fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:04 Page 1
Volume 2, Number 3 21 Jan 85
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| _ |
| / \ |
| - FidoNews - /|oo \ |
| (_| /_) |
| Fido and FidoNet _`@/_ \ _ |
| Users Group | | \ \\ |
| Newsletter | (*) | \ )) |
| ______ |__U__| / \// |
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
| (jm) |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
Editor: Tom Jennings
Publisher: Fido #1
Chief Procrastinator: Tom Jennings
.........................................
Disclaimer or dont-blame-me:
The contents of the articles contained here are not
my responsibility, nor do I necessarily agree with them;
everything here is subject to debate. I publish EVERYTHING
received.
You can take this to mean anything you want, but
hopefully as an invitation to comment, make suggestions, or
write articles of your own.
.........................................
HOT NEWS
Yet another week, another large newsletter. More
general interest articles; maybe we need two newsletters,
one for sysops one for users? Just an idea ... for now I'll
leave things alone, no sense making work for myself.
The newsletter now has a regular naming convention,
so that you can keep old ones around, or for archiving. The
name is:
FIDONEWS.VNN
Where V is the Volume (1 is 1984, 2 is 1985, etc(
and NN is the issue Number; 01 is the first week in Jan, 02
is the second week, etc. HOWEVER, this presents a problem;
when squeezed, there are name conflicts: both FIDONEWS.202
and FIDONEWS.212 when squeezed are named FIDONEWS.2Q2;
anyone have an idea? Im stumped. The problem is that there
are 52 issues a year, so there are lots of conflicts.
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:11 Page 2
One really gross way is to make the name strange,
like:
FIDONEWS.NVN
Where the issue Number is split in two halfs, then
the conflict would be only by year. However, this is so
obnoxious, it's not very practical.
Repeated from last week ....
Bumper stickers are complete; they look pretty good.
The artwork is a bit crude (the same doggie, about 4 times
larger than the one on the manual cover) but it's simple and
to the point.
I have 500 stickers; they cost me about $95.00, so
here's the deal:
$1.00 three stickers
$5.00 twenty stickers
If I run out, it will take me another week or two to
have more made; I'll inform you here if I do. My address is:
Tom Jennings
2269 Market St. #118
San Francisco CA 94114
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:13 Page 3
NEWS
ARTICLE SUBMISSION
The format of FidoNews is totally ad hoc; please
make recomendations as to formats, sections needed, liked,
or hated, columns you'd like to see, or see removed,
anything at all. If you want to submit something regularly,
we can start a column for you.
You are ENCOURAGED to send things in for the
newsletter. ANYTHING is fit for the newsletter, such as a
description of your board, problems found, questions, jokes,
fixes, horror stories about wrong FidoNet numbers, things
for sale, etc etc etc.
SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE
An article should have your name, node number (if
applicable), followed by the text. Text can be any ASCII
derivative; WordStar, soft paragraphs, 8th bit set, etc are
all OK.
Articles can be uploaded at either Fido #1, #27 or
#51, or by sending it by FidoNet. Make sure the file name is
unique, especially if you send it by FidoNet, so you dont
overwrite another article.
Anchor Signalman Mk XII DTR fix
-------------------------------
The Anchor Signalman MK XII does not support the RS-232
DTR (data terminal ready) signal. Too bad, since at $250
(discounted) this is probably the cheapest stand-alone 1200
bps modem available, and seems to work just fine otherwise.
Unfortunately, quite a bit of software (BBSs especially)
depend on DTR to hang up the phone.
This file describes a hardware fix which will add DTR to
the MK XII. Obviously, this voids your 2-year warranty.
However, the same thing COULD be done with an external box.
----------------------
You will need:
1 - 2N4401 transistor
1 - 10K ohm 1/4 watt resistor
a short piece of thin wire (#30 wirewrap wire
suggested)
shrink-wrap & tape (to do it right)
an exacto knife
solder, soldering iron, and the ability to use it
-----------------------
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:19 Page 4
1) Using a flat-blade screwdriver, open the Signalman
case Try not to mangle it too badly.
2) Remove the circuit board and turn it so that the
solder side is facing up, and the serial cable is at
the bottom.
3) It should say "Anchor Automation Inc 00472 Rev A" in
the upper right-hand corner. If it doesn't, this
may not work, or may not make sense.
4) In the lower right-hand corner of the board, just to
the left and above the right-hand phone connector,
you will notice two vertical groups of three pads.
The left group has no traces coming from it. The
right group has traces coming from the bottom and
top pads.
5) Cut the trace coming from the bottom right-hand pad.
Try to do this near to the pad.
6) Position the 2N4401 transistor with the flat side
toward the board, and the wires toward the top of
the board.
7) Solder the RIGHT-hand wire of the transistor to the
lower right-hand pad of the group of six that you
located above. (The one that you cut the trace to.)
8) Solder the MIDDLE wire of the transistor to the cut
trace, on the other side of the cut.
9) Solder one end of the 10K resistor to the remaining
wire of the transistor.
10) Solder a 3" piece of wire to the other end of the
10K resistor.
11) Slip a piece of heat-shrink over the resistor, and
shrink.
12) Now, find the group of pads coming from the RS-232
cable. Find the 4th pad from the left, and 2'nd
from the bottom. There should be traces coming from
the pads just above and below it.
13) Solder the other end of the wire to this pad.
14) Put a piece of tape over the whole shebang, just to
keep it from moving.
15) That's it! The modem should now observe DTR. If
the DTR signal is 0 or negative voltage, the
telephone line (through the on-board relay) will be
disconnected from the modem. If the DTR signal is
above a couple of volts then everything works
normally.
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:26 Page 5
16) Make sure that you connect DTR to your computer and
that your computer asserts DTR! The modem will NOT
operate without DTR asserted!
17) If DTR is dropped, the line to the modem will be
dropped. The modem should notice it and drop
carrier detect to your computer, as well as decide
to hang up on it's very own. At this point, you can
bring DTR back up, and the caller (or callee) should
be gone. I have no idea what the timing should be -
whatever it takes the relay to operate. 1/10 second
should be more than ample. This works with FIDO - I
can't tell you what other BBS software will do.
[ Ed. Note: Fido drops DTR, waits 2 seconds, then raises it
again. ]
18) You will soon discover why people with Hayes modems
are constantly pulling the front off to operate the
DIP switches. PC-Talk (and maybe other programs)
insists on dropping DTR when you exit or change
communication parameters. Oh well, you can't have
everything!
19) Oh yeah - quit gawking and put the thing back
together.
20) Pray.
-------------------------------
Jon Tara
1300 E. Lafayette #2808
Detroit, Michigan 48207
ARPA: Jon_Tara%Wayne-MTS%UMIch-MTS.Mailnet@MTS-
MULTICS.ARPA
usenet: ihnp4!ucbvax!Jon_Tara%Wayne-MTS%UMich-
[email protected]
BBS : (313) 393-0527 (Detroit PCUTILboard)
FIDO: Jon Tara on FIDO92
-------------------------------
Dallas, Texas (FNM) -
1-12-1985
by Bridge Lindsay
In November, Gil Hendrix, a service representive for
Business Computer Network presented a new modem to the
Southwest PC Users' Group. This is a review of that modem
and the offer that was made.
A company called Business Computer Network from
Riverton, Wyoming has just announced that it would like to
be the first modem manufactuer to bring the cost of modems
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:33 Page 6
down to earth. They are introducing the "SmartLink II", an
external Hayes(tm) compatable smart modem that shifts from
1200 baud to 300 baud and back automatically. It features
auto-answer, auto-dial (rotary and tone), works on any
computer that has a standard RS232 port and runs on any
communications software that a Hayes will. This includes
Xtalk, Perfect Link, PC-Talk III, Minitel, QModem, 1-Ringy
Dingy and many others. The modem has a 30-day money-back
guarantee "FOR ANY REASON" and a 2-year warranty on all
parts and labor and is available for:
*** $199.95 ***
The cable for the modem is available as follows:
IBM and COMPATIBLES $9.95
DEC $9.95
Kaypro $9.95
Apple/MacIntosh $13.95
FREIGHT is $5.00
tax where applicable
This is enough to make most people happy BUT, they don't
stop! Purchases of 5 to 9 modems are at $189 each and 10 or
more are $179 each.
AH! There's more...........
(1) You receive a year's subscription to BCN's Network
Service, free. This is normally $5 a month or $50 a year.
The Network Service offers access to over 15 mainframe
databases and on-line information services. Some of these
services are Dialog, Compuserve, Source, BRS, Western
Union's Easylink and Commodity Data Information System.
Membership is reserved so, you don't have to pay any
additional sign-up fees or monthly minimum fees. You pay
only for the actual hook-up time. Access is toll-free so
there are no packet-carrier fees to Tymnet, Telenet or
Uninet. To pay the individual start-up and minimum monthly
fees for a year to these services would be in excess of
$3000!
(2) You receive the software to access BCN's service,
free. This software called "SuperScout" is specifically
designed for quick and easy menu-driven access to all
services without you having to acquire passwords, I.D.
numbers, telephone numbers or even sign-on protocals. In
fact, you can even access point-to-point any other computer
that has "SuperScout" e.g. office-to-office, home-to-home,
home-to-office, home-to-school, etc. Each time you connect
the service your software is automatically updated at no
charge.
(3) You receive a complete "SuperScout" operator's manual
and a BCN Database Guide.
(4) Finally, you receive a 3-month subscription to Link-Up
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:41 Page 7
Magazine.
Anyone not wanting the modem can subscribe to the service
for $5-month or a once-a-year fee of $50 and receive the
four items above. If you pay the fee for a year ($50), BCN
will give you a 300 baud modem free.
The service currently communicates at 300 baud but, in order
to promote the new 1200 modem, service will be upgraded
before spring.
You may purchase the modem or the service with your credit-
card by calling BCN's 24 hour-a-day-every-day-of-the-year
(includes Christmas Eve, etc.) Customer Service Toll-Free
Number 800-446-6255 and tell them you heard about it from
the
/^^^^^^\
___/|BRIDGE|\___
|| ||
or you may send a check or money order to:
Business Computer Network
Attn. Gil Hendrix you can call Gil at (404)233-9089
Suite 500 Dept. BRIDGE and order by credit-card too.
Seven Peidmont Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30305 allow 30 days shipping
Bridge Lindsay was not paid to write this review.
---------------------------------
From: Jon Tara on FIDO92
Subject: Verbosity (an editorial)
Try to keep your articles short.
---------------------------------
Matt Gertner
Sysop Node #210
I am writing this article in the hopes that I may receive
some suggestions in regard to a bulletin board system that I
am currently writing in Turbo Pascal under CP/M-86 for the
DEC Rainbow. I previously completed a BBS in C, but it badly
needed a rewriting, and I found some significant advantages
in Turbo, most notable of which is its portability (Turbo is
available on many systems other than the DEC). In writing
this BBS I am borrowing many of my favorite BBSs, including
Fido. If this goes as planned, my system should include the
following unique features of Fido
1. The Net
2. Linked message replys (-,+)
3. Type-ahead (not unique, but still nice)
In addition, I will attempt to add all or most of the
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:47 Page 8
following:
1. Auto-file squeezing. This requires some explanation:
Squeezed files are files specially incoded using a
strange (Huffman - ??) algorithm. Commonly, they are named
with a Q in the center of their file extension (e.g.
FILENAME.EQT instead of FILENAME.EXT). This compression
saves anywhere from 0 to 60 percent (approx.), usually
around 40%. Unfortunately, to use these files, you must have
a special unsqueezing program. Also, when squeezed text
files are placed on Fido they cannot be read with the (T)ype
command. Therefore, many Sysops place both the squeezed and
the unsqueezed version of a file onto their BBS. Although
this reduces download time for those people with file
unsqueezers, it eats disk space, and those of us with
floppy-only systems want to save disk space with file
squeezing, not lose it. For these reasons, I plan to
implement the squeezing techniques into all the files of my
BBS. System files (i.e. WELCOME, NEWUSER, etc.) would be
squeezed automatically by the system the first time the
system is run, although for technical reasons, messages and
USER.BBS cannot be squeezed effectively. Uploads would be
squeezed if not squeezed already. Files posted by the Sysop
must be squeezed manually with the squeeze utility before
being copied onto the files disk. A file is listed in the
directory with its unsqueezed file name. When a file is
downloaded, the user is asked "Squeezed (y/n)? ", and the
file is unsqueezed as it is sent if (n)o is selected. I
anticipate signifigant savings in disk space and download
time with this technique. Comments are welcome.
[Ed. Note: I couldnt resist a comment here ... it is an
excellent idea; also, I think you can do it all painlessly.
A squeezed file has Control-V as its first byte I think;
just check that, then you can do either with no special
files, etc ]
2. Rainbow specific screen handling:
I can't remember who mentioned this in FIDONEWS
volume 2, number 2, but I think this may be the answer to
his complaint. After baud rate is detected, my BBS will send
the VT100 terminal query code to the user, and if the
appropriate code is returned it would assume full- screen
menu and editing functions, and accept function keys. This
will be low on my priority list, because of its complexity
and Rainbow-specificy, maybe a later version...
3. Original user-interface:
Every BBS I have ever logged onto has used
essentially the same user- interface. It prints either a
menu or a short list of valid letters (or either, in the
case of Fido), and then prompts for a letter entry. I have
seen a couple of variants on this theme, one being the way
Fido allows multiple commands on a line (e.g. 'gn' instead
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:24:56 Page 9
of [g]oodbye followed by [n]o). The other, possibly the
best, was on a Commodore 64 system (stop laughing). It
printed a menu, in the same format (i.e. G Goodbye, R Read
messages) at every prompt, but at any point the menu could
be aborted by entering a valid command. This allows expert
users to execute commands as fast as they can type them,
while new users can see the possible commands and execute
the correct one as soon as they see it on the menu. If my
other idea doesn't work out, this will be the user-interface
for my BBS. *My* idea is based on the philosophy that if
Infocom can do it, so can I. A simple "artificial
intelligence" (if I dare call it that) routine would allow
users to enter commands such as 'read message 21' and 'enter
a message and log off', and then execute them. With a
healthy number of abbreviations for experts, and ALOT of
synonyms (e.g. post a message, leave a message and enter
message must all be understood) this would make using the
BBS easy even for a total computer novice. I would
especially like comment on this one.
4. External program execution:
This would allow a user to select a program from a
menu set up by the Sysop and run it while on line. Text
games, short utilities (like a program that prints the
calendar for any month of any year) and interpreted
languages (not Basic, maybe LISP or APL) would all be
perfect for this sort of thing, as long as there is not way
to access system files from within the program (disable the
BASIC LOAD and SAVE commands and make the user up and
download their program right into BASIC as needed, or set up
a special directory or user number only for the
application). This would add endless expandibility to the
BBS.
5. Source code availability:
I would be happy, when finished, to supply anyone
with the source code for this BBS, allowing them to modify
it and see how it is done. This will spare other would-be
communications authors the trouble I had to go to in order
to find such goodies as pascal source for the squeezing
algorithm and C source for Kermit and Xmodem (I still don't
have the code for the Modem7 file name transfers -- if
anyone could extract this from the Modem7 source and mail it
to be, I would appreciate it). This would also allow
conversion to other machines, meaning (brace yourself)
FIDONET on an *Apple*, FIDONET on a *C64*, FIDONET on a
*Timex Sinclair* (well, maybe not -- message sending would
run out of the one hour window -- stick to uding yours as a
doorstop). Fidonet could also be made into a stand alone
program so that non-Sysops could send and receive mail (with
suitable modifications to Fido -- I think that if a phone
number could be entered in place of a node # in mail sending
by priveleged users, this would become a much more feasible
idea). Anyway, my parathesis key is wearing out, and you get
the idea.
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:05 Page 10
*PLEASE* send all comments and (especially!) suggestions
over the Net to Fido #210 or call Fido #210 at
(203)-453-1089 from 10pm-6am 7 days a week
Matt Gertner
[Note from TJ: I'm more than willing to help with getting
FIdoNet running in other non-Fido systems. There is a doc
file around somewhere, FIDOMAIL.DOC, that explains part of
the protocol, and I'll even help with some sources where I
can for serious attempts such as this. Matt, let me know
when you get to that point ... I would LOVE to see non-Fido
FidoNet nodes!]
I have been thinking about how it costs $30.00 per month in
lost income to have my money tied up in a quality printer,
and realize that everyone who wants a printer has the same
problem. Since FIDO reaches perhaps 10,000 people (112
nodes, 100 users/node) and they all have modems, and
computers, and *awareness*, it seems natural to have a
cooperative effort to make a better quality printer
available to everyone, at a much lower cost. Nobody has.
However, I will instigate The Great FIDO Co-op Concept now
with the specific instance of >Printer Coop<!
I intend to offer a printer service as follows:
.
Printer 1
A Daisy Wheel letter quality printer with standard business
fonts.
Printer 2
HP Laser Printer, 1/300 inch dot resolution. vertical or
horizontal page layout (8.5 * 11) Remote user access to
ascii control codes including bit graphics for Half-tone
pictures. US Mail, Federal Express of printout. Velo binding
and mass reproduction at the local Kinko's franchise.
.
. .......................
.
The cost will be determined by a survey. The survey, in a
separate file, works as follows. You fill in the maximum
costs that you would be willing to pay. Obviously if it
costs me $1.50 to print and mail something and your detail
will only remit $0.75, I will not choose to do this.
Although you are invited to modify the form to add
suggestions that I haven't thought of, it would be easier
for me if you keep close to the survey grammer included. I
will use an automatic parser to tabulate the results, and
although free form is ok, it is really nice to keep the
correct key words. If you have two different needs of
printing, say volumn, cheap dot matrix, or graphics on a
specific brand, make out a separate survey for each need.
If there really are 10,000 of us, and we all need this,
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:13 Page 11
then there could be printer installations of several
descriptions in several parts of the country.
I will share the survey results, and I would encourage
anyone else to set up a printer coop node in, say, remote
and sunny California if there is lots of need there.
The references business is a future thing, like 0 means
that anyone can use the system, and if they are abusive it
gets to be a problem. If references are required, then the
group is self-juried, and only known people get in. So if
someone is just not your style on your local FIDO, you won't
endorse his use of the printer service. Um, if he isn't
anybody's style, nobody has to deal with him.
.
. .......................
.
I'd like to know if there is any interest in having this.
It would be significantly cheaper to have a few sites have
printers, other sites have other facilities rather than
each of us go and buy a Laser Printer. Besides, I need to
justify the cost of my new toy.
.
Feedback like "Geez, onl $0.06!, Sometimes it would even
be worth $0.10 if all I have to do is download and wait. But
could you give it for $0.04 if I will wait until next week?"
will be appreciated.
.........................................................
Printer cost survey
Return to:
Aubrey McIntosh
FIDO 307
POB 1385
Seguin, TX, 78155
Printer ID Okidata 93
"or whatever, generic or trademark"
Turnaround Federal Express 5%
<vendor name> 00%
"These are respondent comments"
USMail, daily 75%
7 day discount 15%
other 5
"Make 8 copies,bind,mail direct"
Signup Fee $20.00
Monthly Fee $00.00
"Never, as matter of principal"
Job Cost $ 1.00
Pages/Job 50
"Compilations" 80%
5
"Correspondence" 20%
Cost/Page $ 0.07
Jobs/Month 2
Name Aubrey McIntosh
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:19 Page 12
FIDO 75
References Required 3
Method of Payment preferences, scale of 0-7
VISA 7
invoice 1
prepay 1
American Express 0
I M P O R T A N T N O T E ! ! ! ! !
From: Michael Farren, SYSOP of SCI-FIdo
To: All sysops and users
Subject: Killer upload file
I've been informed (by Michael Miller, the West Coast
editor of Popular Computing), that a file called VIRDIR has
been uploaded to several systems lately. This file purports
to be a disk utility, but is actually a disk reformatter
(involuntary). Several people have evidently had their hard
disks wiped by this program. It appears to be a try at
"getting to" sysops. Beware of this file!
UNIQUE: YOUR INDEPENDENT UNIX/C ADVISOR
Hot Stuff We've Heard
A usually reliable source claims to have seen
figures that indicate 63% of U.S. government RFPs (Request
for Proposals) issued in 1983 mentioned UNIX, and that this
has caused a dropoff in IBM's business with the government.
Apparently, IBM hasn't taken a stance behind UNIX that is
as strong as the government would like. This may be one of
the reasons behind IBM's growing support of UNIX...Speaking
of IBM, we have word from an internal source that the
documentation for XENIX on the PC/AT will be completely
redone to IBM standards; a hint that they'll be really
pushing it heavily this time?...No matter what else happens,
get a PC/AT if you're a software developer. We predict it
will be the most popular UNIX (er, XENIX) microcomputer
very quickly. This means that XENIX will surely be the most
popular multiuser operating system by units sold, not UNIX
itself...But other systems for the PC/AT are already
available, including VENIX and PC/IX. VENIX runs on the
iAPX286 processor (with only about a 45 KB kernel!), while
PC/IX currently runs on the 8088 in PC compatibility
mode...We've heard that IBM is working on a Macintosh-like
interface for their next computer...Watch for Sperry to
attempt to enter into the market now being carefully
nurtured by Gould...Look for a floating point and math
accelerator chip for the AT&T 3B2 by January, as well as a
new machine from AT&T, to be bigger than the 3B5, with
multiprocessor architecture. It will be binary compatible
with the 3B2/3B5, and is intended to compete in the higher
ranges. It is not certain what effect this will have on
the current 3B20 series, although the 3B20, as we've
mentioned, has never been marketed very aggressively and is
based on older technology. Support will no doubt continue
for the 3B20 line.
UNIQUE: YOUR INDEPENDENT UNIX/C ADVISOR
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:27 Page 13
October 1984
Typesetting Without Troff
SofTest, Inc.
555 Goffle Road
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 447-3901
Ever wanted to be able to typeset documents but were
too busy to learn troff? SofTest has recently incorporated
its LEX word processor into a new software product called
LEX-SET. It was designed to take finished documents
produced using LEX and translate the formatting commands
into those which troff uses to generate output for
typesetters (LEX was covered in UNIQUE Volume 2 Number 7).
LEX, and therefore LEX-SET, has a built-in dictionary and
mass mailing features.
In an exclusive early demonstration, we were shown a
preliminary release of LEX-SET running on an Altos 186
hooked up to an HP LaserJetr typesetter. LEX was designed
as a "what you see is what you get" word processor. The
format of the completed document is plotted out through the
rulers (which denote margins, tab stops and other features)
that LEX uses. You can preview your document to a certain
extent on the screen, as well as by using the daisywheel
emulation capability of the HP LaserJet. A document is
printed in one default point size (size of letters) unless
you put changes in the file for such things as headings and
subheadings. Leading (the distance between lines of text)
can also be controlled by LEX-SET. The "official" Bell
Laboratories math character set has been incorporated. A
full screen of characters is the equivalent of 8 inches of
printed text, which is meant to aid you in visualizing the
placement of text on paper. LEX-SET is compatible with eqn,
tbl, and pic. As part of the preliminary version, a
special code was needed to precede any special lines that
would be sent to these tools. This will be made easier in
a later, final release.
This powerful software package was made possible by
cooperation between SofTest and Textware International (see
story in this issue). SofTest wrote a filter that would
process LEX output into troff instructions, and this was
interfaced to tplus in just about two hours, according to
Dave Schneider of SofTest. Working with LEX-SET proved to
be easy, even with no prior experience in using LEX. We see
products such as LEX-SET making a big difference in office
automation under UNIX, since you can either decide to use
the laser printer as a daisywheel emulator (fast but plain)
or as a typesetter (fast but nicer to look at) and this can
serve a whole office full of people. While the output
quality of 300 dot-per-inch printers such as the LaserJet
is not up to that of a true typesetter, we feel that it's
more than adequate for letters, documentation, and almost
everything except glossy magazines.
The HP LaserJet currently is available with a 10
point Times Roman font with normal, bold and italics (for
use in regular text), a 8 point light font (for small
notes, captions, footnotes) and 14 point Helvetica bold (for
headlines). Any other fonts and styles must be drawn in
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:36 Page 14
graphics mode as "custom" typefaces. As the HP LaserJet has
only 59K of graphics memory, there is a limit (6 square
inches) to how much customized typeface it can print at one
time. In fact, you can easily run out of memory after
printing just a few lines of custom type. Remember, this is
a limit of the printer, not LEX-SET; we've already heard
rumors about add-on memory for the printer that will
overcome this problem. Another thing you should be aware
of is that text printed in 7 to 12 point type will be in
Times Roman font, while 14 point bold text magically becomes
Helvetica. Again, HP is due to come out with new font
cartridges that should substantially widen these choices.
The HP LaserJet (based on the Canon personal copier
technology) prints up to eight pages a minute, holds 100
sheets of paper, and can even print on manually-fed
envelopes.
The software will run on the Radio Shack Model 16, the
Altos 186 and 586, and the IBM PC/AT (available in
January), and will cost approximately $2,500. ACE, the
originators of LEX, will be the distributor of LEX-SET
outside the United States. SofTest is working on a
French/Canadian version of the character set to be released
next year. Pricing is $2,500 to $10,000, depending on
whether you purchase a complete hardware/software package
or just add LEX-SET to your LEX word processor and the type
of machine you're using. One more thing: you can also hook
LEX-SET up directly to any typesetter supported by tplus.
UNIQUE: YOUR INDEPENDENT UNIX/C ADVISOR
UX-Basic: The Product
UX-Basic is clearly targeted at software developers
(they won't even sell it to end users). The full
development package includes an interpreter, compiler, and
runtime module, so you can write programs under the
interpreter and test the compiled version that your customer
would get. We're very impressed by their aggressive
pricing: the full system for machines such as the Altos
586, Tandy Model 16, and IBM PC/XT (and probably AT) costs
just US$500! The price for typical "supermicros" such as
the Callan, CRDS, Codata, IBC Ensign, NCR Tower, and Zilog
Model 11 is US$1000. Even the development package for the
largest machines supported at this writing (AT&T 3B5,
Masscomp, Plexus P35, Sun, and Zilog 21 & 31) costs no more
than US$1500. These are suggested end user LIST prices, not
OEM discounted. The runtime module alone, which you would
presumably make available with your compiled code, lists
for between $150 and $450. OEM arrangements will be based on
royalties of from 5% to 30% of the above prices, depending
on volume. There are 22 machine ports now in progress, and
we've been told they're doing about one per week.
While the very mention of the BASIC language seems to
put most C programmers into shock, BASIC remains a popular
language for applications programs. Perhaps small business
end users feel more comfortable with a language that comes
with personal computers. In any case, the description of
UX-Basic sounds like a BASIC programmer's wildest dream come
true: automatic backup of source programs, 32K long strings,
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:46 Page 15
automatic ISAM files, full matrix operations, multi-tasking
programs (with assignable priority!), record and file
locking for multiple users, 32 character statement labels,
16-dimension arrays, full support of termcap, commands to
generate a cross-reference or "prettyprint" the program,
recursive and multiline subroutines, command expansion and
syntax checking at source entry time, WHILE/WEND,
CASE/SELECT/OTHERWISE, and IF/THEN/ELSE constructs, BCD
math with 13 digit precision (no roundoff errors!), and even
a built-in HELP command.
Intel took it in to evaluate as an in-house product on
their 286/310 machine (which we've heard is IBM-PC/AT
object code compatible) and seem to love it. A well-known
software outfit is doing internal work with UX-Basic to
help define the use of internal tokens: since they use 2
bytes per token, 65,535 functions can be built into the
language.
Of course, UX-Basic is written in C, and both the
interpreter and run-time module are fully re-entrant. The
ISAM has been implemented using the RDS product C-ISAM, and
reportedly only added 2% extra code to UX-Basic. Even so,
this current 2.0 version is already slated to be dropped
eventually in favor of their newer product, which they call
UX-Basic+. UX-Basic+ adds the ability to make direct UNIX
system and C-ISAM calls from BASIC.
COMPUTER BOOK REVIEW
Monday December 24, 1984
** Copy II PC. Central Point Software (9700 SW
Capitol Hwy., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97219). $39.95
Copy II PC belongs beside every IBM PC. This disk
copy program lets you backup most of the popular, copy-
protected, commercial software. If you're the normal
consumer who hates copy-protection schemes, Copy II PC lets
you fight back. Naturally, its producer, Central Point
Software, warns that Copy II PC is to be used only to create
archival backups. U.S. Copyright Law allows one duplication
of a software program for personal use only.
The copying process is completed in two simple steps:
bulk-erasing a blank diskette, and then reading from the
target diskette and writing to the blank diskette.
Instructions are also given for hard disk systems. Copy II
PC works cleanly and effectively.
Documentation is clear, succinct, and complete. Copy
II PC is updated regularly to reflect changes in copy-
protection schemes. A list of the commercial software that
can be backed up is available from Central Point Software.
And a pleasant twist, Copy II PC practices what it preaches-
-it's NOT copy protected! A jewel that belongs in every IBM
PC user's bag of tricks.
THE BUSINESS COMPUTER
Sunday December 30, 1984
COMPUTER INDUSTRY ACADEMY AWARDS:
Since the computer industry is more show biz than computer
biz, here are the authors' annual awards for the biggest,
bestest, biggest-bucked bunches of bull for 1984.
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:25:54 Page 16
============================================================
By Franklynn Peterson & Judi K-Turkel
============================================================
Since the computer industry is six parts show biz and
one part technology, our annual tradition has been to
recognize in print the best playacting of the year by
computer makers. This year, as last, after you read about
our favorite villains and heroes we'd like to hear about
yours.
Winners of this year's awards will receive our
companion to the Oscar statue, the Lady Ada, named for the
first computer programmer. The envelopes please!
============================================================
Winner for Flashiest Marketing Gimmick of 1984,
Hewlett-Packard.
H-P sent clever toy `laser' guns to thousands of computer
dealers (and computer publications) along with a message to
zap the competition with H-P's LaserJet printers. We
estimate H-P needs to sell a couple hundred printers just to
cover the cost of the guns, their 59-cent Radio Shack
batteries, the fancy packaging, and the $2.18 postage.
People in our office nearly made war to possess this child's
marvel of flashing lights and noisemakers, and suggest that
H-P could see faster returns on its investment if it forgets
new-tech printers and sells the new-tech toy guns -- or
turns its talents to keeping the jets unclogged in its cute
little Thinkjet inkjet printer.
============================================================
Winner for Quietest Marketing Gimmick of 1984,
Personal Software, makers of pfs:products, for mailing out
handsome mugs emblazoned with the slogan, `The rebellion is
coming.' It took five minutes of searching to find the scrap
of identifying paper that told us who our benefactor was
and that the rebellion's leader was their new spreadsheet
program, pfs:plan. The pfs:folks, too modest to use capital
letters in their product names, even market with too much
modesty -- which may explain why it's often tough to find
lots-for-the-money pfs:programs in stores.
============================================================
Center Ring Performance of the Year, Apple Computers.
This company, which got its start in a leaky California
garage, spent more millions of dollars than they'll admit
to us showing prime-time TV ads during 1984, buying all the
ad space in Time magazine's post-election special issue,
and then -- the biggest spectacular of them all -- hiring
halls, rock bands, light shows, fancy hotel dining rooms,
and tuxedos to stage the slickest introduction of any
product -- its IIc portable -- since P.T. Barnum died.
Despite its center-ring spectaculars, the real action was
out on the midway where the tickets are sold. Apple dealers
were slipping out, not in, under the tent flaps, angry that
Apple was competing with them by selling computers at near-
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:26:03 Page 17
zero profits through college discount centers. If Apple
collapses, it'll be Apple's doing, not IBM's.
============================================================
Best Actor of 1984, IBM. It settled out of court
almost every one of the kicking-and-screaming nuisance
lawsuits it started against IBM compatible makers. Best
Supporting Actor of all time, the U.S. Justice Department,
for dropping its antitrust suit against IBM.
============================================================
Best Foreign Star, Radio Shack. Its network of
outside-the-USA plants makes it about the largest importer
of electronic equipment. In 1984 it brought about $200
million in computers and another $650 million worth of other
electronic paraphernalia into the USA.
============================================================
Best Mystery Starlet of 1984, Lisa2. Has anybody seen
her? Has anybody bought her? Does Apple still sell her?
We've been unable to confirm rumors that she was eaten by
her own mouse (or that Apple's renaming its black-and-white
version `Mono Lisa').
============================================================
Winner for Most Unbelievable Ghost Story, Osborne
Computer Company. Even though the company was bankrupt and
counted among the dead by computer consumers, it followed
through with plans to print stock certificates and sell
them to the public. If you bought any, they should make
dandy wallpaper.
============================================================
Best Comedy, Berke Breathed's `Bloom County' comic
strip. Computer hackers, who don't miss an episode, believe
that Breathed draws his funnies on a computer. Breathed says
that he used to but the keyboard kept wrinkling his paper.
He tossed away the computer and now has room again to draw
on his desk.
============================================================
Best Animal Performance, Diablo, our office cat who's
trained to sniff at all our incoming packages.
Most Improved Performers of 1984, programmers of
computer games. They've finally brought this subindustry
out of the dark ages of clumsy graphics and dull plot lines
into an era of sophisticated utilization of current computer
technology. What we need is for these talents to start
writing our business software!
S. KLEIN NEWSLETTER ON COMPUTER GRAPHICS
December 31, 1984
AN INTERACTIVE VIDEO PRODUCT FAMILY
FROM VISAGE INC. TIES INTO THE IBM PC
A comprehensive family of interactive video products that
encompasses systems, upgrade kits, conversion boards, and
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:26:11 Page 18
options -- all tied into the IBM PC -- become available from
Visage Inc., an 18-month old company, whose $1.75 million
venture funding came from Venture Founders, First Chicago,
and two other investment firms. "We offer the broadest
interactive video product line based on the PC," exclaims
Visage President and co-founder Philip V.W. Dodds.
Dodds positions his product line for use in industrial
training, computer-aided-instruction, visual information
archives, point-of-purchase advertising, and visual expert
systems applied to equipment maintenance and repair. They
address such applications, Dodds explains, by combining
motion video, sound, computer-generated graphics, and
digital data in a multi-media communications approach.
Visage's system-level products, the V:Station 2000,
constituting five models, incorporates color monitors
offering 256 x 192 resolution and 16 colors or 320 x 200 and
4 colors; a PC-compatible computer with video disk
controller; and V:Exec proprietary software that integrates
the graphics with the video disk player commands and
provides I/O device support. System price: Approx. $12,000.
Software tools encompass graphics development, high-
level systems software, and an "authoring environment."
V:Paint development software enables program developers to
produce still-frame and animated graphics to be displayed
separately or overlayed on the video images. A V:Draw
software subset supports menus, titles, drawings and other
graphics, draws circles, eclipses, lines and freehand
curves. Contact: Philip Dodds, President, Visage Inc., 12
Michigan Dr., Natick, MA 01760. (617/655-1503). PLUMB
January, 1985
BBS NEWS ROUND-UP
> Trade-80, the toast of Albany, GA, is back online
with some new software tracks. Say hello to sysop Richie
Dervan (70365,1012) 24 hours at 912-439-7440.
> Televideo users now have their own BBS, sponsored by
the Televideo company. It's open from 5-10 pm at
408-244-0261.
> Paul McLear's IBM board near Indianapolis, IN, is
stocked with lots of application and utility files for MS-
DOS and PC-DOS computers. McLear (BBY232) says the system's
available "almost 24 hours." The number is 317-845-6288.
> Electric Magazine, a BBS program for the Commodore 64
written by Bob Shannon (BCM549), is now available for the
Kaypro and other CP/M computers. For a free demonstration,
call 707-964-7114. The Kaypro version will be online during
evenings and nights with the C64 version running during the
day.
> CompuServe has begun selling Apple IIc and IIe
versions of its Vidtex telecommunications software package.
The package requires an RS232 modem and Apple ProDOS, plus
a Super Serial card for the IIe. CompuServe users can
request the program through product ordering.
> The latest release of RBBS-PC, a public domain BBS
program for IBM-compatible computers, is available from the
Capital PC Software Exchange. The program comes on a
double-sided, double-density diskette in DOS 1.1 format,
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:26:20 Page 19
including all the files you need to start your own RBBS.
For a copy, send $8 and a mailing label to Capital PC
Software Exchange, P.O. Box 6128, Silver Spring, MD, 20906.
> How are you at Space Shuttle history? Florida's Space
Shuttle BBS will give callers a quiz tough enough to make an
astronaut sweat. But if the quiz causes you too much
trouble, check in with the ship's resident psychiatrist.
Blast off at 305-777-4714.
MicroPro released a new version of WordStar last year
that should prove most useful to programmers and others who
need a heavy-duty text cruncher - if you can find someone
who sells it!
This new version has many features absent from earlier
versions, including full support of DOS 2.0 pathnames - all
file operations (edit, print, copy, rename, etc) are global
across directory paths! There are no more overlays; it is
one big EXE file. You can remove your program disk once it
starts, and there is no wait for overlays to be shuffled.
The sucker runs much faster than version 3.3, has context-
sensitive function keys, and fully supports most "smart"
dot-matrix printers. Plus, the documentation is quite well
done.
Only a few gotchas - first of all, it runs only on a
PCjr! The patch below should let you run it on a regular
PC. Also, there are no MailMerge or spelling corrector, but
it works great if all you do is edit and print. Lastly, it
is hard to find! I've seen a few discount places
advertising it, and some local dealers stock it.
To make it run on a PC, use the following commands:
1) Make a copy of your program disk!
2) Put it in A:, REN A:WSU.EXE W
3) DEBUG A:W
4) E 3CB2 EB (should have had a 74 there)
5) W (write file back to disk)
6) Q (quit DEBUG)
7) REN A:W WSU.EXE
8) Run the install program and enjoy!
NOTICES
As a matter of brief introduction, I am Bill
Macneill, SYSOP of FIDO node #202 in Boston, Massachusetts
(1-617-721-1688).
Recently, one of the members of my Board (DEC-Line
-- a DEC Micro oriented board) uploaded a game file known as
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:26:27 Page 20
JETSET.BAS...a jet plane simulator, and one of the great
classic public domain games. The problem with JETSET,
however, is that it is SOOOOOOO SLOWWWWWWW!
I would very much like the readers of this
newsletter to advise me as to whether JETSET has been
compiled to operate directly as an 'executable' under the
MSDOS operating environment. If one of you is familiar with
such a file, please advise me where I can obtain a copy...or
even better, why don't you just call and upload to DEC-
Line?? Again, we are at 1-617-721-1688 in Boston....
Bill Macneill, SYSOP
DEC-Line FIDO#202
FOR SALE
I HAVE 2 NEW 20 MEG HARD DRIVES WHICH ARE EXTERNAL
WITH CASE AND POWER SUPPLY, CABLES AND CONTROLLER CARDS.
COVERED BY ONE YEAR WARRANTY.
DRIVES MADE BY CMI. CONTROLLER-DTC CARD.
EACH UNTIL IS SELLING FOR $1375.00
ALL ARE BRAND NEW IN THE BOX WITH FULL DOC'S
CONTACT RICHARD LEVEY VIA FIDO 79.
I HAVE THE FOLLOWING FOR SALE AT THIS TIME.
1 D.S.D.D. DRIVE BRAND NEW NEVER USED
2 S.S.D.D. DRIVES BRAND NEW NEVER USED
ALL COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY.
PACKAGE PRICE IS $200 (AMERICAN)
CONTACT ME VIA NODE 79 UNTIL I GET MY
NODE NUMBER.....RICHARD LEVEY
Introducing: *** The Modem ***
A monthly magazine for the IBM PC BBSer. This magazine
comes with a diskette holding a massive collection of BBS
numbers from around the country. With each monthly issue,
you recieve a diskette holding even more numbers. This
comes with a program that will merge the updates into your
main list.
Some features include:
* Articles by SYSOPS and users.
* A forum for asking and answering BBS related
questions.
* BBS of the month - information about the system, why
it was chosen, the phone number and schedule.
* A column written by a SYSOP that will give advice and
ideas or anyone running or wanting to run their own
Bulletin Board.
* Lots of ads for computers, modems, and BBS software.
If you've got some new software, or equipment, or
maybe you want to buy some, then this is the place to
look.
The main goal of The Modem is to unite the BBS Community of
fidonews -- 21 Jan 85 23:26:34 Page 21
America. We hope to soon have a complete listing of every
BBS in the country. Once the boards are united, we will be
able to better fight any problems presented to us by either
the government, the phone companies, or system hackers.
Subscribe now to the magazine that you've been waiting for.
If you want to receive valuable information each month
concerning computers and communications and what you can do
with them, then send now for your membership in the modem
society.
Rates are $60 per year. This includes 13 diskettes. Your
first month you will recieve the BBS list diskette along
with the current month's edition of The Modem. Each month
after that, you will recieve the next edition.
Don't wait any longer, you might miss something good.
Send check or money order to:
Wordlab Co.
7289 Petursdale
Boulder, CO 80301
The Modem is also available at a three month trial basis for
$15. This does include the BBS list diskette.
WANTED
WANTED TO BUY: One used Gavilan computer.
Send details (accessories, condition and price) to:
Andy Meyer, FidoNet, Fido #317 - or contact Sysop of
SMC-70 Citadel: (201) 930-6483 [24 hours, 300 baud]
