Now that the membership of the North American One-Eighty Group is
solidly into triple figures, an important fact has emerged:
people who don't own SB180s (or any other HD64180-based system)
are a big part ( a near-majority!) of NAOG. Furthermore, there
is no independent national or international users group
dedicated to advanced CP/M-compatible computing. The existing
groups, SIG/M, CPMUG, FOG, KUG, CP-MIG, etc., have vast
memberships and software libraries, but have failed to do what
needs to be done to assure the survival and growth of 8-bit
computing: get behind the new operating system standard, ZCPR3,
and the many possible performance enhancements and user benefits
it affords.
Echelon, Inc. has done a thoroughly admirable job of promoting
and supporting ZCPR3 (and the fine-but-optional ZRDOS), but it is
apparent that no software company can provide the support on the
individual user level that a united user community can give.
Moreover, Echelon's major efforts, for economic reasons, must now
focus on landing OEM agreements if they are to survive and
prosper - we want them to do just that. Frank Gaude', Rick
Conn, Dennis Wright and Dave McCord are exceptionally energetic,
innovative people, but they are not supermen. It is not fair to
expect the impossible from them. Yet, many do expect just exactly
that, and complain that most of the fine (and not-so-fine) new
programs coming out of the user community are not being reviewed
for inclusion into the official Z tool set; they are either
getting stale in the the `PENDING' area of Z-Node Central or,
understandably, not being submitted at all.
We propose an alternative place for ZCPR3 innovators to take
their wares and for advanced users to share their discoveries.
Effective immediately, N.A.O.G. is now NAOG/ZSIG - ZSIG for ZCPR
Systems Interest Group. We have not forgotten the SB180 owner
and the HD64180 enthusiast - THE ONE-EIGHTY FILE will provide the
support and exchange of ideas that NAOGers have already come to
expect. We believe that advanced software deserves the best
available hardware - and, for now, that is the 64180. We have
simply remembered everyone else. We believe a solid Z80 machine
running ZCPR3 is better than an IBM clone for most purposes. We
don't want to see all that sound hardware junked - and
programming expertise wasted - in a rush toward IBM-compatible
mediocrity. We support a viable alternate path to computer-aided
human productivity and creativity.
NAOG/ZSIG And Echelon
Revisions to the original ZCPR3 and ZRDOS tool sets - anything
that alters the work of Rick or Dennis - are not our bailiwick.
We will build a Public Domain library of alternative tools and
true ZCPR3 applications written by users. We do this in the same
spirit as a previous era's CP/M users expanded on what Digital
Research provided, creating - as Rick Conn acknowledges in source
code comments - the basis for much of the ZCPR3 system. We
receive the ZCPR3 system with gratitude. We propose to use its
amazing flexibilty in new and innovative ways for the benefit of
all.
Who We Are
The core group of NAOG/ZSIG consists of:
Jay Sage - Software Librarian
Richard Jacobson - Remote Access Systems (RAS) Coordinator
Bruce Morgen - Director and ONE-EIGHTY FILE editor
Jay Sage will take on the task (with whomever he recruits to help
him) of reviewing new software and organizing it into ZSIG
libraries.
Richard Jacobson's beautifully maintained Lillipute Z-Nodes will
be the official software collection and distribution points as
well as the NAOG/ZSIG maildrop - he will also see that other
sysops, Z-Noders or not, are kept up to date.
Bruce Morgen will see to the membership, the editing and
circulation of the soon-to-expand ONE-EIGHTY FILE and the
distribution of the ZSIG libraries on disk.
Joining Up
Membership is open to all. Send $15 U.S. ($25 payable on a U.S.
bank if you are beyond the reach of a 22 cent stamp) and the
NAOG/ZSIG Membership Application form below (let us know if you
want to be accessible to other NAOG/ZSIGers, please!) to:
NAOG/ZSIG
P.O. Box 2871 Phone: 215-443-9031
Warminster, PA 18974 (Voice - data by appt.)
Library disk distribution will commence as soon as 180K or so
(source and object) are accumulated. To accommodate the greatest
number of users, the Ampro, Kaypro and Osborne SSDD 5.25 inch
disk formats will be supported, with others to follow if demand
warrants. Unlike NAOG userdisks(tm), the ZSIG libraries will be
available to non-members for a small additional charge: NAOG/ZSIG
members get them for $12 postpaid, non-members pay $18 ($18 and
$25 are charged for overseas destinations). Members get 12
monthly ONE-EIGHTY FILEs and access to the NAOG/ZSIG directories
of the Lillipute Z-Nodes. Full Lillipute Z-Node access is
offered at $35/year, representing a $5 discount, to NAOG/ZSIGers.
If you want to drop us E-Mail you can call Lillipute Z-Node at
312-649-1730 or 312-664-1730 (300/1200/2400 baud) and leave a
message for SYSOP, Jay Sage, or Bruce Morgen (note spelling). Jay
can be reached directly via his own Z-Node #3 at 617-765-7259
(300/1200/2400 baud) and Bruce Morgen's GEnie address is
BRUCEMORGEN.
[8-bit lives!]
N A O G / Z S I G
M E M B E R S H I P A P P L I C A T I O N
1. Name ____________________________________ Date ______________
Street __________________________________ Telephone _________
City ____________________________________ State __ Zip ______
2. Items:
A. Membership in NAOG/ZSIG for one year
@ $15.00 ($25 if beyond 22 cent stamp) _________________
B. Membership - Lillipute Z-Node - one year
@ $40.00 ($35.00 with Item A) _________________
TOTAL $ _________________
3. Check if you consent to making the above
information available to other members _________________
To order:
Send U. S. dollar check or money order
payable to "NAOG" and clearly printed
membership application form to:
ZCPR3 and ZRDOS are trademarks of Echelon, Inc. and their
authors, IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines
Corp., CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.
