DISKMAG4.BAT ·
BAT ·
46.8 KB ·
1985-12-09 ·
from CompuLink-User-Group_Magazette_Vol-1-Issue-2_1985
ECHO OFF
bat goto -line0
bat -header
bat stack.purge
bat cls begtype
\0F╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗\07
end
bat type %s%s%s%s%s%s%s %H%s%s%s%s%%s%s%s%ss%s%s%s%s%s COMPULINK MAGAZETTE ISSUE 2%s%s%s%s%s%s%s%s%sPage %N
bat begtype
\0F╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Press: PGDN for next page, PGUP for prev page, HOME for main menu.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\07
end
bat return
bat -scroll
bat inkey %k
bat if %k = KEY003 goto -opt0 |* Break key
bat if %k = KEY01B %L = 0 | return |* ESC key
bat if %k = KEY147 %L = 0 | return |* Home key
bat if %k = KEY149 %L = %L - 1 | cls | return |* PgUp key
bat if %k = KEY151 %L = %L + 1 | cls | return |* PgDn key
bat goto -scroll
end
bat read Press the ─┘ key to continue to next section.....
bat return
bat -line0
bat cls begtype
\0F ╔════ COMPULINK MAGAZETTE ISSUE 2 ════╗
║ The Magazine On The Screen! ║
╙───────────────────────────────────────────╜
\0F ╔═════════════════╗
║ SECTION 4 INDEX ║
╚═════════════════╝
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗\07
\0F ║ 1)\07 4.01 - 4.09 The Movie Database. \0F║\07
\0F ║ 2)\07 4.10 - 4.13 DOS 2.0 Redirection. \0F║\07
\0F ║ 3)\07 4.14 - 4.17 Epson's TAXI - First Impressions. \0F║\07
\0F ║ 4)\07 4.18 - 4.24 Review of MULTILINK. \0F║\07
\0F ║ 5)\07 4.25 - 4.35 Times are a Changin' \0F║\07
\0F ║ 6)\07 4.36 - 4.37 Fixes for Wordstar. \0F║\07
\0F ║ 7)\07 4.38 - 4.40 How to make a Null Modem. \0F║\07
\0F ║ 8)\07 4.41 - 4.44 End Frame. \0F║\07
\0F ║ ║
║ 0) EXIT ║
║ 9) Section 1, 10) Section 2, 11) Section 3. ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝\07
END
bat -entry0
bat read Enter the number of your selection. > %A
bat if / = /%a %a = 1
bat if %a < 16 if %a > 1/ cls goto -opt%a
bat if %a < : if %a > / cls goto -opt%a
bat beep
end
bat goto -entry0
bat -opt0 cls begtype
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Ready to leave Magazette Press a key: ║
║ <\0FS\07>ystem <\0FA\07>gain ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
end
bat -exiting inkey %a
bat if %a = S exit
bat if %a = A goto -line0
bat beep goto -exiting
bat -line134
bat -opt1 %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 134 | %N = 4.01
bat call -header | begtype
This is a breif review of PC-SIG disk 311, the Movie Database
by The Balkan Group.
THE MOVIE DATABASE
(Copyright 1985 The Balkan Group) Edition 1: 4/14/85
Welcome movie fans! What you have just loaded into your
computer is a database of nearly 2000 movies, all of which
are currently available on videotape. Did you ever wish you
had a list of Debra Winger's movies or director John
Carpenter's movies or could remember what movie Sally Field
and Jeff Bridges made together or which movies based on
Alistair MacLean stories are available on videotape or....
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line135
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 135 | %N = 4.02
bat call -header | begtype
A search of The Movie Database can answer those questions and
many more like them. The typical entry in this database
consists of:
movie title
MPAA rating
date of release
major cast members ma
director
scriptwriter
original story author, if not an original screenplay
A word about MPAA ratings: Current designations are G, PG,
PG-13, R, X. There are few X-rated movies in this database
because they're mostly interchangeable. There are few PG-13
ratings, because that's a recent development and few G movies
because of lack of interest (mine). Note that the
predecessor of R was 'M'; the predecessor of PG was GP.
Before that there were no ratings, so those movies
(pre-1967?) are 'NR' for not rated.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line136
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 136 | %N = 4.03
bat call -header | begtype
We've also used 'TV' to signify a made for TV movie. TV
movies are basically PG or G. A blank rating means I simply
did not know. Specifically, each entry in the database looks
something like:
Taxi Driver
R
1976
Robert DeNiro
Jodie Foster
Cybill Shepherd
Albert Brooks
Harvey Keitel
Leonard Harris
Peter Boyle
W:Paul Schrader
D:Martin Scorsese
..
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line137
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 137 | %N = 4.04
bat call -header | begtype
The title is always the first field, then the MPAA rating,
then the release data, then the cast members, then additional
information. Screenwriters are prefaced with 'W:'. If a
script is based on a story from another medium, then the
original author's name appears in parentheses, e.g.
W:Francis Ford Coppola (Mario Puzo).
Directors are prefaced with a 'D:'. Producers with a 'P:'.
Producers are rarely listed, however. Directors and writers
are not always listed either, mostly because that information
is not as readily available as are the names of the cast
members. (Most of the information for this database came
from catalogs supplied by videotape producers like Vestron,
Monterey, etc.) The entire entry for a movie is terminated by
two dots on a line by themselves.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line138
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 138 | %N = 4.05
bat call -header | begtype
There are also some designations in parentheses, on the same
line as a title or name, that have special meanings:
(*) - the movie, star, director, screenwriter got an Oscar.
(N) - the star appeared in a nude scene in the movie.
(A) - an Australian movie
(007) - a James Bond movie
Future editions of this database will have other special
character designations. (Your suggestions are welcome. How
about BB for basketball movies? No?)
The information in this directory is by necessity,
incomplete. (I am continuing to work on expanding the
database.) There may also be some errors in the database,
though probably less errors than in any of the printed
videotape directories. Wherever I was in doubt about an item
of information, I left it out rather than take a chance it
might be wrong.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line139
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 139 | %N = 4.06
bat call -header | begtype
Still, errors do creep in. If you do catch any, please let
me know and I will correct them for future editions.
The database itself is broken down into 55 or so ordinary,
sequential, text files. These all have two letter filenames.
Except for the MFIND program discussed below, there is no
requirement that the files remain in this configuration. In
fact, if you have a text editor that can support 250K files,
you may want to merge all of my little files into one big
one.
Because the database is not compressed or encrypted in any
way, it can be searched with the find/search command of most
any text editor or word processor. I created/edited the
files myself with EDIX on an IBM PC, Scripsit on a TRS-80,
and Epsonlink on an HX-20.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line140
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 140 | %N = 4.07
bat call -header | begtype
Freeware software distributors like the PC-SIG have text
editors available that can be used for searching the
database. PC-SIG also has a GREP program -- a powerful
character string search utility. In addition, I have also
supplied, on this disk, a little search utililty called
MFIND, with a limited FIND xx AND/OR xx capability. It's
described in MFIND.DOC.
This project is user-supported. If you like what I've done
and would like to help me do more work in this field, send me
a monetary contribution. Any reasonably-sized contribution
will put you on my mailing list to get the first news of
updates to the movie database, other new movie products, new
databases on other subjects, new search programs, etc.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line141
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 141 | %N = 4.08
bat call -header | begtype
Contributors can also fill out and return a hardcopy of the
survey SURVEY.DOC. This is a poll to find out who are the
most popular movie stars and directors and which movies have
been most liked. Results will be tabulated and mailed to
those on my mailing list.
This database has been copyrighted. However, you may use it
for any non-commercial purpose without limitation. In fact,
I encourage you to make copies of it for your friends. The
only restriction is that all copies made always include this
file and the survey file.
Commercial users: there is a nominal licensing fee for
anyone who intends to use this database as the basis of a
commercial product such as a trivia game or a videotape
rental system. We are also working on a more complete
database which you may want to license.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line142
bat %H = MOVIE%sDATABASE | %L = 142 | %N = 4.09
bat call -header | begtype
Eric Balkan
The Balkan Group
14704 Seneca Castle Ct.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Disclaimer: All information contained in this database has
been gathered from sources believed reliable, but cannot be
guaranteed. I apologize in advance for any errors and will
correct them in future editions.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line143
bat -opt2 %H = DOS%s2.0%sPROBLEMS | %L = 143 | %N = 4.10
bat call -header | begtype
DOS 2.0 HAS PROBLEMS WITH REDIRECTION OF I/O
There are problems in DOS 2.0 with the redirection of I/O and
piping for programs that use the original DOS 1.1 INT 21
function calls for input. This problem is readily apparent
to users of C language packages such as Computer Innovation
C-86, Lattice C, or Microsoft C (you'd think they would get
it right!). One problem is that all output to the screen is
redirected, even keyboard echo. Correct operation would
redirect all program output for the screen (stdout) to the
specified >file, but the echo of keyboard input would still
be sent to the screen. Instead, both the keyboard echo and
the program output are sent to the redirected >file. Thus,
if you run programs such as the CAT.C (K&R,page 154) example
that Microsoft distributes with their C; or COPYIO.C
(K&R,page 15) with the output redirected to a file, you will
get the following results:
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line144
bat %H = DOS%s2.0%sPROBLEMS | %L = 144 | %N = 4.11
bat call -header | begtype
1. Under DOS 1.1, keyboard input is echoed to the screen as
you type and each line appears in the >file once as expected.
2. Under DOS 2.0, keyboard input is not echoed to the
screen, but each line appears in the >file twice!
This situation is handled correctly in DOS 2.0 if the new INT
21 function call 3F is used. This can be demonstrated by
redirecting output for the DOS 2.0 function MORE - it works
as desired.
The redirecting of input to these programs doesn't work
properly either. If the file has not been edited with debug
to end with a control-Z, the program will hang up at the end
of the <input file. You must reboot the system to continue!
Also, if you pipe the output of the first program into a
second program, the final output will contain each line four
times, doubled spaced after the second line! These problems
do not occur for programs that use the new DOS 2.0 calls for
I/O, such as SORT and MORE.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line145
bat %H = DOS%s2.0%sPROBLEMS | %L = 145 | %N = 4.12
bat call -header | begtype
The question now is how do you fixup C programs to run under
DOS 2.0 and not redirect keyboard echo to the stdout file?
The easiest way for C compilers that include their own
redirection code is to change their redirection symbols from
<, >, and >> to something else. Then DOS 2.0 won't do the
redirection, so the C code will be able to do it correctly.
With the Microsoft C compiler, this is easily accomplished by
modifying three lines of code in _MAIN.C. A good choice is
to modify _MAIN.C so that it redirects on the symbols {, },
and }}. The only restriction is that these symbols then
should not be used in filenames. With these changes, the
user can choose to let either DOS <, >, >> or C {, }, }} do
the redirecting. The modified version of _MAIN.C is compiled
to obtain a new _MAIN.OBJ, which can either be put into the
library MC.LIB to replace the original _MAIN by using the
LIB.EXE utility.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line146
bat %H = DOS%s2.0%sPROBLEMS | %L = 146 | %N = 4.13
bat call -header | begtype
I.E. LIB MC.LIB -_MAIN+_MAIN or it can be kept separate. If
kept separate, remember to include it in the list of .OBJ
files specified in the LINK call, i.e. LINK c _main
myprogram.
The three lines to change in Microsoft C's _MAIN are:
case '{':
case '}':
if (*line == '}')
Kludgy, yes, but it works better than before!! WHR 9-26-83
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line147
bat -opt3 %H = TAXI%sREVIEW | %L = 147 | %N = 4.14
bat call -header | begtype
TAXI - First Impressions: D.J.J. Walker Morgan.
I have been using GEM for the past month or so on various
machines, and the complaints I level against it (Slow,
doesn't care about PC-DOS, bad menu layout etc) seem to be
all gone with TAXI.
TAXI is the first non-japanese product from Epson. for your
200 pounds you get a IBM-PC Board, A mouse , 2 disks and a
manual. It took half an hour (and a phone call to Epson) to
install the entire system. The board is a combined 64K ram
and microsoft mouse board, but the 64K maps outside PCDOS
memory and so, even with TAXI resident you have 640K
(maximum) available.
The instructions in the manual were clear, but a bug in CHKPC
on IBM PC-AT's slowed me up a bit. Anyway , board and mouse
installed, I set down to play with TAXI.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line148
bat %H = TAXI%sREVIEW | %L = 148 | %N = 4.15
bat call -header | begtype
First, Windows in TAXI seem to be tiled, but without the
waste that normally carries with it. The screen shows more
detail than GEM, Icons can be designed by you to suit your
needs. Between TAXI and GEM, TAXI wins the first round, a
more attractive display.
The mouse is probably the best I have come across on the PC,
a true rolling mouse with 3 buttons, but Microsoft
compatible. It's quiet and accurate. (GEM doesn't have a
mouse, you have to buy one extra, and a microsoft mouse costs
about 180 pounds). Round 2 is a draw......GEM can't compete,
but it's unfair to let it.
Usability with applications.......TAXI is faster overall and
can come up in any application. That includes when they
application is in text mode! GEM's 'Don't Care' approach
means that it loses the round badly, it only comes up in
graphic mode and with applications especially written for it.
TAXI 3 GEM 1.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line149
bat %H = TAXI%sREVIEW | %L = 149 | %N = 4.16
bat call -header | begtype
File Handling.....GEM is more a PC-DOS person's file handler
with wildcards and TAXI just lets you handle single files,
which for most users is all they will ever copy......Another
Draw.....TAXI 4 GEM 2......
Configurability......GEM has a system of GEM setup, which
let's you alter hardware layout, but beyond that it has very
little configurability except for 'Saving The Desk Top'.
TAXI appears to be quite open ended, but the next month or so
will show what support will appear for the openness of TAXI.
This round postponed!
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line150
bat %H = TAXI%sREVIEW | %L = 150 | %N = 4.17
bat call -header | begtype
At the end of the day, GEM tries to make the PC look like a
Macinitosh (as Apple discovered) and fails much of the time
because the hardware and Operating system are not to hand.
TAXI is like a splash of Macintosh, a dollop of improved
Sidekick and half a dozen utilities rolled into one; It's
also cheaper......If you aren't worried about authoring
transportable software on IBM and ACT, forget GEM, Hail TAXI.
If this review seems enthusiastic, that's because I am.
DJJWM COMPSUPP (aka BATMAN)
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line151
bat -opt4 %H = MULTILINK | %L = 151 | %N = 4.18
bat call -header | begtype
Because of the large number of questions which I have
received on my BBS I have decided that I would submit an
article to the publisher of the IBM SIG Newsletter concerning
a product called Multi-Link. I have been using Multi-Link
for approximately nine months now and I have learned many
things concerning this product which may be of interest to
others.
Multi-Link is a software system for the IBM Personal
Computer, which interfaces with PC-DOS and turns it into a
multi- user, multi-tasking operating system. Single user
multi-tasking is also supported at the standard monitor which
is attached to the PC. Besides this console Multi-Link
allows for up to eight terminals from various manufacturers.
This means that the system can support a maximum of nine
users at any one time.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line152
bat %H = MULTILINK | %L = 152 | %N = 4.19
bat call -header | begtype
The additional users are supported by connecting standard
RS-232 terminals to RS-232 serial ports on the PC. Most
software for the PC can be run on any of these other
terminals. The terminals must have as a minimum capability.
24x80 column screen or larger
Ability to directly address the cursor
Ability to erase to End of Line
Scrolling capability
Control codes for cursor movement
up, down, right, and left
If the program the user wishes to run utilizes the video
hardware of the PC then extra software is supplied to
facilitate the operation of these types of programs. The two
programs supplied are VIDRAM and VIDFIX. These programs
allocate a 4K block of memory for video output and notify
PC-DOS of the location of this memory.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line153
bat %H = MULTILINK | %L = 153 | %N = 4.20
bat call -header | begtype
Multi-Link allocates memory to each terminal as a partition
of the PC's main memory. The partitions are of two types,
foreground (FG) and background (BG). There is only one FG
operation, that of the PC's main console. The other
partitions are associated with BG operations and occupy
memory between DOS and FG. The overhead of Multi-Link is
about 13K and each BG process requires about 9K for buffers
and other parameters.
Multi-Link also allows the main console operator to priortize
the operation of tasks within the system. This can be used
to force Multi-Link and compute bound processes to share
processor time with other tasks.
Multi-Link is initialized by CLI invocation or from a batch
file in the following manner.
MLINK/9,150
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line154
bat %H = MULTILINK | %L = 154 | %N = 4.21
bat call -header | begtype
This command starts Multi-Link and invokes a BG partition of
150K. The nine is used to specify a dummy port which means
there is no terminal connected. This invocation is what I
use to invoke the BBS and still be able to perform other
tasks on my PC.
As you may have guessed from the following discussion Multi-
Link is very liberal with the memory in your PC. Most PC
users will recognize that 128K of RAM is just about the
minimum to be functional. Taking that figure as a basis for
calculations one can see that the maximum number of users on
a 640K would be 4 (128 x 4 = 512K + 13K (for ML) and 9 x 4
(overhead) =561K). It has been my experience that using a
system that has been loaded like this will cause serious
degradation of system performance! It is possible but I
would surely not recommend it. If one were to be dependent
on RAM drives and print spoolers this would fall to three
users at a maximum.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line155
bat %H = MULTILINK | %L = 155 | %N = 4.22
bat call -header | begtype
It is important to keep in mind that the software operates
just as advertised and the Software Link which produces
Multi- Link appears to be very helpful when you have
troubles. The problem with the performance lies not with
Multi-Link but with the PC itself. I have modified
Multi-Link to run on an 8086 machine running at 8Mhz under
MS-DOS and the peformance increase is dramatic! Also the
640K limitation is not present in that system so a 4
partition system is still quite usable.
Another note which I found to be very annoying when I first
received the program is the protection scheme that is used.
The instructions tell the user that the disk should be
copied. After copying the diskette you are told to reformat
the original diskette with the system files on the diskette.
Then you are instructed to put the files you wish to use back
on the diskette. It seems that the original diskette has
some special formatting scheme that I believe is on track 41.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line156
bat %H = MULTILINK | %L = 156 | %N = 4.23
bat call -header | begtype
The end result is that the original Multi-Link diskette must
be used to boot because the software will inform you if you
try to run it while any other diskette is in Drive A! This
was very annoying to me because it made my entire system
dependent upon one diskette! I immediatley called Rod Roarke
at Software Link and explained that as a beta site for the
IBM BBS I had to be assured of being able to run at all times
and he immediately agreed and sent a backup diskette to me by
overnight mail.
Multi-Link is available as a demo for $25 or the full package
is available for $225. For further information or questions
you may contact me voice at 283-7757 or Software Link at the
address given below:
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line157
bat %H = MULTILINK | %L = 157 | %N = 4.24
bat call -header | begtype
Software Link, Inc.
6700 23-B Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 255-1254
Steve Harrison
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line158
bat -opt5 %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 158 | %N = 4.25
bat call -header | begtype
THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN'
Developments in Computer (B)ulletin (B)oard (S)ystems
Mike Guffey/BBL126
Many of us who populate the `airwaves' of online
communications between our home computer and the rest of the
world cut our teeth on (R)emote (C)omputer (B)ulletin (B)oard
(S)ystems. These RBBS's ran on a wide variety of computers
and operating systems. For several years, the most pervasive
standard was the (R)emote (CP/M) system. This was =the=
place to find the newest and the best of free software and
technical tips. These legendary and remote outposts of
sanity and special reality taught many the special joy of
reaching out to touch other computers, other `enthusiasts'.
Most major cities had at least one great BBS. And some
states seemed to have many concentrated in specific areas.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line159
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 159 | %N = 4.26
bat call -header | begtype
Oh, there were the systems operating on Apples, Commodores
and (Co)lor (Co)mputers. (For that matter, there still are.)
But the most energetic enthusiasts soon discovered the
marvels and practicality of systems running the Digital
Research version of computer reality: CP/M. Here were vast,
free sources of Public Domain software and technical data
available nowhere else. In spite of the fact that some
programs were hardware specific, most of what was available
on RCP/M systems ran on any computer using the CP/M operating
system. A standard seemed to have emerged. And here was
where the `hackers' were known to hang out. Best of all,
until recently, almost all such systems were `free' but for
the price of the phone call. They offered access to whoever
was lucky enough to catch the line open in the day or
evening. And for those willing to keep dialing on into the
wee,@4orning hours they were just a phone call away, anywhere
on the continent.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line160
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 160 | %N = 4.27
bat call -header | begtype
Fascination with machines is not a new indulgence and for
some is a well-developed vice. Few are startled or offended
to find out computing engines have their devoted fans and
their groupies. There may be no greater devotees to personal
computers than unlimited access BBS (SYS)tem (OP)erators.
This special breed place their own computers online for
others to use. They spend hours maintaining the software
that runs the system, hours late at night calling other
systems to obtain the very best and latest versions of the
masterworks of Public Domain software. And often SYSOPs
spend many more hours repairing their computers which `crash'
after thousands of hours of use or abuse by others. SYSOPs
traditionally did this at their own (sometimes enormous)
expense.
Now you have a picture of the way it was. In most larger
cities the nature of RBBS's is changing rapidly. Fundament-
change is sweeping across the landscape.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line161
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 161 | %N = 4.28
bat call -header | begtype
The first significant change was the arrival of unlimited
access BBS-type activity on a play-for-pay database. This
first significant step was taken by CompuServe when it
allowed operators of a major Chicago based RCP/M to establish
a (S)pecial (I)nterest (G)roup on its mainframe. For the
first time many could access the fun and excitement of
BBS-type activity in the same place at the same time. Soon
there were SIG's for just about any type of computer or
operating system available anytime via a single phone call
and in one place. But this marked other more fundamental
changes: users paid for online time, the SYSOPs no longer
had to sacrifice their own hardware, and a profit was
generated from an activity long known for negative cash flow.
(Another play-for-pay database, THE SOURCE, is about to add
online SIGs for subscribers.)
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line162
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 162 | %N = 4.29
bat call -header | begtype
The second great change was a proliferation of new BBS
systems across the land. Suddenly (it seemed) almost any
city or town with a few computing enthusiasts sported at
least one Apple and one CP/M BBS. And while 1200 baud
systems were once a rarity, they became the standard. The
fall in pricing of 1200 baud modems helped this and it meant
users could download programs in 1/4 the time. This meant
more users could call a single BBS in 24 hours. It also
meant a single user could call more BBS's in a day. Long
distance bills were not significantly reduced (initially)
because the savings in time and tolls were often offset by
more frequent long distance calling.
The third great change was that the best and most
sophisticated BBS's ceased being exclusively RCP/M systems.
The arrival of the Big Blue Disk Operating System (PC/MSDOS)
reached out to BBS's too.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line163
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 163 | %N = 4.30
bat call -header | begtype
The invasion was silent but swift. IBM compatible BBS's
(herein generically called RBBS-PC systems) were often easier
to use since almost all were menu driven. This meant novice
onliners didn't need to spend hours learning "the ropes" on a
system and therefore were off sooner. Most RBBS-PC systems
sported a time limit. This reduced the number of BBS `hogs'
tying up a single system. And the RBBS-PC systems got better
faster. This was because most initially used the same
software from the Capital PC user-group in Washington D.C.
And this software was constantly being changed and improved.
(This special software was also easier to set up BBS's with
since less technical know-how was needed to get it running.)
Many RBBS-PC systems now sport music and/or graphics at
sign-on. These displays range from rough ASCII/alphanumeric
designs to full color displays (for computers which can
accept them). And as the RBBS-PC systems grew more
sophisticated most RCP/M systems stayed the same.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line164
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 164 | %N = 4.31
bat call -header | begtype
Few used BBS software other than BYE and XMODEM. RCP/M
systems today often seem crude in comparison to their slick
RBBS-PC cousins. (This does not mean they have become less
valuable to CP/M users.)
The final significant change was that the most exciting and
innovative Public Domain software was no longer primarily
available for CP/M computers. Many of the authors who
created CP/M Public Domain masterpieces changed computers and
operating systems. And there suddenly appeared many, many
more creators of free programs to intrigue and delight other
enthusiasts. Development of new Public Domain programs for
IBM-compatible hardware exploded. What had taken years in
the CP/M world took months on RBBS-PC systems. While nifty
software still appears from time-to-time on RCP/M systems,
flashy new programs are available weekly, sometimes daily on
RBBS-PC systems. And when they appear, the time it takes for
them to appear in most large cities across the continent may
be only hours.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line165
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 165 | %N = 4.32
bat call -header | begtype
There have been other developments as well. The XMODEM
file-transfer protocol developed for CP/M computer
communications is now a standard on RBBS-PC systems. But
many RBBS-PC systems also offer several other file transfer
protocol options.
And there has been a proliferation of subscription BBS's.
While the first such systems were among the best, most
dues-oriented BBS's now can only guarantee less crowding.
Some are pathetic. Many get their software by raiding the
archives of free systems. Few are a bargain and many aren't
worth the price of admission. But there are a select few
amazing subscription systems run by excellent SYSOPs who got
tired of performing the endless BBS maintenance efforts for
nothing and who needed financial support to improve their
systems.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line166
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 166 | %N = 4.33
bat call -header | begtype
The new availability of 2400 baud modems is reflected in some
of the larger BBS's which now offer several communications
speeds. A few even offer 450 baud which is available for
some 300 baud modem users (usually Hayes). A nationwide
bulletin board network has emerged. Called FidoNet, this is
a system of associated BBS's which offer a method of sending
messages across the land at prices far below regular or
discounted long distance rates. Most are IBM-compatible
oriented but some also support software up/downloading for
other computers and operating systems. The majority are
free, a very few are private, limited access systems. All
sport a display of a dog holding a floppy disk at sign-on.
(For computers which can support IBM-type graphics the dog
may "woof" and wag its tail on a few systems.) And a second
network is in the very early stages of emergence. Atlanta
based and called the NOCHANGE system, it sports an error-free
file transfer protocol reported to be 25% faster than XMODEM.
But it is only usable by IBM-compatible computers.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line167
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 167 | %N = 4.34
bat call -header | begtype
Another development, ominous and growing more frequent, is
the frequency of SYSOP `burnout'. More and more SYSOPs are
taking their systems `off-the-air'. Sometimes there is
advance notice, other times they are online one day and gone
forever the next. The most common cause used to be the
ever-increasing financial burden of long distance bills and
equipment maintenance. More recently the causes are harder
to isolate but seem related to the demands of BBS users who
take too much for granted. In any case, the good SYSOPs and
excellent BBS's seem less cherished by the public at large.
In an avocation where the renumeration is often only the
feedback of appreciation by users, this appreciation is less
frequent with so many BBS's to chose from. While the number
of BBS's has flourished, the percentage of `great' systems
decreases daily. If you are fortunate enough to find a
really well managed BBS, your encouragement and support
(messages to the SYSOP and software uploads) may make the
difference between extinction or survival of that system.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line168
bat %H = CHANGIN'%sTIMES | %L = 168 | %N = 4.35
bat call -header | begtype
S.U.P.P.O.R.T. Y.O.U.R. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. B.B.S.
(with more than a phone call)
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line169
bat -opt6 %H = WORDSTAR%sFIXES | %L = 169 | %N = 4.36
bat call -header | begtype
No warranty, express or implied is provided with the data
below found floating in the public domain.
PC/MSDOS FIX TO REMOVE FUNCTION KEY LINE FROM WORSTAR 3.3
1. Make a spare copy of your disk with WS.COM - for safety's
sake!
2. With DEBUG.COM from your PC/MS-DOS disk in drive A:
3. WS.COM disk in drive B:
4. Type DEBUG B:WS.COM
5. At the hyphen type and enter: e 0248
6. "18" should be displayed. Then type and enter: 19
7. Type and enter: e 5041
8. "8d" should be displayed. Type and enter: c3
9. Type and enter: w
10. Message will appear stating that something is being
written.
11. At the hyphen prompt type and enter: q
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line170
bat %H = WORDSTAR%sFIXES | %L = 170 | %N = 4.37
bat call -header | begtype
NOTE: If at any point you fail to see the above displayed.
TYPE AND ENTER: Q
PATCH TO MAKE THE "DEL" KEY DELETE THE CHARACTER ABOVE THE
CURSOR
FOR WORDSTAR 3.20, 3.24 OR 3.3.
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 from above.
2. At the hyphen prompt from DEBUG type and enter: e
3. Be sure "7F" is displayed. Then type and enter: 07
4. Follow steps 9 through 11 from above.
That is all to it.
From PC Magazine June 1983 - Wordstar 3.24 and 3.3: Micropro
Does It Again...And Again by Stephen Manes.
Thomas Mosher.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line171
bat -opt7 %H = A%sNULL%sMODEM | %L = 171 | %N = 4.38
bat call -header | begtype
A Null Modem
Jeff Lasman
Phoenix IBM PC Users Group
It can be easy to hook up two computers through modems when
they are sitting next to each other by use of a null modem.
The modem connection is pretty standard and the cable shown
below should work in place of a modem, with only one caveat.
Only the wires shown should be connected, providing that both
computers normally use "straight-thru" cables (i.e. pins two
and three NOT crossed). Set both computers to the same baud
rate, and transfer away!
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line172
bat %H = A%sNULL%sMODEM | %L = 172 | %N = 4.39
bat call -header | begtype
pin 2--------\\ /--------pin 2
x
pin 3--------/ \\--------pin 3
:--pin 4----\\ /------pin 4--:
: \\ / :
:--pin 5 \\ / pin 5--:
\\ /
:--pin 6 x pin 6--:
: / \\ :
: pin 7------/---\\--------pin 7 :
: / \\ :
: pin 8----/ \\------pin 8 :
: pin 20------\\ /---------pin 20 :
: x :
:--pin 22------/ \\---------pin 22-:
Notes:
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line173
bat %H = A%sNULL%sMODEM | %L = 173 | %N = 4.40
bat call -header | begtype
Pins 2-3 crossover on center without connecting
Pins 4-8 crossover in center without connecting
Pin 7 connects to 7
Pins 20-22 crossover in center without connecting
Lines 4 and 5 are shorted together on each end of the cable,
but are not connected through the cable.
Pins 6 and 22 are handled likewise.
Good Luck!
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line174
bat -opt8 %H = END%sFRAME | %L = 174 | %N = 4.41
bat call -header | begtype
As usual there are several programs accompanying the mail
magazine program. These programs are listed below:-
ARC440.EXE File ARChiving utility, use on .ARC files
ARC440.DOC Documentation for ARC440.EXE.
AUSQ.COM Latest and fastest file unsqueezer.
AUSQ.DOC Documentation for AUSQ.COM.
SQUEEZ.EXE Use to SQUEEZE files.
REVERSI.EXE Othello type game.
FIDOUSER.TXT Fido user manual.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line175
bat %H = END%sFRAME | %L = 175 | %N = 4.42
bat call -header | begtype
The ARC and AUSQ files are provided for users of the bulletin
board. We use the ARC file on the board to increase file
storage capacity. If you use the board and want to download
a file with extension .ARC then use the ARC program to decode
it once you have downloaded it. The AUSQ program is another
type of file compression sometimes used on the bulletin
board. Use this to unsqueeze files with a file extension
whick contains a 'Q' eg, FIDO235.NQS, LANDER.BQS. If you
want to experiment with squeezed files read the article in
the MAGAZETTE Issue 1.
Use AUSQ, and SQUEEZE by :-
AUSQ (filename), or SQUEEZE (filename)
eg. AUSQ FIDO235.NQS will unsqueeze FIDO235.NQS to produce
FIDO235.NWS. SQUEEZE FIDO235.NWS will squeeze FIDO235.NWS to
produce FIDO235.NQS.
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line176
bat %H = END%sFRAME | %L = 176 | %N = 4.43
bat call -header | begtype
Because of the difficulties involved in producing the MAGAZETTE at monthly
intervals I'm afraid we are going to have issue the MAGAZETTE at quarterly
intervals. This will enable us to produce a better quality MAGAZETTE with many
many new features.
If you have any comments about this or any other policy decisions made by us at
Compulink please let us know. Our first duty is to members and subscribers to
Compulink, but there are certain things we would like to do that are simply not
possible due to time and financial constraints. We hope you understand our
situation.
Thanks to all members for supporting us through 1985, and welcome to all new
members for 1986. We have included a membership renewal form for 1985 members.
With your help through the next year we hope to expand still further with many
ambitious plans. If you haven't yet used the Compulink Board, we suggest you
try to get through, with you help we have made the Compulink Board into the
biggest and best bulletin board system outside the USA.
Just one more thing to say..................!!
end
bat call -scroll | goto -line%L
bat -line177
bat %H = END%sFRAME | %L = 177 | %N = 4.44
bat call -header | begtype
_____ o
| | * o
* | | o
__|_____|__ * \\ o /
/ \\ * \\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/
* | o o | \\ o /
* \\ ^ / * \\ o /
* \\ \\_/ / * \\ o /
* //////\\ * \\ /
/ //\\ A MERRY \\ / AND A HAPPY (hic!)
* / O // \\ \\__/
| // | CHRISTMAS, || NEW YEAR.
* | O // | * ||
| | * ||
\\ O / * ==========
\\ /
* \\ / From Frank and Sylvia
************************************************************************
end
bat call -scroll | stack diskmag1.bat | exit
bat -opt9 stack diskmag1.bat | exit
bat -opt10 stack diskmag2.bat | exit
bat -opt11 stack diskmag3.bat | exit