Z TIPS: VFILER Files display! A somewhat three-dimensional-display effect
is achieved as current-file pointer moves up/down/right/left, because file
name in upper right screen corner simultaneously changes. If more than 72
files are in a directory, simply pressing + or ^A and - or ^F moves display
up/down to next screen, respectively. (Newsletters 104 and 202 have more on
VFILER operations.)
B0:WORK1 VFILER, Version 3.5 [Z80 Code] CHECKS .DOC
ANOTHER .TYP ANOTHER .ZZZ ABLE .100 AMOS .DOC
BASIC .TST --> CHECKS .DOC LTR .101 LTR .102
LTR .109
.
. (FLASH: 3.5 is on Z-Nodes)
Command (? = Help): XHZWMTYS
VFILER sample display is shortened for space sake...actual is up to 18 file
rows of four columns (72 files per screen). (Yes, Version 3.5 is on Z-Nodes.)
VFILER is a ZCPR3 shell. Shells are soft(ware) covers that provide
different interfaces from standard. Additionally, shells perform functions
and execute commands always knowing how to return to their origins. For
example, VFILER uses a set of single or double keystrokes to automate file and
disk housekeeping operations. Also a macro language permits complex series of
events to occur from but a single keystroke entered by the user--yes,
drastically changed interface from that available at Z-System command line!
Other important shells are MENU, VMENU, ALIAS, SH and HELP. Each provide a
special interface to quicken and ease tasks to be performed. We've not
discussed SH and HELP but they soon get their turn in Z-News.
The Z command line is always just a keystroke away while using VFILER (or
VMENU and MENU). Type Z and you are there! When your commands have executed,
you return automatically to VFILER Files display, ready to continue
processing.
Next tip: Dreas Nielsen (Corvallis, OR) has used his imagination and
created a menu driven environment using aliases, Zex and Vmenu. His concepts
demonstrate latent power of ZCPR3, using GET, GO, REG, SH, SHDEFINE, SHCTRL,
SHSET (makes a program or alias into a shell), SHVAR, SHEXIT, SETFILE,
IF/ELSE/FI/XIF, GOTO, and ECHO. WOW!. Here's complete VMN menu used (four
rows of four files per row display at top):
C0:BACKUP VMENU, Version 1.3 [Z80 Code] EXTRACT.COM
No File ADDQ .ZEX DOMULT .ZEX EIASSO .DD
EITEAM .DD --> EXTRACT .COM GETIT .COM INSERT .COM
MENU .BAK MENU .VMN PUT .COM PUTIT .COM
Q .COM QM80 .ZEX QRUN .ZEX QSPECIAL.COM
[more files]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrow keys move current file pointer
FILE QUEUE MANAGER
� Q Add file to queue R Run all files in queue
V View queue T Type " " " "
E Empty queue A Assemble " " " "
X Exit S Specially process queued files
Command (CR=Menu) - XHZWMTYS
Q.COM starts menu display of MENU.VMN on your current disk with VMENU.COM and
rest of ZCPR3 utilities along your search path. We suggest putting them out-
of-the-way in A15:ROOT directory. A file is placed in queue (tagged) for
processing using Q, the current file pointed to; pressing E removes all such
files from queue.
VMENU shows sixteen files at once, with "+" and "-" used to get more.
You can log into VMENU using wild card file declaration to select only those
pertinent. Bottom two-thirds of screen is for single-stroke menu display;
last is command line. (See Z-News 106 for VMENU, MENU, and VFILER features
comparison.)
After queuing-up each file by moving pointer and pressing Q, files are
"processed" by pressing R, T, A, or S. If S, you are prompted for command
name, e.g., PRINT.COM and trailing options (parameters). Of course, you may
add other processes and commands may be added to the VMENU command list for
your special needs.
Bravo! QUEUE takes Z users to another level of task/interface
abstraction. Concept works best using RAM or fast hard disk! The Z community
has much to ponder, learn from contributions of Dreas Nielson.
Look for file QUEUE.LBR on Z-Nodes; Dreas' complete works are there. His
aliases may be used as-are by installing to your system using Z3INS and your
ENV descriptor.
Z-Node #15 needs more callers! Chicago area computerists have local access to
super Kaypro BBS and Z-Node run by Sysop Richard Jacobson. He welcomes
callers from elsewhere, too! Try it--dial 312/649-1730 and behold treasures
offered your modem port.
36. Richard Mead - Pasadena, CA 91105 - 818/799-1632
Software Support: If you have ZCPR3 configured for your machine and your
machine is special and not in our ARCHIVE library of pre-configured files,
please put collection into LBR file (using LU or NULU) and upload to the
nearest Z-Node. (See Z-News 108, page 3, for what we already have.) We'd
like others to benefit from your work!
Programs and utilities for which we supply source code we welcome, we
invite users to upgrade...we don't expect fixes or upgrades to our
proprietary programs, programs for which we supply only object code, like
Discat, Z-Com, Zas, etc. (We are fully responsible for fixing bugs in a
timely fashion and for improving these.)
We request you notify Z-Node Central (Dave McCord, Sysop) of your desire
to change a Z-System program; only one person at a time works on each file.
You "check-out" a file for up to a month, return it for approval, and if
accepted, changes you made become official distribution.
Features you would like added to upcoming revisions of Core, Utilities,
and Tools, should be jotted down and sent to us. We'll analyze universal
desirability of suggestions and act accordingly. Thus, Z expands as we grow
together in understanding, creating a computing environment paralleling our
mental, intellectual capacity. What other software company acts like Echelon?
And what other company handles the quantity of program code that we do?
�
Amateur_Z_User's_Corner: Automating your routine computer tasks is exciting
and saves much time in the long run. Remember when setting up, writing CMD,
MENU, VMENU files to always declare files as current directory, using $D$U:,
or have the files along your search path. Also get a feel for difference
between current and default drive. Notice Z command line default versus what
shows on VFILER Files display, upper left screen corner. Change default by
logging in drive, e.g., A0>B:<cr> or A0:BASE>B:<cr>. It's never been made
clear the difference between default (logged in) and current drive. At
operating system command line the default disk is determined; from application
programs, current.
If you haven't yet invested in an expensive text processor/editor like
Vedit, PMate, or WordStar, you may want to look into VDO, Version 2.5, by
James H. Whorton. It is full-screen, fast, memory-based, and has nearly same
editing commands as WordStar. Though not a word processor, it makes an
efficient program editor. Enhancements are presently on James' drawing board,
so we can expect an even more powerful editor soon. Complete VDO package
(terminal install, documentation, and object files) is on Z-Nodes for
downloading as file VDO25.LBR, and is highly recommended by Echelon. (We also
like split-screen, two-files-at-a-time MIX editor, from MIX Software, 2116
East Arapaho, Suite 363, Richardson, TX 75081, toll free 1-800-622-4070, for
$29.95 plus $5.00 shipping costs.)
FLASH: Wyse Technology (3040 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95134, 408/946-
3075) continues to delightfully surprise us. Their new WY-350, 64-color, 15"
screen terminal, is fully upward compatible with the WY-50. The monochromatic
attributes of the 50 are automatically converted to one of 16 default color
combinations. Defaults are under operator control through palette selection.
Thus, software that runs with popular mono-color terminals also work with the
350! These Wyse terminals operate at 38,400 baud (complete screen re-write in
half second) with line drawing graphics. Certainly here is an alternate to
slow bit-mapped monitors. (Wyse has been shipping 20,000 terminals a month,
independent manufacturer leader.)
Spreadsheets, blessing and plague: In many cases, because of certain innate
human feelings (based usually on non-understanding) that computers can't be
wrong, their output is regarded far more authoritative, dependable (at least
in our minds) than actual results should warrant. Many seem to take results
at face value, caring not how they were obtained. (See Z-News 201 re
judgement: of what value results if we don't understand how results were
attained!) Who set-up the spreadsheet template? On what principles was it
formed? Where is description of design criteria? What numerical ranges are
valid for calculations, zero to plus/minus infinity? Who checked results with
real-world, known-to-be-correct situations?
Do we want to be users of tools without enjoying the fruits of more
understanding, want to be mechanical drones? We think not and we will not, if
we are mindful of what's happening!
Digital Research (Pacific Grove, CA) acts like drunken sailors returning from
leave, back on ship remembering when pockets were full, girls across lap,
beers on table. Their expenditures for fancy buildings and networks are not
stopping them from laying off hundreds of employees or stopping revenue loss.
What has happened to them? They crusaded without principle, worked to just
make money? They cared not for the well being of their thousands of existing
customers? What business principle has DRI followed since coming out with
CP/M-86 and Microsoft with MS-DOS? They position Concurrent DOS-286 against
�UNIX System V? Lots-a luck!
How we thrilled to see micros push and pull,
Flipping and flopping,
While IBM caved-in to distributed processing.
Yes, we love those days so splendid,
Full of unexpected and delightful treats,
When CP/M reigned tall and candid,
But now Z-System walks the streets!
We write Z-News from beautiful hills of Los Altos...these hills are alive with
sounds of wonderment...we tread paths of new knowledge--join us!
See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
101 First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 415/948-3820
Z-Node Central: 415/489-9005
Trademarks: HD64180, Hitachi; Z80/800, Zilog; WY-50/350, Wyse; Model 955,
TeleVideo; Z-System, Z-Tools, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Com, Zas, Zlink, DSD, ZDM, ITOZ,
Z-Msg, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon and their respective owners and
authors; CP/M, Digital Research; MS-DOS, Microsoft; Unix, AT&T.
Z-News 203 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
