SAGE@LL.LL.MIT.EDU (10/28/89)
Someone a digest or two back asked what Z-System is. Here is a copy
of the shortest of the writeups I have on the subject. Perhaps it will
provide a start.
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Z-System is a modern replacement for CP/M that can give your little
8-bit computer some of the "look and feel" of more powerful hardware
like PCs, Macintoshes, and even minicomputer workstations. You can get
your work done more easily and have more fun doing it! All your CP/M
programs can still be used just the way they are now, but here are some
examples of just a few of the new things you can do.
* NAMED DIRECTORIES -- example: your letters can be kept in a directory
called LETTERS, and WordStar can edit one using "WS LETTERS:JOE.LTR".
* SHELLS -- you can change the way the computer interacts with you by
selecting a shell. Example: ZFILER provides a "point and shoot"
environment. Files are displayed graphically on the screen. You
move a pointer to the file of your choice and press a key to perform
an operation. A simple text file that you write with your
wordprocessor defines the functions for each key!
* ALIASES -- you can define your own new commands that stand for whole
sequences of commands. Example: using aliases you can create
additional configurations of WordStar (perhaps WS60 and WS76 for
versions with right margins of 60 and 76), and the extra disk space
used is only a few bytes!
* HISTORY -- Z-System can remember all the commands you enter, let you
recall them, edit them, and run them again.