1097 lines
31 KiB
Plaintext
1097 lines
31 KiB
Plaintext
______________________________________
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ZMAGAZINE 78 November 6, 1987
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______________________________________
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Published/Edited by: Ron Kovacs
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Assistants: Ken Kirchner, Susan Perry
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(c)1987 Syndicate Services/Rovac
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______________________________________
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ZMAG BBS (201) 968-8148 PCP 3/12-24hr
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______________________________________
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Xx INDEX 78
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______________________________________
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I. Atari Comdex Press Release
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II. Antic's Comdex Report
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III. Zmag BBS List Part 1
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IV. Technical Help...Hayes Mod
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V. BBSTN Press Release
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VI. ST-Report #11
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VII. SpartaDos Help Part 3
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V3. Express and Textpro
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______________________________________
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Xx PRESS RELEASE
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______________________________________
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OVERVIEW OF COMDEX 1987 ATARI BOOTH
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First uploaded to GEnie 11/2/87
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CONNECTIVITY--SOLUTIONS, AND
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TECHNOLOGY: ATARI ANNOUNCES NEW
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PRODUCTS AT COMDEX
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(Las Vegas, NV -- Comdex Fall 87) In a
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series of major product introductions,
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Atari Corp emerges as a maker of a
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complete line of high-performance,low-
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cost solutions for the business world.
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New technology is showcased by Abaq,
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an ultra-high-performance workstation
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with blazing speed and dazzling
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graphics. The Abaq, based on a
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sophisticated -transputer- chip, runs
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more than 10 times faster than a PC/AT
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technology and more than 5 times
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faster than the 68020 with math
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processor. The parallel processing
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capability of Abaq lets a single
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system multiply its processing power
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by adding extra transputer chips.
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Atari unveiled its new CD player
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capable of reading CD-ROM disks and of
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playing musical CD disks. The CD-ROM
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is supported by a Mega and
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ST-compatible DMA interface, and will
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retail in early 1988 for under $600.
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Atari's connectivity answer is a LAN
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which is compatible with the NETBIOS
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standard used by IBM and Novell. It
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communicates data at 1 megabits-per-
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second to PC's and over 250K bits-per-
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second over Appletalk. Atari is
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planning to manufacture -PromiseLAN-
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adapters for the Mega, ST, and PC
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computer lines.
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The Atari Mega computers are showcased
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with a variety of solid business
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solutions. Desktop publishing is
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represented by both the Atari SLM804
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Laser Printer and by G.O. Graphics,
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who are porting their Deskset program
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(CompuGraphics compatible) which Atari
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will market. Word Perfect is
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displaying the recently shipped Word
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Perfect ST and Atari is displaying
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Microsoft Write. A group of vendors
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are appealing to VARs with vertical
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packages running under the IDRIS
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multi-user multi-tasking operating
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system. Several new high-end CAD
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packages are on display including
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Foresight's Drafix 1.
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Atari expanded its PC-compatible
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offerings by adding two new models,
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the PC2 (PC XT compatible) and PC4 (PC
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AT compatibile), both with EGA
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graphics, high clock speeds, and low
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price tags. A variation of the PC3
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will operate in VGA graphics mode as
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well. The PC2 and PC4 will be offered
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with 3.5- or 5.25- floppy disks and
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with hard disks. These new models
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join the PC1, which at $799 is a basic
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512K PC XT compatible, suitable for
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use as a LAN workstation and for
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standalone personal computing. The
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PC2 includes XT-compatible slots,
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while the PC4's slots are PC AT
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compatible.
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-We offer complete systems for the
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office,- said Atari president Sam
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Tramiel. -I can see Atari Mega
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computers with laser printers as
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desktop publishing stations exchanging
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data with a satellite group of PC1's
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as LAN stations. An entire office
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environment can be created. The PC,
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the Macintosh, and the Atari computers
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co-exist. Each can do the things they
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do best.-
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______________________________________
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Xx ANTIC's COMDEX REPORT
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______________________________________
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ANTIC PUBLISHING INC., COPYRIGHT 1987
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REPRINTED BY PERMISSION
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ATARI MEANS BUSINESS
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A REPORT FROM THE 1988 COMDEX
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By Anita Malnig, START Editor
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Las Vegas, November 2, 1987
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Atari intends to give the likes of Sun
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Microsystems and Apollo Computers a
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run for the money with Abaq (the root
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word for abacus), the new transputer-
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based workstation that the company is
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showing here.
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By using RISC (Reduced Instruction Set
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Computer) architecture, the
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workstation will operate at 10 MIPS
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(million instructions per second). The
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latest graphics hardware and the IMS
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T-800 -- the Inmos Company's 32-bit
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microprocessor -- combine to form
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affordable, powerful personal
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workstations. A single transputer can
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deliver over ten times the power of an
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IBM PC AT. However, there's even
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greater strength in numbers. You can
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connect two, 10, 100 or even MORE
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transputers to create a relatively
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low-cost computer workstation with the
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power of a supercomputer. (Talk is
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that the price will be in the $5000
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range.) When attached to a transputer,
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the ST or Mega acts as the input/
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output device for the system.
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Transputers can be linked via a built-
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in high-speed serial port to form a
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multiprocessor array or a local area
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network.
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Helios, the Unix-like operating
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system, was developed by the
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Perihelion Company in Great Britain,
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as was the transputer board itself.
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The Helios operating system encourages
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the use of many small programs which
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work together to create a final
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product.
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Shiraz Shivji, Atari's vice president
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of research and development, expects
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that the transputer will be used
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primarily in engineering and science
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applications. Included with Abaq will
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be a very high resolution monitor,
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capable of four graphics modes: 1280
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X 960 in 16 colors or monochrome; 1024
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X 768 in 256 colors; 640 X 480 in 256
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colors with two screens; and 512 X
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480 in 16 million colors plus overlay.
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No firm delivery date is set, but late
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1988 seems to be the most talked-about
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time frame. From a first-hand view,
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the crisp, vibrant graphics (such as
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four separate pictures running
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simultaneously) were drawing crushing
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crowds.
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CD-ROM FOR ATARI
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The exciting CD-ROM player introduced
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at Comdex can read up to 540 megabytes
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of data or play music. It connects to
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Atari's ST and Mega computers through
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the DMA (direct memory access)
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channel, a communications port that
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transmits data at up to 10 million
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bits per second. At 540Mb, the player
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can store more data than 1,000 floppy
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disks or 200,000 printed pages.
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Demonstrated at the show is an English
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and French visual dictionary from
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Facts on File. It is categorized by
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topics such as transportation and
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food: click on the transportation
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theme and choose from an array of
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topics such as ferrys, container
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ships, airport terminals and so on --
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all items illustrated. Speech output
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identifies each image in French and
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English. Grolier's Encyclopedia also
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runs on this CD-ROM, as do audio CDs.
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Atari has a task force at work now
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developing more products for this
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player, which will be available at
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computer specialty dealers and retail
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outlets in February, 1988, at a
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suggested retail price of $599.
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DO ATARI DESKTOP PUBLISHING
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G.O. Graphics, in conjunction with
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Atari, will bring to market a
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sophisticated desktop publishing
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program called Deskset. This works as
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a front end to the CompuGraphics
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typesetting equipment, offering the
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use of 1,800 fonts. This is not just
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a desktop publishing program for four-
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page newsletters and the like: it
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could design entire publications such
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as Antic and START. It will output to
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such laser printers as the striking
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Atari laser printer, also being
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demonstrated with Deskset. (Look for
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the next Comdex installment for
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additional desktop publishing programs
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for the ST.) Deskset, which works
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only on a Mega, will work within the
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GEM environment and offers all the
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standard features of the most
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sophisticated desktop publishing
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programs -- features such as character
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compensation, kerning, columns, boxes,
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rules and the ability to merge text
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and graphics. Look for this product
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mid- to late 1988.
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AND. . . ATARI PCS
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The Atari PC1, introduced earlier this
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year, can be used as a local area
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network workstation or as a standalone
|
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personal computer. It runs at a top
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speed of 8 Mhz, with a software switch
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to set the clock speed to 4.77 when
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needed. The PC1 works with any CGA,
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MDA, EGA or multi-frequency monitor.
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Maximum color screen resolution is 640
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X 350. The PC1 has a 64-color palette,
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with a maximum of 16 on the screen at
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a time. It is expected to retail at
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$800.
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New to the Atari PC family is the PC2,
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a dual-speed XT compatible with five
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slots and hard-disk support. The PC4
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is an 80286 microprocessor-based IBM
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PC/AT compatible machine. It has clock
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speeds of either 8 or 12 Mhz, VGA-
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compatible video, four AT-style
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expansion slots, up to one megabyte of
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system RAM and is ready for an 80287
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numeric coprocessor.
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Additionally, Atari is announcing
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-Moses PromiseLAN,- a local area
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network that can connect up to 17 PCs
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using off-the-shelf telephone wire.
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They will also be developing Moses
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PromiseLAN adaptors for its Mega and
|
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ST computers. Thus, the Mega and
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Atari laser printer will be able to
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share data with PCs and Apple
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Macintoshes.
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MORE COMDEX REPORTS
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Take some time out and read ST-REPORT
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#11, available this week. This issue
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will contain:
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Watch for more third-party desktop
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publishing programs from Soft Logik,
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Timeworks, Migraph.
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Multiuser, Multitasking programs with
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the Idris operating system.
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desktop video from Antic Software.
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products galore from MichTron,
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Spectrum Holobyte, Word Perfect,
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Abacus, ISD Marketing, B.E.S.T. and
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lots more.
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______________________________________
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Xx ZMAG SYSTEMS LIST PART 1
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______________________________________
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Zmagazine Carriers Updated 11/03/87
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------------------------------------
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Zmag Info Network (201) 968-8148
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Wonderful World of Oz (808) 423-2754
|
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Omega Base (201) 384-2966
|
|
Sorman Information (011) 47022470
|
|
Stairway to Heaven (216) 733-8444
|
|
The Reef (206) 848-3371
|
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EXTE BBS (616) 245-8259
|
|
Dark Crypt (404) 968-4380
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Strategic Atari (201) 326-1778
|
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White House (201) 388-1676
|
|
Satelite BBS (609) 939-6247
|
|
A.H.O.C. II (404) 796-3805
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C.A.U.U.G. BBS (601) 388-3490
|
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Mr. Message BBS (516) 454-7698
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The Bunker (212) 617-0153
|
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Atari Hotel (315) 454-9612
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Network:Atari Express (512) 662-9765
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New Haven BBS (203) 776-9723
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JACG BBS (201) 298-0161
|
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The Syndicate BBS (203) XXX-XXXX
|
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The Lions Den (312) 690-3724
|
|
PAUGS (602) 242-4259
|
|
Atari Brothers (201) 994-4176
|
|
Land of Oz (201) 642-6032
|
|
The Land (212) 597-8520
|
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Griffons Nest (402) 466-5339
|
|
Mach Channel 8 (207) 784-0631
|
|
EBBBS (201) 247-8252
|
|
Lost Byte (617) 586-8840
|
|
Milliways (504) 244-0768
|
|
W.A.S.T.E. BBS (713) 923-7342
|
|
WQNR BBS (516) 698-7456
|
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Cosmic Stompers BBS (313) 547-0440
|
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Ol Hackers BBS (516) 884-4140
|
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Graveyard BBS (516) 783-7034
|
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Bandits Hideout (516) 643-4963
|
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Bates Motel (716) 875-7376
|
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Midnight Express (804) 379-4156
|
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M.O.U.S.E BBS (219) 674-9288
|
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Gateway BBS ZMAG #2 (609) 931-3014
|
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Speakers Corner (201) 892-7339
|
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ACE NSW Australia (011)6125292059
|
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Powell BBS (314) 225-8710
|
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CCBBS (609) 451-7475
|
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XBN BBS (617) 559-6844
|
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Ratcom BBS (301) 437-9813
|
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Timelink BBS (201) 469-4474
|
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Portland Express (503) 244-3254
|
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Phantasmal Alchemy (203) 443-5200
|
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Bayshore BBS (201) 787-6627
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The Launch Pad (201) 343-1426
|
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Express BBS (314) 225-8710
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The Prairie Chip (307) 635-0148
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AXE*** BBS (314) 696-3506
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S.T.U.N.N. BBS (402) 466-5339
|
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Tektron BBS (918) 835-5198
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ST Wizard BBS (609) 627-4556
|
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The Crypt BBS (601) 435-0926
|
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Daily Planet BBS (716) 895-0508
|
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Pegasus II BBS (609) 858-7817
|
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Command Headquarters (216) 758-1814
|
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I/O Connection BBS (404) 446-8044
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Buffalo Byte Size BBS (404) 945-6021
|
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Atari Express BBS (404) 426-7027
|
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Atari Outland BBS (916) 962-2566
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G.R.E.A.T.-8 BBS (503) 746-9637
|
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Westport BBS (617) 674-8361
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Muskrats Den BBS (808) 261-2184
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Brick Yard Express (314) 581-3801
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Atari C.A.L.C. BBS (505) 525-0388
|
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Genesis I BBS (817) 284-1520
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The Bounty ST BBS (904) 786-4176
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T.M.C. II BBS (201) 752-2818
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Hot Rodderz (805) 773-5907
|
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Express BBS (314) 225-8710
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Speakers Corner (201) 892-7339
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The Constellation (201) 938-6906
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Surf City ST (201) 929-9351
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Balloon Works (419) 289-8392
|
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New York City Zmag (718) 604-3323
|
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Elysium BBS (816) 761-2190
|
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Griffons Nest (402) 466-5339
|
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Kisa Monitron (011)4649412997
|
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First Star (011)46034051117
|
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Outsiders BBS (718) 253-8602
|
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Brickyard (314) 581-3801
|
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Blue Moon (312) 457-2219
|
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Holly Park (201) 757-1491
|
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Runequest BBS (312) 454-9612
|
|
ST-Xpress (217) 877-9740
|
|
One Stone BBS (219) 875-8205
|
|
KnottsNook (206) 631-8056
|
|
ThunderIsland (714) 653-0447
|
|
Carina BBS (305) 747-9196
|
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Launch Pad BBS (201) 343-1426
|
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______________________________________
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Xx TECHNICAL HELP
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______________________________________
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by Frank Walters
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SysOp, T.A.C.O. Bell Panama City, FL
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|
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Hayes 1200 Problem
|
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|
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When attempting to set up an Oasis BBS
|
|
system, a fellow sysop contacted me to
|
|
see if we could figure out a problem
|
|
it had with recognition of connect and
|
|
disconnect. Here is what we found out.
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He has a 'new' model Hayes 1200, while
|
|
I have the 'old' model of the same
|
|
modem. The new model has 10 dips,
|
|
while the old model has 8. That's how
|
|
we tell them apart, especially if you
|
|
only have one. After talking with the
|
|
technical representitive at Hayes, it
|
|
turns out there was an undocumented
|
|
change in how the 1200 baud model
|
|
handles DSR (data set ready). Since
|
|
most terminal/BBS software uses the
|
|
DSR signal as part of the STATUS
|
|
check, it is critical for proper
|
|
operation that you understand what you
|
|
are getting.
|
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|
|
The 'old' model, like most modems,
|
|
sets DSR high at carrier detect.
|
|
Actually, the Hayes has a jumper
|
|
between pin #6 (DSR) and pin #8 (CRX)
|
|
so that when it sets CRX high, it
|
|
automatically sets DSR high. The
|
|
STATUS call will send a value of 8 to
|
|
address 747 (decimal) for CRX high and
|
|
128 for DSR for a total increase of
|
|
136 in address 747. Most software
|
|
depends on this higher value to
|
|
determine 'connect' after dialing, or
|
|
(for BBS software) to determine that
|
|
a caller has connected.
|
|
|
|
The 'new' model (10 dip switches) of
|
|
the Hayes 1200 changed the jumper to
|
|
pins #6 (DSR) and #5 (CTS), the latter
|
|
normally not even connected by cable
|
|
to the 850 interface. However, when
|
|
the modem sets Clear to Send high, it
|
|
is BEFORE carrier detect, and since it
|
|
is directly connected to DSR, it also
|
|
sets DSR high before connect,
|
|
resulting in a false connect signal to
|
|
the software.
|
|
|
|
How do you get the 'new' modem to act
|
|
like the 'old' model?
|
|
|
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1) Modify the modem. Nobody wants to
|
|
mess with the modem warranty or
|
|
screw that up.
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|
|
2) Modify the software. Most people
|
|
don't know how to do that at all,
|
|
and you would have to change every
|
|
program you use anyway.
|
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3) Modify the cable. This appears to
|
|
be the best solution. Here is how
|
|
we did just that:
|
|
|
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Disconnect the wire at pin #6 on the
|
|
RS-232C end. Disconnect the same wire
|
|
(also pin #6) at the 9-pin D plug for
|
|
the 850 or P:R: Connection. This will
|
|
insure that the false DSR will not be
|
|
sent from the modem.
|
|
|
|
Then to simulate DSR at connect,
|
|
solder a jumper wire at the 9-pin D
|
|
plug (850 interface end) between pin
|
|
#6 (DSR) and pin #2 (CRX). Now when
|
|
Carrier Detect is set high, it also
|
|
sets DSR high. This cable will work
|
|
with the older models too.
|
|
|
|
Here is a diagram of the new cable:
|
|
|
|
850 (9 pin/D-male) RS-232C (25 pin)
|
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__________________ ________________
|
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#1 DTR >------------------> DTR #20
|
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++#2 CRX <------------------< CRX #8
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+ #3 SEND DATA >-------> REC DATA #3
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+ #4 REC DATA <-------< SEND DATA #2
|
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+ #5 SIGNAL GND ------ SIGNAL GND #7
|
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++#6 DSR <--/(disconnect)/--< DSR #6
|
|
#7 RTS (not used) CTS #5
|
|
#8 CTS <-------< HI SPEED INDIC #12
|
|
#9 (not used)
|
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|
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++NOTE: Jumper between pins 2-6 so
|
|
that DSR is set high whenever
|
|
CRX is set high by the modem.
|
|
|
|
NOTE:
|
|
|
|
#8 CTS to #12 HI SPEED INDICATOR is
|
|
only for auto answer with some BBS
|
|
software for baud recognition but
|
|
otherwise not required. Avatex modems
|
|
do not have #12. Some BBS software
|
|
depends on the RING INDICATOR to force
|
|
the program to send an ATAct is set high, it also
|
|
sets DSR high. This cable will work
|
|
with the older models too.
|
|
|
|
Here is a diagram of the new cable:
|
|
|
|
850 (9 pin/D-male) RS-232C (25 pin)
|
|
__________________ ________________
|
|
#1 DTR >------------------> DTR #20
|
|
++#2 CRX <------------------< CRX #8
|
|
+ #3 SEND DATA >-------> REC DATA #3
|
|
+ #4 REC DATA <-------< SEND DATA #2
|
|
+ #5 SIGNAL GND ------ SIGNAL GND #7
|
|
++#6 DSR <--/(disconnect)/--< DSR #6
|
|
#7 RTS (not used) CTS #5
|
|
#8 CTS <-------< HI SPEED INDIC #12
|
|
#9 (not used)
|
|
|
|
|
|
++NOTE: Jumper between pins 2-6 so
|
|
that DSR is set high whenever
|
|
CRX is set high by the modem.
|
|
|
|
NOTE:
|
|
|
|
#8 CTS to #12 HI SPEED INDICATOR is
|
|
only for auto answer with some BBS
|
|
software for baud recognition but
|
|
otherwise not required. Avatex modems
|
|
do not have #12. Some BBS software
|
|
depends on the RING INDICATOR to force
|
|
the program to send an ATA to the
|
|
modem. In this case you can use #8 CTS
|
|
to #22 RING INDICATOR instead of the
|
|
8-12 as shown.
|
|
|
|
Call Hayes Microcomputer Products at
|
|
1-800-241-6492 for further
|
|
information.
|
|
|
|
[ED. Frank, Thanks for the article. I
|
|
am sure it will interest a few of
|
|
our readers. Also, thank you for
|
|
writing it!]
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Xx BBSTN
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
=============
|
|
PRESS RELEASE
|
|
=============
|
|
|
|
Winchester, VA October 27, 1987
|
|
|
|
BBS Telecomputing News
|
|
|
|
Hitting the mailboxes and modems in
|
|
January, 1988 will be an altogether
|
|
different kind of publication that the
|
|
computing public has not seen before.
|
|
|
|
BBS Telecomputing News, a black and
|
|
white publication, with a distinctive
|
|
newsletter appearance will offer a
|
|
variety of interesting features long
|
|
lacking in the industry. It will be
|
|
hole punched to fit standard ring
|
|
binders and kept as reference
|
|
material.
|
|
|
|
BBSTN will contain over 2,000 VERIFIED
|
|
listings of Bulletin Boards around the
|
|
nation with telephone numbers, notes,
|
|
and the kind of BBS software used. In
|
|
addition, BBSTN will contain reviews
|
|
of popular public domain software,
|
|
commercial software of interest to
|
|
BBS'ers, modems and other hardware
|
|
reviews, and a monthly feature article
|
|
about one popular bulletin board in
|
|
each issue.
|
|
|
|
In addition to the printed edition,
|
|
which will be distributed by
|
|
subscription only, a special condensed
|
|
version will be available on Public
|
|
BBS's around the country. Sysops
|
|
desiring to carry this publication
|
|
should log on to the INFONET BBS and
|
|
fill out the questionaire.
|
|
|
|
BBSTN is currently soliciting authors
|
|
of Public Domain software, BBS
|
|
software, commercial BBS software,
|
|
and Modem manufacturers, to submit
|
|
their products for review in the
|
|
January and February issues.
|
|
|
|
This is an excellent opportunity for
|
|
small software developers to gain
|
|
needed publicity for their product.
|
|
|
|
All software and hardware submitted
|
|
for review should be sent to:
|
|
|
|
BBS Telecomputing News
|
|
5 Wilkins Drive
|
|
Winchester, Virginia 22601
|
|
Telephone 703-665-0087
|
|
or
|
|
|
|
Upload to:
|
|
Infonet! BBS
|
|
703-665-0087 between 9PM-6AM
|
|
|
|
Deadline for the January issue is
|
|
November 15, 1988. Sysops desiring to
|
|
carry BBSTN should fill out the
|
|
Questionaire while most areas are
|
|
still available.
|
|
|
|
BBSTN is also seeking writers and
|
|
reviewers.
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Xx ST-Report #11
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
This week in ST-Report #11
|
|
|
|
<*> Comdex Reports
|
|
<*> Technical Assistance
|
|
<*> Newswire
|
|
<*> ST Upgrade Information
|
|
<*> Hayes Modem Modification
|
|
|
|
and more...............
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Your Source for Sales and Service!
|
|
Flat rate repairs on all Atari 8 bit!
|
|
Quick turn-around on ST repairs!
|
|
We also do flat rate repair on 8 bit
|
|
Commodore equipment, and also can fix
|
|
your Amiga or Apple computers! We also
|
|
offer service contracts on all
|
|
computers, call for rates today! Be
|
|
sure to take advantage of our flat
|
|
rate repair on VCR's, Video Cameras,
|
|
and Camcorders---->$99(covers all
|
|
parts and labor except heads and
|
|
Nuvicon)
|
|
Midtown TV
|
|
27 Midway Plaza
|
|
Tallmadge, Ohio 44278 (216)633-0997
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Xx SPARTADOS HELP
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
by Bruce Pleat
|
|
|
|
Version 1.0, Copyright 1987 by the
|
|
author, Bruce Pleat, Released on June
|
|
8th, 1987. If you use this article in
|
|
any form of print or on a BBS or disk
|
|
file, you must not edit this file
|
|
except for the columns in a screen and
|
|
the end-of-line character used.
|
|
|
|
SpartaDOS is a COPYRIGHTED product of
|
|
ICD. This is NOT an attempt to allow
|
|
PIRATES to use this INCREDIBLE DOS
|
|
easier, but rather an attempt to help
|
|
LEGAL OWNERS of the DOS use the DOS
|
|
more efficiently and with greater
|
|
ease.
|
|
|
|
Atari and 850 are trademarks of Atari
|
|
Corp., SmartDOS is a trademark of The
|
|
Programmers Workshop, MY-DOS is a
|
|
trademark of Wordmark Systems,
|
|
ATR-8000 is a trademark of SWP
|
|
Systems, Inc., MIO is a trademark of
|
|
ICD, and any other references to
|
|
products are of course references to
|
|
the proper copyright and/or trademark
|
|
owners.
|
|
|
|
---Section II----
|
|
Internal Commands
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
|
The Internal Commands consist of ?DIR,
|
|
AINIT, APPEND, BASIC, BOOT, CAR,
|
|
CHKDSK, COPY, CREDIR, CWD, DATE,
|
|
DELDIR, DIR, DIRS, ERASE, KEY, LOAD,
|
|
LOCK, MEM, PAUSE, PRINT, PROTECT,
|
|
RENAME, RUN, SAVE, TD, TIME, TYPE,
|
|
UNLOCK, UNPROTECT, VERIFY, and XDIV.
|
|
|
|
?DIR lists the present PATH.
|
|
Fmt:?DIR [path]
|
|
?DIR
|
|
?DIR D2:
|
|
?DIR D5:GAMES
|
|
|
|
AINIT formats the specified disk in
|
|
Smart-DOS format.
|
|
Fmt:AINIT [path]
|
|
AINIT
|
|
AINIT D4:
|
|
|
|
APPEND adds a binary block onto the
|
|
specified file.
|
|
Fmt:APPEND [path][filename] stadr
|
|
endadr
|
|
APPEND SCREEN 9C1F 9FFF
|
|
APPEND D2:GUARD 0600 06FF
|
|
APPEND D4:A>C 1FC9 2880
|
|
|
|
BASIC toggles the INTERNAL BASIC ON or
|
|
OFF. These are the ONLY possibilities.
|
|
BASIC ON
|
|
BASIC OFF
|
|
|
|
BOOT tells the disk which file to try
|
|
to load apon re-booting. This implies
|
|
that you may automatically boot up ANY
|
|
COM, DOS, or other machine-language
|
|
file, but you may only use DOS if the
|
|
DOS is the BOOTed file. If you XINIT
|
|
with a DOS, then there is no need to
|
|
BOOT the DOS, but if you COPY it over,
|
|
you HAVE to BOOT it or you won't be
|
|
able to boot up on that disk.
|
|
Fmt:BOOT [path]filename
|
|
BOOT X32D.DOS
|
|
BOOT X32?.*
|
|
BOOT D2:SCOPY
|
|
BOOT D4:COM>SPCOPY.COM
|
|
|
|
CAR returns you to whatever cartridge
|
|
is installed or enabled. If there is
|
|
no cartridge installed/enabled, you
|
|
won't go anywhere. The ONLY format:
|
|
CAR
|
|
|
|
CHKDSK tells you information about the
|
|
disk in the drive you specify. Printed
|
|
for all disks are the disk's total
|
|
size in bytes, free size in bytes, and
|
|
bytes per sector. For SpartaDOS 1.x
|
|
version disks, the volume name is also
|
|
printed. For SpartaDOS 2.x and 3.x
|
|
version disks, the disk random number,
|
|
sequence number, and write lock status
|
|
is also printed.
|
|
Fmt:CHKDSK [Dn:]
|
|
CHKDSK
|
|
CHKDSK D3:
|
|
|
|
COPY simply moves a file or files from
|
|
one path] to another path. Normally,
|
|
if you COPY a file to one of the same
|
|
name on another disk, you will be
|
|
erasing the old file, but you may
|
|
append the new file onto the end of
|
|
the old one. Note that you can also
|
|
copy a file onto itself, but if the
|
|
copy takes two -passes-, then the file
|
|
is pretty much destroyed unless it is
|
|
text, in which case it is partly
|
|
erased. Also note that wildcards are
|
|
VERY useful here in copying multiple
|
|
files.
|
|
Fmt:COPY [path]filename[[path]filename][/A]
|
|
COPY A B
|
|
COPY D3: D4:
|
|
COPY GAM>COM>*.EJ? D3:
|
|
COPY D4:TEXT> ALL/A
|
|
|
|
CREDIR simply creates a Directory as
|
|
you name it, with up to eight chars
|
|
plus a somewhat awkward extender. When
|
|
you DIR or DIRS a disk, Directories
|
|
show up with a -DIR- near them. When
|
|
you use MENU on them, you can NOT tag
|
|
them.
|
|
Fmt:CREDIR [path]DirName
|
|
CREDIR GAMES
|
|
CREDIR D4:GAM>MAZE>COM
|
|
|
|
CWD changes you from your current
|
|
Directory to another one on the same
|
|
disk. To go BACKWARDS to a previous
|
|
directory, you do a -<- char. Remember
|
|
this is DIFFERENT from the IBM which
|
|
asks you for the full path every time
|
|
you do a CD; maybe that is why this is
|
|
a CWD command.
|
|
Fmt:CWD [path]
|
|
CWD COM
|
|
CWD <COM
|
|
CWD <<<COM>DAR>GAT
|
|
CWD D4:COD [this one changes the
|
|
working directory on D4:, not on the
|
|
PRESENT indicated drive like the
|
|
others]
|
|
|
|
DATE sets the internal date.
|
|
Fmt:DATE mm/dd/yy where mm is month,
|
|
dd is day, yy is year, all with filler
|
|
0s if needed.
|
|
|
|
DELDIR erases an EMPTY subdirectory.
|
|
See CREDIR for examples.
|
|
|
|
DIR prints the specified disk
|
|
directory/path in SpartaDOS format
|
|
[Smart-DOS disks are printed in that
|
|
format].
|
|
Fmt:DIR [path]filename
|
|
|
|
DIRS prints even SpartaDOS disk
|
|
directories in Smart-DOS format. See
|
|
DIR for format.
|
|
|
|
ERASE delete whatever file[s] you
|
|
specify; again, wildcards are useful,
|
|
but watch out that you don't
|
|
accidentally delete files. You can
|
|
reverse this via UNERASE if you do it
|
|
before the next write operation to any
|
|
part of that disk.
|
|
Fmt:ERASE [path]filename
|
|
|
|
KEY enables or disables the internal
|
|
32-key buffer. A few programs [like
|
|
Orion's Express! BBS and OSS's
|
|
MAC/65's DDT] need the key buffer OFF,
|
|
but most other programs [like Orion's
|
|
Express! 850 Terminal V3 and OSS's
|
|
MAC/65] allow the buffer ON. The
|
|
default is on. These are the ONLY
|
|
two formats:
|
|
KEY ON
|
|
KEY OFF
|
|
|
|
LOAD loads in a binary file but does
|
|
NOT run or init it like a simple
|
|
command does. See DIR for the format.
|
|
|
|
LOCK will lock a disk from having
|
|
FILES written to from SpartaDOS [2.x
|
|
and 3.x]. The disk CAN be formatted
|
|
by ANY SpartaDOS and formatted/written
|
|
to by SpartaDOS 1.x and ANY OTHER DOS.
|
|
Fmt:LOCK [drive]
|
|
LOCK
|
|
LOCK D4:
|
|
|
|
MEM prints the present system free
|
|
memory boundaries, MemLo and MemTop.
|
|
|
|
PAUSE stops a BATch file untill a key
|
|
is pressed [ANY key other than the
|
|
-console- keys, the inverse key, Caps,
|
|
Shift, and Control]. You may ofcourse
|
|
use it directly...but why?? The only
|
|
format is to just issue the command as
|
|
such:
|
|
Fmt:PAUSE
|
|
|
|
PRINT echos all screen TEXT output to
|
|
another device, useful for keeping
|
|
track of your activities to a printer
|
|
or RAM-Disk file [or cassette...give
|
|
that toy SOME use!!].
|
|
Fmt:PRINT [path][filename][/A]
|
|
PRINT
|
|
PRINT D3:
|
|
PRINT P>RECORD
|
|
PRINT D4:A>REC/A
|
|
PRINT TRACK/A
|
|
|
|
PROTECT locks a FILE. See DIR for the
|
|
format.
|
|
|
|
RENAME changes the name of one or more
|
|
files, optionally using wildcards.
|
|
Unfortunately, this won't rename
|
|
Directories or Volume names. Note that
|
|
the path is issued ONE time and that a
|
|
[SPACE] seperates the old from the
|
|
new.
|
|
Fmt:RENAME [path]filename filename
|
|
|
|
RUN jumps to a machine language
|
|
address specified in HEXADECIMAL
|
|
format. A favorite of mine, which is
|
|
rare knowledge, is -RUN E477-, which
|
|
re-boots your system WITHOUT A LOSS OF
|
|
RAM-Disk contents. With no address
|
|
specified, it tries to execute the
|
|
last COM file, but all too often fails
|
|
and locks the system untill [Reset] is
|
|
pressed.
|
|
Fmt:RUN [addr]
|
|
RUN
|
|
RUN E477
|
|
|
|
SAVE stores a string of binary data
|
|
into the specified filename.
|
|
fmt: SAVE [path]filename[/A]stadr endadr
|
|
SAVE OS E000 FFF9
|
|
SAVE COM>BASIC A000 BFFF
|
|
SAVE D3:FP/A D800 DFFF
|
|
|
|
TD toggles the Time/Date line at the
|
|
top of the screen if TDLINE was run
|
|
first. The only two formats:
|
|
TD ON
|
|
TD OFF
|
|
|
|
TIME sets the internal Atari Time
|
|
counter for file saves.
|
|
Fmt:TIME hr:mn:sc?m where hr is the
|
|
hour, mn is the minute, sc is the
|
|
second, and ?m is am or pm.
|
|
|
|
TYPE lists a text file [lines must be
|
|
64 or less chars in length or else the
|
|
TYPE will have a Truncated Error
|
|
Abort. This does NOT erase BASIC or
|
|
other programs like a COPY does.
|
|
Fmt:TYPE [path]filename
|
|
|
|
UNLOCK reverses LOCK.
|
|
|
|
UNPROTECT reverses PROTECT.
|
|
|
|
VERIFY tells whether the disk drive
|
|
will check what was written to the
|
|
drive. The only two formats:
|
|
VERIFY ON
|
|
VERIFY OFF
|
|
|
|
XDIV disables BATch processing.
|
|
Fmt:XDIV
|
|
|
|
[Next week Section 3]
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Xx EXPRESS and TEXTPRO
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
by Don Lebow
|
|
|
|
Here's my method...
|
|
|
|
First, create a TEXTPRO/EXPRESS MASTER
|
|
DISK containing the following files:
|
|
|
|
DOS.SYS
|
|
RAMDISK.COM
|
|
TEXTPRO.COM (version 2.5r only!)
|
|
TEXTPRO.CNF (config file)
|
|
TEXTPRO.FNT (custom font)
|
|
TEXTPRO.MAC (default macro file)
|
|
EXPRESS.COM (1030 Express v 3.0 only!)
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT: if you wish to use a
|
|
joystick driver with Express, you
|
|
<MUST> use the customized DOS 2.5
|
|
driver available in this DL 5 as
|
|
TPXPST.OBJ. As with the original
|
|
joystick driver (see JOYSTK.DOC in
|
|
DL2), you should append Express to the
|
|
driver using the /A parameter in DOS
|
|
2.5 (for example: select <C>opy File
|
|
then input
|
|
|
|
D:EXPRESS.COM,D:TPXPST.OBJ/A
|
|
|
|
After you've got it appended, Rename
|
|
as appropriate.)
|
|
|
|
CONFIG.EXP (express config file)
|
|
PHONE1.LST (default phone # list)
|
|
|
|
Got it? NOW do some renaming...
|
|
|
|
RENAME TEXTPRO.COM to DUP.SYS (that
|
|
means that it will automatically be
|
|
saved to D8: when you boot with
|
|
RAMDISK.COM) Before you do this, make
|
|
sure you've erased the <ORIGINAL>
|
|
DUP.SYS to prevent duplicate
|
|
filenames.
|
|
|
|
RENAME EXPRESS.COM to AUTORUN.SYS
|
|
|
|
You're ready to go!
|
|
|
|
Boot up your XE as normal with Express
|
|
using your new master disk. Turn on
|
|
your 1030 modem, then the drive, then
|
|
turn on the computer while holding
|
|
down the OPTION key to cancel Basic.
|
|
|
|
When the load is done, and the Express
|
|
menu is up...
|
|
|
|
MOST IMPORTANT: DELETE 'D8:MEM.SAV'
|
|
using the 'J' command in Express!
|
|
|
|
Dial up wherever and capture whatever
|
|
text you want to D8: text files. When
|
|
you're done, sign off as normal and
|
|
you're back to the menu.
|
|
|
|
NOW...
|
|
|
|
<MAKE SURE> that you have your master
|
|
disk in D1: (or any disk that has the
|
|
TEXTPRO aux files on it)
|
|
|
|
Ready? Press RESET. You'll see TEXTPRO
|
|
(remember, we've fooled the computer
|
|
into thinking it's DUP.SYS) loading
|
|
(fast!) and then the aux files loading
|
|
from D1:
|
|
|
|
Viola! You are now in TEXTPRO
|
|
<without> having to do a re-boot!
|
|
|
|
The text files you have on D8: are
|
|
still there. You can now go ahead and
|
|
edit, do replies, whatever, using
|
|
TEXTPRO's power.
|
|
|
|
DO NOT turn off your 1030 modem!
|
|
|
|
When you're done editing (at this
|
|
point, I usually have a text file of
|
|
replies and msgs on D8:), and ready to
|
|
get back On Line...
|
|
|
|
<MAKE SURE> you have a disk in D1:
|
|
with EXPRESS and it's aux files (that
|
|
Master Disk, again, is REAL handy.)
|
|
|
|
Use the TP <SELECT-CONTROL-W> command
|
|
to do a binary load. At the prompt,
|
|
input AUTORUN.SYS (or whatever name
|
|
you have Express saved under.)
|
|
|
|
Providing you've followed the above
|
|
steps, you'll see Express loading
|
|
(again, no need to re-boot!) and
|
|
you'll be back in Express, ready to
|
|
Upload your new text files!
|
|
|
|
Note that D8: still contains any files
|
|
you've saved. Just like they say in
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|
the DOCs, it's functioning as a
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|
clipboard (though Mr. Paranoia, here
|
|
always saves anything vital out to
|
|
D1:, just in case...)
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|
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|
That's all there is to it. I've found
|
|
that you can continue swapping back
|
|
and forth between the two programs
|
|
with no degradation in performance.
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|
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|
If you run into problems, leave me a
|
|
message and I'll see if I can help...
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|
>>don [70717,720]
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______________________________________
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Zmagazine Issue #78 November 6, 1987
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(c)1987 Syndicate Services/Rovac
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|
______________________________________
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