command prompt, but it also
has H for chaining to VFILER.HLP A search is first make to find HELP.COM
along the path; if not found, running HLP is not attempted. Don't forget that
aliases (created with ALIAS.COM) can be nested in CMD command lines.
Extensive ALIAS variables are sometimes convenient (and fun) to use. Also
MENU and VMENU may be an entry in a CMD command line! If you don't use VFILER
you are missing advantages of a powerful shell--Unix (and PC/MS-DOS) users
wished they had it so good!
Two neat files on our Z-Nodes are WMPATCH and WSPATCH, written by Dennis
Wright, used to permit WordMaster and WordStar to know about ZCPR3 and its
TCAP evironment. Give them a try from either 213/670-9465 or 415/489-9005
message systems.
Good_News: Crescendo Systems (Dave Lucky, 1030 Santa Lucia Drive, Pleasant
Hill, CA 94523, 415/827-9339) is shipping ready-to-run ZCPR3 for SWP
Microcomputer Products' ATR8000 series. Implementation comes with 30-page
COOKBOOK telling of ZCPR3 virtures and ways to arrange your disk system for
best efficiency. If you own an ATR8000, or want to buy one, and want ZCPR3 on
it, Crescendo is the way to upgrade for only $124.95, complete.
ZCPR3: The Manual is going to be shipped. We can't say for sure but the
rumor is in early March all orders go out! What a relief and a blessing it
will be to have it out! Into hands of all those who want it! Richard Conn is
reviewing final page proofs now. Those having placed orders receive it
through the mail, without further contact. Once we get our hands on this
beautiful document we will forget all the delays and be happy.
ZRDOS2 appears on schedule, and if nothing unplanned occurs will start
delivery at end of February. Our flyer on it and ZRDOS is informative.
Ampro Computers (67 E. Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94041, 915/962-
0230) is shipping their SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface - ANSI
Standard) add-on board to Little Boardtm and costs $99.00 plus S&H. We use
this interface on Dave McCord's Z-Node at 415/489-9005. If you haven't been
accessing our node you've been missing use of a unique set of fast hardware
and software.
An aside: the Echelon team is working presently to complete our planned
nodal activity, hopefully by September 1985. Z-Node runs secure ZCPR3 and
ZRDOS (or Z-Com) with Term3 and Emsg. All tie together through use of Term3
to form automatic global (Earthly) message handling system. Sysops wishing to
convert to such a communications system please write for further details.
Sort_of_Bad_News: Zilog has slipped first deliveries of Z800 into next
quarter missing promised Valentine's Day introduction--as declared some months
back--being the tenth anniversary of their founding. The only good side of
this announcement is they also delayed introduction of top-of-the-line Z80,000
the same amount. When or how will fire be put under them is unknown. So we
wait for this beautiful Z80 upward compatible chip, and wait and wait!
Remember it will run our software without change. And do it with 3 to 10
times speed of a 4-mHz Z80! Its instruction set contains 8080 and Z80
operation codes, plus many more for hardware arithmetic and 16-megabyte RAM
control for efficient multitasking, running more than one program
simultaneously.
REACTIONS: We opened a hornets' nest when we didn't indicate expected
delivery dates for our new prdoucts, as included on List Prices sheet dated 7
January 1985. Our new sheet (being printed now) indicate status of each line
item. A general summary indicates all new items are shipping or will be
within 60 days or less. The exceptions are ZRDOS3, Emsg, Change Control
Manager (MaintMan) and ZCPR3: The Libraries. More dates when they firm.
Question regarding our Lasting-Value Software has been received. What is
it? We've never been too clear about the label...the line consists only of
those application programs that either impress or take full advantage of Z-
System environment. Presently we consider these few under our definition:
Discat -- File and Disk Catalog Manager
XtraKey -- Stand-alone Function-key Generator
KAMAS -- Integrated Idea/Outline Processor
Term3 -- Terminal/Computer Communications Program
MaintMan -- Document Maintenance Manager
Emsg -- Electronic Message and Mail Handler
KAMAS and XtraKey are provided by Compusophic Systems and Xpert Software,
respectively (see newsletters 007 and 009); the rest, Echelon. All other than
these programs provided by Echelon are considered "core" packages--those that
put you into high-technology computing with ZCPR3 and its utilities and ZRDOS
modules (Z-System)! Remaining software, not part of core or applications, are
program development tools (Z-Toolstm) consisting of assemblers, debuggers,
translators, disassembler, and Syslib3. These aid in quickly writing and
debugging assembly language programs, even without source code.
Z-Tools, along with ZCPR3 utilities, permit efficient creation of end-
user solutions...end-users are those who don't buy tools; they buy solutions
to their problems. Syslib3, VFILER, MENU, VMENU, ALIAS, PWD, SAK, Named
Directories, all real turn-key system producers! Programmers, learn and not
forget: end-users are wind in our sails--they blow, we go! End-users are
everywhere; one could be you.
Why Z? What a name for an operating system and its environment! Well,
it's the last letter in the alphabet; it's associated with Zilog, source of
our chips. And it's fresh and easy to remember, compared to cob-webbed Unix
and the like.
Amateur's Corner: Learning assembly language programming is greatly
simplified with debuggers and disassemblers of quality we offer. Example:
disassemble a COM file for a program you have source code to and then compare
source listings. Re-assemble disassembled source, modify by editing until no
assembly errors occur--learning by doing! Our ASM and MAC (with subroutines
coming from Syslib3) files are ideal to use as source. See how the REL files
were linked into contiguous binary code groupings and then from whence they
came. Disassembling code is fun and informative and teaches programming fast.
We encourge all to consider value of our Z-Tools package, both as production
software and as information bearers!
You've probably noticed bias in ways we approach computer usage: we don't
patronize the naive user; he is given a chance to grow, to learn to be an
elitist! We prod and push ourselves to learn, as we do with you.
Some say you don't need to know how something works to use it, but such
concepts result in parallel philosophy: one doesn't need to understand life
to live--not true! To live (and not be simply a product of reaction, to have
a personal will) requires deep understanding of life. Using a computer is one
thing--understanding its logical operations is something quite different.
That difference makes difference. Both sheep and wolf within us must remain
intact!
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; WY-50/75/85, Wyseword, Wyse Technology; VT-
220/100/52, Digital Equipment; Z-System, Z-Tools, Lasting-Value Software,
ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Com, Z3-Dot-Com, Discat, Emsg, Syslib3, Term3, MaintMan,
Echelon and their authors; PC-DOS, IBM, Int'l Business Machines; MS-DOS,
Macro-80, Xenix, MBasic, Microsoft; CP/M, MP/M, MAC, RMAC, Digital Research;
WordStar, MicroPro; T/Maker3, T/Maker; Little Board, Ampro Computers.
Z-Newsletter 104 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Permission to reprint automatically granted if source credit is given to
Echelon.
==============================================
[zrdos2.ei]
Z R D O S 2
ZRDOS2 is extended over ZRDOS for enhanced buffered command line editing, big
hard disk usage and improved ZCPR3 I/O Package interfaces. Planned shipments
start 28 February 1985. Those who would like to upgrade to a super Z80 coded
BDOS and no longer be dependent upon Digital Research can now be fully free.
(Requires BIOS buffer space of 304 bytes.) ZCPR3 combined with ZRDOS2 create
super system.
Additionally, we offer a complete set of software development system (Z-
Tooltm) utilities: relocating Z80 macro assembler, linker, library manager,
two debuggers, five trans-lators (to and from Intel/Zilog/TDL/CDL) and
8080/Z80 disassemblers. Some important ZRDOS2 features:
Downward compatible with CP/M-80, full ZCPR3 compatibility
Takes advantage of Z80 Instruction Set with single-level re-entrance
ZCPR3 Wheel Byte used to write-protect selected files from non-Wheel users
Handles files and disks to 512 megabytes
Changed floppy disks automatically logged in
Read/Only Disk status maintained after warm boot
Read Console Buffer Function (10) has full edit and recall capability plus
treats rubout (DEL) same as backspace
File Archive Attribute Bit set by Function 30, compatible with MP/M and CP/M 3
Support Utilities include A(rchive)C(opy), useful for archiving and backup,
plus Set/Display File Attribute, View, Compare, and Dump programs
Enhanced Error Messages with non-cryptic announcements
Extended Functions (47, 50 & 52) get DMA and set/reset warm boot trap
Z800 version (ZRDOS3) has over 47 non-CP/M Functions added to achieve
easy MS-DOS program migration
Z80 version in hex code to patch existing CP/M system @ $74.99
Z800 version pricing not yet established
Function 10 enhanced with full insert edit capability, plus command recall
from buffer area, add new convenience with ZCPR3 multiple commands per line.
Documentation is 45 pages of tight, unambiguous language describing each DOS
function. We are only handling ZRDOS2 on 8" SSSD disks at present; if demand
is high for other formats we will download.
The Z80 development system Z-Tool Package is $200.00 complete; the super
mainframe-featured screen oriented dynamic assembly language debugger adds
$195.00. Again, Z800 version pricing not yet established.
--------------
Function 10 Control Codes: CTRL-E Set/Reset Insert EDIT MODE
CTRL-R Recall last entered Buffered Line
Seven EDIT MODE Functions (active only in Edit Mode)
CTRL-S move cursor left one character CTRL-D move cursor right one character
CTRL-A move cursor left one command CTRL-F move cursor right one command
CTRL-G delete character at cursor CTRL-K clear to end of line
CTRL-T delete one command entry
ZRDOS2 editing features add new dimensions to multiple command possibilities!
--------------
Trademarks: Z80/800, Zilog; Z-Tool, Echelon; MP/M, CP/M, Digital Research;
MS-DOS, Microsoft; ZCPR3, Richard Conn; ZRDOS, Dennis Wright.
Copyright 1984 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved 2 January 1985
