Info-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (12/02/89)
Info-IBMPC Digest Sat, 2 Dec 89 Volume 89 : Issue 109
Today's Editor:
Gregory Hicks - Chinhae Korea <COMFLEACT@Taegu-EMH1.army.mil>
Today's Topics:
32Mb Barrier of Dos 3.3 or less
Call waiting
Hard disk backup software
*nix style utility ctags wanted
Postscript from Micro to VAX
Timing a Commercial Software Package
Fractals
VDISK is not as Beneficial as Disk Caching
Today's Queries:
PC to PC file Transfer
BITNET/UUNET Documentation?
Clipper Error
Telix and just another try
MAILBOOK program for PC
Mouse Problems in Hercules Mode (Digest #92)
Standing PS/2's on end
Rbase and Lotus 3.0
Sakata plotter
WORD 5.0, postscript files, and PrintServe40 on VAX?
IBM PC or compatible printer problem
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file PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS>AAAREAD.ME details on file directories
and descriptions.)
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Date: Sat, 18 Nov 89 15:05 EST
From: <LIANG%IPFWCVAX.BITNET@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: 32Mb Barrier of Dos 3.3 or less
I have a small question.
We have some IBM computers with Dos 3.3 and 40Mb hard disks. Somehow, the
hard disk was not partitioned to two drives the time we bought them in.
Now so many files have been loaded and more than 32Mb memory has been used
on each machine. We know the 32mb hard disk access barrier for dos 3.3 or
lower. AT this time we just do not want to bother to backup all the files
in order to partition the hard disks. We are not sure what would be the
worst thing that could ever happen if we do not re-partition the hard
disks and the files take more than 32mb memory.
Thank you.
[The WORST that would happen? DOS wouldn't let you write new or bigger files
(with the same name) to the disk.]
------------------------------
Date: 11/20/89 11:15:52
From: "Rao V. Akella" <CCCSRAO@UMNHSNVE>
Subject: Call waiting
>From: V053QGZJ@ubvmsc.cc.buffalo.edu
>I am logging in from a remote location, with a 1200 baud modem.
>Unfortunately, I have call waiting service. When someone attempts to
>call me and I am logged on, the signal tone from the phone causes my
>modem to hang up.
You can prefix the number you are dialing with a code which disables
call-waiting temporarily (for the duration of that session, until you hang
up.) I don't know if the code is the same everywhere in the US, but here
in Minneapolis/St.Paul, it is 1170. [For DIAL phones! For push button
phones, try *70.]
So, if the number you are calling is abc-defh, dial 1170-abc-defh instead,
and people calling you will get a "busy" signal instead. Call-waiting
will stay disabled until you hang up. To find out what the code is for
where you are, just look in the first few pages of your local telephone
directory.
Rao Akella, Research Asst., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
BITNET: cccsrao@umnhsnve
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 08:28:59 -0500
From: carlson@gateway.mitre.org
Subject: Hard disk backup software
Reference some past questions about hard disk backup software:
I recently bought a copy of FastBack+ and so far I have found it to be
everything their ads promised. It is easy to use, fast, and has a lot of
features.
Some of the useful features:
- It tests your PC to find the highest speed it can use with your DMA chip
when it makes backups.
- You can turn on the compression option and/or the verification options,
depending on your priorities (speed vs. smallest number of disks used, for
example).
- You can run it from its integrated system (menus, etc.) or from the
command line. You can use the command line method to make automatic
backups each time the PC boots, or at some set time period (weekly, etc.).
- You can choose to back up the whole disk or any part of the disk, using
a menu driven system to select the directories or file types you want to
back up.
- You can choose to back up only files that have changed since the backup,
including new versions of files that have already been backed up. This
saves a lot of time for weekly or daily backups.
I bought my software from TELEMART, which seems to have good mail order
prices. I don't have a number handy, but they regularly advertise in PC
magazine (usually around page 88-90).
Bruce Carlson
carlson@gateway.mitre.org
Disclaimer: I have no connection with the publisher of Fastback+, other
than as a customer.
------------------------------
Date: Mon Nov 20 12:39:44 1989
From: microsoft!toddw@beaver.cs.washington.edu
Subject: *nix style utility ctags wanted
|From: "Richard J. Reiner" <RREINER%YORKVM1.bitnet@ugw.utcs.utoronto.ca>
|Has anyone have a pointer to version of the *nix utility ctags which runs
|on MS-DOS? (For those who don't know what I'm talking about, ctags
|extracts information about the locations of function and structure
|definitions from a set of C source files; this information can then be
|used by one's editor to easily go to the place in the source where a
|function is defined.)
If you are using Microsoft C 5.1 or MASM you can use the CALLTREE program
provided in those packages with calltree -z<tagfile> this generates a
very simple markfile for use with the microsoft editor, but the format is
so simple that other editors could probably read it:
<filename><space><funcname><space><row><space><col><eol>
for each function in the program. In the microsoft editor, set the text
switch markfile: to the name of your tags file, either with a tools.ini
entry or:
<ctrl+x> markefile:<tagfile><alt+=>
or in "M" notation arg "markfile:<tagfile>" assign.
see editor documentation for more info on CALLTREE.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 10:39:51 -0500
From: carlson@gateway.mitre.org
Subject: Postscript from Micro to VAX
>From: V095JUHX@ubvmsc.cc.buffalo.edu
>Has ANYONE ever printed postscript files produced on a micro on the VAX
>LPS40's? I've been trying forever, and I haven't been able to do it.
>Please get back to me with any Ideas, I would really appreciate it.
I have printed PC postscript files on the TI printer that is connected to
our SUN network; I don't know if the VAX printer is similar. I create
encapsulated Postscript files or print the regular Postscript files to
disk, upload them with Kermit, and then print with the command: lpr -v
-Pti <filename>. The -v identifies it as Postscript and the -Pti sends it
to the TI printer on the network.
Quattro creates "good" EPS files; Harvard Graphics creates EPS files with
some errors in them, Microsoft Project 4.0 creates regular Postscript (not
encapsualated) that print out without any problems (however, they look
like plotter output). I haven't tried any other PC applications.
I have also written a program in Turbo Pascal that will correct the errors
in the Harvard Graphics EPS files. I can e-mail the source to anyone who
needs it (it is written for TP 4.0).
Bruce Carlson
MITRE Corp
carlson@gateway.mitre.org
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 10:39:51 -0500
From: carlson@gateway.mitre.org
Subject: Timing a Commercial Software Package
>From: egc@hr8top.att.com (Ellen G Cross)
>How would you go about recording the length of time a particular
>commercial software package is running under MS-DOS? A friend is lobbying
>for a pc, and she needs to substantiate her case.... I'm more familiar
>with UNIX than MS-DOS, so my standalone pc skills are quite rusty at this
>point....
A couple years back the IRS indicated that they would require home PC
users to log all the usage of their PCs if they wanted to deduct them for
tax purposes. At the time several companies introduced packages that
could keep track of who used the computer, length of time, and the
software that was used. I don't remember any vendor names, but the
packages are probably still available.
Bruce Carlson
MITRE Corp
carlson@gateway.mitre.org
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 22:43:12 MET
From: ACEVERJ%HUTRUU0.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Subject: Fractals
This one is for the guys who wrote FRACTINT
(PD1:<MSDOS.GRAPHICS>FRAINT93.ARC) ....
********* A * D * M * I * R * A * T * I * O * N *********
Try this program - speed, colours, resolution are wonderful. EGA, VGA or
even more luxurious screenware helps greatly. Never understood what all
those people yapping about fractals were so excited about? See and
believe. No go for Hercules owners, yet. They say they'll support it
though - real soon now? Please?
Regards,
Jaap Verhage, Academic Computer Centre, State University at Utrecht, Holland.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 6:41:02 CDT
From: david@wubios.WUstl.EDU (David J. Camp)
Subject: VDISK is not as Beneficial as Disk Caching
Phil, I ran two simple timing trials as follows:
configuration #1: 1.5M Disk Cache
configuration #2: 1.5M VDISK + 128K Disk Cache
I recompiled WISEINIT under each setup. Both took nearly 7 minutes.
The configuration #1 took under 1/2 second longer than configuration #2.
My conclusion is that extra memory is better spent on disk cache than on
vdisk, since you get greater temporary capacity on the hard drive, and
there is no benefit of speed.
If I can think of something to keep me busy for an hour or so without my
PC, I will try recompiling the entire wise system under the two
configurations. -David-
Phil, I have done further testing with compilation under the two
configurations I mentioned before. This time I recompiled the entire Wise
system. Because of the relatively greater use of the C compiler, it would
seem to favor the vdisk method. This proved to be true, with the vdisk
method taking 52:59 and the disk cache method taking 59:59. This is a
difference of about 12%, probably not enough to warrant a vdisk,
especially when a disk cache benefits all programs, but a vdisk must be
explicitly selected. Also, there is the advantage of having greater
temporary space on the hard disk and less risk of losing volatile files
should the PC crash.
Because of these trials I have decided to eliminate a vdisk from my
default configuration in favor of disk caching. -David-
Bitnet: david@wubios.wustl ^ Mr. David J. Camp
Internet: david%wubios@wucs1.wustl.edu < * > Box 8067, Biostatistics
uucp: uunet!wucs1!wubios!david v 660 South Euclid
Washington University (314) 36-23635 Saint Louis, MO 63110
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 15:08 GMT
From: groeneveld%hdetno51.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.edu
Subject: PC to PC file Transfer
In some past edition of IBMPC-L I requested for hints concerning (PD/SW)
PC-PC file xfer programs and gave a short overview of three programs I was
currently using. In the meantime I got several responses which are
summarized here:
I mentioned KCOPY2.3/CATCH1.06, ZIP1.1 and XFER 06-05-86. In the meantime
I got ZIP vs. 1.30, which is very good and meets almost all my demands: it
has a menu option and does not have the bug reported previously.
Scott Parks (sparks@atlas.socsci.umn.edu) advised Brooklyn Bridge and
EZLAN. Peter AM Oude Ophuis (LUWRCL::OPHUIS) advised UFO (Ultrafast
filetransfer operation) to me.
W.F. Clotscher (CLOTSCHE@HROEUR51) reported to know of Carbon Copy, Pap
Link, Lap Link and Brooklyn Bridge.
P. Houle (PH4881R@DRAKE) advised Kermit vs. 2.32. Gord Torrie
(canremote!gordon.torrie@uunet.UU.NET) also advised MS-KERMIT 2.32/A.
Peter Jones <MAINT%UQAM.bitnet@ugw.utcs.utoronto.ca> too advised Kermit.
Finally Jim Moore (moore@NCSC.navy.mil) suggested ZCOPY of which he is
prepared to send me a copy.
All replicants thank you very much! As I don't need such a utility very
regularly I would not like to buy a commercial program doing the job.
Besides starting Kermit takes quite a while and takes quite a lot of
memory, while I would only need a small and fast specific program. ZIP
1.30 meets those demands presently as would possibly ZCOPY.
Jim Groeneveld,
NIPG TNO - - - - - <work> - - - - -|- <home> - - - - -| GROENEVELD@HDETNO51
Postbus 124 | Wassenaarseweg 56 | Schoolweg 14 | GROENEVELD@TNO.NL
2300 AC Leiden | 2333 AL Leiden | 8071 BC Nunspeet | TNOSUR::GROENEVELD
Nederland (NL) 071-178810 | 03412-60413 | RULTNO::JIM
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 07:35:52 EST
From: "Bruce E. Nevin" <bnevin@cch.bbn.com>
Subject: BITNET/UUNET Documentation?
Is there some user document that unveils the magic of BITNET, UUNET, and
so on? I am based on an ARPANET UNIX host, but might want to use my PC at
home at some future time.
Bruce Nevin
bn@bbn.com
[Take a look at the October 1986 issue of COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM. It
discusses in detail the wonders of the Internet. If you're looking for
"How to make ... work" type information, try sending LISTSERV (anyone will
do) a one word message, HELP, and see what comes back. As for UUNET, this
is a loosely coupled network of Unix systems. Does anyone have any words
of wisdom?]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 89 11:43:51 SET
From: david lanari <LANARI%IPGUNIV.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.edu>
Subject: Clipper Error
I am having trouble with a Clipper program during execution of the .EXE
program compilation. This occurs ...
System Error at (STMT #) TYPE CONFLICT IN + <A>bort ....
(STMT #) consists of : REPORT FORM xxxxxxxx TO PRINT
It' s amusing that if I try to execute the same program under dBASE ...
everything runs all right !!!
Reading "Programming in Clipper " Stephen Straley <Addison Wesley>
it indicates that Link Error Occurs; but into my Procedure I have other
six or seven REPORT FORM command .....
Can anybody help me ?
Thanks in advance,
David Lanari
Centro di Calcolo
Universita' Studi di Perugia
e-mail LANARI @ IPGUNIV
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 89 10:18 N
From: <RCCVLEO%HEITUE5.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Telix and just another try
I do have an enormous problem I want to register my telix version.
I do need some information therefor. But no result on trying to contact
the writers of the package. Does any one now if they really exist. Does
any one know what the latest version is and what the new futures are?
And even more important does anyone know how to contact the writers?
If any one from the telix staff reads this message please contact me!
You can reach me:
via this adress; via fax 31 (0)40 434438
by mail:
Leo v. Nieuwenborg
Vastenavondkamstraat 53
5922 AT Blerick
Holland
Via bulletin board fido stack: tel: 31 (0)40 456744
thanks
>Leo
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 10:03:23 MST
From: James Fish <AOJWF%ASUACAD.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: MAILBOOK program for PC
I am interested in finding a program for MSDOS machines that is similar to
the MAILBOOK program on our VM/CMS system.
Periodically, I download my * NOTEBOOK files from my VM/CMS account to my
PC to free up space on my minidisk. I would like to be able to view and
manipulate these files on my PC the same way I do in CMS using the
MAILBOOK EXEC.
Does anyone know of such a program for MSDOS?
James Fish
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-1212
AOJWF@ASUACAD.BITNET
"I like Cats.... Dead Ones" (ASU Sun Devils vs. UofA WildCats, 1989)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 18:20:02 +0100
From: <AZ957%DK0RRZK0.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Mouse Problems in Hercules Mode (Digest #92)
The problem with the mouse driver in hercules graphics mode lies in the
fact that the hercules graphic mode is not supported by the standard BIOS
and the mouse driver looks up some information in the BIOS data area.
Microsoft's recommendation ( from their Mouse Programmer's Reference,
Appendix F ) is, to patch some suitable numbers into those areas, namely a
6 in location 40H:49H for page 0 of the Hercules card and a 5 for page 1.
So your code could look like this:
program MouseTest;
uses Crt, Graph;
begin
HerculesGraphMode;
>>> Mem [$40:$49]:= 6; >>> I know our system spoils square brackets|
if not ResetMouse then
begin
WriteLn ('Mouse not installed, aborting...');
Halt (1);
end;
ShowMouse;
repeat until KeyPressed;
if ResetMouse then
{ reset the mouse to it's original state };
CloseGraph;
end;
Jochen Roderburg
Regional Computing Center
University of Cologne Tel. : +49-221/470-4564
Robert-Koch-Str. 10 BITNET: A0045 @ DK0RRZK0 (CDC NOS/BE)
D-5000 Koeln 41 or A0045 @ DK0RRZK1 (IBM VM/CMS)
West Germany or AZ957 @ DK0RRZK0 (Siemens SINIX)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 22:59:11 EDT
From: The Time Traveler <HE891C%GWUVM.BITNET@CORNELLC.cit.cornell.edu>
Subject: Standing PS/2's on end
Has anyone placed a PS/2 Model 70-A21 (with a 120Mb hard drive) on its
side for any length of time? I'm considering such a system stand, but I
don't know whether my hard drive will like it. Does anything happen to
the internal 3.5" drive or the external 5.25" drive when it's placed on it
side also?
Thanx in advance.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 09:35:00 EST
From: CALDWELL <caldwell@vax1.acs.udel.edu>
Subject: Rbase and Lotus 3.0
A quick question,
I understand that Microrim is developing an interface for Lotus 3.0's new
Datalens feature. Does anyone have any information on how and when this
will be implemented? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your response.
--Dave Caldwell
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 14:59 MET
From: "Anneke" <ANNEKE%RUUCLA.SURFNET%HASARA5.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Sakata plotter
Hello networkers,
Two years ago I bought a Sakata plotter. Recently it suddenly refused to
do anything anymore. The dealer I bought it from is out of bussiness and I
am unable to locate another dealer or importing firm in Holland. Is there
anybody who can help me finding Sakata themselves, an importer in another
country or who has access to electronic schemes of Sakata plotters. I need
it badly and have no money for a new one at the time.
Thanks a lot, Anneke Sicherer-Roetman, Utrecht State University, Holland.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 89 15:46 CST
From: <CC_BRYSO%SWTEXAS.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
Subject: WORD 5.0, postscript files, and PrintServe40 on VAX?
Has anyone used Word 5.0 on the IBM PC to produce a postscript file
and then uploaded it to a VAX for printing on a PrintServer40? I have
tried but Word seems to produce some variant of postscript that the
PrintServer40 does not understand. In the Mac world, I am able to upload
postscript files and then print them with a "prep" file to the
PrintServer40. Maybe I need a "prep" file for Word produced postscript
files. Any ideas?
Bill Bryson
CC_BRYSON@SWTEXAS.BITNET
P.S. Please reply by mail to both me and
<Info-IBMPC@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL>.
P.P.S. Isn't it amazing how postscript is not postscript depending on
who's postscript we are talking about? Wouldn't it be nice if computer
manufacturer's could do things in a STANDARD way! @#$#@$#@$.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 89 10:38:22 -0500
From: hotlips!mgrim@oxtrap.aa.ox.com
Subject: IBM PC or compatible printer problem
We are currently in need of solution to a printer problem we have
encountered with our IBM PC and Compatible computers. The problem is we
would like to be able to detect whether or not a printer is currently
online and attached to the computer to prevent our C programs from writing
to a device that isn't really there and bombing our program.
The only solution that we have come up with thus far, is to use bios
routines to check the printer's status. Our concern with this solution is
the actual compatibility of the bios for different IBM PCS and compatible
computers.Will there be a problem with network bios? etc.
We would sincerely appreciate any alternative solutions or answers to
our concerns about the bios solution.
UUCP: uunet!sharkey!hotlips!mgrim
Internet: mgrim%hotlips.UUCP@sharkey.cc.umich.edu
TSM COMPUTING GROUP Ann Arbor MICHIGAN michael grim
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest
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