ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (01/13/91)
Category 13, Topic 1
Message 7 Sat Jan 12, 1991
C.MCEWEN at 11:54 EST
Well, I must say that discovering this message category is quite interesting!
After being a subscriber for some time to The Computer Journal (TCJ), I
recently took over for Art as the editor and publisher. Issue number 48 was
mailed at the end of last month, and we have number 49 closed out now, but I
would like to confirm Dave's message that TCJ is very interested in serving
the Forth community.
Matt Mercaldo has been doing a series on controlling stepper motors, leading
to an introduction to robotics, using Forth as his environment. We have been
following the Harris efforts (and recent withdrawal) and are proceeding on
with practical applications with embedded controllers. I guess the comment
that TCJ is a rather eclectic group (I see it as a group of good people, with
a technical journal as a meeting place, rather than just a half pound of
paper) is a good description. But we all have one thing in common: we are
looking for more than just a product review to keep us informed.
I told an author who expressed an interest in submitting an article that our
readers are quite literate and capable. Any article that answers all the
questions went too far and hand-fed the reader. I'd see that as an insult,
myself. Instead, the articles in TCJ tend to open your eyes to the
possibilities of different approaches to a common problem or different uses of
a common solution. When you are done with an article, you should have
sufficient information to continue the learning experience on your own
equipment. In fact, that is where some of our best articles come from: what
readers did with previous information and how they adapted it to their needs.
Anyway, I just wanted to express my thoughts on TCJ and Forth. We continue a
joint commitment to each other. If anyone wants to have a trial subscription,
jote me a note with name and address. The subscription rates are $18/1 year
and $32/2 year (US), $24/1 year, $46/2 year (outside US, surface). If you
don't like the journal, just cancel the invoice and send it back. No risk.
The new address is: The Computer Journal
Socrates Press
P.O. Box 12
S. Plainfield, NJ 07080-0012
Or email to C.MCEWEN, here on GEnie.
PS: the call for good articles still exists. I want to see all the best there
is on Forth in TCJ! Might also note that we do not put interests of
advertisers before readership. This is a journal, not a magazine. Most income
is from subscriptions. Advertising, though accepted, is not our focus. I
mention that as I read some flaming regarding another (respected) publication.
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Category 13, Topic 1 Message 8 Fri Jan 18, 1991 B.RODRIGUEZ2 [Brad] at 21:09 EST Congratulations to the new editor and publisher! I've been reading TCJ for several months now, and enjoy it greatly. I've recommended it to a few associates who are into hardware and embedded control. Keep up the good work! Just so you'll know -- and you can nag me if I dawdle -- I promised Art that I'd write some articles for TCJ, and I haven't forgotten that promise. I've already tagged some of my articles-to-be-written "TCJ." But since April I've been busy with classes and a major project for a client, so articles for TCJ (and others) have been relegated to the "back burner." BTW, thanks for the warning -- I'll try not to "hand-feed" the readers! - Brad ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You cannot Reply to the author using email. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, whatever). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us or uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (01/20/91)
Category 13, Topic 1 Message 9 Sat Jan 19, 1991 C.MCEWEN at 11:15 EST Brad, don't take my comments as "warnings." I wrote them to acquaint those who have never seen the journal with the kind of articles we carry. As a regular reader, you are "up-to-speed" with the depth of articles the readership expects. In the last editorial, I said that the TCJ readers are an educated, literate group and you need not write to the lowest common denominator as many editors would have you do. But we come from a variety of computer disciplines so be prepared to give some definitions of terms. In any event, we can work together with the article if you have any questions. Issue #49 is closed out and we are working on #50. I have been asking our contributing editors for their editorial plans in the upcoming issues. The journal works with four general types of articles: Forth, Embedded Controllers and Robotics, CP/M and Z-System and General Interest. So far, all groups have reported in except Forth. I would hate to see this interest group lightly represented because of a lack of strong articles. The message you responded to was written a week ago and you are the first to take notice of it. Is this an indication that the Forth community is well served elsewhere and TCJ is no longer needed? I ask this only to help plan the future growth and direction of the publication. It seems counter to the response I get from the readers -- the Forth readers are very active. But we need a greater representation of them to justify the space devoted to Forth. Please don't take that comment wrong: I *want* to support Forth. I also don't want to feel like I am beating my head against a wall. :-) ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You cannot Reply to the author using email. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, whatever). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us or uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (01/20/91)
Category 13, Topic 1 Message 10 Sun Jan 20, 1991 GARY-S at 06:43 EST Brad - > need a greater representation of them to justify the space devoted > to Forth. As one of the GEnie Forth RT SysOps, and especially as the one who does the message porting from alternate Forthnet resources, I am usually reluctant to involve my self in debates and commercial discussions [ this falls under the latter heading ]. I feel I must resond to your preceeding message. I just renewed (for 2 years) my subscription to TCJ based on the assumption your Forth coverage would continue. I have pointed many prospective readers/article submitters in the direction based on its grass roots approach ala MicroCornucopia (now defunct) and Art's verbal committment to me via telephone that Forth would remain an integral cog in the TCJ machine. It was I who sent Dave Weinstein in Art's direction. Dave has since taken on new responsibilities that precluded his continuation as a TCJ contributor, but you appeared to have filled the gap nicely with people like Matthew Mercaldo. IF you are, in fact, having misgivings about continuing to devote TCJ space to Forth, please tear my check up as soon as it arrives, because to do otherwise would be accepting my renewal under false pretense. We can then remove this topic we have devoted to TCJ and that will be the end of that. I am sure I am not alone (the silence not withstanding - Forthers are not joiners by nature) in my desire to see TCJ continue its Forth coverage, and wishing you success as the new head of what appears to be the last true computerist zine. Gary ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You cannot Reply to the author using email. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, whatever). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us or uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (01/24/91)
Category 13, Topic 1
Message 11 Sun Jan 20, 1991
C.MCEWEN at 13:52 EST
Gary, you are reading much more into my previous response than was there. I am
saying that proper support *to* Forth users requires proper response *from*
Forth users. It is a simple equation. A lack of good submissions by default
will result in substandard support. As I said before, I *want* to see TCJ
continue its Forth support. It is an integral part of the editorial plan of
the journal. But we need to establish a cohesive unit here.
You mention your telephone conversations with Art. Perhaps you and I should
have a similar conversation. If you feel that this discussion is commercial in
nature (with money changing hands, from subscribers to me, and from me to
printers, the post office, etc, it does necessarily have commercial aspects)
then let me apologise. That was not my intent.
So that there is no misunderstanding, I value Matt's contributions very
highly. He and I have spent hours talking about the directions of his series.
But he is one author with one viewpoint. This is a far larger community and
deserves other views. {*s
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Category 13, Topic 1
Message 12 Mon Jan 21, 1991
GARY-S at 06:44 EST
arrrgh - Communication should not be this difficult. You need NOT
apologize for your message content. My comment was with reference
to the fact I avoid such conversations as a matter of non-partiality,
and while such messages are encouraged on GEnie and the xCFB's (we
want the vendors and the users to have a common meeting ground) they
canNOT be echoed on some branches of ForthNet (ie:Usenet comp.lang.forth,
BitNet FIGL...).
If you wish to call me my phone number is included in my signature
file below. Make it after 7pm and before 10pm Central, please. I doubt
such a conversation will yield much, but I'm certainly not opposed to
any such exchange, especially if it helps promote dissimination of
Forth information.
__ _ Gary Smith * ... uunet!ddi1!lrark!glsrk!gars *
/ _' _ _ (_' P. O. Drawer 7680 * GEnie Forth RT & Unix RT SysOp *
/__/ (_|_/ '._) Little Rock,AR 72217 * voice phone : 501-227-7817 *
--------------- - U. S. A. - * group 3 fax : 501-228-9374 *
[Since we seem to have the publisher/editor on line (in the ForthNet sense
at least), I want to encourage the discussion of Forth in publications
and TCJ in particular. Discussions of an obviously commercial nature will
not be ported into c.l.f, so it is best if you could divide your responses,
if necessary, so that the non-commercial aspects can receive wider
dispersion on ForthNet. -Doug Philips]
-----
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Category 13, Topic 1 Message 13 Sun Jan 27, 1991 B.RODRIGUEZ2 [Brad] at 15:00 EST Chris: Sorry it took so long to respond to your first message -- I only log into GEnie once a week. (Usu. Sundays.) A longer reply re. articles is coming via GEnie mail. Comments of general interest follow. My remark about being warned was prompted by my unfortunate habit of writing to the lowest common denominator. I have faith in your editorial pencil if I stray. I'm sorry to hear Forth underrepresented in your contributors. I blush to admit that many of my candidates are in the category of hardware or embedded systems. Probably because TCJ seems to be the only outlet for hardware articles these days. The Forth community is well served elsewhere, but this doesn't mean TCJ has no niche to fill. In general, I aim my articles thus: Forth Dimensions: "advanced" Forth topics. SIGForth newsletter: short "techniques" articles. JFAR: "academic" articles, work I do at the University. Embedded Systems Programming: "generic" articles about embedded systems programming, i.e., not processor- or hardware-specific. (I haven't submitted any yet, but I have two pending.) Dr. Dobbs: anything using C, Pascal, or Modula-2, i.e., nothing. Computer Language: ditto. Conference proceedings: short articles about what I've been doing lately. TCJ: "introductory" Forth topics, anything hardware-related or hardware-specific. This is my personal view of the niches filled by these publications. Perhaps others can comment, or post their own lists. TCJ plays a very valuable role for me: it's where I can write and read about hardware and hardware-specific software. ESP, for example, prefers "generic" articles which are of interest to all embedded systems programmers. Most of the others don't really want to publish schematics or the gory details of obscure chips. So where but TCJ can I read about SCSI interfaces, or write about hacking the Super8? (It's also where I read about CP/M, but I'm sure that aspect of TCJ is well covered.) ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You cannot Reply to the author using email. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, whatever). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us or uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (01/30/91)
Category 13, Topic 1 Message 14 Sun Jan 27, 1991 C.MCEWEN at 21:09 EST Interesting how you list the niches each publication fills. There is no doubt that no one magazine can cover it all. I've received your email and sent back a reply. The topics you suggest sound very interesting. One reader wrote to say that he saw TCJ as the last home of the hobbyist computer user -- what we used to call the hacker before the general press took that word and trashed it. That may be, but then why do we keep getting inquiries from universities? I think our strength is in the cross disciplines that we serve without disservice to any one. That, of course, is why I've been calling for Forth submissions (to see that we serve the Forth community properly). Your suggested articles fit right into the niche that you and I seem to see TCJ filling. Thanks for your efforts, Brad. I look forward to seeing the articles. ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You cannot Reply to the author using email. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, whatever). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us or uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (03/18/91)
Category 13, Topic 1
Message 16 Fri Mar 15, 1991
GARY-S at 21:30 EST
Subject: The Computer Journal
In article: <1991Mar13.225109.24760@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au>
rdt154k@monu6.cc.monash.edu.au (mr n benci) writes:
>Hi, Could some kind soul please post the currnet address and phone
>number for the;
>
> The Computer Journal.
Sure, Nino.
The Computer Journal
P. O. Box 12
S. Plainfield, NJ 07080-0012
- U. S. A. -
Phone: (US access) 908-755-6186
__ _ Gary Smith * ... uunet!ddi1!lrark!glsrk!gars *
/ _' _ _ (_' P. O. Drawer 7680 * GEnie Forth RT & Unix RT SysOp *
/__/ (_|_/ '._) Little Rock,AR 72217 * voice phone : 501-227-7817 *
--------------- - U. S. A. - * group 3 fax : 501-228-9374 *
-----
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Category 13, Topic 1 Message 17 Tue Mar 26, 1991 GARY-S at 12:09 EST Frank Sergeant - Enjoyed your piece in TCJ on Floppy Disk Alignment. Seems an ideal use of the RTX. Looking forward to the next installment. Gary ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You *cannot* reply to the author using e-mail. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, etc.). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us _or_ uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (03/30/91)
Category 13, Topic 1
Message 18 Wed Mar 27, 1991
GARY-S at 07:29 EST
For immediate release to all ForthNet readers....
Sub: TCJ Trial Subscription Offer
THE COMPUTER JOURNAL
FREE TRIAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Effective immediately, subscriptions to The Computer Journal will be
accepted without pre-payment. New subscribers will be given an opportunity
to review their first issue before being asked to pay. Should you feel that
TCJ is not for you, simply mark the invoice "Canceled" and return to us.
Alternately, and for a limited time only, prepaid subscriptions will be given
a discount of $2 per year for US subscribers or $3 per year for foreign
subscribers. This offer is valid for both new subscriptions and renewals, but
expires on 31 May 1991.
What do you get when you subscribe to The Computer Journal? TCJ publishes
articles for the intermediate to advanced micro computer user with topics
on both hardware and software projects. Operating systems and process
control are frequent topics. Recent issues have included converting a
parallel port to a SCSI interface with full schematics and source code,
building a dedicated floppy disk aligner with the Harris RTXED and Forth
and building a long distance printer driver. Use of embedded controllers is
discussed in each issue. The January/February issue included an article on
using logarithms to speed mathematical calculations. And real world solutions
to real world problems are given: The March/April issue carries a paper
describing the dangers of MOVs and using the ground line to dissipate surges
in power line conditioners.
If you are an advanced user of any micro computer system, and particularly
if you have an interest in embedded controllers, or Forth, you should take
a look at TCJ. Send us your name and address and let us send you the latest
issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Computer Journal
Subscription Order Form
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Address: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
State/Province: _______________________ Zip Code: _________
This is a: ____ New Subscription ___ Renewal
Subscription Desired: (check only one)
Trial Subscription Basis: | Prepaid Subscription, with discount*
|
_____ US, 1 year $18 | _____ US, 1 year $16 (save $2)
|
_____ US, 2 year $32 | _____ US, 2 year $28 (save $4)
|
_____ Foreign, 1 year $24 | _____ Foreign, 1 year $21 (save $3)
|
_____ Foreign, 2 year $46 | _____ Foreign, 2 year $40 (save $6)
(foreign orders sent surface. inquire regarding air shipment)
* discount offer expires 31 May 1991
Payment method:
_____ Bill Me. I may cancel after reviewing my first issue and
owe nothing.
_____ Check
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Payment must be in US dollars drawn on a US bank.
Mail to: The Computer Journal
Socrates Press
P.O. Box 12
S. Plainfield, NJ 07080-0012
or send by private upload to: Socrates Z-Node 32, (908) 754-9067
or: $TCJ on GEnie.
-----
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Category 13, Topic 1 Message 19 Thu Mar 28, 1991 C.MCEWEN at 18:14 EST First of all, thank you Gary for helping to get the word out about The Computer Journal. We are very happy to be able to support Forth as well as we are. The outstanding articles already submitted and committed show the level of interest and loyalty Forth users have and we are honored to reciprocate. Special mention is owed to Frank Sergeant for submitting his first place winning project from the Harris RTX design contest. One correction: I have listed my GEnie address incorrectly. It should read TCJ$ (dollar sign after the TCJ) and *not* $TCJ. Thanks again! ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You *cannot* reply to the author using e-mail. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, etc.). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us _or_ uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (04/06/91)
Category 13, Topic 1 Message 20 Thu Apr 04, 1991 F.SERGEANT [Frank] at 01:03 CST GS> Enjoyed your piece in TCJ on Floppy Disk Alignment . Thanks, Gary. I'm glad to see it in print and hope all the RTX entrants will publish their entries. . -- Frank ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You *cannot* reply to the author using e-mail. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, etc.). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us _or_ uunet!willett!dwp
ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie) (04/06/91)
Category 13, Topic 1 Message 21 Thu Apr 04, 1991 C.MCEWEN at 18:28 EST FS> I hope all the RTX entrants will publish their entries. TCJ sure would be willing to take a look at them! Our Forth section has picked up a real spark, and I thank Frank especially for his outstanding article. His idea would certainly show the quality that Harris attracted with their contest. Contestants: If you would like your entry considered for publication in The Computer Journal, please mail both hard copy and disk copy (MS-DOS 1.44MB, 720KB, 360KB or any 5.25" CP/M format) to The Computer Journal, PO Box 12, S. Plainfield NJ 07080-0012. Enclose a statement that you have free copyright to the piece and wish it considered for publication. This could turn into TCJ's Forth year! ----- This message came from GEnie via willett. You *cannot* reply to the author using e-mail. Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, etc.). Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us _or_ uunet!willett!dwp