read new nonstop follow 
88496 9-JUL 19:47  General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88495)
     From: JRUPPEL      To: GLOCKR

Well, my friend, if you are interested in some exotic home brewed hardware,
you are in the right place ;) Check the forum here and the Coco SIG. Take a
look at the Hardware Dat at the coco sig and the Gen and OSK Dat's here. It'll
give you a lot of insight. Many folks here have hardware and info available...
I'm sure that they will drop you a line...

John Ruppel
CocoNuts in Lansing

-*-

88497 9-JUL 20:34  General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88495)
     From: RANDYKWILSON To: GLOCKR

Ken,

 You,ve found the right Sig. Lots of Motorola spoken here. The majority of
the machines used/talked about in this sig are:

  Tandy Color Computer 3  (coco) with a 6809 or Hitachi 6309
  MM1  (68070 and 68340)  contact NIMITZ
  PT68/Delmar (680x0)  contact EDELMAR
  FHL/Hazelwood  (680x0)  contact FHOGG

 The first machine is no longer made, but plentiful used. The last three are
all in production (last two having multiple models), and come in "kit" form.
ere, kit form means you get the populated boards and maybe a case/keyboard;
much like piecing together a PClone. If by kit you mean a few boards and
a baggie full of chips... well, I think those days are pretty much gone.
Maybe someone like GMX still has such to offer. But it's doubtful.

 All of the machines run a version of OS-9, obviously. The PT machines (maybe
FHL as well) do have alternate operating systems. If you have questions on
the specifics of the machines, send email to the vendor reps I listed.


   Randy

-*-

88501 9-JUL 23:36  General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88495)
     From: COCOKIWI     To: GLOCKR

there was a 680000 kit put out a long time ago, it,s clone is the DELMAR
machine....but is not a kit,The ORG 68000 kit upgraded <not sure if one can
buy it as a kit now> but the board is around! I don,t know the maker,so keep
looking! Peter Stark was the one whom made the ORG 68000 system<he was a CoCo
nut..back then too> the idea was a 68000 board that used STANDARD AT style
Dennis

-*-

88508 10-JUL 11:18 General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88501)
     From: WRHAMBLEN    To: COCOKIWI

Dennis,

Fred Brown (Peripheral Techonology & Computer Design) designed the
PT68K-2 that was described in the articles that Peter Stark wrote for
Radio Electronics in 1987/88.  PT also manufactured peripheral boards
for the SwTPC system (6800 and 6809) and single board 6809 and 68008
systems.  It was Peter's idea to put XT-compatible I/O slots on the
PT68K-2.  Peter supplied the HUMBUG ROM monitor and the SK*DOS operating
system.  PT later supplied Dan Farnsworth's MONK ROM monitor and REX
operating system (not as nice as HUMBUG & SK*DOS, in my opinion).  Fred
and Peter later had a parting of the ways.

Bud

-*-

88512 10-JUL 13:21 General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88496)
     From: GLOCKR       To: JRUPPEL

John, thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to building a non-IBM clone

-*-

88513 10-JUL 13:33 General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88497)
     From: GLOCKR       To: RANDYKWILSON

Thanks for the info on the OS9 machines.

-*-

88514 10-JUL 13:35 General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88501)
     From: GLOCKR       To: COCOKIWI

Thanks for the info:)

-*-

88532 11-JUL 02:29 General Information
     RE: home-brewing (Re: Msg 88508)
     From: COCOKIWI     To: WRHAMBLEN

I figured someone would full in the gaps<grin> .....Thanks for that!
Dennis

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88498 9-JUL 21:17  General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88458)
     From: TEDJAEGER    To: JOELHEGBERG

 > I don't know if this is needed or not, but I had to also reference the
 > usr.l library in the l68 step, so it would be:
 > r68 sysgo.a -O=sysgo.r
 > l68 sysgo.r -O=sysgo -l=/dd/lib/usr.l -l=/dd/lib/sys.l

Joel, I found that the following:

     l68 sysgo.r -l=/dd/lib/sys.l -o=sysgo

works to compile sysgo.a fine. Linking both usr.l and sys.l also works
and produces an identical sysgo.r. However,

     l68 sysgo.r -l=/dd/lib/usr.l -o=sysgo

leaves an unresolved error (TotRAM I think it was.)

BUT, there are some mysteries re the sysgo.a file! Notice that on the first
page of the source there is an OptTime label at the beginning of a line
that supposedly gives the user an option to have or not have the time
displayed in the startup message. That option is not set in the source
but I got the time displayed anyway. Didnt want it because it wraps
around to the next line on my startup screen, looking kinda ugly! Anyway,
I started looking through the source and there are no lines like:

     ifne   OptTime
     ...
     ...
     endc

that would seem to allow for conditional assembly of the display time
option.

Another oddity I noticed was that after installing sysgo version 9
my system tried to boot entirely from floppy. I had been using version
5 of sysgo and with it the os9boot was read from floppy but .login and
startup from HD. My init had /d0 set so I dont know how it managed to
go to HD but it did. Anyway, I changed /d0 to /dd in init and then
the new sysgo booted as did version 5 but still with the time displayed.

Could you pass along what modifications to make to  sysgo.a to get
the conditional assembly of the time display?

Bests
---TedJaeger

-*-

88500 9-JUL 23:34  General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88498)
     From: MITHELEN     To: TEDJAEGER

Yep.. you seem to be right... the conditionals for OptTime
seem to have been left out.... You can "fix" you code by putting in
a:
 ifne OptTime

before the block of code that has the comment "Print time of boot..."
and an:
 endc

before the "SayWhat" label...

I'm not a assembly programmer, nor do I play one on TV, bnut this looks
like it will do the trick...
--
Paul

-*-

88521 10-JUL 17:42 General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88498)
     From: TIMKIENTZLE  To: TEDJAEGER

Sorry about leaving off the OptTime conditionals.  Paul has exactly
the right points for putting those in.

This sysgo is different from the sysgo distributed with OS9/68k.  As
you can tell from the comments, it's had a number of different folks
beating on it, and I pretty thoroughly rearranged a lot of stuff.
If you dump the old sysgo, you'll notice it has a reference to /DD
hardwired into it (look near the very end), which the version I
uploaded here lacks.  (On the rationale that it should follow Init.)

                      - Tim

-*-

88535 11-JUL 07:51 General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88521)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: TIMKIENTZLE (NR)

Tim,

 > This sysgo is different from the sysgo distributed with OS9/68k.  As
 > you can tell from the comments, it's had a number of different folks
 > beating on it, and I pretty thoroughly rearranged a lot of stuff.

And may I say, you did an excellent job in cleaning up the source and
arranging its storage in a logical order.  That helped a lot when I
decided to modify the code.


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88536 11-JUL 07:51 General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88498)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: TEDJAEGER

Ted,

 > Joel, I found that the following:
 > l68 sysgo.r -l=/dd/lib/sys.l -o=sysgo
 > works to compile sysgo.a fine. Linking both usr.l and sys.l also works
 > and produces an identical sysgo.r. However,
 > l68 sysgo.r -l=/dd/lib/usr.l -o=sysgo
 > leaves an unresolved error (TotRAM I think it was.)

Cool, I _thought_ that was what should happen... glad you tried it!

 > Another oddity I noticed was that after installing sysgo version 9
 > my system tried to boot entirely from floppy. I had been using version
 > 5 of sysgo and with it the os9boot was read from floppy but .login and
 > startup from HD.

That's where I think I've always kept my .login and startup file(s).  It
boots faster if it can get those off the HD.


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88566 12-JUL 22:54 General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88500)
     From: TEDJAEGER    To: MITHELEN

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try & let you know.

Bests
---TedJaeger

-*-

88567 12-JUL 22:54 General Information
     RE: sysgo.a compile (Re: Msg 88521)
     From: TEDJAEGER    To: TIMKIENTZLE (NR)

No apology needed! In fact, thanks for working to improve the MM1.

Bests
---TedJaeger

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88499 9-JUL 23:28  General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88485)
     From: COCOKIWI     To: KSCALES

NO sooner than you get this one configured,<bye,bye>......Put a BIG.chain and
lock on it,with ARMED guards!........<grin>
Dennis

-*-

88517 10-JUL 16:07 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88491)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: DBREEDING

Hi Dave!

 > > This is some SERIOUS software!!!!!!!!!!
 >
 > You better believe it.  I've had my system (a System 5) for about a
 > month, haven't even scratched the surface yet.  Just recently played
 > around with the auto-ex capabilities.   Truly awesome.  For example,
 > if you click on a makefile... she'll do the make, automatically.
 >
 > I think G-Windows is the way to go to give us a truly universal
 > platform to work from.  Hopefully, enough MM/1 owners will get into
 > it to become a standard for you guys.

  I heartily agree! I was so impressed with the auto-ex that I wrote a sound
file player for G-Windows and a file recognizer. G-Windows automatically
shows my custom icon for the sound files and plays them with just a double-
click! I recently had an inquiry from a fellow that wrote a driver for the
System 5's DAC regarding the MM/1 system calls, so he could make his calls
compatible with our existing programs. That would make porting our sound
programs to you a snap!!

(Sent with InfoXpress <MM/1> running under G-Widows!)

                                             Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88523 10-JUL 19:19 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88494)
     From: DBREEDING    To: NIMITZ

 > Actually, David, the ability to click on an Icon and get make to
 > autoexecute is already there on the MM/1 Desktop.

I figured it probably could; I was just amazed at how complete it seemed.
I'm still standing in amazement at these OSK machines.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88524 10-JUL 19:20 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88517)
     From: DBREEDING    To: HAWKSOFT

 > > I think G-Windows is the way to go to give us a truly universal
 > > platform to work from.  Hopefully, enough MM/1 owners will get into
 > > it to become a standard for you guys.
 >
 > I heartily agree! I was so impressed with the auto-ex that I wrote a
 > sound file player for G-Windows and a file recognizer. G-Windows
 > I recently had an inquiry from a fellow that wrote a
 > driver for the System 5's DAC regarding the MM/1 system calls, so he could
 > make his calls compatible with our existing programs. That would make
 > porting our sound programs to you a snap!!

That's just what I would love to see.  I think that if we can get it so
you can write an advanced windowing program that will work for all 3 systems,
then that would give more incentive to write.  When/if your sound player
gets available for the Sys 5, I, for one will be interested.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88534 11-JUL 07:51 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88485)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: KSCALES

Ken,

 > I just returned from a two-day business trip, and found three boxes had
 > been dumped next to my desk at work.  Guess I will spend next week
   ...
 > this new machine.  It's a 7100...

Excellent... you'll really like how it works!  I've enjoyed mine.  And
it doesn't have one of those nasty intel chips in it.



=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88564 12-JUL 22:39 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88524)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: DBREEDING

Hi Dave!
 > That's just what I would love to see.  I think that if we can get it so
 > you can write an advanced windowing program that will work for all 3
 > systems, then that would give more incentive to write.  When/if your sound
 > player gets available for the Sys 5, I, for one will be interested.

  Well, that's one! <g>

  There IS an advanced windowing system that will work on all 3 systems (and
many more besides!). That's why I bought G-Windows. Now if we could have
the ability to switch back and forth from K- to G- !  <g>

                                              Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88654 16-JUL 13:34 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88564)
     From: DBREEDING    To: HAWKSOFT

 > There IS an advanced windowing system that will work on all 3 systems
 > (and many more besides!). That's why I bought G-Windows. Now if we could
 > have the ability to switch back and forth from K- to G- !  <g>

Yes, I am harboring hopes that G-Windows might be the tie that binds.

I would love to see K-Windows available for us, too, but I fear that
this may not be.


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88724 20-JUL 20:26 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Live! (Re: Msg 88654)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: DBREEDING

David:

 > > There IS an advanced windowing system that will work on all 3 systems
 > > (and many more besides!). That's why I bought G-Windows. Now if we
 > could > have the ability to switch back and forth from K- to G- !  <g>
 >
 > Yes, I am harboring hopes that G-Windows might be the tie that binds.

  I'm afraid that G-W would be too expensive to include as part of the
MM/1 hardware (or Kix or SysIV/V).

 > I would love to see K-Windows available for us, too, but I fear that
 > this may not be.

   Well, IF you're a programmer and very ambitious <g> contact David
Graham. I know that the source for windio is NOT available to the public,
but, the MM/1 port of G-Windows (as I undestand) was done by an MM/1 owner
without the source. After all the hardware is supposed to be similar.

                                          Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88503 10-JUL 05:43 Programmers Den
     RE: OS9000 (Re: Msg 88463)
     From: EDELMAR      To: COLORSYSTEMS

 Zack,

 The name of the driver is 'pcpll'.  I doubt you'll find a 68230 used
 on a MSDOS machine.  They use an Intel chip - forget the number.

 Ed

-*-

88510 10-JUL 12:23 Programmers Den
     RE: OS9000 (Re: Msg 88503)
     From: COLORSYSTEMS To: EDELMAR

 > The name of the driver is 'pcpll'.  I doubt you'll find a 68230 used
 > on a MSDOS machine.  They use an Intel chip - forget the number.

OPPS!! I forgot we were talking OS9K!! Thanks for the correction!



 ------------------------------------
  Zack C Sessions

    They say, "Money talks". But all mine ever says is, "Goodbye".


-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88504 10-JUL 09:42 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88400)
     From: MRGOOD       To: NIMITZ

I have a 360K floppy in my MM! that I have never managed to get working.
I tried all sorts of descriptors, track configurations with nop
results.  The floppy tested out OK on my old coco.

Hugo

-*-

88509 10-JUL 12:05 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88504)
     From: MITHELEN     To: MRGOOD

Heres the dmode setting's on my 360K floppy on my MM/1... have had no problems
with it.

name=c2
 drv=2 stp=3 typ=$24 dns=$01 cyl=40 sid=2 vfy=0 (on) sct=18 t0s=18
 sas=8 ilv=2 tfm=0 toffs=0 soffs=1 ssize=256 cntl=$0000 trys=0 lun=0
 wpc=0 rwr=0 park=0 lsnoffs=0 totcyls=80 ctrlrid=0 rates=$10
 scsiopt=$0000 maxcount=65535

and the floppy driver ident is:
Header for:      rb37c65
Module size:     $BE8        #3048
Owner:           0.2
Module CRC:      $400E67     Good CRC
Header parity:   $1E66       Good parity
Edition:         $6          #6
Ty/La At/Rev     $E01        $A000
Permission:      $555        -----e-r-e-r-e-r
Dev Drv, 68000 obj, Sharable, System State Process

--
Paul

-*-

88511 10-JUL 12:23 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88509)
     From: COLORSYSTEMS To: MITHELEN

Can you format a blamk floppy on it for the CoCo and then take the disk
to a CoCo and read it?



 ------------------------------------
  Zack C Sessions

    They say, "Money talks". But all mine ever says is, "Goodbye".


-*-

88528 10-JUL 21:53 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88504)
     From: NIMITZ       To: MRGOOD

I'll see what I can do for you, going to have to pack up the I/O board soon,
switching it back out with a person I loaned my own to to aide some sound
software development, so I'll be without for a week or two.

David

-*-

88529 11-JUL 01:13 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88511)
     From: MITHELEN     To: COLORSYSTEMS

I'm pretty sure I have, although I can't say for sure. I know I have read
disks that were created on a CoCo though...
--
Paul

        

-*-

88538 11-JUL 19:29 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88529)
     From: COLORSYSTEMS To: MITHELEN

 > I'm pretty sure I have, although I can't say for sure. I know I have read
 > disks that were created on a CoCo though...

Yes, I can read and write to CoCo formatted floppies *as long as they were
formatted on a real CoCo*. I can read and write to floppies I format on
the MM/1a, but I can't read them on a CoCo. Here is a dmode of my /c1 device
which physically is a 5.25" 360K 40track DSDD floppy:

name=c1
 drv=1 stp=3 typ=$20 dns=$01 cyl=40 sid=2 vfy=0 (on) sct=18 t0s=18
 sas=8 ilv=2 tfm=0 toffs=0 soffs=1 ssize=256 cntl=$0000 trys=0 lun=0
 wpc=0 rwr=0 park=0 lsnoffs=0 totcyls=40 ctrlrid=0 rates=$10
 scsiopt=$0000 maxcount=65535



 ------------------------------------
  Zack C Sessions

    They say, "Money talks". But all mine ever says is, "Goodbye".


-*-

88543 11-JUL 22:59 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88509)
     From: MRGOOD       To: MITHELEN

No matter what dmode settings I use, all I get is an error 246.
The light comes on, the drive spins, but nothing happens otherwise.

Hugo

PS.  I tested 2 drives known to be good with the same results.


-*-

88545 12-JUL 01:16 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88543)
     From: NIMITZ       To: MRGOOD

Hugo, check the settings of the RY line on that drive.

          David

-*-

88546 12-JUL 02:01 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88538)
     From: MITHELEN     To: COLORSYSTEMS

Hmm.. Ok.. I'll format a floppy this week, and bring it to the Glenside meeting
this Thurs and see if it is readable on a CoCo (I don't have a coco of my own
to test it on)

-*-

88609 14-JUL 21:53 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88545)
     From: MRGOOD       To: NIMITZ

What's the RY line? Is it a jumper on the drive or a wire on the cable?

Hugo

-*-

88651 16-JUL 12:11 OSK Applications
     RE: MM/1 5 1/4 Drive for CoCo Format (Re: Msg 88609)
     From: NIMITZ       To: MRGOOD

The RY line that burned up was the wire on teh cable.

      David

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88505 10-JUL 10:04 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88202)
     From: CBJ          To: DBREEDING

RE: your comment on support for PC's

I own three PC's and have built several systems for others.  Your comment on
support was about as off base as most comments I see when people in this SIG
start a discussion on PC's.  I've never had anything but good support from
the PC vendors I use.  I've heard horror stories about some OS-K machine
vendors (I will NOT list vendor names in an open forum).  I have been involved
in making OSK machines work for some time now and also use PC's on a regular
basis.  Support is directly related to the vendor that you buy from.  If you
buy a PC clone from Wal-Mart you can expect support that is lousy.  If you
buy the same type of computer from a PC marketter (a person that makes his
living from building and selling systems) you will get better support.  If
you buy a computer from COMP USA (a store that sells only computers, software
and related hardware) you will get excellent support.  Where does the Rat
Shack fall into the equation?  Somewhere in between Wal-Mart and COMP USA.
Why?  Because they sell more than just computer related products.  With such
a wide assortment of products the personal can not be trained to be computer
specialists.  It isn't cost effective.  Of course you can always luck out and
find a Radio Shack that has knowledgeable people but it usually isn't due to
training that they received from Radio Shack (ex-computer center or outlet
employees are the exceptions to this rule as are some managers).  So.....
If you want good support look for it before you buy.  Buy wisely.
Carl

-*-

88506 10-JUL 10:36 General Information
     RE: Chico fest (Re: Msg 87919)
     From: CBJ          To: MRUPGRADE

Terry,
     You've made many comments here in this thread that I need to comment on.
First, attendance at the CoCoFest was actually a little higher than last year
for show attendees.  We had three fewer vendors (actually only one fewer if
you discount the one time attendance of M'Ware and the International OS-9
User Groups.  All in all it was an excellent turn out.  So good that we have
already reserved the Holiday Inn for next year.  We need to work on the
seminars (plans are already being discussed) and we want to try to lower the
prices again (we are looking at that area as well).  It would be nice if we
could do it all for free but reality strikes again.
     As far as OSK programs, etc.
     OSK has much more available than OS-9/6809 does.  The programs that are
available are better in most cases and thus cost more.  Because OSK is has
fewer memory limitations due to inherently more powerful processors it is
much easier to port utilities from the UNIX world over to the OSK machines as
well.  ELM is an excellent example.  You complain about the acronyms being
cryptic...well, so is homepac.  Why do I need a program to help me pack up
my home?  A lot of the utilities mentioned are well known in the UNIX area
under the names mentioned.  DYNACALC...A calculator program?
There can only be so many descriptive names.  Feel free to name any program
something else when you use it or do what I do, write a startup script and
name that something you like.  I will also comment generally about the
number of new programs available for the CoCo as opposed to OSK machines at
the show.  I'd say it was closer to 50/50.  Northern Xposure had a  lot of
new 68(3)09 stuff and I saw other new stuff for the CoCo.  Unfortunately a
few of the older CoCo vendors didn't have anything new for the CoCo but
have turned their creative talents to OSK pretty much exclusively.  I can
only remember two items that were new for RS-DOS.  That is a shame but to
be expected.  The same goes for OS-9 6809, it will continue to lose the
programmers as they look for more power to write bigger and better programs.
If you were in the PC area you'd realize that this is exactly what is happennin
there as well.  You almost have to have a '386 with VGA to run any new
applications.  Games aren't even being written without sound-blaster support
and VGA is a must as is extended/expanded memory.  So much for the old
original IBM PC users.  The same thing has happened to the original MAC
users, AMIGA users, etc.  This is called progress.  While we can lament the
loss of our excellent programmers we must be realistic about it as well.
This trend will continue.  It isn't only about money either.  Money is
frequently used as an excuse because it is something that everybody can
understand.  After talking with quite a few programmers that have moved
away from the CoCo I find that while they say that they moved away because
the market is dying when questioned in greater detail they actually moved
on because the CoCo doesn't allow them the freedom to build the large
programs that intrigue them.  These are creative people and they feel that
their creativity is stifled by the CoCo/OS-9 6809 and the limitations of
the 6809(6309).  I can't blame them.  It is also their choice.  All in all
they are still willing to help others that haven't moved on by answerring
questions and providing examples on how to work around the limitations
that the 6809 imposes...they just don't want to do it themselves any more.
Carl

-*-

88507 10-JUL 10:43 General Information
     RE: Chico fest (Re: Msg 88506)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: CBJ

  Excellant Carl.   My comments were from clips I'd heard here and there.
  It evidently evoked a very nice and complete (I might add well writen)
 response.
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88525 10-JUL 19:22 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88505)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CBJ

 > RE: your comment on support for PC's
 >
 > I own three PC's and have built several systems for others.  Your comment
 > on support was about as off base as most comments I see when people in
 > this SIG start a discussion on PC's.  I've never had anything but good

I was only addressing the fact that so many people think that if you don't
own a PC, you don't have a computer.  To begin with, I wouldn't even consider
recommending an OS9 machine to a computer illiterate person.  However, this
same person, however, is bound to have difficulty with any computer he/she
buys.  In my case, I spent a very, very great deal of time trying to decide
on whether to go to an OSK system, get a PC, or a Mac.  In the end, I went
with OSK, fully realizing I can't go into Wal-Mart and see rows of software
for my system.

One thing that did influence me was what I referred to in msg 88202.  On the
BBS's these guys often had to go in and juggle their interrupts around and
whatever to install an internal modem.  What I was referring to was the
fact that you can't plop even a PC down and expect it to do it all itself.

RE: support, in an earlier message, I referred to a friend's experience
with customer support.  This is only one case, but a true case, nonetheless.
I recently read an article in a PC magazine, or maybe Computer Shopper,
regarding customer support.  According to him, the Gateway forum in CIS
was filled with complaints in this regard.  What I was referring to in
my latest msg was the fact that should I have a problem, I did have a
few questions, or if a customer of Dave Graham or Frank Hogg has a
problem, you will be able to get in touch with one of them personally,
not a sales rep, and while they might not be on top of this particular
problem, I expect that they will be knowledgeable enough to find an
answer.

No, the PC is a good computer, and probably the best choice for the
true _user_.  But I think my OS is every bit the equal, to say the least.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88558 12-JUL 21:47 General Information
     RE: Chico fest (Re: Msg 88506)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: CBJ

        >>and we want to try to lower the prices again...<<

        From reading the advertisements in the Underground, I thought the
   prices were pretty low as is. I'm suprised that would be such a
   factor.

        >>This is called progress.<<

        Which is something that some of us in the Coco Community are
   unknowingly avoided by refusing to go OS-9/68k when possible. Some of
   us are rather stubborn about moving on to a better machine(but I would
   kill for such a machine right now!>

        Btw, when is the next MOTD due out? You did get my check right?
   I'm just checking to make sure, since I'm not sure if you got my
   email.

        See Ya
        >Chris<

-*-

88559 12-JUL 21:48 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88525)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: DBREEDING

        >>To begin with, I wouldn't even consider recommending an OS9
   machine to a computer illiterate person.<<

        I have a little different of a view on that. I don't think OS-9
   is any harder on the computer illiterate person than Dos, and as a
   matter of fact would recommend it over Dos. It is much more simplistic
   to operate. I admit OS-9 is not yet for most people but I think it's
   good for many more than some of us think. OS-9 as a system is MUCH
   easier to operate than Dos, judging from what users have told me<I'm
   talking OSK here obviously>, and I think I have enough knowledge of
   OSK and Dos to draw a decent conclusion.
        The big difference between the two is the often talked about
   software availability. Dos won't give up this advantage anytime soon,
   but I think the OSK software has improved enough to give it a decent
   software base. If someone says "I need Wordperfect" or Dbase or any
   other specific piece of Dos/windows software, than obviously I have to
   recommend a PC, as I did recently for the rest of my family when they
   were looking for a computer to buy my father<which everyone else in
   the house uses>. I was thinking of recommending an MM/1 but then my
   sister and others came along saying "Well I wanna run Microsoft
   Word..." among other things, which we obviously don't have under OSk.
   Now if they had simply said "Well, I want to do some Word Processing
   and some Database Developement..." that would be a different story. We
   have that stuff and we basically have enough software to meet almost
   all your basic computer app needs. It sure needs some work, but we are
   in decent enough standing to promote OS-9 machines to those who have
   GENERAL software needs. I think now's probably as good a time as any
   to get these machines to some of the larger Computer shows going on
   around the country. The San Diego Users Group had the right idea.

        This was a bit long winded, but I just wanted to post it as a
   response to some of the recent postings regarding OS-9's supposed lack
   of user friendliness. If you<not you specifically David>, are
   referring to the COCO, yes it is lacking obviously, but that is to be
   expected considering Tandy left it up to us users to hack and patch it
   up in a million different versions. There's not much we can do about
   that, nor should we worry about it at this point. Professional OS-9 on
   the other hand is obviously still supported and is therefore much
   easier develope for with end users in mind. From what most PRO OS-9
   users tell me, installing programs is just as easy as it is with Dos.
   This just goes to show that when referring the user friendliness
   situation, you need to make it clear which version of OS-9 you are
   talking about.

        Again, this message isn't really directly aimed at you David, I
   just thought your post was a good opportunity to get my post out.
        See Ya
        >Chris<

-*-

88562 12-JUL 22:10 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88559)
     From: BOISY        To: CPERRAULT

Well worded, Chris.

I would like to address the issue of OS-9 (and I mean OSK) not suitable
as a personal operating system:

I am a firm believer that OS-9 is not only well suited, but optimal as
a personal computer operating system.  When people think of OSK, they
generaly think of xmode, grep, etc...  Can you imagine a new computer
user trying to use xmode when he/she doesn't have a clue as to the
difference between path descriptor and device descriptor?

The "key" is to write software that is easy to use, intuitive and
spiffy.  Mike Haaland's GPORT utility (that comes with DeskTop for
the MM/1) allows the user to set baud rate, parity, stop bits, etc.
at the click of a mouse button.  No typing nasty xmode commands, just
point and click.  And the interface is very neat...  In fact, I've used
GPORT as the auxiliary program to interface with a K-Windows terminal
program I'm writing.

I know I'm picking on xmode here, but there are other computer
functions that can be done with class in OS-9.  Looking back,
Tandy had the right idea with Multi-Vue, though it was way under
powered.

THe main challenge is to sell people on _WHY_ an OS-9 system would
make a good personal computer.  THe bottom line for most folks is
software.  I agree with Chris -- if people want general computing
software such as word processing and spreadsheet, then the MM/1 or
other OSK systems can fill the need.

-*-

88578 13-JUL 00:06 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88559)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

 > >>To begin with, I wouldn't even consider recommending an OS9
 > machine to a computer illiterate person.<<
 >
 > I have a little different of a view on that. I don't think OS-9
 > is any harder on the computer illiterate person than Dos, and as a

I really think you are right.  There's nothing that hard about OSK,
and I hope for the day that maybe we'll see OSK provided as a users
system.

The biggest problem at this time is for the user to know where and how
to obtain their software.  RE: Coco.  Yes, that was one problem I was
beginning to run into - all the hacks and stuff, and it was getting
to where you just could not get enough memory to do what you really
wanted to do.  I still haven't gotten all my stuff for my OSK system,
but a lot of what I've seen has impressed me very much.

Really, what you said about people wanting a specific app is the main
thing that would make me hesitate in recommending to someone.  Really
more in that I would be a little reluctant in taking the responsibility
of making the recommendation.  I think a lot of people would not
be satisfied with software availability right now, even though we can
do just about anything any other system can do, and what we can't is
just due to the fact that it has never been implemented yet.  I'm
referring to such things as widespread CD-Rom availability, and the
like.


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88579 13-JUL 00:07 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88562)
     From: DBREEDING    To: BOISY

 > Well worded, Chris.
 >
 > I would like to address the issue of OS-9 (and I mean OSK) not suitable
 > as a personal operating system:

Again, I heartily agree.  The system itself is ideal.  Your statements
are extremely well on the mark.  You hit on the biggest thing right now,
and I feel that this is changing, and the key is to get more of "us" in
to get a beginning user base so that we can get all the user-friendly
stuff going.

I think the best thing that could happen to us is to get a common base
by which we can easily write software, based on the user interface, that
will be universal across all platforms.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88587 13-JUL 20:13 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88562)
     From: JOHNREED     To: BOISY

The real advantage that MSDOS has over OSK for the "average"
user is one that has been pointed out over and over again.
Most MSDOS users never use MSDOS - they have an interface
that hides it completely.  Just watch your favorite average
messydoser when confronted with the dreaded "C>" prompt.  He
has a look on his face like he is holding a dead rat by the
tail.  He is every bit as confused as he would be if he had
just booted up OS-9.

So how do we get these neat interfaces?  That is the
problem, where do we find a programmer with the skill and
the time to write the monster for our little bitty market?

What we need is for a relatively large company to assign a
programmer or three to come up with a great "user friendly"
interface for OS-9, bite the bullet, sell it for peanuts,
then sell the development stuff for peanuts too.  Maybe that
would get enough "slick" programs on the market so we could
actually recommend an OSK system to someone who just wants a
computer to do a job, not program it as a hobby.


           ********************************
       A stitch in time --------------------
               ------ is worth two in the bush

 John R. Wainwright <<CIS -- 72517,676>> <<DELPHI -- JOHNREED>>

-*-

88592 13-JUL 22:23 General Information
     RE: ChicofeBERG  To: CPERRAULT

Chris,

 > >>This is called progress.<<
 >
 > Which is something that some of us in the Coco Community are
 > unknowingly avoided by refusing to go OS-9/68k when possible. Some of
 > us are rather stubborn about moving on to a better machine(but I would
 > kill for such a machine right now!>

The new machines are wonderful.  It was a tough choice for me when I
decided I needed a new machine to replace my CoCo -- should I go with a
PC or stay with OS-9.  I toiled over that for many months, as it's so
much money.  I finally decided on an OSK machine (the MM/1), and I love
it and will never regret making that choice.  If you truly love OS-9, an
OS-9/68000 based system is truly, in my opinion, the way to go.

 > Btw, when is the next MOTD due out?

We're busy at work finalizing the next issue, and it should be out to
everyone shortly.

 > You did get my check right?
 > I'm just checking to make sure, since I'm not sure if you got my
 > email.

Carl will answer those questions...  ;)

Best wishes,


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88598 13-JUL 22:49 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88587)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: JOHNREED

   There's a lot of "listen" in John's message.   To me "powerful" is supposed
 to mean "easy to use", andn do "otherwise complicated tasks" with "ease".
  that's POWERFUL.
   Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88617 15-JUL 03:02 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88344)
     From: BROWN80      To: COLORSYSTEMS

I've been running Xenix V on a Compac 286 for several years.  I don't greased
lightning has to worry about this machine catching up with it, but it works
fine.


            John Brown

-*-

88633 15-JUL 23:05 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88578)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: DBREEDING

        >>...and I hope for the day that maybe we'll see OSK provided as
   a users system.

        It is already. Heck you have one of them you lucky Devil ;-)
        Seriously, when you say that I assume you mean available in as
   great a supply as PC's and Macs, with the same amount of support? I
   have dreams of selling 68k machines in my own retail outlet...I gotta
   stop all this dreamin' or start following up on them :-)

        >> Yes, that was one problem I was beginning to run into - all
   the hacks and stuff<<

        Unfortunately that has been the biggest problem haunting us level
   II users for years. Technically, even if we don't get MW source, we
   can still use all the hacks and patches to our advantage by coming up
   with what we as a community feel would be the ideal 'standard' Coco
   using all the patches and stuff that we have at our disposal. This is
   an old idea that can still work if a great majority of Coco users can
   cast their votes and decide. This type of project is well suited for
   the UG, assuming they don't have a million other projects tieing them
   up right now<which could be the case given all the work that needs to
   be done to get the OSK work started>. Any member could carry such a
   project if he/she is willing to see it through I suppose. I tried it
   once, and just couldn't get it done for a few reasons.
        Achieving such a goal would help bring back the usability of the
   Coco for those who use them and program them. As it is now, almost
   nobody wants to write programs for it, seeing as it might not run on
   all the 50 other configurations of it :-(

        >>...I would be a little reluctant in taking the responsibility
   of making the recommendation<<

        I agree, that is the hardest thing. You have a LOT of SOMEONE
   ELSES money that may technically be in YOUR hands, so it is a good
   deal of responsibility that you have. I still feel OSK is a great
   choice for many people, but I must admit it is hard to be unbiased
   when you are a hardcore OS-9er. I am always asking myself, "Maybe I'm
   looking at his/her situation the wrong way. What if OSK isn't
   right...." .
        Hopefully in time we will get some better CD-Rom materials as
   well as the other goodies the other systems have as bragging points,
   but we do have a fairly decent foundation that still needs some work.
   The best thing to do right now, imo, is to keep supporting the current
   base of OSK users by not only writing some good utilities and apps,
   but also getting some more programming Languages and Tools out there.
   I know Professional OS9 comes with C which is a good deal, and 2 out
   of the 3 personal machines come with Basic but after that it seems
   that programming support is a little less than spectacular.
        For instance, a good Pascal and/or Basic compilor would be nice
   for those who don't know C<the only language that get's the good
   support for obvious reasons>. I know C is probably the best way to go,
   but it shouldn't be the only way. FHL had the right idea when they
   mentioned their Basix for Gwindows in a posting a good while back<year
   or so?>. Only problem is, I haven't heard anything 'bout it since :-(
   . Hopefully it's still in the works. Also, it would be nice if BGFX or
   some future equivelent were released with Kwindows instead of sold
   seperately. I imagine there's a good loss in there starting out, but
   if it helps promote more programming from the communities Basic
   programmers, it may be worth the gamble for a long term gain. It is a
   setback I think for Basic programmers who have to require that users
   buy a graphics subroutine program in order to run graphic based
   programs. I think the more languages supported, the better we'll do
   application wise, and I think those should be emphasised much more
   than Apps at this point since the majority of OSK users are
   programmers who would love to write those apps, if only they have good
   tools.

        So to make a long story short...<Big Grin>, I agree :-)

        >Chris<

-*-

88644 16-JUL 11:25 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88633)
     From: NIMITZ       To: CPERRAULT

Chris, I would be glad to include BGFX, AND Desktop with  every MM/1 sold.

How many of you would be willing to pay $35 to 50 extra to get them??   There
is not nearly as much margin in an MM/1 system as it would take for me to eat
that expense, although the package is already great and getting better with
some donations that are
coming up......

            David

-*-

88646 16-JUL 11:39 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88644)
     From: BOISY        To: NIMITZ

Yes, Desktop and BGFX would be nice additions to a new MM/1 system.

And with the extra software being worked on, I'm sure it will be well
worth the extra $35 to $50.

-*-

88649 16-JUL 12:01 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88646)
     From: NIMITZ       To: BOISY

I certainly think they well be.  The question is, will buyers think so.  Oh
well, I'm working on it!


           David

-*-

88660 16-JUL 15:47 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88633)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

 > >>...and I hope for the day that maybe we'll see OSK provided as
 > a users system.
 >
 > It is already. Heck you have one of them you lucky Devil ;-)
 > Seriously, when you say that I assume you mean available in as
 > great a supply as PC's and Macs, with the same amount of support? I

Yes, we *DO* have it as a user system, but I meant as something for the
*GENERAL* user.  As I said later, I just couldn't take the responsibility
of having a practically computer illiterate person invest in the system.

I have two cocos, and set one up for my brother.  No HD, but 1 360K and
1 720K 3.5.  To be honest, about the only thing he knows about computers
is the word "RAM" <G>.

I have attempted to set him up with some stuff, all he needs, if he
needs anything at all.  But he can't or won't get in there and dig for the
info.  He is a "user" in the strictest sense.  All he can talk about is
being able to get a PC - something "you can get software for".  Now fact is,
when/if he gets one, he will have no more power in what he does than now,
and he'll probably be in the same boat as he's in now, but at least I won't
be setting him up with something "that you can't use".

I think this would happen in most cases.  As I mentioned before, most people
think the only computer there is is a PC.  If you get someone to get an
OS9/OSK machine, when they go to encountering problems, and they will
regardless of what system they get, then you've given them a bum steer.
If these same people have a problem with OSK, then you've messed them up,
and in their mind, wouldn't have this problem with a PC, whereas if this
same problem should occur with a PC, then it's just something that happens.

 > >> Yes, that was one problem I was beginning to run into - all
 > the hacks and stuff<<
 >
 > Unfortunately that has been the biggest problem haunting us level
 > II users for years.

 > Achieving such a goal would help bring back the usability of the
 > Coco for those who use them and program them. As it is now, almost
 > nobody wants to write programs for it, seeing as it might not run on
 > all the 50 other configurations of it :-(

 > >>...I would be a little reluctant in taking the responsibility
 > of making the recommendation<<

 > I agree, that is the hardest thing. You have a LOT of SOMEONE
 > ELSES money that may technically be in YOUR hands, so it is a good
 > deal of responsibility that you have. I still feel OSK is a great

My point exactly.  Maybe I'm just chicken, but in most cases, you get
lots less flak if you let them make their own "mistakes".

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88661 16-JUL 15:48 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88644)
     From: DBREEDING    To: NIMITZ

 > Chris, I would be glad to include BGFX, AND Desktop with  every MM/1
 > sold.
 > How many of you would be willing to pay $35 to 50 extra to get them??

I don't know just how such packaging really should be handled, but I think
what is needed is some sort of standardization.  I'm not all that familiar
with BGFX, think it's the equivalent of GFX2 on the CoCo?

Anyway, it does add a little complication if a programmer wants to include
routines for a run-time module, but must contend with the fact that there
may be users who do not have this module.  I can see where a potential
customer for software might be hesistant if he is faced with the necessity
of having to purchase an additional program to run it.

As for Desktop, you may already be doing this, but it seems that it should at
least be offered as an option installed at time of purchase.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88672 16-JUL 23:55 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88525)
     From: CBJ          To: DBREEDING

David,
     I agree with most of what you wrote except the part about having to to
juggle interrupts, etc.  The CoCo and the MM1 approach this from a different
aspect because of the hardware they use.  PC builders and "accessory"
manufacturers could  have avoided the "interrupt" problem by building the
internal modems with a set interrupt but that woul require them to build several

different modems.  This is due to the way the CPU works and is not determined
by the OS.  It is strictly a hardware requirement.  It is much better the way
that they are set up now.    Actually there are OSK systems that require the
setting of interrupts for the COMM ports.  Again this is a hardware
requirement.
Carl

-*-

88677 17-JUL 14:50 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88672)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CBJ (NR)

 > I agree with most of what you wrote except the part about having to
 > to juggle interrupts, etc.  The CoCo and the MM1 approach this from a
 > different aspect because of the hardware they use.

I have never actually dealt with a PC personally, so only have what I've
heard and seen to go on.

The point I was really trying to make is that so many people seem to think
that OS9 is so user-unfriendly whereas PC's are almost automatic.  In
actuality, the biggest problem for us is 1) most of us have to order our
systems and many have to be set up yourself, and 2) Automatic "install"
programs are a little hard to do, since there are so many variables in
system setup, and OS9 is by nature, a terminal-oriented environment.
                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88680 17-JUL 14:53 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88562)
     From: 01GEN40      To: ALL


What is going on here?  To me, OS-9 is OS-9!  The way you guys are
talking, out here, makes me feel as low as a DOS user.  Unfortunately,
I have to use DOS at work.  I do not think I am too far off base here
when I say that if it were not for OS-9 (and I mean OS-9), there would
be no OS-9 (and I mean OS-9 68000)!
If it were not for UNIX there would be no OS-9!  Let us not start to
alienate out here, if I have a question about OS-9, I would like to
be able to come here to get an answer.  I am talking OS-9 for my
CoCo III here, I do not have a 68XXX machine and do not see getting
one in the future.  As a matter of fact, I would like to get a 486
and try my hand at OS-9000.  Read the next line carefully.  See ya.
LONG LIVE OS-9! <FOREVER> * In whatever form it is in!

-= 01GEN40 =-

-*-

88703 18-JUL 21:12 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88680)
     From: DBREEDING    To: 01GEN40 (NR)

 > What is going on here?  To me, OS-9 is OS-9!  The way you guys are
 > talking, out here, makes me feel as low as a DOS user.

 > If it were not for UNIX there would be no OS-9!  Let us not start to
 > alienate out here, if I have a question about OS-9, I would like to
 > be able to come here to get an answer.  I am talking OS-9 for my
 > CoCo III here, I do not have a 68XXX machine and do not see getting
 > one in the future.

I don't think anyone is trying to bash either system.  I think everyone
has put forth some pretty valid points.  I have gone on to OSK, but
am still using my CoCo and still respect it, and to be honest, there are
a few sections where the OSK systems have not yet caught up with the CoCo
in software development.

I do suspect that I will continue to gravitate toward OSK, but the CoCo
will always be near and dear to me.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88715 19-JUL 23:49 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88680)
     From: WA2EGP       To: 01GEN40 (NR)

I think what they are trying to express is that there are some limitations in
the way OS-9 is implimented on the CoCo which is not present in the OSK
machines.  System RAM can get filled faster, there is a 64K boundary problem
that has "overcome" in only a few software packages, speed on the CoCo is
lower......that sort of thing.  Yes, you can do more fster on an OSK machine,
but I don't thing you should throw your CoCo under a steamroller just yet
(big grin).  BTW, I have an old QT (Helix UniQuad) on the desk here and the
CoCo seems a little bit easier to use than that....even my hard drive is
faster on the CoCo (grin).  I say, IF it works......use it!

-*-

88716 19-JUL 23:57 General Information
     RE: Chico fest (Re: Msg 87973)
     From: WA2EGP       To: MRUPGRADE

IF you want to see the relative amount of software for OSK, pick up the phone
and call Microware and ask for their sourcebook.  It may be a few years old but
look through the software section and count just the OSK stuff vs. the 6809
stuff.  Surprised the heck outta me!  PS. The book is free.

-*-

88720 20-JUL 18:41 General Information
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88680)
     From: JWILKERSON   To: 01GEN40 (NR)

   Well it seems a lot of the K'ers have forgotten their roots and are now
dogging us cocoists mercilessly..... That's all right..... I'll just
ignore them in all ways.....

          -- John

-*-

88728 20-JUL 21:13 General Information
     RE: Chico fest (Re: Msg 88716)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: WA2EGP (NR)

  > Pick up theh phonne and
  > ask Microware for their software sourcebook
  Will all that osftware run on an MM/1 ??  WoW!  That's gotta be quite a bit.
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88515 10-JUL 14:32 General Information
     Cryptic?
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: CBJ

  You covered a wide area.  And I'd liek to re-comment (if that's
a word) on what I mean by cryptic code.  i.e. cryptic code =
understood, only by those within an insider framework.  Or not
intelligable to the public.
  May we step back a bit, and remember in the beginning most all
software was written in a manner so that: you had to be somewhat
computer fluent, or being a programmer helped in understanding how
to use it.  Unknowingly programmers were writting programs using
terms that only that only programmers could understand.
   This is fine for hackers.  But does not add up to
user-friendlyness.  And yes, I've seen this trend for needing to
know DOS and computer language functions, as part of getting a
program up and running.
  As example: I bought MV Canvas.  But not knowing OS-9 I could
not get it up and running on my computer.  A learned friend in OS,
had to make several tries.   Further there author said he could
not gice a step by step proceedure to do so?  Due to possible
differences in systems.  When I didn't buy the upgrade, whose loss
was that?
  PROGRAMMERS HEAR THIS: If your software is easier to understand
and use more people will buy it!
  My complaint is; and I believe it a valid one; TOO MUCH OS
SOFTWARE is written in this manner.  And more importantly IT IS
NOT NECCESSARY.
  On the plus side (5 years back) I had Van der Poels OS-mailer.
And was amazed that I could simply follow a half page of
instructions of what to type,, and WALLA!  His mailer was up and
running in OS-9, "without a need for me to be a hacker".
  More recently I've been impressed with Chris Dekker's OS-9
software.  With a few lines of which disk to insert, followed by
"an INSTALL program", that does the (hacker) work for you.  Yet
all the modules, and subdirectories, etc. are there for you folks
that like to tinker.

  You mentioned Home-Pac, from the beginning there was a special
effort to replace computer terms with common english language.
Where it's very easy for many of us to say: Input Data, it's
understandable to more, to say: Add new checks.  Etc.  Why must
you have Home-Pac?  You don't!   Many; perhaps most; "home
computer users", could easily grow old and quite happily in the
process, while never having a computer in the house.  But, many of
us enjoy the learning (yes, and tinkering) with them so we have a
computer. And if you have one,, it may as well be "useful as
well".  Many (grin) CoCo users overlook that point.  Keeping your
check balance?  Most of us can do that.  But finding the check
that Bill Co. said they didn't get,,, last month?  Last year?
When did you buy that car battery, that just went dead?  It's lot
faster then sorting though a book or so of hen scratches.  And tax
time... need I say more?   I'll cut the <g> ad short here.  But
you get the point.
  Back to the original point,,, I am asking programmers to be less
cryptic, with their computer terms in software.   Make them easy
to install; without OS knowledge.  And there will be more people
like myself, that will start using (and buying) OS-9.
   Or is that wrong?
       for what it's worth,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88516 10-JUL 15:49 General Information
     gen
     From: ROBERT84     To: ALL

at I was hoping to hook up to
a amber computer monitor. The monitor has one cable connection for audio
and one for video, is it possible to hook up me coco 2 to it. Thanks for the
help.

Bob

-*-

88530 11-JUL 01:25 General Information
     RE: gen (Re: Msg 88516)
     From: MITHELEN     To: ROBERT84

Not without extra hardware... But, there were 3rd party monochrome
monitor adaptors available at one time for the CoCo 2 at a pretty
reasonable  cost (under 30$), and I believe there was even directions
in a Rainbow issue that explained how to build your own (pretty simple
circuit) Perhaps Marty Goodman, or Tony Distafano can help you out.

I have one on my old CoCo2, but haven't used it in ages... It really is
a nice improvement over the TV output. Sorry, but I'm not willing
to part with it. Has sentimental value to me (my first computer, built
from a parts kit)
--
Paul

-*-

88533 11-JUL 02:45 General Information
     RE: gen (Re: Msg 88516)
     From: COCOKIWI     To: ROBERT84

in the old days one hung another MC1732 <the same chip in the RF box>..and
with a couple of Transistors ...one would have a Video Driver!
The CoCo-3 has one built in,along with the R.G.B driver also!
MartyGoodman also sold a transistor board that would do that too,his was
MONO,mine was color! the Video output<what goes into the RF box> is inverted
and needs to be changed back to normal,a transistor or two will do that and
boost it a little to get proper levels! OK!
Dennis

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88518 10-JUL 16:12 General Information
     help
     From: ROBERT84     To: ALL

I got one more question, I have 1 coco 3 512k hooked up to 2 disk drives and
a 30 meg hard drive with a tandy (old) multi-pak. Is it possible, and if so
how could I hook up a second coco3 and monitor to the 30 meg hard drive. So
that I could use it as a remote terminal type thing. Thanks again for all the
help.

Bob

-*-

88586 13-JUL 19:56 General Information
     RE: help (Re: Msg 88518)
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: ROBERT84

if you want to use a second coco as a terminal, you need a serial port
on the main coco (like a deluxe rs232 pak, or like me a COMM-4) and then
on the second coco run a terminal program (like ultimaterm or supercomm)
to access the main coco. I do this alot since i have two coco's both have
hard disks, but the second one is connected to my main one VIA /T5 and that
second coco has 2 rs232 paks (in case i hook a modem to it)

to physically share the hard disks, there is only one option. buy KEN-TON's
SCSI adaptors (2 of them) one will be modified (i think) then you need to
hook the hard disks to SCSI if there not already. then both coco's can
physically share the hard disks. I was planning to do this (it would cost
about $90 for me) but i just saw it as impractical since I don't need to
access the main hard disks much from the second coco

Mike

-*-

88674 17-JUL 14:25 General Information
     RE: help (Re: Msg 88586)
     From: 01GEN40      To: ROBERT84 (NR)

Hi Robert,

MIKE_GUZZI missed mentioning 1 very important point when it comes to
using 2 rs232 paks at the same time.  That point is that all the paks
are addressed the same so you will have to re-address one pakfor this
to work.  I think I still have a text file that explains, in good detail,
how to do this modification.  This modification also requires that
the descriptor you use must have the new address in it as well.

I had my CoCos set up so that I could go online here on Delphi and down-
load a huge file and still be able to do other things as well on the
CoCo used as aterminal.

I also did not use TSMON or LOGIN to use my terminal.  All I did was
to start a new SHELL and redirect it to the /T discriptor for my
modified rs232 pak.  I think that the text file I mentioned earlier
might be here on Delphi, I am not sure.  I did this about 2 years ago
and do not remember where I found the file.  If it is not here, and if
I do still have it, I can E-Mail it to you if you so request.
See Ya. LONG LIVE OS-9! <FOREVER> * In whatever form it is in!

-= 01GEN40 =-

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88519 10-JUL 16:49 General Information
     Need an OS LV II
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: ALL

  This has been asked before but,, I've just sold my last OS-9 Level II
 w/manual etc.  And would like to have more one hand.
  Deos anyone have one (or more) for sale?

  NOTE: to sysops,, there are several listings in Clas/ For Sale,, which can
 no longer recieve mail?  (presumable no longer on Delphi)

  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88520 10-JUL 17:07 General Information
     RE: Need an OS LV II (Re: Msg 88519)
     From: BOISY        To: MRUPGRADE

Does this mean that you're going to get into OS-9 Terry? <g>

-*-

88522 10-JUL 18:41 General Information
     RE: Need an OS LV II (Re: Msg 88520)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: BOISY

   Well, it really means I'm helping others get into OS-9.    i like
 to have a LEV II on hand,, when one of our members wants one.
  as for myself,,, Like I said,, Chris Dekkers software is engourageing to
 me,, as soon as Ben can config me a OSTERM,, I'm gonna give that a try.
  You might say,, I'm gettin my feet (er at least toes) wet.
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88526 10-JUL 19:42 General Information
     RE: nitro/lha (Re: Msg 88452)
     From: DSRTFOX      To: DBREEDING

Well David, the NEW LHA seems to work on everything! Others who d\l'd the .ar
version didn't appear to have a problem... for some odd reason I did! Might
have been the fact that I d/l'd to DECB then transferred to OS-9 via the
RSDOS command. At any rate, everything is fine now!
Thanks for the help.

-*-

88531 11-JUL 01:31 General Information
     RE: nitro/lha (Re: Msg 88526)
     From: MITHELEN     To: DSRTFOX

Ya.. come to think about it, doesn't that rsdos to os9 transfer/converter
program have problems if the file is over a certain size... I know ther was
a patch to make it handle larger files, but I don't know if it removed the
size limit entirely...
--
Paul

-*-

88580 13-JUL 00:08 General Information
     RE: nitro/lha (Re: Msg 88526)
     From: DBREEDING    To: DSRTFOX

 > Well David, the NEW LHA seems to work on everything! Others who d\l'd the
 > .ar version didn't appear to have a problem... for some odd reason I did!

Glad to hear you got it fixed.  Forget which version I dl'ed, but it works
great.  It seems to work really smooth.

 > Thanks for the help.

Whatever I did, glad to be of help.


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88527 10-JUL 21:10 General Information
     Hello
     From: REVWCP       To: ALL

Dear Friends:
Hello from Long Island.  I am on-line from CHARLESAM's with REVKAK standing
behind me.  OFNOHOC comes to LI.  I will be back to normal, (as much as
the case may be) friday.  Having a wonderful time, wish you were here.
With all best wishes,
Brother Jeremy, CSJW
OS9 User Group Treasurer

-*-

88537 11-JUL 15:48 General Information
     DCHECK
     From: MROWEN01     To: ALL


     I have just spend about four days trying to reconstruct my hard disk. I
don't know if I just had corrupt files or what. I restored from backups made
with stream. The system would flake out once in awhile and I would get 244
and 245 errors. When I try to use dcheck on /h0 it reports some files and then
stops with an error 211. Is dcheck reliable? I ran scand to check the disk and
it was OK. This is after running format, B&B ccheck, and zapping a few entries
in the directory. I can run dcheck multiple times and it will report different
files each time. Is there a utility out there that can sanity check my file
system better than dcheck? All low level utils say the physical disk is good,
but I still run into an occasional 245 when restoring with stream. Thanks!

-Mike

-*-

88588 13-JUL 20:43 General Information
     RE: DCHECK (Re: Msg 88537)
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: MROWEN01

first run dcheck with using another device for its temp files such as /r0
the command like goes like this

 dcheck -w=/r0 /h0

 that will help, the #245 is a write error, you might have some flakey sectors
on the hard disk, B&B utility CCHECK will remove these after formatting (but
can be used while files occupy the disk) These utilities are with the
file system repack package ( a must have!) once ccheck identifies the bad
areas you can tell ccehck to list the files occuping the bad areas, zap them
off and then restore them from backup. that should prevent barfing from
dcheck and furthur damage.

BTW: CCheck and most of his utils are useless if you clustered your hard disk!


-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88539 11-JUL 22:08 OSK Applications
     Weeks absence
     From: NIMITZ       To: ALL

I'll be away from Delph for 1 to 2 weeks in order to swap I/O boards back
from a developer who needed to check quality of sound support.

Ray Patterson will be working on getting something done about CD file managers
for OSK, with CD-I support.  Sales are up, much is looking uup.  Thanks all.

-*-

88565 12-JUL 22:39 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88539)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: NIMITZ

Dave!

 > Ray Patterson will be working on getting something done about CD file
 > managers for OSK, with CD-I support.  Sales are up, much is looking uup.
 > Thanks all.

  If you need some testing done (beta,gamma,delta, or otherwise) MY hand is
UP!!!!!! I've been waitng for a CD file manager!!! (Could it be ported to
other OSK systems as well???)

                                               Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88584 13-JUL 19:31 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88565)
     From: NIMITZ       To: HAWKSOFT

Chris we are looking at a complete file manager, so so long as drivers were
written for the other machines, it should be no problem.
  BTW - A friend loaned me a Tandy 1110 HD notebook machine.  I'm tempted to
see if Mike Smith might want to do a MM/1 compatible notebook????

         David

-*-

88593 13-JUL 22:24 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88584)
     From: RANDYKWILSON To: NIMITZ

David,
  Many (many many) moons ago I talked to PKW about this, and now I'm gonna
tell you the same thing. I'd kill for a OSK laptop/notebook!

   Randy

-*-

88603 14-JUL 06:43 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88593)
     From: JEJONES      To: RANDYKWILSON

 > Many (many many) moons ago I talked to PKW about this, and now I'm gonna
 > tell you the same thing. I'd kill for a OSK laptop/notebook!

I wouldn't kill, but I'd subject somebody to a Village People greatest hits
CD in repeat mode. :-)

Seriously, I'd buy one.

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88627 15-JUL 20:50 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88584)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: NIMITZ

Hi David!
 > Chris we are looking at a complete file manager, so so long as drivers
 > were written for the other machines, it should be no problem.

  Great!

  If I can provide any help or testing, let me know! I have a CDRom drive
on my MM/1 and can play Audio CDs AND read CD-I disks!! It took a LOT of
reading and poking around, but, the NEC CDRoms DO have the capability to
read CD-I.

  Oh, it can read messydos CDs too.


                                            Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88637 16-JUL 01:14 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88627)
     From: LARRYOLSON   To: HAWKSOFT

>
 >   If I can provide any help or testing, let me know! I have a CDRom drive
 > on my MM/1 and can play Audio CDs AND read CD-I disks!! It took a LOT of
 > reading and poking around, but, the NEC CDRoms DO have the capability to
 > read CD-I.

  Chris,
     While I'm thinking of it, what is the model number of the NEC CDrom
  that you have ?
     Where did you pick up your drive ?

  Larry


----- Larry Olson -----

-*-

88639 16-JUL 03:34 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88637)
     From: MITHELEN     To: LARRYOLSON

I use a  NEC cdr-25bg on my system, I think the drive Chris has is basically
the same drive (although, it looks a little different) It is a single
speed, pop top model. You can find them at Computer Flea markets really cheep
since they are old technology (I think they are even discontinued now)
The latest price I've heard on them, is 69$.... Not a bad deal at all.
--
Paul

-*-

88650 16-JUL 12:05 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88593)
     From: NIMITZ       To: RANDYKWILSON

But would you pay $2500 for it??  ;)

Seriously, I am considering this.   But first I need to find a board stuffing
house for the MM/1 I/O boards.   Maybe I'll talk to Mike Smith about a
laptop......

           David

-*-

88671 16-JUL 23:17 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88584)
     From: WA2EGP       To: NIMITZ

Don't tease me that way!!!

-*-

88682 17-JUL 17:20 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88637)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: LARRYOLSON

Larry:

   I have an NEC cdr25. I got it from Mark Griffith (Dirt Cheap Computer
Stuff) at the Atlanta 'fest last year. It is a single speed external
model. You should be able to pick one (or a similar model) up for $100
or less. You would also need the driver/descriptor. (Available from
Dirt Cheap).

                                      Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88683 17-JUL 17:21 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88639)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: MITHELEN

 > I use a  NEC cdr-25bg on my system, I think the drive Chris has is
 > basically the same drive (although, it looks a little different) It is a
 > single speed, pop top model. You can find them at Computer Flea markets
 > really cheep since they are old technology (I think they are even
 > discontinued now) The latest price I've heard on them, is 69$.... Not a
 > bad deal at all. --
 > Paul

   Yup! BTW When are YOU going to purchase VCDP! The graphics Virtual CD
Player??    <g>

                                Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88687 17-JUL 23:56 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88683)
     From: MITHELEN     To: HAWKSOFT

As soon as you put the universal symbols on the buttons, so it looks as slick
as "workman" under OpenWindows
<G>
--
Paul

-*-

88688 18-JUL 00:01 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88650)
     From: RANDYKWILSON To: NIMITZ

David,

  The machine that I would want (I do have a specific app in mind; one that
I'm currently using a ms-dos laptop for and hating it) would not be cheap.
And  realize that the market would be fairly small, so there would be no
volume to amortize development costs. So... $2500 for my machine, yes.
$2500 for a machine with lots of glitz and no FPU, no.

  To answer your next question....

  Strong CPU with a FPU
  768x480 mono
  small (by todays standards) hard drive, say 120 meg.
  Three serial (at least one capable of 57600)
  One parallel
  Expensive color LCD's not needed or wanted
  Built in pointer devices not needed (besides, I've yet to find one that
    is usable left handed)


   Randy

-*-

88689 18-JUL 00:02 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88687)
     From: MITHELEN     To: HAWKSOFT

Oh, and, them Nec CDR25's are down to $59 at computer surplus flea markets.

-*-

88694 18-JUL 01:33 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88682)
     From: LARRYOLSON   To: HAWKSOFT


 >    I have an NEC cdr25. I got it from Mark Griffith (Dirt Cheap Computer
 > Stuff) at the Atlanta 'fest last year. It is a single speed external
 > model. You should be able to pick one (or a similar model) up for $100
 > or less. You would also need the driver/descriptor. (Available from
 > Dirt Cheap).

   Chris,
     I finally got in touch with Mark, but he said that he didn't sell the
   drives anymore, so I just need some model numbers to be looking for as
   I scan Computer shopper or maybe I should look in some Mac magazines.

   Thanks,
    larry


----- Larry Olson -----

-*-

88731 20-JUL 21:35 OSK Applications
     RE: Weeks absence (Re: Msg 88694)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: LARRYOLSON

Hi Larry!
 > I finally got in touch with Mark, but he said that he didn't sell the
 > drives anymore, so I just need some model numbers to be looking for as
 > I scan Computer shopper or maybe I should look in some Mac magazines.

   Stick with Computer Shopper and Ham 'fests/Flea Markets. Mac stuff is
always over priced (the same stuff, no less). As a wise man once said:
"Macs are for people with more money than brains."

   So long as the drive is SCSI it should work.

                                              Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88540 11-JUL 22:15 General Information
     OSTERM Yeah!
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: BOISY

  Well, Boisy looks like I finally made it on on (beleive it or not) with
 OSTERM !!!
  Seems OS wants the Disk I/O in slot four.  picky picky

  BTW,, I tried IN%listserv@pucc.princeton.edu"    but there's something
 there IN doesn't like?   Any one got any ideas??
  Til then,, Terry g

-*-

88544 11-JUL 23:59 General Information
     RE: OSTERM Yeah! (Re: Msg 88540)
     From: JOHNBAER     To: MRUPGRADE


  Hello Terry..

> BTW,, I tried IN%listserv@pucc.princeton.edu"    but there's something
> there IN doesn't like?   Any one got any ideas??

  I won't go into the details here but, FROM Delphi, send it like this:

    IN%"@pucc.princeton.edu:listserv@pucc.bitnet"

  Type it just the way it is here.  Delphi in NOT on bitnet, but the
pucc.princeton.edu address IS a gateway to bitnet.  I went nuts for
a week until I found that this way works <G>.

  Have fun...

--
   John -

   < Posted with Ved 2.3.1  &  IX 1.2.0 >


-*-

88549 12-JUL 18:43 General Information
     RE: OSTERM Yeah! (Re: Msg 88540)
     From: ISC          To: MRUPGRADE

Terry,

You missed the open quote (") in the Internet mail address.  It should be:
IN%"listserv@pucc.princeton.edu".

Bill

-*-

88550 12-JUL 21:16 General Information
     RE: OSTERM Yeah! (Re: Msg 88540)
     From: JEJONES      To: MRUPGRADE

 > BTW,, I tried IN%listserv@pucc.princeton.edu"    but there's something
 > there IN doesn't like?   Any one got any ideas??

Yup.  Balance your quotation marks.  I've always spelled out "internet,"
so I'm not sure exactly how the short form should read, but you could give

    internet"listserv@pucc.princeton.edu"

a try.

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88568 12-JUL 23:09 General Information
     RE: OSTERM Yeah! (Re: Msg 88549)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: ISC

  It seemed to work,,, we'll see.  Thanx,,
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88541 11-JUL 22:32 Programmers Den
     RE: Renaming a file in C (Re: Msg 88427)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: ILLUSIONIST (NR)

        Neat. That comes in handy for a person like me who puts his
   bigger apps executables in a directory below /dd/cmds such as
   /dd/cmds/profile or something like that. If the app needed one of the
   OS-9 Commands, it could just reference it's own directory for it, even
   if it's not there.
        >>I can have only one copy  of say, EDIT on the disk, but it can
   be accessed from any of the other directories...<<

        Fortunately that is. I would hate to give to much disk space to
   'Edit' <grin>

        See Ya
        >Chris<

-*-

88542 11-JUL 22:32 Programmers Den
     RE: Latest in Basic problems (Re: Msg 88439)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: ILLUSIONIST (NR)

        >>PS. I think that is even gonna dump, because Basic shouldn't
   have eto be forced to adding the eos marker..<<

        Your right. I took that piece of code out since it was no use. It
   made for an interesting experience anyway.

        See Ya
        >Chris<

-*-

88557 12-JUL 21:47 Programmers Den
     RE: Latest in Basic problems (Re: Msg 88486)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: PAGAN

        >>I recall you passed a raw directory entry to the routine which
   is terminated with high bit set so Basic09, looking for a $ff, was
   unable to find the end of it.<<

        Sort of a moot point now(well not really), but if I reset the
   high bit back to normal(and it is no longer Raw), is Basic09
   automatically able to find the $ff?

        I hope you all are looking forward to my next message full of
   complaints and questions about my program<after a little progress, it
   screws up on me again<G>, since there is a lot of them soon to come ;-
   )

        See Ya
        >Chris "Maybe Basic09 isn't that easy after all?" Perrault<

-*-

88583 13-JUL 00:11 Programmers Den
     RE: Latest in Basic problems (Re: Msg 88557)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

 > Sort of a moot point now(well not really), but if I reset the
 > high bit back to normal(and it is no longer Raw), is Basic09
 > automatically able to find the $ff?

Seems like I saw a post that you had the directory entry solved, but
maybe you're still having problems?  If so, here's a sample of code
that should work, typing off the top of my head here, but...

  (* you might want the directory entry to a var, call it dn
  DIM dn:string[31]
  DIM ch:BYTE
  DIM pt:INTEGER

  pt = ADDR(dn)
  WHILE (LAND(PEEK(pt),$80) = 0 ) DO
    pt=pt+1
  ENDWHILE
  POKE pt, LAND(PEEK(pt),$7f)
  POKE pt+1,$FF

This should get the directory entry into basic format.

You may have had the problem already solved, but this might give you
an alternative method.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88602 14-JUL 00:10 Programmers Den
     RE: Latest in Basic problems (Re: Msg 88583)
     From: WDTV5        To: CPERRAULT

One other reply in this thread triggered another gotcha possibility on
getting the directory entry into memory. That is (& we already covered it
earlier I think) that each directory entry is 32 bytes long. Because of
this I always define 2 vars and read them both in the loop so that the
reads are in fact in step with this 32 byte size. The name is of course
the first 29 or less bytes with the remainder being whatever was there
before *unless* you make a habit of running my gsort on the directory
quite often. Gsort cleans up the garbage between the end of the name and
the last 3 bytes of that 32 byte assignment for each slot. Thats incidental
though. What counts is the reading from the disk the full 32 bytes for
each slot of the directory file. And of course I always do a seek #path,64
just to skip the first two entries which are the infamous . and .. entries.
There have been a multitude of answers to this problem presented and at
least 4 or 5 of them will work. If its not working yet, let us see the
code you are using, that "paragraph" so to speak, along with the
declarations of the vars used.  Its not that heavy duty a problem, really!
The gotcha I was refering to was one fellows defined string of 31 bytes.
Thats one byte short, thereby getting you out of time/step for reading
the NEXT entry. I define mine as string(32) and byte(3). Not that
exact syntax of course, but the mail I sent should have shown the exact
syntax. That code works and has for several years now.
Cheers from WV, Gene

-*-

88635 15-JUL 23:05 Programmers Den
     RE: Latest in Basic problems (Re: Msg 88583)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: DBREEDING

        >>...But maybe you're still having problems?<<

        Nope, at least not anymore with that section of the program, but
   I'm gonna take down your example anyway. It's the first time I've seen
   such code done using PEEK and POKE statements, which I haven't worked
   with before with OS-9<nor DECB for that matter>.
        >Chris<

-*-

88664 16-JUL 15:51 Programmers Den
     RE: Latest in Basic problems (Re: Msg 88635)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

 > I'm gonna take down your example anyway. It's the first time I've seen
 > such code done using PEEK and POKE statements, which I haven't worked
 > with before with OS-9<nor DECB for that matter>.

That example was just a quickie thing I wrote off the top of my head.  You
might have to embellish on it a little to do what you want it to do.  Someone
pointed out that my example was dim'd wrong.  It was not for disk read, and
actually, I had forgotten, was thinking that the filename size was 30 bytes
instead of 29.  This example was for an alternate variable space, and I would
add an extra byte for the terminator, in this case.  If I remember correctly,
Basic allows you to store up to the string size, that is, if you dim
xx:string[29] then you can have a string of 29 bytes, and don't use the $FF
terminator.  To add an extra byte takes up more space, but you don't have
to worry about this case when parsing the filename.

Of course as he pointed out, my example would not work for a directory read.
                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88547 12-JUL 03:26 General Information
     RE: RFI (Re: Msg 88460)
     From: MMCCLELLAND  To: MARTYGOODMAN

Marty-

   Thanks for the info! I'll try some of your suggestions when I open my CoCo
up to install the 6309.

   A few days ago, I tried to install a Teac 3.5 inch, 1.44 Meg floppy that
had been accidentally connected to 12 volts. When I tried to read a disk, I
got both read and write errors. I proceeded to dismantle the drive, and
noticed a burnt IC (a Teac(?) 3479). It appears to be a stepper motor
controller. During a format, I noticed that the heads stepped erratically, as
if the motor was receiving pulses that were too short or out of order.
The rest of the drive appears to function properly. Any suggestions on how it
might be repaired? Is it worth the effort?
Thanks again for all of the help!

-=Mark=-


-*-

88589 13-JUL 20:44 General Information
     RE: RFI (Re: Msg 88547)
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: MMCCLELLAND

forget it! its probably a custum chip and floppy drives are cheap enough
nowadays to just toss them when they go bad


-*-

88628 15-JUL 21:07 General Information
     RE: RFI (Re: Msg 88465)
     From: MARTYGOODMAN To: RICKULAND

I'm interested to hear that... I would not have expected
a simple sheet of aluminum... even if grounded... to have
had that much effect.   Curious!
  ---marty

-*-

88630 15-JUL 21:11 General Information
     RE: RFI (Re: Msg 88547)
     From: MARTYGOODMAN To: MMCCLELLAND

I know of no source for the chips in question.   Anyway, I don't
consider floppy drives to be WORTH repairing.  One pickes up used
3.5 in drives at flea markets for $5 to $20 each in my area, and
a replacement chip could take hours to locate, and cost $5 or more.
Just not worth the trouble.    Anyway, if the thing was given
improper voltages, it's probably damaged in ways other than
that one chip, and is not worth repairing on those grounds.

   ---marty

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88548 12-JUL 03:40 Games & Graphics
     RE: shanghai (Re: Msg 88318)
     From: EARTHER      To: DENNYWRIGHT

     RE: error #201 in Shanghai OS-9.

     I suspect that you don't have enough window devices available for
Shanghai OS-9 to run properly?  Three type-8 windows (40 x 24) are
required for the game to work.  Each window will use up 32K of RAM so
be sure you have enough RAM available before starting the game.

     Let me know what happens.

Shawn Driscoll
Multi-Vue Borg

-*-

88551 12-JUL 21:29 Telecom (6809)
     Hey somebody help me
     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: ALL

Hello everybody. I'm having a little trouble getting my 14.4k modem to work
under OS9. It just locks up when I get stuff. When I use Ultimaterm it works
just fine, but when I try to use it at all under OS9 I can't. Does anybody have
any help?


-*-

88555 12-JUL 21:40 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Hey somebody help me (Re: Msg 88551)
     From: MITHELEN     To: SAUSAGESAM

sounds like an IRQ lock... Do you have SACia, and the Edition  #9 clock
modules installed?
Also, what RS-232 port you using... you will need one that has RTS/CTS lines
fully supported.
--
Paul

-*-

88563 12-JUL 22:21 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Hey somebody help me (Re: Msg 88555)
     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: MITHELEN

I'm using slot #1... I don't know about Sacia and the clock modules....

Hey is there any way to check how much time you've used in a month on here?

-*-

88571 12-JUL 23:31 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Hey somebody help me (Re: Msg 88563)
     From: MITHELEN     To: SAUSAGESAM

Ok.. look in the System Modules database for SAcia, and Clock Edition #9,
they replace the standard ACIAPAK, and clock modules, and _should_ solve
your lockup problem... Also, make sure you don't set your comm program faster
than 9600 baud, the stock coco (and even performanced modified ones) can really
handle faster then that (without more advanced RS-232 interfaces)
--
Paul

-*-

88573 12-JUL 23:37 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Hey somebody help me (Re: Msg 88571)
     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: MITHELEN

So I can't go at 19,200 under OS9?????? That's sad.. I'm doing it now in DECB
but I can't stand DECB...

-*-

88576 12-JUL 23:51 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Hey somebody help me (Re: Msg 88573)
     From: MITHELEN     To: SAUSAGESAM

Not with your current RS-232 pack (and, unfortanately, the RS-232 packs that
will let you handle higher speeds, arn't on the market yet) Under DECB, the
coco only has to worry about one thing, and can grab the data from the RS-232
port much easier. The additional overhead from OS-9's multitasking puts 19.2k
baud just outa reach with an unbuffered uart.
--
Paul

-*-

88676 17-JUL 14:49 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Hey somebody help me (Re: Msg 88573)
     From: JHICKLE      To: SAUSAGESAM

Even with Sacia and the clock patches, with yer terminal set at 9600,
best you can get is around 500 characters per second on a download,
though uploads go a lot faster.

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88552 12-JUL 21:31 Telecom (6809)
     Locked out of HD
     From: CHARLESAM    To: MITHELEN

Paul, I'm locked off my HD because I remerged shell and forgot to set the
attributes. Geez, how many times do I have to make this mistake before I
remember. Problem is after I use a floppy boot and load both HDisk and H0,
I forget how to get them to be recognized. I tried link and iniz and neither
seem to work. What else must I do? HELP! I promise I'll always try to remember
to set attr in the future. Thanx Charlie

-*-

88553 12-JUL 21:36 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Locked out of HD (Re: Msg 88552)
     From: MITHELEN     To: CHARLESAM

You might try adding the h0 and hdisk modules to the floppy boot. Some
hard drik drivers don't likew to be loadded after boot time...
--
Paul

-*-

88582 13-JUL 00:10 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Locked out of HD (Re: Msg 88552)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CHARLESAM

 > Paul, I'm locked off my HD because I remerged shell and forgot to set the
 > attributes.

You need to keep an emergency floppy boot disk  handy for cases like this.

make up a floppy with your necessary drivers, etc and have CMDS and grfdrv
& shell on it. A trick Disto uses is to have your /h0 on this disk named
something else (they use /hf).  Since it can't find /h0, it defaults to
reattr your shell or whatever else you need to do.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88596 13-JUL 22:33 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Locked out of HD (Re: Msg 88582)
     From: CHARLESAM    To: DBREEDING

I do have an emerg boot but because of the way it is setup, os9 loads grfdrv
from /d0 but then links shell from /h0
I have to make a boot with everything I need on /d0 including startup and
rename /h0 /hf as suggested so everything will load from /d0. Then I'll change
data directory to /hf. Bingo! Thanx Charlie

-*-

88601 13-JUL 23:51 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Locked out of HD (Re: Msg 88596)
     From: MITHELEN     To: CHARLESAM

The real "fix" is topatch your init module to look for /dd as the boot
device. Then just make a boot that has a dd descriptor that points to
your floppy drive, and you can then leave the hard drive as /h0
--
Paul

-*-

88607 14-JUL 21:01 Telecom (6809)
     RE: Locked out of HD (Re: Msg 88601)
     From: CHARLESAM    To: MITHELEN

Okay Paul, I copy that. Now all I need is TIME. Been exceptionally busy
this week. Sunday Brother Jeremy and Keith(REVKAK) were here for about
8 hours. Really nice evening with plenty of computer discussion. Wish
I could do that every week. Learn alot that way. There are alot of really
good people involved with this machine. I'm glad to be part of it, small
part that may be. Thanx again, Charlie

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88554 12-JUL 21:39 General Information
     OS TERM
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: ALL

  Does OSTERM require hh disk interf in slot 4  And th 232 pac in Slot 1 ??
 or is that jusast theh oconfig of my OS Term?  Can it be changed
   Drive interface in Slot 4 gives my (cramped) computer area a problem.
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88556 12-JUL 21:43 General Information
     RE: OS TERM (Re: Msg 88554)
     From: MITHELEN     To: MRUPGRADE

With unmodified hardware/software, that is how you must have th packs
set up, for any OS9 terminal program.
-
Paul

-*-

88570 12-JUL 23:30 General Information
     RE: OS TERM (Re: Msg 88554)
     From: KSCALES      To: MRUPGRADE

 > Does OSTERM require hh disk interf in slot 4  And th 232 pac in Slot 1 ??
 > or is that jusast theh oconfig of my OS Term?  Can it be changed
 > Drive interface in Slot 4 gives my (cramped) computer area a problem.

The standard software that controls the floppy drive (it is a module called
CC3Disk) is written to enable slot 4 as the active MultiPak slot for
addressing the floppy, and to enable slot 1 as the source for interrupts
which are used by the RS232 pak.

The reason behind this is due to limitations in the design of the MultiPak.
It wasn't designed to handle the more advanced requirements of OS-9.
(Hardly any DECB programs are sophisticated enough in their use of the
external hardware to require using interrupts -- Ultimaterm may be an
exception that does this as an option, I believe.)  As a result,
Radio Shack established a standard configuration for the
hardware to make it easier for non-techies to set up the system.  Of
course, the more demanding OS-9 users established ways to enable other
configurations.  As you test out the OS-9 waters, you may encounter
several situations like this, and should be able to get quick answers
here on how to deal with them.

For this particular configuration restriction, you may only need a one-byte
patch to the CC3Disk module to allow your reconfiguration.  (I've been
away from Level 2 for too long, and my memory is getting fuzzy -- I may
have forgotten some details.)  A more preferable approach would be to
go directly to the root cause, and make a minor hardware mod to the
MultiPak (strap all pin-8s together -- possibly skipping one slot if you
need to retain the ability to use autostart RomPak games.)  We can give
you more details if you need them.

Regards... / Ken
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ken Scales   Delphi:KSCALES   Internet:kscales@delphi.com   CIS:74646,2237
 =-=-=-=-=-= Intel: Putting the backward in backward compatible =-=-=-=-=-=

-*-

88604 14-JUL 06:43 General Information
     RE: OS TERM (Re: Msg 88554)
     From: JEJONES      To: MRUPGRADE

 > Does OSTERM require hh disk interf in slot 4  And th 232 pac in Slot 1 ??

That's not a property of OSTERM, but rather of the device drivers.
As long as the system calls work as advertised, OSTERM doesn't care.


Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88606 14-JUL 19:13 General Information
     RE: OS TERM (Re: Msg 88604)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: JEJONES

 So,,, could device drivers be easily changed, without a lot of
 other hazards?   disk in slot 2 or 3 ??
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88611 15-JUL 00:17 General Information
     RE: OS TERM (Re: Msg 88606)
     From: MDALENE      To: MRUPGRADE

> So,,, could device drivers be easily changed, without a lot of
> other hazards?   disk in slot 2 or 3 ??
>  Til then,,, Terry Simons
>
    You can change the slot assignments in the MPI if you know where the
slot select code is in cc3disk driver by simply changing that value to the
desired values. Only thing is, where is the slot select code of cc3disk?
    Some authors of os9 drivers are sympathetic to the coco-os9 user and
provide you the slot select addresses that their programs use and some even
give you a modpatch script to change them.
    Examples of such software pachages are: SACIA, Matt Thompsons SCSI 1.0
system. and I also think SCSI 4.7. Being I have a Burke and Burke system.
Chris Burke also allows you to change your slot selection while you are
creating your HD device descriptors.
                                            Michele Marie Dalene

-*-

88619 15-JUL 03:48 General Information
     RE: OS TERM (Re: Msg 88606)
     From: JEJONES      To: MRUPGRADE

 > So,,, could device drivers be easily changed, without a lot of
 > other hazards?   disk in slot 2 or 3 ??

I don't know enough about that to say--perhaps someone who knows more
about the hardware than I do will reply.

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88560 12-JUL 21:48 Applications (6809)
     Infoexpress Trouble
     From: CPERRAULT    To: ALL


        I am currently having trouble getting Infoexpress to dial. I am
   using the Level II version of IX, with Sacia and it's t2. I am pretty
   sure it's my modem and it's settings, but everything I've tried hasn't
   worked. My modem is an AMT Star 2400e. Does anyone know if there is an
   incompatibility problem with this modem?
        What is happening is, I will hit the online command, or the
   manual dial, but when it is supposed to dial, it just sends the init
   string to the modem<or some string, as I see the SD and TR lights
   flash briefly>. It doesn't dial, but just sits there momentarily and
   does nothing until it returns a MODEM ERROR string. Mark and Bill are
   both about as lost on this as I am, which tells me it has to be
   something with the Modem<the only one I have unfortunately>.

        >Chris<

-*-

88572 12-JUL 23:36 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88560)
     From: MITHELEN     To: CPERRAULT

First off, does the modem claim "Hayes Compatiblity"? Also, you probably want
set to full verbose result codes. Does the modem autop dial fine with normal
terminal programs?
--
Paul

-*-

88581 13-JUL 00:09 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88560)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

 > I am currently having trouble getting Infoexpress to dial. I am
 > using the Level II version of IX, with Sacia and it's t2. I am pretty
 > sure it's my modem and it's settings,
 > Does anyone know if there is an incompatibility problem with this modem?
 > What is happening is, I will hit the online command, or the
 > manual dial, but when it is supposed to dial, it just sends the init
 > string to the modem<or some string, as I see the SD and TR lights
 > flash briefly>. It doesn't dial, but just sits there momentarily and
 > does nothing until it returns a MODEM ERROR string. Mark and Bill are

I don't think this would affect the dialing, but do you have modem set to
send a CD at all times  (Hayes=at &c0)?  I _think_ ix looks at the returned
strings for autodial response.  Seems I tried it once, believe it _did_
dial but would not go through logon process.  Do you get anything back
on the screen?  My ix shows the ATZ, etc, that it sends.

Have you reviewed your config.ini file to be sure it is initializing
correctly?  One other idea, are you setting your baud?  Kinda obvious,
but it's something _I_ might do <G>.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88632 15-JUL 23:04 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88572)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: MITHELEN

        >>First off, does the modem claim "Hayes Compatibility"?
        Yes.

        >>Also, you probably want set to full verbose result codes.
        I have tried all atx commands, from 1-4. None have shown any
   improvement unfortunately :-(

        >>Does the modem auto diala fine with normal terminal programs?
        Yes, it operates fine in every way when I use Supercomm or any
   other Term for that matter.

        I know it is the fault of IX, it is just finding WHERE in IX that
   is killing me<Grin>.
        >Chris<

-*-

88634 15-JUL 23:05 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88581)
     From: CPERRAULT    To: DBREEDING

        >>, but do you have modem set to send a CD at alal times..<<

        Well I tried your suggestion, and no dice :-(
        Does anyone know if maybe their might be some sort of
   incompatibility between IX and any Level II patches or Sacia? Here's
   where our previous messages about Level II hacks and patches begin to
   make sense David<grin>.

        I'm gonna bet there is something either buggy with the IX I have,
   or maybe my descriptor isn't agreeing with it?

        >>One other idea, are you setting your baud?<<
        Yep
        >> Kinda obvious, but it's something _I_ might do <G>.<<
        Join the club LOL. That makes two of us who will open up to check
   the Tv set for power supply problems before realizing we didn't plug
   it in<G>

        >Chris<

-*-

88648 16-JUL 11:50 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88632)
     From: SCWEGERT     To: CPERRAULT

 > I have tried all atx commands, from 1-4. None have shown any
 > improvement unfortunately :-(

 I doubt it's IX causing your problems, but more a setting with the modem. If
it's truely Hayse compliant, then you should have no difficultiy making
it work properly.

BTW, the atx commands having nothing to do with the verbose mode of the modem,
does it? Shouldn't you be looking at the ATV parameter as well as the ATE.

 > Yes, it operates fine in every way when I use Supercomm or any
 > other Term for that matter.

So ... if you're using another terminal program, what's reported when you issue
a ATZ command? How about when you make a successful connection to another
system?

 > I know it is the fault of IX, it is just finding WHERE in IX that
 > is killing me<Grin>.

IX has 3 variables in the OSK version that deals with the modem ...ModemInit,
ModemReset, ModemHangup. I've been using the default values that came with IX
and haven't had any difficulties.

*- Steve -*


-*-

88663 16-JUL 15:50 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88634)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

 > Does anyone know if maybe their might be some sort of
 > incompatibility between IX and any Level II patches or Sacia?

I don't know of any, compatibility problems.  Here's my xmode of /t2,
maybe you might duplicate some of the stuff.  One thing you might be
sure of is the "par".  I found that with some Clock modules, if xoff is
sent to the modem in cmd mode, and the modem will return the xoff, then
you are in a locked-up condition. You're shut out of the modem by the
received xoff and cannot send an xon to  turn it back on.  Another wild
stab, but possibly.  This happens in supercomm it you open a capture
file then close it while in command mode.  Not all Clocks will do this.

 nam=T2 mgr=SCF ddr=SACIA hpn=07 hpa=FF68 upc=00 bso=01
 dlo=00 eko=01 alf=01 nul=00 pau=00 pag=18 bsp=08 del=18
 eor=0D eof=1B rpr=09 dup=19 psc=17 int=03 qut=05 bse=08
 ovf=07 par=02 bau=04 xon=11 xof=13 col=50 row=18 xtp=05
 wnd=05 val= sty= cpx= cpy= fgc= bgc= bdc=

Can't remember the "par" setting but you need to have "xmit xoff" I think
turned off.

 > I'm gonna bet there is something either buggy with the IX I have,
 > or maybe my descriptor isn't agreeing with it?

I don't think that "IX" is at fault per se.

One other thing, possibly.  You have a ModemReset option, if reset is
"ATZ", ix will do that for you.  It could be that if you had the reset
string in the ModemInit position, ix might not be delaying here long
enough before starting to send the dial string.  Be sure you don't have
this.
                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88666 16-JUL 16:32 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88634)
     From: DBREEDING    To: CPERRAULT

Chris,


Just tried my own suggestion about putting modem reset code in for ModemInit.
(see previous msg)

What I saw was first the default ATZ
I then saw my "atz", monemtary pause then "atz" again, on the same line,
pause, then "Modem Error".

I think what may be happening is that while the modem is resetting, ix has
begun to send the dial code.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88669 16-JUL 17:40 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88666)
     From: MITHELEN     To: DBREEDING

are you seeing the "OK" returned after the ATZ is issued?
--
Paul

-*-

88678 17-JUL 14:51 Applications (6809)
     RE: Infoexpress Trouble (Re: Msg 88669)
     From: DBREEDING    To: MITHELEN

 > are you seeing the "OK" returned after the ATZ is issued?

(Note that I'm not the one having trouble, at least on this <G> .)

To review, as an experiment in trying to help someone (CPERRAULT?) I
am in my editor now and can't check for sure who- find out why he couldn't
get his modem to dial, I tried putting modem reset string (ATZ) in the
ModemInit string.  When attempting to go online, I would get this display

 ATZ      <= from default init (ix)
 OK       <= from proper "ATZ"
 atzatz   <= from ModemInit string.

You would get the first atz, a pause, then a retry, pause then "Modem error"

As I said I suspect the atz was issued followed immediately by the dial
string, and this was before the modem got reset so missed part of the dial
string.

No, there was no OK after the "artificial" atz's, suggesting maybe my theory
is correct.

                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88561 12-JUL 22:05 General Information
     database
     From: TMF          To: ALL

xD   I am trying to see if there is any databases around that give a listing of
software and / or hardware for OS9 .  If there is please direct me to it if not
then is there a need for one ? What I saw at one time was the OS9 source book ,
but it is severa
l years out of date. What I would like to do if there is a need is to make
something like "THE MAC WAREHOUSE" with access to all from the largest company
to an individual with something to show. If anyone has any questions or
comments leave message on DELP
HI at TMF or 72701,543 on COMPUSERVE.
   I look forward to any and all comments from all.
       Tom Farrow


-*-

88569 12-JUL 23:10 General Information
     PowerBoost/Nitro
     From: MMCCLELLAND  To: ALL

Can somebody please tell me the difference between the B&B PowerBoost and       
d
Nitro? Are they the same thing? If they are copletely separate things, which
s better? Thanks in advance for any help!

-=Mark=-

-*-

88574 12-JUL 23:46 General Information
     RE: PowerBoost/Nitro (Re: Msg 88569)
     From: MITHELEN     To: MMCCLELLAND

They are indead seperate things... The question as to which one is better,
depends on how you look at it. They both try to accomplish the sam end goal
(make the CoCo faster by running in 6309 native mode), but take very differant
approaches... PowerBooster is very easy to install, and doesn't have problems
patching already patched systems... Nitro gives better speed improvements,
but the patches all need to be done to stock modules, and it tends to be much
more dificult to get to install smoothly. (I have a friend that has been working

for over a month trying to get a working Nitro boot, with no luck)
--
Paul

-*-

88575 12-JUL 23:46 General Information
     RE: PowerBoost/Nitro (Re: Msg 88569)
     From: WDTV5        To: MMCCLELLAND

Well, first off, PB uses a routine thats in series with any interrupt,
hardware or software, to reset the stack image presented to the rest of the
system *back* to normal even tho the 6309 is actually running in the native
mode. In this manner, no re-write of any module is required to make it run
in the native mode environment. B&B's PB therefore can run all the original
software written for the 6809.
Nitros9 on the other hand, does not reset the stack image, therefore
requireing often major re-writes of the system and other IRQ driven software
before it will again run on the native mode 6309 systems.
So the are advantages both ways. PB makes use of some of the native mode
characeristics to get an approx %20 speedup with no other mods. One must
also take into consideration the amount of time it takes to service an
interrupt, such as the next incoming character from the modem. Since PB
takes some of that time to reset the stack image, the IRQ "latency" must
be a longer value or time than a system wherein the native mode stack image
is written or re-written into the software/opsys. There are other tradeoffs
I expect, but the loss of a character if the modem is spitting them out at
9600+ would happen a lot quicker with PB than with Nitros9. While I don't
have any figures I can quote for direct comparison between PB and Nitros9,
I can state that the IRQ latency as measured here on my Nitros9 system
has been reduced by around 50% by the combination of the system re-write
for the native mode operations as compared to a stock 6809/os9 level 2
machine. That translates into the limited ability to actually multitask
with another program while captureing from this forum non-stop. Or to
drive my printer on another job, its on a parallel port and doesn't
requuire those timing loops the seriel port does.
So you take your pick. I'm Nitros9 here, and its taken quite a while to
get the rest of the programs modified to where they will run on this
machine now. But I think I'm also faster.  Apples/Oranges maybe, but
thats how it seems to me.

Cheers, Gene

-*-

88577 13-JUL 00:06 General Information
     RE: PowerBoost/Nitro (Re: Msg 88574)
     From: MMCCLELLAND  To: MITHELEN

Thanks! I guess I will try PowerBoost (That is, if it is still available and
I can figure out how to install it!).

-=Mark=-

-*-

88590 13-JUL 20:48 General Information
     RE: PowerBoost/Nitro (Re: Msg 88574)
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: MITHELEN

I had powerboost and switched to nitros. yes its more of a pain for nitors
to install, but the speed difference is considerble. I could not get
reliable 9600 baud with powerboost but i couldn't get it to enable native mode
due to the patches for ribbs to allow non-os9 filenames. nitros is suited for
this and the speedup is overall. i have no problems running programs with
nitros.


-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88585 13-JUL 19:48 General Information
     RE: DynaCalc (Re: Msg 88418)
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: ISC

there are also people selling extra copies of dynacalc as well.
I myself have about 5 spare copies of it and would be willing to sell them


-*-

88608 14-JUL 21:36 General Information
     RE: DynaCalc (Re: Msg 88585)
     From: ISC          To: MIKE_GUZZI

Thanks for the info, Mike.  I hope CLTUCKER was reading too!

Bill

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88591 13-JUL 20:51 System Modules (6809)
     Module fix?
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: ALL

I want to change my disk controller so its no longer in slot 4. Im running
the sardis controller (sdisk 3) i think Sdisk3 has the slot number in it
but are there any other system modules that change the multipak slot to 4??
all my other devices are fully decoded and do not use the SCS line.

Mike

-*-

88594 13-JUL 22:28 System Modules (6809)
     RE: Module fix? (Re: Msg 88591)
     From: RANDYKWILSON To: MIKE_GUZZI

Mike, all RS232 drivers (sacia is easily configurable), and some hard drive
drivers, such as B&B. I do not have a complete list. So, change Sdisk and
SAcia, then try it. Access each device in turn, followed by the floppies.
If the floppies quit, we missed one. :>

  Randy

-*-

88623 15-JUL 18:04 System Modules (6809)
     RE: Module fix? (Re: Msg 88594)
     From: MIKE_GUZZI   To: RANDYKWILSON

Well my SACIA is configured for external IRQ (offset $14 in the module is
the MPI slot, $FF means disable) so its probably just Sdisk3 since the
SCSI drivers for my Ken-ton don't need SCS/CTS or any IRQ's

Mike

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88595 13-JUL 22:29 General Information
     Software
     From: MMCCLELLAND  To: ALL


Hi everybody!
Can somebody _PLEASE_ tell me where I might find the following Burke & Burke
products:

-PowerBoost
-The 6309 "developer's package" (A book by Chris Burke and patches for ASM)
-A CoCo XT with RTC and auto boot ROM

Also, who (if anybody) is currently marketing Nitro?

Thanx!

-=Mark=-


-*-

88599 13-JUL 22:54 General Information
     RE: Software (Re: Msg 88595)
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: MMCCLELLAND

  > Where can I get Burk & Burke....
  Definately nmnot from Chris Burke.   He leaf a post Via CI$ saying he moved,,,

 )though theh PO BOX still takes checks),, and hasn't filled oreders for
 months.   CLosed til further notice.  Sda but true.
   Sad but true.
 Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88597 13-JUL 22:36 Telecom (6809)
     unaccessable /h0
     From: CHARLESAM    To: MITHELEN

Thanx Paul, I believe between you and DBreeding I got my answer. Now I have
work to do. Let you know how I make out. Charlie

-*-

88600 13-JUL 22:57 OSK Applications
     msg 88576
     From: MRUPGRADE    To: JOHNREED

  Sorry theh message 88598 I thought was going to Boisy.
  Til then,,, Terry Simons

-*-

88605 14-JUL 18:48 General Information
     Printing
     From: PHILSCHERER  To: JEJONES

Hi James--Would you know how to list to a parallel printer in OS9000 or where
in the manuals it tells how?? Any help appreciated! <Phil>

-*-

88620 15-JUL 03:48 General Information
     RE: Printing (Re: Msg 88605)
     From: JEJONES      To: PHILSCHERER

 > Hi James--Would you know how to list to a parallel printer in OS9000 or
 > where in the manuals it tells how?? Any help appreciated! <Phil>

Maybe I don't understand the question.  Check what SCF device drivers
come with it, or better still, look for a device descriptor module named
"p".  If there is one, then things should work just like they do under
OS-9, i.e.

   list woof.txt >/p

ought to do just what you expect.

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88622 15-JUL 05:14 General Information
     RE: Printing (Re: Msg 88605)
     From: EDELMAR      To: PHILSCHERER

 Phil,

 The same command structure exists for OS-9000 as for OS-9 (well, mostly).
 You can use 'list <file name> >/p', 'pr <options> <file name> >/p' , etc.
 Make sure the driver for 'p' is loaded.  I have the following line in
 my 'startup' file -

 load -d /dd/ports/pcat/objs/p.lpt2 /dd/ports/pcat/objs/pcpll

 Ed Gresick - DELMAR CO

-*-

88624 15-JUL 19:20 General Information
     RE: Printing (Re: Msg 88620)
     From: PHILSCHERER  To: JEJONES

Hi James--There are three descriptors available and I dont know which one is
supposed to run the parallel printer. I didn't think that an SCF type driver
was the one for a parallel output but if it is, I have four sc types to choose
from. <Phil>

-*-

88625 15-JUL 19:23 General Information
     RE: Printing (Re: Msg 88622)
     From: PHILSCHERER  To: EDELMAR

Hi Ed--How did you know to pick p.lpt2 instead of 1 or 3 and how did you know
to select pcpll as a driver?? Could you direct me to about where in the three
manuals it is?? Thanks! <Phil>

-*-

88642 16-JUL 06:01 General Information
     RE: Printing (Re: Msg 88605)
     From: EDELMAR      To: PHILSCHERER

 Phil,

 > How did you know to pick p.lpt2 instead of 1 or 3 and how did you know
 > to select pcpll as a driver?? Could you direct me to about where in the
 > three manuals it is?? Thanks! <Phil>

 Well, it is a little convoluted to find what port to use.  The manual doesn't
 cover this except they do list pcpll as the parallel printer driver -
 see page B-6 in the section entitled 'PC/OS-9000 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS'.
 Also, if you do a dump of one of the three descriptors, you'll see pcpll
 listed - looks like ....'scf.pcpll'.. .

 Finding out which descriptor to use can be a little more complicated.  If
 you know which ltp(n) you're using, you may be OK.  If you're not, you have
 several methods at you're disposal to find out.  The first is the table
 displayed (AMIBIOS System Configuration) when you boot the system.  Mine
 shows the parallel port at '378'.

 The second is to use debug under MSDOS.  At the debug prompt '-' enter
 the following - 'd 40:0 f'.  This will give you the addresses of the
 serial and parallel ports in use.  The first 8 byte entries are the
 serial ports and the last 8 are for the parallel ports; LPT1, LPT2, LPT3 and
 LPT4 respectively.  The entries work in pairs.  On my machine, entries 8 and
 9 are '78' and '03' respectively.  There are no other entries after this.
 (Remember, byte ordering for Intel chips is backwards.)  So my parallel (LPT)
 port is '378' and since it is the first entry, MS-DOS calls it LPT1.

 Alternatively, I believe Norton's utilites (and some of the others) will
 show the proper address(s).

 OK, now we know the address of the port.  We don't care what MS-DOS calls
 it.

 Go to OS-9000.  Change directories to 'ports/pcat' and list the 'systype.h'
 file.  Go down a couple of screens and you'll find some '#ifdef's for LPT1,
 LPT2 and LPT3.  These show the addresses for the respective ports - they're
 called 'PBASE'.  Select the LPT(n) that corresponds with the address you
 found above.  BTW, according to the books I have on MSDOS, MW's addresses
 and port designations are correct - not sure about some of the MS-DOS
 hardware suppliers, though.

 Ed Gresick - DELMAR CO

-*-

88643 16-JUL 07:49 General Information
     RE: Printing (Re: Msg 88642)
     From: PHILSCHERER  To: EDELMAR

Ed--That sure is a nice explanation for the ports. Maybe you can work part
time for Microware as the tecnical and manual writer. <G> They will certainly
need some docs more user friendly as OS9K increases its user base. Thanks!
<Phil>

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88610 14-JUL 22:21 Applications (6809)
     PcDos Program
     From: JMICHELSON   To: ALL

Has anyone ever experienced any problems using the PcDos program in moving
large files? I'm trying to move a 389K file from my 720k /d1 and the program
works fine on about 1/2 the file and then aborts by saying "ERROR: Read
Failed". I checked the disk on my pc and the .zip file tests fine and I'm
able to move it back and forth on the pc. The command I'm using is:
       pcdos -get -raw /d1 filename.zip /h1/temp/filename.zip

I've used PcDos many times before and have not run into this problem before.
I don't recall trying to move something this large though, and was wondering
if there is some limitation of the file size that can be moved. Any ideas
will be appreciated.

-*-

88655 16-JUL 13:35 Applications (6809)
     RE: PcDos Program (Re: Msg 88610)
     From: DBREEDING    To: JMICHELSON

 > Has anyone ever experienced any problems using the PcDos program in
 > moving large files? I'm trying to move a 389K file from my 720k /d1 and
 >
 > wondering if there is some limitation of the file size that can be moved.
 > Any ideas will be appreciated.

Do you have the latest version ?  Version 4?  Earlier versions *DID* have
this problem.  I think most of them just quietly quit, though, I think.

Don't know if there is a limit for version 4, but this was one of the
fixes in it.


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88696 18-JUL 03:18 Applications (6809)
     RE: PcDos Program (Re: Msg 88655)
     From: JMICHELSON   To: DBREEDING

I have the latest version of PCDOS, but I believe my CC3Disk driver is one
of the older ones (MDALENE mentioned that may the problem I believe). I
will check the database here on Delphi for a newer CC3Disk, but if it is
not here, could someone upload it? Thanks for all the help.

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88612 15-JUL 01:46 Programmers Den
     mm/1 screen
     From: LARRYOLSON   To: ALL


   Could someone tell me how to get the pixel data from an MM/1 kwindow
screen ?
   The C routine that I have been trying, is either wrong or I'm not up
on how the data is stored in memory.
   For the test, I open a type 3 320x208 256 color window. Then using SetDPtr
I set the pointer location to 4,0 then I draw a line from there too 4,15.
   Now what throws me is, that this type window should use 8 bits per pixel,
which means that if I get the screen start address using _gs_scinfo, and print
out the first dozen or so bytes, all the bytes should be the same(screen is
cleared), except the 5th byte, but when the test is run, it is the 3rd byte
that is changed.
   Trying different locations:
        screen x location       byte changed
               5                    3rd
               6                    4th
               7                    4th
               8                    5th

   This appears to me to be 4 bits per pixel, where are the other 4 bits ?
  I am opening a window as a type 3, with the following:

       Wpath2 = open("/w",3);
       DWSet(Wpath2, 3, 0, 0, 40, 26, 255, 1, 1);

      and getting the screen info with:

       _gs_scinfo(Wpath2, &sc);

   This has me stumped

  larry



----- Larry Olson -----

-*-

88626 15-JUL 19:51 Programmers Den
     RE: mm/1 screen (Re: Msg 88612)
     From: COLORSYSTEMS To: LARRYOLSON

Isn't there a function in the cgfx.l which returns the palette slot of a
point on the screen?



 ------------------------------------
  Zack C Sessions

    They say, "Money talks". But all mine ever says is, "Goodbye".


-*-

88636 16-JUL 01:14 Programmers Den
     RE: mm/1 screen (Re: Msg 88626)
     From: LARRYOLSON   To: COLORSYSTEMS


 > Isn't there a function in the cgfx.l which returns the palette slot of a
 > point on the screen?

  Zack,

    Yes, there is, _gs_palette will return palette register values, and no
  doubt I will be using _gs_palette to get the rgb color values, as I'm
  attempting to write some kind of screen print program that I can use with
  this hp550c printer.
    At this point I'm not bothering with the color values, I'm just trying
  to print out the pixel values, and with a 256 color screen, each pixel
  would need 8 bits, but for some reason the pixels appear to be using only
  4 bits.

  larry

----- Larry Olson -----

-*-

88665 16-JUL 15:56 Programmers Den
     RE: mm/1 screen (Re: Msg 88636)
     From: COLORSYSTEMS To: LARRYOLSON

 > > Isn't there a function in the cgfx.l which returns the palette slot of a
 > > point on the screen?
 >
 > Yes, there is, _gs_palette will return palette register values, and no

I'm not talking about _gs_palette, I am talking about _gs_point().


 ------------------------------------
  Zack C Sessions

    They say, "Money talks". But all mine ever says is, "Goodbye".


-*-

88668 16-JUL 17:02 Programmers Den
     RE: mm/1 screen (Re: Msg 88612)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: LARRYOLSON

Larry,

 > Could someone tell me how to get the pixel data from an MM/1 kwindow
 > screen ?

Usually, you use color=_gs_point(path,x,y);

 > For the test, I open a type 3 320x208 256 color window. Then using
 > SetDPtr I set the pointer location to 4,0 then I draw a line from there
 > too 4,15. Now what throws me is, that this type window should use 8 bits
 > per pixel, which means that if I get the screen start address using
 > _gs_scinfo, and print

Everything looks good, and the type 3 screen does in fact use a full
byte for each pixel.  I would bet that graphics scaling is what's
confusing your test results.  Try turning off graphics scaling using
ScaleSw(wpath,0); and see if your results come into line (no pun
intended).  ;)


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88613 15-JUL 02:37 General Information
     help
     From: ROBERT84     To: ALL

Help, I just got infoxpress (coco version) and I'm trying to figure
out what text editor I can use instead of the old tandy editor. Can
someone help me out. I tried to use Ted but infoxpress would not
let me use it. I would appreciate any help that I can get.
Thanks,
Bob

-*-

88614 15-JUL 02:37 General Information
     help
     From: ROBERT84     To: ALL

Help, I just got my infoxpress up and running (coco version) but I have
one real bad problem. What editor can I use besides the tandy edit. I
tried using ted but infoxpress (or something I did) wouldn't let it work.
So does anyone have a better way to do it. I would really appreciate the
help.
Thanks,
Bob
                 Delphi: Robert84
                   Internet: Robert84@Delphi.com
                       STG: Sysop@TheRock




-*-

88615 15-JUL 02:38 General Information
     help (again)
     From: ROBERT84     To: ALL

One more problem for you infoxpress users. Is it possible to access
other forums here. I don't have a problem with SIG forums. But I have
tried to get into some custom forums and the program hangs up at the
propmt for the forum menu. It requires a carriage return (I guess) to
get to the menu. I did try but all that happen was when I got to the
return for custom forum menu (say 1) the computer locked up.
                 Delphi: Robert84
                   Internet: Robert84@Delphi.com
                       STG: Sysop@TheRock




-*-

88698 18-JUL 03:46 General Information
     RE: help (again) (Re: Msg 88615)
     From: JEVESTAL     To: ROBERT84 (NR)

 > One more problem for you infoxpress users. Is it possible to access
 > other forums here. I don't have a problem with SIG forums. But I have
 > tried to get into some custom forums and the program hangs up at the
 > propmt for the forum menu. It requires a carriage return (I guess) to
 > get to the menu. I did try but all that happen was when I got to the
 > return for custom forum menu (say 1) the computer locked up.

I had the same problems accessing the custum forums.  To access
the custume forums use the following line in the delphi.ini file:

GoWord = gro cus 17

substitute the 17 with the number of the custum forum that you
want to access.

Jim

======================== InfoXpress 01.01.00 OS-9/6809 ======================
       |          Narnia BBS: 11pm-7am PDT serving   CoCo   OS-9   users
   ----|----     StG network: sysop@Narnia   "Exclusively  OS-9"
       |              Delphi: JEVestal@delphi.com
 Marysville, CA     InterNet: JEVestal@narnia.wa.com
       |                or  : JEVestal@citrus.sac.ca.us
 (916)  743-2617       Voice: 7am-11pm PDT  :1 Corinthians 1:18 & Romans 1:16
=============================================================================
    Jim Vestal: Assistant editor of The International OS-9 Underground,
              "Magazine dedicated to OS-9/OSK Users Everywhere

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88616 15-JUL 03:02 Telecom (6809)
     RE: VT100 (Re: Msg 88324)
     From: BROWN80      To: SES (NR)

If you are looking for just a VT-100 simulator that runs on a CoCo3 under OS-9
there is an excelent one in the database.  It is a short simple program and I
no problem downloading it.  Included is a script file for setting up a screen
and calling the program and three pages of documentation that are almost un-
necessary.  This is just a terminal simulator.  You even have to escape to a
shell to download.  The name of the program I think is appropriately "VT-100"
by Brian Marcotte.


            John Brown

-*-

88618 15-JUL 03:02 General Information
     RE: OS-9 fest in Dallas? (Re: Msg 88399)
     From: BROWN80      To: NIMITZ

OS-9 show in Dallas?  I know I would attend.  I'm from Bryan and if there is
something I can help with, I would be glad to.  My time is limited but any
leftovers would be gladly be donated to the cause.


            John Brown

-*-

88652 16-JUL 12:14 General Information
     RE: OS-9 fest in Dallas? (Re: Msg 88618)
     From: NIMITZ       To: BROWN80

John, our current 'local contact' is Allen Huffan who can be reached at
coco-sysop@genie.com via internet.   We need suggestions and pricing on hotels
and convention centers.   I'm looking for a place with professional
presentation support, so I can make some overhead projector transparencies and
that sort of thing.

        David

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88621 15-JUL 03:52 System Modules (6809)
     Smartwatch / Ken-ton Clock
     From: BILL32H      To: ALL

 Help !!!

   Somebody how dose one change the base address of the smartwatch to
say FF70 , or were can I get a ST MK48T02-20 Clock chip I've tryed
the mk48Z02b it don't work.
                               BILL32H

-*-

88629 15-JUL 21:09 System Modules (6809)
     RE: PIA (Re: Msg 88477)
     From: MARTYGOODMAN To: DONALDS

Keyboard problems can be caused by a bad PIA chip, or by bad contacts on
the ribbon cable, or by a damaged ribbon cable, or by bad
key switches in the keyboard.

  MOST of the time when a SINGLE key fails, it's the fault
of a bad key switch.   Your tale of the switch getting better
when someone pushes it repeatedly is also consistent with
a failing key switch that gets a bit better, perhaps only
temporarilly, with exercise.

  A broken or intermittent trace on the ribbon cable
or contact, or a blown single pin line on the PIA, would
cause an entire ROW or COLUMN of keys (in the electrical matrix)
to go dead, not a single key.

  ---marty

-*-

88710 19-JUL 08:03 System Modules (6809)
     RE: PIA (Re: Msg 88629)
     From: DONALDS      To: MARTYGOODMAN

Thanks for the info Marty. That sounds better than trying to replace the
chip.
              Don

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88631 15-JUL 21:19 General Information
     source book
     From: TMF          To: ALL

     Hi guys!!!!!
Do you guys want to help in putting together a source book for OS9
I will put together in,some form, and make it available for all.
Needless to say it will be open for all to contribute to.
The more you send the larger the selection for all.
     Thanks in advance for all the help. If there is something out there
that already exists then let me know.
     TMF delphi      72701,543 CIS

-*-

88641 16-JUL 05:14 General Information
     RE: source book (Re: Msg 88631)
     From: JEJONES      To: TMF

 > If there is something out there that already exists then let me know.

Hiya!  That is a noble effort.  Microware put out two editions of *The
OS-9 Sourcebook*, but it's been some years since the second one came out,
so that IMHO we need a new reference of this sort.

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88657 16-JUL 14:15 General Information
     RE: source book (Re: Msg 88641)
     From: TMF          To: JEJONES

Thank you for your opinion and I realize that this is an undertaking of
biblical proportion , but with everyone helping I should be able to do it.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
               TMF

-*-

88702 18-JUL 20:57 General Information
     RE: source book (Re: Msg 88657)
     From: DSRTFOX      To: TMF

I have a suggestion: divide the book into two sections at least, or more
likely two volumes: one for OS-9/6809, the other for OS-9/68000. I have a
small business involved in publishing, so contact me if we can work some
printing/publishing details out.
 (in e-mail) I'm pretty fair in pricing and making deals, so we should be
able to easily work something out!!

-*-

88714 19-JUL 21:49 General Information
     RE: source book (Re: Msg 88702)
     From: TMF          To: DSRTFOX (NR)

This sounds like a great idea so far you are the only response I have had
, but I sent out several letters . We will see what happens.
Thanks for the help. TMF

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88638 16-JUL 02:05 General Information
     OS-9 Floppy Structure
     From: JMURPHY      To: ALL

I've been going over the Level 2 Tech Ref and have a few Q's about
Disk structure:

DD.TKS and DD.SPT: Two places to specify the same value ?

DD.DSK, DD.FMT, DD.OPT: Undocumented ? What are valid values for
these variables?

If this is spelled out somewhere, feel free to simply quote page numbers,
etc.

Thanks in advance,
John Murphy

-*-

88640 16-JUL 03:41 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88638)
     From: MITHELEN     To: JMURPHY

Yes, except, DD.SPT is a two byte value.

DD.DSK = Disk ID
DD.FMT = Disk format
DD.OPT = Path Descriptor Options.

I got this info from the OS-9/68000 v2.3 manual... sorry, don't have a Level
2 manual anymore...

-*-

88656 16-JUL 13:55 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88640)
     From: JMURPHY      To: MITHELEN

Thanks for the response.

 >DD.DSK = Disk ID
 >DD.FMT = Disk format
 >DD.OPT = Path Descriptor Options.

The Rad Shack manual ALSO clearly states the above, but it doesn't go into
ANY detail (that I have found) on what these values are, what they are used
for, or anything of that nature.

If anyone can help clear this up, or point me towards an online document
here or elsewhere that fills in the gaps in the RS Tech ref, I would
appreciate it.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

John Murphy

-*-

88662 16-JUL 15:48 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88638)
     From: DBREEDING    To: JMURPHY


DD.FMT is described on page 5-16 in Tech Ref.

I think someone else answered the rest of your questions.
                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88667 16-JUL 16:42 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88662)
     From: JMURPHY      To: DBREEDING

David,

Thanks for the pointer:
DD.FMT is defined on page 5-16 of the Tech ref and it says (roughly):

Bit0 = Number of sides  0=ss    1=ds
Bit1 = Density          0=sd    1=dd
Bit2 = Track Density    0=48tpi 1=96tpi

I still don't know the difference between DD.TKS and DD.SPT other than the
fact that DD.TKS is a single byte and DD.SPT is a word. Why two different
places for the same value? I am _assuming_ that the only value I will see on
a stock CoCo is 18 for both. Is this a safe assumption ?

I also don't know what legal values are for DD.DSK. The only reference in
the tech ref that I found is on page 5-2 and it says (roughly):

DD.DSK ( Disk identification) is two bytes and is for internal use.

If I change that value, will OS-9 choke? What is the valid range of values ?
Is it used as a serial number, filled with random data, or based on date and
time the disk was created?

DD.OPT : The manual is fairly mute: It starts at offest $3f, but no length
or size information is in the table on page 5-2. Is DD.OPT related to PD.OPT
which is described on page 5-7?

I realize these are a lot of questions, and that they are are mostly academic
since the OS normally handles access to these values, but I am trying to do
file access using strictly RAW access to the floppy, including (but not
limited to) <g> filling in these values from scratch.

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Keep it coming!

Thanks to everyone in advance for any further comments, amplifications.

John Murphy

-*-

88675 17-JUL 14:49 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88667)
     From: DBREEDING    To: JMURPHY

 > I still don't know the difference between DD.TKS and DD.SPT other than
 > the fact that DD.TKS is a single byte and DD.SPT is a word. Why two
 > different places for the same value? I am _assuming_ that the only value I
 > will see on a stock CoCo is 18 for both. Is this a safe assumption ?

Not sure about it.  Didn't ever get into this very deeply, so can't say.

 > I also don't know what legal values are for DD.DSK. The only reference in
 > the tech ref that I found is on page 5-2 and it says (roughly):
 >
 > DD.DSK ( Disk identification) is two bytes and is for internal use.

The purpose of this is to detect disk changes.  When the disk is formatted,
the system generates a pseudo-random # for this value.  Think it takes the
date-time and juggles it around.  Saw it somewhere, can't remember where.
Not sure if OS9 Lvl 2 supports it or not, but it can check this ID # and
get a pretty safe "guess" whether the disk has been changed or not.

 > If I change that value, will OS-9 choke? What is the valid range of values ?


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88737 21-JUL 01:38 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88656)
     From: WILLFO       To: JMURPHY

Seems I read somewhere that DD.DSK is a pseudo-ra                               
 pseudo-random number
which format writes to the disk. I've checked and this number IS different
with each formatting. It is supposed to be used by applications programs
to detect if the disk has been swapped. I can't remember where I read this
information.

regards,

WILLFO

-*-

88743 21-JUL 22:17 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Floppy Structure (Re: Msg 88737)
     From: JMURPHY      To: WILLFO (NR)

WILLFO,

>I read somewhere DD.DSK is a pseudo random number

Sounds good to me so far. I'll try just shoving a random number into that
field and see if anything blows up. Sometimes trial and error is the best
way to go...

Thanks,

John Murphy

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88645 16-JUL 11:27 General Information
     hard drive controller
     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: ALL

Does anybody have a hard drive controller for the CoCo that they could sell me
pretty cheaply? thanks.

-*-

88658 16-JUL 14:30 General Information
     RE: hard drive controller (Re: Msg 88645)
     From: MMCCLELLAND  To: SAUSAGESAM

Check the classified ads here. I think there was an Eliminator or a CoCo-XT
advertised there.

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88647 16-JUL 11:44 General Information

     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: ALL

Is there anything out there that will convert TGA files to GIF? I just
downloaded a program that will convert 3 screen .PIX files to TGA but now
I need one from TGA to GIF.....

-*-

88653 16-JUL 12:44 General Information
     ANSI Codes needed
     From: BOISY        To: ALL

Hi folks,

I am in need of a document which contains the ANSI emulation specification,
as well as ANSI color codes.  If anyone has this document, would they be
so kind as to mail it to my account here?

Thanks.

-*-

88659 16-JUL 14:43 General Information
     MM/1
     From: MMCCLELLAND  To: NIMITZ

   Are you still selling MM/1's? I might be interested in buying one. How much
would one cost that has a case, the I/O board, and all of the software? What
other OSK products are you selling? Thanks in advance!

-=Mark=-

-*-

88670 16-JUL 22:51 System Modules (6809)
     OSK Software
     From: WDTV5        To: NIMITZ

  David;

  I can't resist making a comment regarding the "50" varieties of COCO-OS9
  L2 right now. While there may be a valid argument that each of us has
  "customized" the system such that it now does "what we want it to do", I
  would also argue that the "customizations" were brought about in nearly
  every case because we wanted it to do something that the MicroWare's
  original vision discounted as "not important enough to waste a variable
  on".  And please Boisy, don't take offense as much of this thinking
  probably pre-dates your involvement.

  I refer you to such things as the hard-coding of many things that we had
  to dig into and find later (or sooner in many cases) because they really
  were important enough to "waste a variable" on.  The original release
  cc3disk comes to mind for starters.  All the (relatively simple) patches
  required to make the C compiler actually run were another. Same comment
  applies to the Pascal too.

  Then comes Multiview, DeskMate I & II, DynaCalc, Profile.  All of these,
  WITHOUT EXCEPTION needed massageing in one form or another.  I won't
  belabor the point on DM I or II, nor send it flowers in memory of its early
  demise.  Multiview of course has had its main module "gshell" redone
  several times along with grfdrv.  DynaCalc yet needs some way to really
  control how it treats the printer instead of all these patches to get rid
  of the spurious form feed.  It really wasn't spurious if the last job left
  it sitting in mid page, but *nobody* thought of that. The real cure was to
  have the printer ignore the darn thing IF it was allready sitting at
  pagetop.  Not many printers are that smart tho. A one byte var could have
  taken care of that in DCalc.

  Profile as I recall needed something done too, but I don't at the moment
  recall what it was, I did it so many years back. And yes, I still use it
  on a semi-stock L2 system at the station.

  The C & Pascal compilers, DynaCalc and Profile were all originally L1 and
  they required patches NOT to make them run on level 2, but to make them run
  on the average system which didn't quite match the bare minimum system
  used as a hardware model. Hard-codeing things like the devicename was/is
  pretty inexcusable. I hear somebody saying "but we didn't have /dd then",
  which is pure hog-wash! The idea was just as valid on a level one system.
  WE just hadn't thought of it YET.

  (Pulling out soapbox)
  The last point I'd like to make refers to the other comments in this
  thread regarding gfx drivers..  If the machine can support the graphics
  that apparently the MM/1 can, then the graphics drivers ARE PART AND
  PARCEL of the op-sys AS SHIPPED! The fact that you would have to raise the
  price of the package by some nominal sum (I saw $50 mentioned) has
  absolutely nothing to do with it in terms of "a marketing decision"
  because *then* you are shipping a system capable of running the application
  regardless of what that application might be.  The application will then
  be written to "your" standard.  And thats worth far more in the long run
  than any $50 you might "save" in the short term.  Later "for fee" upgrades
  then will build on that standard as they will be forced to remain
  "compatible" unless the distribution version is so buggy it really does
  need thrown out . . .  Nobody enjoys re-inventing the wheel unless the
  first model was square or ?

  It also has the effect of setting a short-term "standard" way of doing
  things thereby enhancing right up front, the "compatiblility" issue we now
  have in the L2 arena because so many of us have gone on to the Hitachi CPU
  in the native mode.  The PB folks have the ability to "run what they
  brung" while the slightly faster Nitros9 group had to wait for a patched
  "Home Publisher".  Not many of us chewed any fingernails waiting for it
  but now we have it again. (And its *still* painfully slow)

  The point is that if we would have had a Multiview that actually worked
  shipped WITH the OS-9 distribution, I think the playing field between us
  and the Intel crowd would have been much closer to level. The folks in
  Westchester might have turned up the heat a bit faster too. (Commie
  Amiga's) We've also wasted entirely too much time on the BLOB. This has to
  be a hardware thing, probably in the GIME.  That it should never have seen
  light outside outside the back door of 1 Tandy Center is a given! I have
  personally written letters to the people whom I thought could answer
  questions like "How much for another run of 5000" and "are the databases
  to define it available so the bugs can be fixed?".  Nobody took the time
  or the postage to reply. Had my letters been answered, you can bet yours
  that I would have been on here asking for donations to help offset the
  "OTE" costs involved. Obviously I haven't.

  So I wasted a page on your printer. But thats how it seems to me.

  Cheers - Gene


-*-

88679 17-JUL 14:52 System Modules (6809)
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88670)
     From: DBREEDING    To: WDTV5

 > David;
 >
 > I can't resist making a comment regarding the "50" varieties of
 > COCO-OS9 L2 right now. While there may be a valid argument that each of us
 > has "customized" the system such that it now does "what we want it to do"

I think each and every patch was an improvement.  However, I think the
point is that it has introduced an element of compatibility.  None are
that big, as soon as you recognize them.  The most notable thing has bee
the thing with shell+ allocating a minimum of 8K data storage.  A few
programs - ix, the new ar using 13-bit compression, UMuse(I think), barf
on this.  Again, it's not a big problem, as long as you recognize it.
I still wouldn't go back to a stock system for love or money.

 > The last point I'd like to make refers to the other comments in this
 > thread regarding gfx drivers..  If the machine can support the graphics
 > that apparently the MM/1 can, then the graphics drivers ARE PART AND
 > PARCEL of the op-sys AS SHIPPED!

I agree here, at least almost totally.  This seems logical, as I said in
a previous post.  Of course the marketing decision is up to the mfgrs., but
I do think this would be the way to go.


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88686 17-JUL 22:02 System Modules (6809)
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88679)
     From: WDTV5        To: DBREEDING

Gee, I'd like just once to have something happen here that would confirm
all this stuff I hear about shell+ needing a min of 8k. The patches to
fix that were avaiable, almost the next day! I did 'em once and promptly
forgot about it and have never had any problems with it.  There are/were
a couple of progs that I edited the size request in, like asm, mine has
been asking for 16k since '86 or so. Other than a couple of items like
that, its a non-problem. The point is that the fix is available, and as
far as I know, right here in the databse.

The marketing methods used are usually designed to maximize profits, never
miind that it might work a hell of a lot better our way. And, I contend,
would be more profitable in the long view by a factor of at least 2!
But bean counters don't really want to recognize that there are various
quality's of beans avaviable(available) and unless the populace is starving,
will always pay 5% more for a better quality bean.

Oh, well. . . Cheers - Gene

-*-

88740 21-JUL 20:33 System Modules (6809)
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88686)
     From: DBREEDING    To: WDTV5

 > Gee, I'd like just once to have something happen here that would confirm
 > all this stuff I hear about shell+ needing a min of 8k. The patches to
 > fix that were avaiable, almost the next day!

 > a couple of progs that I edited the size request in, like asm, mine has
 > been asking for 16k since '86 or so. Other than a couple of items like
 > that, its a non-problem. The point is that the fix is available, and as
 > far as I know, right here in the databse.

I have the patch, just figured there was a need for 8k.  Seems I saw
something to the effect that if the data is not large enough, it will barf
or crash on wildcarding sometimes.  The progs that barf with shell+, I
have renamed the stock shell "ohell" and call the progs from it.  Might
go ahead and patch shell+.

Yeah, I went ahead and edited *my* asm, too.  I bumped it up to 20k.

However, I still feel that we have gotten a little divergence with the
CoCo - especially with the advent of the 6309.  Personally I would love
to have *EVERYTHING* set up for the 6309.  That's system and run-time progs
both.  I think a whole bunch of features could have been implemented.
The C compiler could be completely redesigned.  The latest version of the
C compiler ( never released to us ) passed the first variable to the
called function in the D register.  With the 6309, 2 could be passed (W),
or a long or float could be passed without stacking.  There are lots of ways
to fix things up, but this would require almost everyone making a standard
switch, and it would be just too much to ask.


                   -- David Breeding --
                 CompuServe :  72330,2051
                     Delphi :  DBREEDING

         ***  Sent via CoCo-InfoXpress V1.01 ***
                       ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

-*-

88742 21-JUL 22:03 System Modules (6809)
     RE: OSK Software (Re: Msg 88740)
     From: WDTV5        To: DBREEDING (NR)

I'm afraid I have to agree regarding the inability to do a "standard"
switch.  We as a group have prooved (sp) one thing if nothing else, and
thats that we are individuals as a group, much more so than the pc'rers
IMHO. They tend to be bound to the limitations as if a workround was
against some moral law or something. We don't seem to work that way!
When we see a problem or something on some other machine that would be
nice to have, it seems that availability of the "oterh guys", darn "other"
source doesn't seem to stop us. If its worth doing, we just go do it!
At least thats been my approach on more than one occassion. And yes, I'll
have to plead guilty to useing some of us as unwitting alpha testers, not
because I intended it to be that way, but because I'm no more infallible
than anybody else who isn't doing this for a living. On balance, I'd
like to think I've contributed a positive effect, but thats pure ego
too. Like you, I'd like to see one cpu again so that we could have a
bit more compatibility, and just because I'm a 6309'er, I'd like to
see that as the standard. But then we still have 2 competing, non-
compatible 6309 conversions on the opsys. Unforch, neither of the
folks who brought it to life have stuck around to put the "spit and polish"
on it, at least not visible here on what I think is the best coco/os9
gathering place ever. I understand that there is a release of Nitros9
to 1.20 coming up. Now what we need to do is see if we can come up with
some benchmarks that are real to us, not something borrowed from the
pc'ers and which doesn'T really have much to do with us. Once a real
suite of tests and the results are known, then just maybe, we might
all migrate to the same opsys again. Hopefull said, but not going to
hold any breathing up till it happens.
Cheers - Gene

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88673 17-JUL 00:06 OSK Applications
     RE: zmodem crash recovery (Re: Msg 88432)
     From: JEVESTAL     To: MITHELEN

 > Right Joel... It is the newer releases of rz/sz that have no way of
 > switching on recovery from the receiveing end. The OS-9 version of
 > RZ/SZ strictly conform to the official Omen release of the rz/sz Zmodem
 > sources, because they use the official sources. I imagine your Mac
 > software is usining its own interpetation of the zmodem description.
 > Perhaps in a future release I do for OS-9, I will set zmodem receive
 > (rz) up so crash recovery is normally switched on, or, add the extra
 > coimmand line option to turn it on... this would solve the "problem".

Paul, please do such a hack to rz.... it would solve alot of
problems, since Delphi's transfers bomb alot.  MS-DOS users
think I'm crazy when I say that Delphi doesn't support crash
recovery since their zmodems allow them to recover with no problems.
Can you post a message to the Internet forum and the to Future
forum explaining why Delphi doesn't support recovery?

Jim

======================== InfoXpress 01.01.00 OS-9/6809 ======================
       |          Narnia BBS: 11pm-7am PDT serving   CoCo   OS-9   users
   ----|----     StG network: sysop@Narnia   "Exclusively  OS-9"
       |              Delphi: JEVestal@delphi.com
 Marysville, CA     InterNet: JEVestal@narnia.wa.com
       |                or  : JEVestal@citrus.sac.ca.us
 (916)  743-2617       Voice: 7am-11pm PDT  :1 Corinthians 1:18 & Romans 1:16
=============================================================================
    Jim Vestal: Assistant editor of The International OS-9 Underground,
              "Magazine dedicated to OS-9/OSK Users Everywhere

-*-

88681 17-JUL 15:45 Programmers Den
     RE: Pixel_Blaster (Re: Msg 86835)
     From: TOMFANN      To: DSRTFOX

I'm reading this thread about Pixel Blaster for the first time in July.  I
remember seeing it in CoCoPRO's flyers, but never shelled out the cash
because I didn't know anything about it.  How about a review?  I'm interested!

..Tom Fann

-*-

88684 17-JUL 21:02 OSK Applications
     syscall for OSK Basic V2.4
     From: VAXELF       To: ALL

   Can someone send me a sample program that uses the "syscall" routine
for OSK Basic V2.4 . I have some Basic09 programs that use syscall and
want to convert them to OSK.

John D.

-*-

88692 18-JUL 00:18 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88684)
     From: RANDYKWILSON To: VAXELF

John,

 You set up the stack image differently:

  TYPE reg=d0,d1,d2,d3,d4,d5,d6,d7,a0,a1,a2,a3,a4:INTEGER
  DIM  r1 {,r2,r3,etc} : reg

  From there, you'll need to change what values get stuffed into what reg,
and sometimes what the code does, do to the differences in CPU and reg sizes.
This pretty much has to be done on a call by call basis.


   Randy

-*-

88700 18-JUL 20:12 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88692)
     From: VAXELF       To: RANDYKWILSON

 Thanks for the reply. I will see what I can do now.
BTW, any thought on the syntax for MW Basic Inkey. From experimentation.
I found that the format is something like:

  DIM char:STRING[1]

  char= INKEY(#1)

The problem is now it gives a error 71 and doesn't compile or run.

John A. Donaldson

-*-

88701 18-JUL 20:56 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88700)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: VAXELF

John,

 > Thanks for the reply. I will see what I can do now.
 > BTW, any thought on the syntax for MW Basic Inkey. From experimentation.
 > I found that the format is something like:
 >
 > DIM char:STRING[1]
 >
 > char= INKEY(#1)
 >
 > The problem is now it gives a error 71 and doesn't compile or run.

INKEY for Basic/00 is different than in Basic/09... it returns the
number of characters in the input buffer (I suppose it's just like a
_gs_rdy() in C).  So, it doesn't actually get the character for you.  Do
something like:

DIM numchars:INTEGER
DIM keypress:STRING[1]

100 numchars=INKEY(#0)
if numchars<1 then 100
get #0,keypress

WARNING: I haven't written in MW Basic in a very long time, so the above
code may not be syntactically correct, but you get the picture.  :)


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88709 19-JUL 07:27 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88701)
     From: JEJONES      To: JOELHEGBERG

 > INKEY for Basic/00 is different than in Basic/09... it returns the
 > number of characters in the input buffer (I suppose it's just like a
 > _gs_rdy() in C).  So, it doesn't actually get the character for you.  Do
 > something like:
 >
 > DIM numchars:INTEGER
 > DIM keypress:STRING[1]
 >
 > 100 numchars=INKEY(#0)
 > if numchars<1 then 100
 > get #0,keypress
 >
 > WARNING: I haven't written in MW Basic in a very long time, so the above
 > code may not be syntactically correct, but you get the picture.  :)

It's syntactically correct, but...

1. BASIC09/Microware BASIC will let you do better than that!

   REPEAT
      numchars:=INKEY(0)
   UNTIL numchars>0
   GET #0,keypress

2. Over and above control flow questions, it's not nice on a multitasking
   operating system to do a "busy wait" loop like that--it hogs the system
   waiting for what's probably a SLLLOOWWWW human to press a key.  Consider

   LOOP
     numchars:=INKEY(0)
     EXITIF numchars>0 THEN ENDEXIT
     RUN bgfx("sleep", 1)
   ENDLOOP
   GET #0,keypress

   as an alternative that other processes will thank you for.  To be even
   more considerate, using the SS_SSIG setstat, takes some more work.

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88712 19-JUL 21:08 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88701)
     From: VAXELF       To: JOELHEGBERG

Thanks Joel,
  I'll let you know later what I am upto. It may be of interest.

BTW any thoughs on adding more fonts to Write-Right??? Could rally use
scalable fonts too. Then you could do some desk-top-publishing type stuff.

John D.

-*-

88713 19-JUL 21:11 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88709)
     From: VAXELF       To: JEJONES

  since I was the orginator of the subject, THANKS.

John D.

-*-

88718 20-JUL 03:48 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88712)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: VAXELF

John,

 > I'll let you know later what I am upto. It may be of interest.

Great!

 > BTW any thoughs on adding more fonts to Write-Right??? Could rally use
 > scalable fonts too. Then you could do some desk-top-publishing type
 > stuff.

I don't have any interest in getting into graphical modes of word
processing at present, mainly due to the diversity of printer graphics
protocols/codes out there!


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88732 20-JUL 21:35 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88684)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: VAXELF

   Like this:

PROCEDURE getid
REM getid of os9 version
TYPE registers=dat(8),add(5):INTEGER
DIM regs:registers
DIM callcode:INTEGER
DIM info,copy,author:STRING[80]
callcode:=$55
regs.dat(1):=0
regs.add(1):=ADDR(info)
regs.add(2):=ADDR(copy)
regs.add(3):=ADDR(author)
RUN syscall(callcode,regs)
PRINT info
PRINT copy
PRINT author
PRINT regs.dat(1)
PRINT regs.dat(2)
PRINT regs.dat(3)
PRINT regs.dat(4)

                                    Chris


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88734 20-JUL 23:09 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88718)
     From: MRGOOD       To: JOELHEGBERG

I for one would like to see much better printer control
in Write-Right.  Support for proportional fonts would be ideal.

Hugo

-*-

88748 22-JUL 01:17 OSK Applications
     RE: syscall for OSK Basic V2.4 (Re: Msg 88734)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: MRGOOD (NR)


I have put some more thought into proportional fonts lately... it's
a possibility.  I'm working on getting some other features in first, like
a spell checker.  PS, I'm going on vacation until Monday, so expect
no replies until then.  :)

  -- Joel.


-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88685 17-JUL 21:50 General Information
     AHHHHI Need help
     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: ALL

Uh.. Whenever I try to boot OS9 and type DOS, it is just always saying OK and
not saying OS9 BOOT!
I think it's a problem with the multi-pak not making connection properly
with the coco slot but I dont know. Does anybody have any help?

thanks

-*-

88690 18-JUL 00:05 General Information
     RE: AHHHHI Need help (Re: Msg 88685)
     From: MITHELEN     To: SAUSAGESAM

Sounds more like you are trying to boot a non-bootable disk. Have
you tried plugging the disk controller directly into the CoCo
and booting the same disk to verify that the disk is indeed bootable?
--
Paul

-*-

88693 18-JUL 01:01 General Information
     RE: AHHHHI Need help (Re: Msg 88690)
     From: SAUSAGESAM   To: MITHELEN

yeah.. i tried that and it boots fine.. It's happened before, it7s like the
 isn't making good contact with the computer.. Because when I have the
problems booting OS9 I also have problems getting some machine language
programs to work..

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88695 18-JUL 03:15 General Information
     GIF/VEF
     From: REVWCP       To: ALL

Dear friends:
I am in the process of doing some housekeeping on my harddrive.  I have
a large amount of VEF and GIF files and I was wondering, what is the
best archive utility to use on these files?  Which, AR...LZH..., etc.
will create the smallest file?
With all best wishes,
Brother Jeremy, CSJW
OS9 User's Group Treasurer

-*-

88699 18-JUL 20:10 General Information
     RE: GIF/VEF (Re: Msg 88695)
     From: COLORSYSTEMS To: REVWCP

 > I am in the process of doing some housekeeping on my harddrive.  I have
 > a large amount of VEF and GIF files and I was wondering, what is the
 > best archive utility to use on these files?  Which, AR...LZH..., etc.
 > will create the smallest file?

You can compress VEF with most anything, but the archivers which work better
on binary files for input like lzh format is best. GIF on the other hand
is already compressed using the same compression algorithm lzh uses. So,
you can archive them, but you will find that most of the time the
archived version of the file is actually larger than the original file!



 ------------------------------------
  Zack C Sessions

    They say, "Money talks". But all mine ever says is, "Goodbye".


-*-

88704 18-JUL 22:16 General Information
     RE: GIF/VEF (Re: Msg 88695)
     From: JOHNBAER     To: REVWCP


   Brother Jeremy,

> ... I have a large amount of VEF and GIF files and I was wondering,
> what is the best archive utility to use on these files?

   With the VEF files you can use either AR or LZH and get good
compression.  Don't bother with the GIF files.. they're compressed
darn tight in that GIF format.  Have fun archiving <g>.

--
   John -

   < Posted with Ved 2.3.1  &  IX 1.2.0 >


-*-

88707 19-JUL 03:26 General Information
     RE: GIF/VEF (Re: Msg 88695)
     From: JEVESTAL     To: REVWCP

 > I am in the process of doing some housekeeping on my harddrive.  I have
 > a large amount of VEF and GIF files and I was wondering, what is the
 > best archive utility to use on these files?  Which, AR...LZH..., etc.
 > will create the smallest file?

Most GIFs are compressed by nature so any compression program will just
store them.  Most VEFs though are not compressed and I would suspect that
LHA (much better than LZH) will compress them the tightest.  That is...
until we get a Zip on the CoCo... I use Zip (or is it gzip) on my Unix
account and it compresses mail messages about 75% (25% of previous size).
This is much better than 13 bit compress or even lha.

Good luck.

Jim

======================== InfoXpress 01.01.00 OS-9/6809 ======================
       |          Narnia BBS: 11pm-7am PDT serving   CoCo   OS-9   users
   ----|----     StG network: sysop@Narnia   "Exclusively  OS-9"
       |              Delphi: JEVestal@delphi.com
 Marysville, CA     InterNet: JEVestal@narnia.wa.com
       |                or  : JEVestal@citrus.sac.ca.us
 (916)  743-2617       Voice: 7am-11pm PDT  :1 Corinthians 1:18 & Romans 1:16
=============================================================================
    Jim Vestal: Assistant editor of The International OS-9 Underground,
              "Magazine dedicated to OS-9/OSK Users Everywhere

-*-

88708 19-JUL 07:26 General Information
     RE: GIF/VEF (Re: Msg 88695)
     From: JEJONES      To: REVWCP

 > I have a large amount of VEF and GIF files and I was wondering, what
 > is the best archive utility to use on these files?  Which, AR...LZH...,
 > etc. will create the smallest file?

Brother Jeremy,

VEF files come in a couple of flavors, original and extra crispy--er,
run length encoded.  Either AR or LZH should do quite well with the
original, and tolerably well with the run length encoded.

GIF files, on the other hand, are already 12-bit LZW compressed--that's
why it takes so long to display them, you have to uncompress the data
as well as displaying it.  For that reason, you're unlikely to get much
in the way of compression out of GIF files.

(BTW, this past Saturday I had my first neume reading experience.
My skills definitely need work.)

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88697 18-JUL 03:45 General Information
     RE: Sony Service Anecdote (Re: Msg 88160)
     From: JMOORFOOT    To: MARTYGOODMAN

TYMNET is not an option for me. I am connecting from Australia, & an
Internet connection is free (through work) but an X.25 connection costs
an arm & a leg.

John

-*-

88706 19-JUL 02:29 General Information
     Press Release
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: ALL

* Joint Press Release:  Sub-Etha Software and Blackhawk Enterprises *
* July, 1994 *


Sub-Etha Software and Blackhawk Enterprises are pleased to announce
additional free software being included with all new MM/1 computer
systems.

Sub-Etha's flexible CheckBook+ program will now be included with all
new MM/1 computer systems.  CheckBook+ is an advanced checkbook
balancing program to help out with your finances.  Made popular on the
Color Computer, CheckBook+ can not only balance your checkbook, but
also help you visualize it with many different types of graphs.  Search
and sort your checkbook database easily, on any field!

Joel Mathew Hegberg has written several public domain programs for
the MM/1 computer system, which are available on many information
services.  Now, he has compiled a collection of his most popular public
domain software into a new disk called "Joel Mathew Hegberg's MM/1
P.D. Anthology Diskette," which will be included with all new MM/1
computer systems.  Programs which will let you: play popular MOD song
files, display a graphical clock, play games, vocally announce the time,
display VEF picture files, several screen savers, and much more!

Sub-Etha Software's immensely popular MiniBanners multi-line banner
program will also now come standard with all new MM/1 systems.
With over 30 fonts included, MiniBanners allows you to create exotic
text banners on ANY printer you may own.  We even include a font
preview program for MiniBanners'
 fonts.

BlackHawk Enterprises and Sub-Etha Software are pleased to make this
software available to new MM/1 owners to help them get started with
their computer right away.  Existing MM/1 owners who wish to obtain
Joel's P.D. Anthology may obtain it through BlackHawk Enterprises for a
$12.50 media/copying/shipping fee.  Existing MM/1 owners who wish
to obtain CheckBook+ or MiniBanners for K-Windows may obtain it
through Sub-Etha Software for $12.50 ($10.00 media/copying + $2.50
S&H).  Addresses are listed below.

Sincerely,

Allen C. Huffman, Sub-Etha Software
Joel Mathew Hegberg, Sub-Etha Software
David Graham, BlackHawk Enterprises

------------------------------------------------

BlackHawk Enterprises
P.O. Box 10552
Enid, OK.  73706
(405) 234-2347

Sub-Etha Software
OSK/Midwest Division
936 North Twelfth Street
DeKalb, IL.  60115-2516
(815) 748-6638

-*-

88711 19-JUL 16:12 General Information
     Review of Microsoft Windows 4.0 <grin>
     From: MARTYGOODMAN To: ALL


- -------------------forwards removed--------------------
*** REVIEW: - AMAZING WINDOWS 4.0 ***

We are privileged this month to bring you our long overdue article on
Microsoft's groundbreaking Operating System, the incredible Windows 4.0. Our
exceptional journalistic standards demand that we preface this article by a
restatement of our policy concerning review of non-shipping products. While our
policy has always been that we would review no product that is not actually
shipping at the time of publication, WE HAVE CHANGED OUR POLICY FOR THIS ISSUE
ONLY. Our policy for this issue is that we will review any product that someone
tells us might possibly be developed at any time in the future. After this
issue, our policy will revert to what it was prior to this issue until such
time that Microsoft begins to again consider their next edition of software and
begins another high-visibility promotion geared to discourage users from
looking at the competition.

We put the wonderful Windows 4.0 operating system through our grueling bench
benchmark program which was magnanimously donated to PC Labs by Microsoft
Corporation. Our test bed was the standard by platform used most PC users--a
Cray Supercomputer with 3 Gigabytes of RAM and a $9000 Windows graphics
accelerator card with 512 Megabytes of SRAM. Our testing was made more
difficult by the fact that no actual code was available at the time of the
procedure. We did have available, however, a screen shot of the stupendous
Windows 4.0 which we put through its paces. Our staff was speechless over how
pretty the screen shot was. We also had the benefit of the assistance of 12
Microsoft employees who provided invaluable input, and also took us to lunch as
well as provide us all with free copies of MicroSoft Office.

The tremendous Windows 4.0 was a dream to install. We didn't even have to open
the box! All of our applications were immediately migrated into the new OS,
except the OS/2 applications. They mysteriously disappeared. We were told that
this is a bug in the way that OS/2 apps are written and that this was IBM's
problem. The screen shot scored a respectable .000001 Winmarks on our testing
platform. Microsoft officials assure us that performance of the actual code
promises to be even better. The only compatibility problem arose when OS/2 for
Windows stubbornly refused to load the screen shot. Microsoft officials advise
us that this was also IBM's problem.

Microsoft officials told us that 4 Megabytes of RAM minimum would be needed in
the release version. However, they also said that they would recommend 32
Megabytes for typical usage. Microsoft officials said, and we agree, that all
serious PC users will have 32 Megabytes of RAM on their systems by the time Win
4.0 is released. Windows 4.0 is too sophisticated an OS for those that refuse
to keep up.

We were at first concerned with the reports of the apparent absence of 32-bit
code contained in Windows 4.0. However, the Microsoft officials soon set us
straight. Due to Microsoft still having the patent pending for the new
technology, MS officials couldn't tell us how it worked, but told us of a new
Microsoft compression technology. It turns out that all of the apparent 16-bit
code present in Win 4.0 is actually 32-bit bit code that has been compressed by
Microsoft to look like it is only 16 bits. Microsoft officials say that this is
the wave of the future in 32-bit computing.

In order for you to take advantage of the power of Win 4.0, Microsoft will be
releasing three new products. These products are Visual COBOL,Visual Assembler
and Visual Machine Language. The Microsoft representatives gave us a sneak peak
of the Visual Machine Language product. Visual Machine Language will contain
the famous Microsoft App Wizard. At first the App Wizard looked like it was
only generating huge random streams of ones and zeros. However, one
representative assured us that this was not the case and that MS had used it to
write most of the Windows NT code.

In summary, we can state without any fear of being accused of hyperbole that
the most excellent Windows 4.0 is the greatest technological breakthrough since
the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel (neither of which,
unfortunately, is patented by Microsoft..... yet). The God-like Windows 4.0
ranks right up there with the other accomplishments of Microsoft, such as the
graphical user interface,the mouse, memory management and on-the-fly disk
compression.

It is at this point that we should state PC Magazine's new policy with regard
to software patents, viz., We feel strongly that any software patent not held
by Microsoft is void and bad for the industry.

There will be a plethora of applications specifically written to take advantage
of the astounding Windows 4.0. All major software developers are expected to
begin work on products immediately after reading this article. Versions of
WordPerfect and Lemmings for Win 4.0 should be shipping by the time you read
this. If you cannot wait for your copy of the sexy Windows 4.0, we suggest you
immediately go out and buy a copy of the highly innovative MS-DOS 6.2. Follow
that up with several copies of the award winning Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
If you are still impatient, buy the long awaited Windows NT, which is available
in bulk quantity from your local retailer at huge discounts. By that time, if
the most esteemed Windows 4.0 is still not shipping, buy a few more copies of
Windows NT.

While we usually don't give awards to products that are not even in Alpha
release, we feel that we have no choice but to award our prestigious ZIFF-DAVIS
Editor's Choice to the awesome Microsoft Windows 4.0. And even though it is
only July, we have also given it our ZIFF-DAVIS Year-End Technical Excellence
Award in ALL categories for the years 1994 through 1999. We expect an even
better version of Windows in the year 2000. So, what are you waiting for?

*Note: All words (except "fire" and "wheel") and all alphanumeric characters in
this article are registered trademarks of Microsoft.


- ----- End Included Message -----


-*-

88717 20-JUL 03:48 General Information
     RE: Review of Microsoft Windows 4.0 <gri (Re: Msg 88711)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: MARTYGOODMAN

Marty,

 > *Note: All words (except "fire" and "wheel") and all alphanumeric
 > characters in
 > this article are registered trademarks of Microsoft.

Thank you so much for passing this along... I've not found something
this funny in a very long time!  ;)


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88730 20-JUL 21:35 General Information
     RE: Review of Microsoft Windows 4.0 <gri (Re: Msg 88711)
     From: HAWKSOFT     To: MARTYGOODMAN

Marty:

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!

  How much would it COST to have them review some OS9 products???? <G>

                                                 Chris

   BTW, I resolderd the fly-back transformer connections on my Maggie-Monitor
(they all looked really bad!!!) and haven't had a problem in 3 weeks!

                 THANKS!!!!!!


   :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :-> :->  Chris "HAWKSoft"  <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-: <-:

        Delphi: HAWKSOFT                   Internet: HAWKSOFT@DELPHI.COM

   ******************< Uploaded w/ InfoXpress vr. 1.01.00 >******************

-*-

88749 22-JUL 12:54 General Information
     RE: Review of Microsoft Windows 4.0 <gri (Re: Msg 88717)
     From: MARTYGOODMAN To: JOELHEGBERG (NR)

I get lots of these little ditties via friends on Internet.
But THIS one was especially well done... and appropriate.

   I'm delighted you enjoyed it.

  ---marty

-*-

88750 22-JUL 12:55 General Information
     RE: Review of Microsoft Windows 4.0 <gri (Re: Msg 88730)
     From: MARTYGOODMAN To: HAWKSOFT (NR)

I'm DELIGHTED I was able to help you with that old Maggot-box!
They really ARE nice monitors... just tend to be poorly assembled.

  And I'm glad you enjoyed that little ditty from Internet.
It just seemed especially appropriate to this SIG, and also
especially accurate, too.   ---marty

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88719 20-JUL 16:39 General Information
     OS-9 Patches for the Coco III
     From: MROWEN01     To: ALL

     I've caught up on the messages piled up here from the past week. I'm
putting my two cents worth in here because I am a "late bloomer" when it comes
to Cocoing. I only discovered Delphi about a year ago. Until then, I was pretty
clueless about OS/9. I could write simple programs in C and MWBasic09. I had
some software and I finally purchased a COCOXT for an ST-255. It wasn't until
I got a Delphi account and started cruising this SIG, that I even began to
do anything substantial with my Coco 3. However, it is apparent to me that I
am behind on much of the technical knowledge most message posters here have
aquired. This started me on the road to patching the living @#$% out of my
OS. Now I have encountered the so called BLOB. It seems to be a subject that
makes forum memebers weary. It's probably been discussed to death. What course
of action should a user like me expect. I'm in a difficult situation. I'm
trying to learn so that I can possibly contribute to other new users. This
forum is the only place where I can be "mentored" to a decent level of
understanding. I don't want to clutter the forum with old old problems, but I
have no other source for help. If you caught Mark Griffith's message on the
Cocolist, you know that some users are hanging it up, hopefully not because of
people like me.

     Discussing standards is kind of pointless with so many patches out there
for Level II, but it would be nice to at least understand some of them. My
real intent is to determine whether someone is willing to donate some time to
help me fix my system, or should I go the way of Mark Griffith? I love my
Coco and it does what I need it to do, but when I pushed a bit further, I
created the BLOB. When my system is running OK, I marvel at what OS-9 and
my Coco can do. When I screw it up badly trying to add yet another capability
I start to feel guilty begging for help here on the forum. I don't know if
other's feel the same way, but I believe there are a number of members who
read the forum and never post must of anything. If you are willing to help me
offline, sent me a mail message. If I am annoying everyone with my problems,
send me a mail message telling me so. Many of you have helped me in the past.
I'm in a bind that's over my head now. Many of you are now using OSK. I can't
afford the leap right now. To sum it up, I feel kind of bad because I take
without ever giving much other than some loyalty to the OS-9 community. Your
responses are appreciated.

-Mike Rowen

-*-

88729 20-JUL 21:19 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88719)
     From: JOELHEGBERG  To: MROWEN01

Mike,

 > comes to Cocoing. I only discovered Delphi about a year ago. Until then, I
 > was pretty clueless about OS/9.

Isn't Delphi amazing?  I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't "connected"
to the outside world.  I also didn't know what I was missing until I got
onto Delphi.

 > Now I have encountered the so called BLOB.
 > It seems to be a subject that makes forum members weary.

I don't have much experience with this, but I know it seemed to be a
very technical problem that people could not seem to agree on what the
cause was.  I heard discussions on memory swap timing problems,
byte-alignment stuff, etc.  Whatever the cause, BLOB stands for Boot
List Order Bug, so try changing the order of your boot modules until you
get something that works.  I only once had a BLOB problem (before I
moved to MM/1 OS-9/68000), and I just rearranged things until they were
working.  I believe Eddie Kuns uploaded a possible BLOB fix to the
database here, so you may want to do a search for BLOB there.

 > If you caught Mark Griffith's message on the Cocolist, you know that
 > some users are hanging it up, hopefully not because of people like me.

Nah, I don't think anyone would leave OS-9 because someone asked for
help learning OS-9.  That's what we love to see! The reason why Mark is
leaving is lack of professional applications and, what he views, as no
potential for OS-9 in the personal computer market.  I'm unsure about
OS-9's personal computer future, but I know it works great for me on my
personal computer, and I haven't found an OS that I'd rather use (and
I've used LOTS of them).  You choose what's best for you.  I believe
Boisy posted some excellent points in his recent message as to why OS-9
truly is a fantastic OS for personal computers.

 > or should I go the way of Mark Griffith? I love my Coco

I hope you don't choose Mark's path, for the reason you stated above...
"I love my CoCo".  Don't give up the things you love.

 > but when I
 > pushed a bit further, I created the BLOB. When my system is running OK, I
 > marvel at what OS-9 and my Coco can do. When I screw it up badly trying to
 > add yet another capability I start to feel guilty begging for help here on
 > the forum.

Hey, if I felt guilty about asking for on-line help here, I would really
be in bad shape.  There are no stupid questions.  Sometimes I may feel a
little dumb after asking a question I realize I knew the answer to, or
found in my manual the next day, but people are always happy to help
I've found.  And besides, you're not "begging for help", rather you're
"asking for assistance".

 > To sum it up, I feel kind of bad because I take without ever giving
 > much other than some loyalty to the OS-9 community.

That's something OS-9 desperately needs... I'm glad you've found an OS
you can be loyal to.  I did.


=============================================================================
Joel Mathew Hegberg                    M.O.T.D. Editor
(JoelHegberg@delphi.com)               68'micros Columnist
                                       Sub-Etha Software Programmer
=============================================================================


-*-

88735 21-JUL 00:23 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88729)
     From: MITHELEN     To: JOELHEGBERG

General concensus seems to be that, cc3disk tends to be semi position dependant
and that only 1 in ever 4 byte positions will produce a truely stable floppy
access. 2 of the positions will usually work, but may be flakey, and the last
position will mostlikely give the "BLOB". The typical fix to a BLOBed boot is
to add 1-3 bytes (I usually just add 2, since that has always worked) to
the end of a module that is before cc3disk in the boot file (usually init).
This can be done with the "xtend" command within EZgen (which people with
a Burke^2 hard disk setup should already have) Or, use DeD to "diddle" the
length
of init before os9gen'ing a new boot disk...
--
Paul

-*-

88736 21-JUL 00:30 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88729)
     From: MROWEN01     To: JOELHEGBERG

Thanks for your feedback Joel! I7ve already gotten a few mail responses with
some help. The BLOB has always been referenced to but never fully explained. I
guess I can understand why now. I'm working with some very sizable manuscript
stuff right now. I'm using ved and vprint. Would you recommend this same set
of tools under OSK or is there something more elaborate under OSK? Again
thanks for taking the time to respond. I guess Mark's message made me think
about what I'm doing with OS-9. I'm trying to patch things to the point where I
can do document processing, read/write PCDOS files, and support an additional
user who is terminal connected. One of my first problems was finding an editor
for use on a terminal. Finding none, I have been writing one with BASIC09. IT's
half done. I started in C but have some learning to do yet. Do you know of
a terminal editor anywhere? I expected to see something VT100 capable, but the
search has been fruitless so far. I didn't even see UNIX C code that I could
adapt. Delphi is amazing.

-Mike

-*-

88739 21-JUL 02:29 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88719)
     From: COCOKIWI     To: MROWEN01

The "BLOB" has been around a while and driven a lot of people to #$%^ a lot!
<G> The RBF file MUST be within one block...The CC3Disk and others also...
there is a electronic fix also which fixes the Timming problem,I have not had a
BLOB problem since!<touch wood> the Electronic fix strangly enough is VERY
much the same as the OLD org fix for the ORG 64k computer...back then 64k was
a do it yourself add on,the problem was the ROM was getting into the 64k memory
causing problems! the fix was a Gate clocking the Rom select chip!
The FIX for the CoCo-3 is basicly the same!    S1 to gate....E to gate
 Gate to pin 5<I think>pin has to be cut and bent up...The 74ls02 can be hung
on top of the 74ls138.......I think there is a file on it in the Database!
Timming fix!........I did this fix to mine! and I use a HD6309E instead of the
MC6809E......
Dennis

-*-

88741 21-JUL 21:12 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88736)
     From: JEJONES      To: MROWEN01

 > I'm working with some very
 > sizable manuscript stuff right now. I'm using ved and vprint. Would you
 > recommend this same set of tools under OSK or is there something more
 > elaborate under OSK?

There are several things more elaborate under OSK: one would be TeX and
LaTeX; another would be Lout and either a PostScript printer or GhostScript.
BUT...that doesn't necessarily mean that I wouldn't recommend ved and
vprint under OSK!  The OSK versions are even better than the 6809 versions,
and the kved front end for ved makes it very easy to use.

(Note that I'm not associated with Bob van der Poel save as a satisfied
customer.)

Opinions herein are solely those of their respective authors.

Clipper Chip: Big Brother Inside

-*-

88745 21-JUL 23:02 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88729)
     From: REVWCP       To: JOELHEGBERG


Dear Joel:
One of the most enjoyable parts of OS-9 for me has been the willingness of
people to be willing to answer questions.  Goodness, if asking stupid
questions was a crime, I would be Public Enemy #1....I have said this many
times, there is a wonderful spirit of cooperation here.  People who I have
met on-line have become very dear friends to me.  I would think that even
if the day came when I would move on to another system, as long as there is
this Forum, I would still stop in to say hello.  You know, there are so
many special moments for me as I look back over these past 7 or 8 years.
Getting started...going on-line...the Fests...my humble offerings to the
group...our special time of fellowship on Sunday morning...I can't put a
price on this.  The technical knowledge I have gained is worth a Degree,
but the intangible things far go beyond that.  I guess, I'm in it for
the duration.

With all best wishes,
Brother Jeremy, CSJW
OS9 User's Group Treasurer

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88746 22-JUL 00:16 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88741)
     From: MROWEN01     To: JEJONES

Thanks. That's good to know. I'm putting my wish list together and I've
started to save the buck$ to buy an OSK system. What OSK system do you have?

-Mike

-*-

88747 22-JUL 00:35 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88736)
     From: KSCALES      To: MROWEN01

Hi, Mike -
 > I'm working with some very
 > sizable manuscript stuff right now. I'm using ved and vprint. Would you
 > recommend this same set of tools under OSK or is there something more
 > elaborate under OSK?

Well, yes, there is something more powerful under OSK -- called Ved and
Vprint <g>.  You'd feel right at home -- but have a built-in spellchecker,
multiple edit buffers, column operations and a myriad of other
enhancements.  Bob seems to add a new feature to Ved every 2 weeks...

 > Do you know of a terminal editor anywhere? I expected to see something
 > VT100 capable, but the search has been fruitless so far.

A good choice for that would be DynaStar, which was my mainstay for
editing under both Level 1 and Level 2.

Regards... / Ken
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ken Scales   Delphi:KSCALES   Internet:kscales@delphi.com   CIS:74646,2237
 =-=-=-=-=-= Intel: Putting the backward in backward compatible =-=-=-=-=-=

-*-

88751 22-JUL 15:20 General Information
     RE: OS-9 Patches for the Coco III (Re: Msg 88747)
     From: MROWEN01     To: KSCALES (NR)

So Dynastar will run on a terminal. Is this widely available? Where might I
aquire this package for Level II?

-Mike

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88721 20-JUL 20:02 General Information
     RE: Crashed Coco3 (Re: Msg 88122)
     From: NEALSTEWARD  To: COCOKIWI

Haven't been on in awhile, so if you remember the message thread, I was
wondering if you would have any idea why a bad connector would appear
when the system WAS working fine?


-*-

88722 20-JUL 20:03 General Information
     RE: Crashed Coco3 (Re: Msg 88173)
     From: NEALSTEWARD  To: TEDJAEGER

I bought the SCII from Joe Scinta of Ken-Ton.  I think the only
"incompatiblity" is addresses, which this one uses an alternate
address.  Besides the system WAS working fine for quite some
time.

-*-

88723 20-JUL 20:06 General Information
     RE: Crashed Coco3 (Re: Msg 88224)
     From: NEALSTEWARD  To: RICKMAC (NR)

Tried all those ideas already.  It is working now, but it might not if
I were to reboot later tonight.  It has been real humid lately, but
the problem began before the hot weather too.  I understand the "buggy"
feeling!


-*-

88738 21-JUL 02:12 General Information
     RE: Crashed Coco3 (Re: Msg 88721)
     From: COCOKIWI     To: NEALSTEWARD (NR)

contacts!!!!! they oxidize over time forming a resistance between the
connector and the socket,GOLD plated contacts AND gold plated connectors
last longer between plugging,s.......
Dennis......P.S........get a good contact cleaner!

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88725 20-JUL 20:28 Applications (6809)
     RE: SOFTWARE (Re: Msg 88217)
     From: NEALSTEWARD  To: MORRISA (NR)

I don't recommend Color Artist at all.  I bought it and found it useless,
there are better graphic editors available, even Max9, a shareware editor
is more powerful.  If you still want it thought, you can HAVE it for a
couple bucks shipping.


-*-

88726 20-JUL 20:37 General Information
     RE: Drives (Re: Msg 88308)
     From: NEALSTEWARD  To: REVWCP

I run a 3.5" 80 track drive as /d1 and here is my dmode output:


 adr=$FF40 drv=$01 stp=$03 typ=$20 dns=$03 cyl=$0050
 sid=$02 vfy=$00 sct=$0012 tos=$0012 ilv=$03 sas=$08
Hope this is of some help.


-*-

88733 20-JUL 22:34 General Information
     RE: Drives (Re: Msg 88726)
     From: REVWCP       To: NEALSTEWARD (NR)

Dear Neal:
ilv=is $02, I will have to play with this.  Thank you for your response.
With all best wishes,
Brother Jeremy, CSJW
OS9 User's Group Treasurer

-*-

End of Thread.

-*-

88727 20-JUL 20:41 General Information
     RE: Bill's Book? (Re: Msg 88461)
     From: NEALSTEWARD  To: MRUPGRADE

You and a few hundred others are looking for that book.  As I understand
it, it was advertized, orders send, but never delivered.

-*-


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