Info-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL ("Info-IBMPC Digest") (05/07/90)
Info-IBMPC Digest Mon, 7 May 90 Volume 90 : Issue 83 Today's Editor: Gregory Hicks - Chinhae Korea <GHICKS@WSMR-Simtel20.Army.Mil> Today's Topics: Monthly report of msdos uploads to SIMTEL20 PC-LOCK hard disk security questions about a backup program for the MS-DOS environment Snipper 22 modifications Today's Queries: applications under mswindows Deskview VS Windows Eliza IBM->NeXT; COM port monitor Material Safety Data Sheets Print sceen Search for an inexpensive context-switcher Watchdog Timer Board Programable RS433 Boards Available? Send Replies or notes for publication to: <INFO-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL> Send requests of an administrative nature (addition to, deletion from the distribution list, et al) to: <INFO-IBMPC-REQUEST@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL> The Lending Library is available from: WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (see file PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS>AAAREAD.ME details on file directories and descriptions.) Archives of past issues of the Info-IBMPC Digest are available by FTP only from WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL in directory PD2:<ARCHIVES.IBMPC>. WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL can be accessed using LISTSERV commands from BITNET via LISTSERV@NDSUVM1, LISTSERV@RPIECS and in Europe from EARN TRICKLE servers. Send commands to TRICKLE@<host-name> (example: TRICKLE@TREARN). The following TRICKLE servers are presently available: AWIWUW11 (Austria), BANUFS11 (Belgium), DKTC11 (Denmark), DB0FUB11 or DTUZDV1 (Germany), IMIPOLI (Italy), EB0UB011 (Spain), TAUNIVM (Israel), and TREARN (Turkey). SIMTEL20 is not accessable on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8pm Eastern Standard Time. If you are unable to access SIMTEL20 via Internet FTP or through one of the BITNET/EARN file servers, most MSDOS SIMTEL20 files, including the PC-Blue collection, are available for downloading on the Detroit Download Central network at 313-885-3956. DDC is a networked system with multiple lines that support 300, 1200, 2400, and 9600 bps (HST). This system is a subscription system with an average hourly cost of 17 cents per hour. It is also accessable on Telenet via PC Pursuit and on Tymnet via StarLink outdial. New files uploaded to WSMR-SIMTEL20 are usually available on DDC within 24 hours. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 1 May 1990 13:14 MDT From: Keith Petersen <w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL> Subject: Monthly report of msdos uploads to SIMTEL20 The report of all msdos files uploaded to SIMTEL20 during the month of April 1990 is now available in two forms: pd1:<msdos.filedocs> UPLOADS.APR List of uploads to SIMTEL20 for April 1990 SIM9004.IDX Comma-delimited list of April 1990 uploads UPLOADS.APR is in the same format as my "recent msdos uploads" postings. SIM9004.IDX is in the same format as SIMIBM.IDX. Thanks to Frank Wancho for writing the programs to create both lists at SIMTEL20 so I don't have to do them on my PC and upload. --Keith ------------------------------ Date: Tue May 1 09:05:50 1990 From: rexroad@wpdis01.af.mil (Frederick H. Rexroad;AFLC/XPSC;) Subject: PC-LOCK hard disk security In vol 90 #78, David Walls asked about a hard disk security system providing access to over 100 students. While I can't provide a direct answer to his problem, I do wish to comment on PC-LOCK, which he stats he is currently using. I too downloaded PC-LOCK from SIMTEL20 and was so impressed with its capability that I quickly called up its creator (Johnson Computer Systems INC.) and ordered the full blown version. What I found out was that there was a name change a couple of years ago and it is now called PC-Vault (version 4.3). It has several improvements over PC-LOCK and provides quite a bit of power and flexibility to the system administrator. While it does not appear to be able to provide 100 unique userids and passwords, it can handle up to 6 (David... could students share user ids?) I only have a few weeks of experience with this program but I am very satisfied with it. The only drawback I can find is that it appears that anyone with a copy of PC-Vault on a floppy could by-pass the password protection. Since I only have one copy of the package I don't how a different copy would work. It may be possible that my copy can by-pass itself but a copy with a different serial number won't be able to. Does anyone have experience with this??? Other than that, I highly recommend this program to anyone who would like to control the access to their computer. The PC-LOCK program on SIMTEL20 (while falling into that nefarious category called cripple-ware) provides a good preview of what this program can do. Fred Rexroad ------------------------------ Date: 25 Apr 90 12:58:06 GMT From: darcy@druid.UUCP (D'Arcy J.M. Cain) Subject: questions about a backup program for the MS-DOS environment Keywords: copy In article <255@uecok.UUCP> dcrow@uecok (David Crow -- ECU Student) writes: > [...] > - possibly a faster copying scheme. the following is the > code I am using to copy from one file to another: > > do > { > n = fread(buf, sizeof(char), MAXBUF, infile); > fwrite(buf, sizeof(char), n, outfile); > } while (n == MAXBUF); /* where MAXBUF = 7500 */ > Try: while ((n = fread(buf, sizeof(char), BUFSIZ, infile)) != 0) fwrite(buf, sizeof(char), n, outfile); By using BUFSIZ instead of your own buffer length you get a buffer size equal to what the fread and fwrite routines use. D'Arcy J.M. Cain (darcy@druid) | Government: D'Arcy Cain Consulting | Organized crime with an attitude West Hill, Ontario, Canada | (416) 281-6094 | ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 90 20:19:16 CDT From: "Bill Ball" <C476721@UMCVMB.MISSOURI.EDU> Subject: Snipper 22 modifications The new version of Snipper is much improved because it appends saved files. thanks go to the various authors. I have a suggestion or two for further improvement. My primary use for the little gem is to move stuff between a mainframe session screen and the pc. It would be helpful if it did not insert CR/LF at the end of each line when it cut & pasted. Actually this would probably be best as an option of some sort. sometimes one would want both, sometimes just LF, sometimes neither. Unfortunately my programing skills aren't up to knowing what to change in the program. the utility is available on SIMTEL20 PD1:<MSDOS.SCREEN>SNIPPR22.ZIP Bill Ball c476721@UMCVMB.MISSOURI.EDU ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 May 90 10:53 N From: <COOHAM%HHEOUH50.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU> Subject: applications under mswindows Would anyone be able to help me out on the following: We're looking for two possible mswindows applications: 1) some kind of introduction program to windows, including an explanation of how to use a mouse 2) a simulation program similar to "Stella" on the Mac. It should be graphical oriented and be able to process about at least 25 elements Please keep in mind that these applications will be used by students that may have little or no experience with MS-Windows (or even a PC). Any help would be appreciated, Aad Slootmaker Open university Heerlen, Netherlands ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 May 90 09:41:27 EDT From: Ken Farrar <FARRARK@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Subject: Deskview VS Windows I am getting an IBM PS/2 Model 70 and am interested in running a multitasking program so that I may run AutoCAD, Lotus, Kermit, and DOS in seperate windows simultaneously. I have heard good things about both Deskview and Windows, but I haven't read any good comparisons between the two programs. Can anyone who is familiar with both please tell me the differences and their preference? Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: 01 May 90 11:58:31 +0200 From: S89406043%HSEPM1.HSE.NL@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU Subject: Eliza Hi, is there somebody who has a listing of a *GOOD* Eliza? If so, please let me know. I want to build a Eliza in the relay on the prime-system. Thanx, Maup | Maupie | Fax: 04108 - 16335 | P.O.Box 54 | Phone: 040 - 482176 | 5250 AB Vlijmen | E-Mail: S89406043 AT | Holland | HSEPM1.HSE.NL.BITNET ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 90 19:37:54 CST From: Don Branson <C08922DB@wuvmd.bitnet> Subject: IBM->NeXT; COM port monitor I would appreciate any help that someone can offer on transferring files from an IBM PC to a Next machine. If anybody has done this, could you contact me? Thanks. Also, does anyone know of a program which will log COM1 or COM2 traffic? Don Branson Washington University Information Systems C08922DB@WUVMD.BITNET ------------------------------ Date: Wed May 2 09:20:10 1990 From: dla0627@europe.drms.dla.mil (Ralph Lohmann) Subject: Material Safety Data Sheets I have been asked to find a computer-searchable file of OSHA's Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). Ideally, this would be an on-line database, accessible in Central Europe through the Inter- net. Acceptable alternatives would be uucp or conventional PC dial-up access through the DATEX-P Network of the German Federal Post Office. Less desirable would be a subscription database on floppy disks with periodic updates. We understand there is a CD-ROM database that contains the MSDSs, but we would prefer to have them on-line or on floppy disks be- cause of the cost of the hardware and the lack of standardization of CD-ROM systems. This seems to be the kind of thing that some vendor or research facility (perhaps one of the Government's contract laboratories) would have thought of already. Can anyone suggest an organiza- tion or individual to contact? Ralph Lohmann | Internet: U.S. Department of Defense | rlohmann@europe.drms.dla.mil Defense Logistics Agency | or: Office of Counsel, Europe | 131.83.1.1 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 May 90 16:27:13 +0300 From: Zvi Keren <BFKEREN%WEIZMANN.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU> Subject: Print sceen I have a problem which I believe is because of the MS-DOS 4.01 that I am currently using - the Prt-Scr button does not work. In some other programs such as MS-Windows and GEM I can not print using the "print" command. If I use DOS 3.2 or 3.3 - no problem occurs. Is this a bug in DOS 4.01? Sincerely, Zvi Keren Ph.D. ------------------------------ Date: 1 May 90 18:02:00 EST From: <junger@cwru.cwru.edu> Subject: Search for an inexpensive context-switcher I tend to create lengthy files using Notabene on a PS/2 50z. I would like to be able to shell out of Notabene, free up a chunk of memory, call a communications program, download some text from, say, Lexis/Nexis, recover the memory used by the communications program, reload the word processor, and return to where I was before I started the whole rigamarole. Any suggestions? I saw an article on this subject recently, but cannot remember where. Thanks. Peter Junger--CWRU Law School BITNET: JUNGER@CWRU INTERNET: JUNGER@CWRU.CWRU.EDU (or, infrequently, PDJ2@PO.CWRU.EDU) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 May 90 15:20:07 AST From: martinea@crc.skl.dnd.ca Subject: Watchdog Timer Board I am looking for a PC board which will provide "watchdog timer" functionality. Specifically, the board must cause a system reset if it has not been "hit" (say be reading or writing a control register) within a particular period of time. Any information would be greatly appreciated.. Michael Martineau Software Kinetics Ltd.. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Apr 90 16:19:10 EDT From: scott@gershwin.crd.ge.com (Scott Barman) Subject: Programable RS433 Boards Available? I would like to find out if there is a vendor out there (and they are welcome to reply) who sells programable RS422 boards for the PC. Programmable meaning there is a PROM socket that I can write custom code and have loaded everytime the system comes up (or download the code from the system... I am not concerned with how it's done as long as it can be done). The board must be able to work with (at least) a 286-based AT system (possibly a laptop with an expansion cabinet) and have at least four RS422 ports. I am *hoping* that the processor on the board has enough memory to run the processes and have an 8Kb buffer per port. As a backup, does anyone out there make something similar for RS232? We can use level converters to get the RS422 signal levels. Info for vendors: Feel free to send information including prices. Wo would be looking to purchase at least one by June (for development) and others by the end of August. That order will be 10 or more. I will know what computer I will be using within two weeks (it's looking like a Compaq 286-based laptop, but it's a decision I am not a part of). Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. ------------------------------ End of Info-IBMPC Digest V90 #83 ******************************** -------