CP/M is very much alive on GEnie. The CP/M RoundTable software
libraries have over 240 million bytes online in over 4000 files
of the latest public domain software. This includes over 200
SIG/M user group "disks".
The purpose of the CP/M RoundTable is to share knowledge and
experience, and to enhance the use of the CP/M operating systems
from Digital Research and the other operating systems of similar
design and function (such as ZRDOS and TurboDOS) for Intel 8080
and 8085, Zilog Z80, and Hitachi HD64180 Microcomputers. The
CP/M RoundTable also supports callers using CP/M emulators, such
as on the IBM-PC and on the Atari ST.
The Bulletin Board is the place to discuss CP/M issues, to get
information about the latest versions of commercial, public
domain, and user-supported CP/M software and CP/M maintenance
utilities, to get info on the latest CP/M publications and
commercial products, to receive help with the operating system
and software and hardware associated with the operating system,
and to meet other CP/M callers.
The Software Library is the place to download the latest versions
of public domain and user-supported CP/M software and CP/M
maintenance utilities. Also information files, reviews, and
articles are available here. This is also the area to upload
your favorite files to share with the other members. Uploads to
GEnie are free of charge during non-prime time hours.
Any modem program capable of XMODEM or YMODEM protocol (CheckSum
or CRC validity checking) may be used to upload or download the
files in the library. There are several good Public Domain modem
programs available.
The CP/M RoundTable has been online with GEnie for two years. We
have collected a large data base of Public Domain software and
information files. The Bulletin Board area has several user
groups to answer machine-specific questions for the TRS-80 using
CP/M, Heath/Zenith, Kaypro, Osborne, Visual-1050, Commodore C128
using CP/M, Apple using CP/M, Atari using CP/M, and a category to
discuss ZCPR3, ZRDOS, and the Z-SYSTEM.
The RoundTables on GEnie can be a valuable resource for you, they
offer games, software, technical advice, information, and
discussions. You also get to interact with a group of people who
share your interests. RoundTables are formed for any special
interest topics. GEnie organizes its RoundTables be grouping
these into three categories: GEnie PC RoundTables (these are
Roundtables that deal specifically with computers, software and
related topics), Product Support RoundTables (these cover topic
areas such as MicroSoft Windows); and other RoundTables (these
include groups of a non-computer nature such as the Electronic
Hobbyist and the Non Profit Connection).
GEnie offers you a variety of choices in entertainment,
information and software exchange, communications, shopping - all
from your computer. By using simple menus and/or a few easy
commands, you can talk to a friend across the country one minute;
go on an electronic shopping trip the next, try your hand at a
few games, and finish up by attending an electronic meeting with
software developers to discuss new programs for your computer.
In order to work with GEnie you will need a computer or terminal,
an asynchronous modem (either 300 or 1200 baud), and you'll need
a telephone access number and your GEnie user identification
number (also called a user id) and password. You will also need
one of the many available communication software packages, many
of which are available in the public domain.
GEnie is available 24 hours a day. The least expensive time to
use GEnie is from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. local time plus all day on
Saturday and Sunday and national holidays (this is called Non-
Prime Time). The cost is higher for Prime Time (8 a.m. to 6
p.m.).
You can sign up for the GEnie service using your computer, by
calling 1-800-638-8369 (toll free). Set up your modem program
for either 300 or 1200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no
parity. If you are using a terminal, you may also use 300 or
1200 baud, 7 bits, 1 stop bit and even parity.
Dial the access number, and when communication is established
(indicated by either a light on your modem, or the "CONNECT"
prompt on your screen) enter "HHH" and press the Return key.
Next you will see the "U#=" prompt. Now enter a "^R" (control R)
to signal GEnie that you want Host Echo mode (full duplex
operation) (Most CP/M callers will prefer this to Local Echo mode
(half duplex operation) which you can use be not entering the
"^R"). At this point enter the special user id and password,
separated by a comma and press the Return key, like this:
^RXJM11890,GENIE
Next you will have to answer a few questions (name, address...
stuff like that) and electronically agree to the terms of the
service agreement.
The next business day, a GE representative will call you with
your new GEnie user id and password which will allow you to use
the GEnie system. Shortly thereafter, you will receive a copy of
this user's guide and some other useful information.
See you on GEnie!
Keith Petersen, SysOp
National CP/M RoundTable on GEnie
