chad@anasazi.UUCP (Chad R. Larson) (02/12/86)
I am a systems consultant, specializing in micros and data networks.
About one and a half years ago, I bought a TRS-80 Model 4P to enable
me to take some of my work with me away from my office. The work
I intended to do was exclusivly in CP/M 3.1. Tandy was advertising
(but not yet delivering) an implementation of CP/M, which I also
ordered. When I finally got the CP/M it was a disaster. Any program
(like SET or SHOW) that made reference to the disk lable blew up,
forcing a re-boot. Several other programs (not Digital Research, but
Tandy supplied) had similar behavior. It was not possible to change
the baud rate on the serial port. Etc., etc. This may well all be
old news in this group, I don't know. Anyway.... I have been
reporting the bugs to Languages & Operating Systems in Fort Worth and
they keep promising that a "manditory and no-cost" upgrade will ship
"real soon now". The ship date bumps by about one or two months and
has been doing so for over a year. In the mean time, Tandy sent me a
preliminary release of some bug fixes. They made me promise I
wouldn't pass them around and sign a paper that I acknowledged they
hadn't been tested. (They made no such statements about the original
release, although it seemed so.) Those fixes had their own
problems. Since then, Tandy discontinued the computer. ARRRrgghhh!
Forgive me, I got into flame mode there. What I would like to know
is has anyone gotten satisfaction from Tandy on the CP/M Plus they
still claim to be selling? Do you know of any other satisfactory
implementations? I have done CP/M implementations (1.4, 2.2 and 3.1)
on many machines, and could do my own again, but principal (Tandy owes
me one!) and disinclination to write another terminal emulator have
deterred me so far. Would anyone out there be interested in one if I
did it? Help! Help! So far, I have had a computer for 20 months I
can't use and which is worth very little in trade anywhere. Please
mail me anything you think would be helpful. (Tandy, if you read
this, send me the source. I'll fix everything and send it back to
you. Usual non-disclosures.) If there appears to be enough interest
I will pass on to the group how I make out.
_____________________________________________________________________
UUCP: {mot!terak}!anasazi!chad Voice: Hey, Chad!
Ma Bell: (602) 870-3330 ICBM: N33deg,33min
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Suit 120
Phoenix, AZ 85020uhclem@trsvax (02/17/86)
<Take this line and eat it!> Here is what you should do. Buy Montezuma Micros' CP/M for the Model 4/4P. Or for second choice Pickles and Trouts' CP/M. Tandy did not do the CP/M+ port for the Model 4. Digital Research subcontracted it to someone (guess they were busy) and apparently didn't keep the reins very tight. You don't have to turn off the pressure just because the 4P was canned. The CP/M+ runs on the Model 4 too, which are still being sold. I would suggest complaining to someone that might be able to do something. The guys who answer the phones take the heat but only the jist gets to the people who should be flamed at. As with any company, just work up the ladder. It may cost you a bit in phone bills, but as with most software products, once you buy it you are stuck (unless you have a really good lawyer.) (I knew that subcontractor was in trouble when they asked what port you IN from to read a keystroke from the keyboard. -Model I/III/4/4P joke) <The above happens to be my personal, but factual opinion, which may cause severe brain damage to my employer or anyone else.> "Thank you, Uh Clem." Frank Durda IV @ <trsvax!uhclem>