cwr@pnet01.cts.com (Will Rose) (02/16/91)
In short: oooooooh, aren't they luvverly....
Meanwhile, back in the real world, the Z-stuff (I can't think of a better
generic) started with a CCP replacement and went on from there to replace
the whole CP/M 2.2 and 3.0 OSs. I use ZCPR 3.3 and ZRDOS: the former is
PD, and the latter is now probably outdated. There are better BDOS
replacements around, including one sold by Jay Sage called ZSDOS. The
current version of ZCPR is 3.4, and I *think* it's not much different
from 3.3.
If you are using CP/M 2.2 the message is clear, switch to the Z-system.
It will run on any machine that runs CP/M. I personally dislike CP/M 3.0,
and even if I liked it, I'd still prefer Z (there's logic for you). Sage
sells autoinstalling versions of Z, and a lot of related stuff. Most of
the code is available on Z-nodes scattered around the country.
Why is the Z-system such an improvement? For a start, it integrates
user areas very effectively; you still have a flat file system, but
you can used named directories and other helpful guides. It also has
an unrivalled selection of command processors, some memory resident
and some disk based, for repetitive tasks. It is also very configurable,
both at build time and boot time (and while running, for that matter).
I don't make use of half the Z-system features, but going back to CP/M
I still feel hampered.
Good luck - Will
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"If heaven too had passions | Will Rose
even heaven would | UUCP: {nosc ucsd hplabs!hp-sdd}!crash!pnet01!cw
grow old." - Li Ho. | ARPA: crash!pnet01!cwr@nosc.mil
| INET: cwr@pnet01.cts.com
UUCP: {nosc ucsd hplabs!hp-sdd}!crash!pnet01!cwr
ARPA: crash!pnet01!cwr@nosc.mil
INET: cwr@pnet01.cts.comcornett@malibu.crd.ge.com (dan cornett) (02/16/91)
cwr@pnet01.cts.com (Will Rose) writes: >If you are using CP/M 2.2 the message is clear, switch to the Z-system. >It will run on any machine that runs CP/M. I personally dislike CP/M 3.0, I believe this is not true. If the cpu is an 8080 or 8085, Z-system not work - the cpu must be a Z80 (or one of its variants). Anyone know for certain? Danny
tom@afthree.as.arizona.edu (Thomas J. Trebisky) (02/21/91)
cwr@pnet01.cts.com (Will Rose) writes: > >If you are using CP/M 2.2 the message is clear, switch to the Z-system. >It will run on any machine that runs CP/M. I personally dislike CP/M 3.0, >and even if I liked it, I'd still prefer Z (there's logic for you). Sage >sells autoinstalling versions of Z, and a lot of related stuff. Most of >the code is available on Z-nodes scattered around the country. > OK, I'll bite - all this raving about Z-system and ZCPR has gotten me interested. One kind fellow even suggesting he post the whole thing for us (admirable intentions). In lieu of that, how about this - post instructions about where to get the stuff and how to bring it up. Here is my question list about ZCPR.. 1 - Can I get it for free ?? (always first in my list), if so where -- SIMTEL ?? Can I get all the source code from SIMTEL? Where else. 2 - Can I bring it up on my own motley collection of hardware, or am I stuck unless I have a "supported" system. In other words can I throw together a disk controller, Z80 CPU, and one or more 64K ram boards in an S100 box and bring up ZCPR on it (apart from the usual S100 hardware compatibility issues). I am asking this because I have a collection of hardware gathering dust that this sounds like an interesting project for. In yet other words - can I get example bios source to start off with? I assume I can use one of my working CP/M 2.2 systems and M80, L80 to fire up ZCPR for a new system. 3 - what is the mimum hardware config - I take it it handles bank switched memory, but will some version run with just 64K of RAM. 4 - how about posting a list of what files to get, where to get them, and how to get started with this (I mean "the code is available on Z-nodes scattered around the country" is a just a tad too vague. :-) ) I like the fact that this is a Z80 software package - I mean, If I had any 8080 or 8085 S100 boards, I would take my coping saw, cut out the circuitry leaving the fingers and sides of the board (so it would still slide into the card cage) then I would epoxy a piece of nice perf board with solder pads into the hole thus generated and use the thing for a wire-wrap board. (Here's a hot tip for you folks wondering what to do with old S100 boards). -- Tom Trebisky ttrebisky@as.arizona.edu (Internet) Steward Observatory University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
ianj@ijpc.UUCP (Ian Justman) (02/21/91)
tom@afthree.as.arizona.edu (Thomas J. Trebisky) writes: > 1 - Can I get it for free ?? (always first in my list), if so where -- > SIMTEL ?? Can I get all the source code from SIMTEL? Where else. Absolutely. YOu can get the sources for ZCPR33 from SIMTEL as well as a good many of its utilities. I have checked a few of them and they are really nice. > 2 - Can I bring it up on my own motley collection of hardware, or am > I stuck unless I have a "supported" system. In other words can I throw > together a disk controller, Z80 CPU, and one or more 64K ram boards in > an S100 box and bring up ZCPR on it (apart from the usual S100 hardware > compatibility issues). I am asking this because I have a collection of > hardware gathering dust that this sounds like an interesting project for. > In yet other words - can I get example bios source to start off with? > I assume I can use one of my working CP/M 2.2 systems and M80, L80 to > fire up ZCPR for a new system. I've done precisely that on MY S-100 box, an OLD Dynabyte DB8/1 originally with 10MB hard disk, now with 20 megs (8" platters, yet!). As far as BIOS is concerned, I _sorely_ wish I had source code for this old boatanchor's BIOS, but after a little sleuthing, I was able to figger out a way to get it online without having to make extensive jury-rigging than I already had. But I'll say this; it works, and it works well! I've had a great deal of fun putting this system online. > 3 - what is the mimum hardware config - I take it it handles bank switched > memory, but will some version run with just 64K of RAM. Re: Minimum hardware config: 64K is almost a must, but if you did a little paring down, you could get it running with less memory, but you won't have as capable a system. Same goes for whatever type of mass storage you use. If you have a hard disk, it makes using it all the nicer, but you could use it on a floppy-based system, like I've done on my Ampro Little Board, and I plan to do the same thing with my Big Board II. As for your bank-switching question, you'd have to write the bank-switch routines yourself if you're running a 2.2 system which you mentioned earlier. If you're running CP/M Plus, you have to get Z3PLUS from either Sage Microsystem East or Alpha Systems. I have three extra banks of 48K on this unit, but I'm just too damned lazy to write the routines to make use of them. > 4 - how about posting a list of what files to get, where to get them, > and how to get started with this (I mean "the code is available on Z-nodes > scattered around the country" is a just a tad too vague. :-) ) At very least, you need ZCPR33.??? which could be LBR, ARK, or ZIP (yes, there are several CP/M UNZIP utilities out there). I uploaded them to a local BBS in my area. The number of that BBS is (916) 386-2521. The BBS is called Omni, plus it has quite a bit of CP/M software (I know because I uploaded some 75% or so of their files, and all of their ZCPR3x files). Also, if any Z-Enthusiasts are reading this, and call the system and have stuff to upload, PLEASE DO IT!!! I cannot afford to call any Z-Nodes because there are absolutely no Z-Nodes here in Sacramento, and therefore all of them are long-distance. I cannot start one because my folks would not approve. > I like the fact that this is a Z80 software package - I mean, If I had any > 8080 or 8085 S100 boards, I would take my coping saw, cut out the circuitry > leaving the fingers and sides of the board (so it would still slide into the > card cage) then I would epoxy a piece of nice perf board with solder pads > into the hole thus generated and use the thing for a wire-wrap board. > (Here's a hot tip for you folks wondering what to do with old S100 boards). Gee, that sounds a little drastic. I know of a source here in Sacramento where I could get S100 wire-wrap boards.
fmgst@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Filip M Gieszczykiewicz) (02/22/91)
Greetings.
Someone was asking what files to get for ZCPR 3.3. Well, I can
only speak for Simtel20.army.mil and only Kaypro 10s
Ftp to "simtel20.army.mil"
cd "pd2:<cpm.kaypro>"
type "hash"
type "get 00-index.txt.9" (index of all files - interesting!)
type "tenex"
type "get k83z33.lbr.1" (I think this is for pre-K10s?)
or type "get kp10z33.lbr.1" (K10-specific)
type "quit", rename the files to something that CP/M
likes ("k83z33.lbr.1" -> "k83z33.lbr", etc.) and download
to your Kaypro. Un-LBR the files and read the READ.MEs and
*.DOCs....
Take care.
P.S. You will notice that to really enjoy ZCPR 3.3 you have to have
2+MB of utilities - at least I do ;-)
--
_______________________________________________________________________________
"The Force will be with you, always." It _is_ with me and has been for 11 years
Filip Gieszczykiewicz "... a Jedi does it with a mind trick... " ;-)
FMGST@PITTVMS or fmgst@unix.cis.pitt.edu "My ideas. ALL MINE!!"