hicks@WALKER-EMH.ARPA (Gregory Hicks COMFLEACTS) (01/29/88)
Info-IBMPC Digest Thu, 28 Jan 88 Volume 7 : Issue 5
Today's Topics:
Columbia Floppy controller
Compilers for the 386
Dots Perfect
Dvorak Keyboard Driver Request
Editorial license
HP Laserjet Soft Font format
IBMPC Lending Library
Sources of Columbia PC Systems Support
AutoMenu Sources
Mathematical Wordprocessing
New Titles From the Info-IBMPC Lending Library
DOS Backup Programs
SIMTEL20 access from Bitnet
Turbo Pascal to QuickC translator available from SIMTEL20
V2080 MSDOS CPeMulator (shareware archive)
HPLJ font formats
Today's Queries:
Shell Sources Requested
SIMTEL20 access
Info-IBMPC Lending Library is available from:
Bitnet via server at CCUC; and from SIMTEL20.ARPA (see file
PD1:<msdos>files.idx for listing of source files)
SIMTEL20.ARPA can now be accessed access from BITNET is via
LISTSERV@RPICICGE.BITNET using LISTSERV Commands
INFO-IBMPC BBS Phone Numbers: (213) 827-2635 and (213) 827-2515
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 88 19:28:22 EST
From: Dave_Katz@um.cc.umich.edu
Subject: Columbia Floppy controller
The Columbia's floppy controller is on the mother board--the incom-
patibility is due to the fact that it cannot be disabled unless you have
the prints and want to cut foil traces. It seems to be otherwise com-
patible with standard floppy controllers.
In looking over the prints, the Columbia will not pass i/o port requests to
the bus if the address matches anything on the motherboard. In this case
there is a signal marked ~FCS that does the whole thing. I'll bet that if
this signal were tied high everything would work.
According to the prints, ~FCS is driven by pin 8 of U52, a 7408. If the
trace from this pin were cut and tied to +5, you could probably install a
standard floppy controller.
All disclaimers apply. This is just from looking at the prints. I've
never tried it, of course. Have fun getting the motherboard out, by the
way--you have to completely disassemble the whole bloody thing.
By the way, if your ROMs are new enough (I think I have V4.34) you can in-
stall a standard hard disk controller. I have a WD RLL controller and a
Seagate ST238.
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jan 88 18:37:47 GMT
From: davidsen%steinmetz@uunet.UU.NET (William E. Davidsen Jr)
Subject: Compilers for the 386
The C compiler with Xenix/386 uses the small (4GB) model, and will allow
large arrays and use the 387 coprocessor. It also supplies virtual memory,
so you can have programs as large as your swap space allows, although per-
formance may suffer.
There are several compilers which use 386 mode under DOS. See a Microway ad
for details. These do *not* provide virtual memory according to a friend
who has one.
--
bill davidsen (wedu@ge-crd.arpa)
{uunet | philabs | seismo}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen
"Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 88 15:55:12 -0500
From: (Marshall D. Abrams)
<abrams%community-chest.mitre.org@gateway.mitre.org>
Subject: Dots Perfect
I would like to add my endorsement to Rob Kling's mention of the Dots Per-
fect upgrade for older Epson printers. I installed Dots Perfect on my MX-
80 about 6 months ago. The instructions were exceedingly clear and idiot
proof. I now use NLQ mode for all my correspondance.
Their number is 800-368-7737.
Sincerely,
- Marshall D. Abrams, phone: (703) 883-6938
The MITRE Corporation, 7525 Colshire Drive
Mail Stop Z670, Mc Lean, VA 22102
Alternate e-mail address: abrams@mitre.arpa
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 11:24:49 est
From: Dave Sill <dsill@NSWC-OAS.ARPA>
Subject: Dvorak Keyboard Driver Request
> I made one a while ago by going in and changing the keycodes in the
>KEYBUK.COM file, but can't get it to run on my new machine.
>
> (Is that illegal, changing the program like that?)
>
>[No, it in not illegal to change a program as you did. It IS illegal to
>sell someone else's program for profit. ...]
In general it is NOT legal to change a program protected by a copyright.
Of course, if the software was licensed, not purchased, anything is pos-
sible. A copyright gives the copyright owner the following exclusive
rights:
- the right to make copies
- the right to distribute copies
- the right to make derivatives
- the right to public performance or display
The Software Act of 1980 amended these rights to allow, among other things,
the making of backup copies and adaptations essential to using a program
with a machine, i.e. for fixing compatibility problems. I doubt that a
Dvorak keyboard would be considered essential, but I'm no lawyer.
=========
The opinions expressed above are mine.
"I shed, therefore, I am."
-- ALF
[Mr. Sill is CORRECT. For further information on copyrights, see the file
PD2:<unix>copyright.article. I should have recommended that the SIMTEL20
files PD1:<MSDOS.KEYBOARD>DVORAK86.ASM and PD1:<MSDOS.KEYBOARD>DVORAKXT.ASM
(both from the Info-IBMPC Lending Library) be looked at for possible
utility. gph]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 15:41 EDT
From: <WHITESID%MCMASTER.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU> (Fred Whiteside)
Subject: Editorial license
In a recent article that I sent to you (my first, by the way) regard-
ing 3Com (Volume 7 # 3) I stated that the names of the system startup files
IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS occur in the boot sector of a bootable disk. You added
an editorial comment to the effect that they were NOT in the boot sector,
but ONLY in the directory.
Those file names occur at hex location 40 in the boot sector of a
Zenith Dos disk that I have. They do not occur in a PCDOS disk that I have.
My comment was warning people who are using NON-PCDOS disks, as the boot
sector in these DOS versions may do odd things (the Zenith DOS that I
referred to looks at the value in DL at boot time (which contains the BIOS
disk number of the boot device) and if it is indicating a hard disk, it
looks for a partition, causing a 3Start volume to fail as there is no such
partition).
I am sorry if I was slightly unclear about what I meant, but your com-
ment was, I feel, somewhat misleading and I wanted to clear it up.
Thanks,
Fred Whiteside
Development Analyst
McMaster University
WHITESID@MCMASTER.bitnet
[Not only was my comment mis-leading, it was also WRONG. The names DO show
up on the IBM PC-DOS 3.1 disks I have. After Mr. Whiteside made his com-
ment, I went and looked at my DOS disks. The names ARE in the boot sector.
They ALSO are in the DIRECTORY. AND they MUST physically be the first two
on the disk ... I don't know why I didn't see them before... gph]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 17:23:06 EST
From: Joe Morris (jcmorris@mitre.arpa) <jcmorris@mitre.arpa>
Subject: HP Laserjet Soft Font format
In INFO-IBMPC 6:2 Tom Reid asked about the format of the H-P Soft Font
files for the Laserjet printers.
The format of these files is documented in the H-P Laserjet II Technical
Reference Manual, part number 33440-90905. Supposedly this manual can
be ordered from your dealer, but after a frustrating time I ordered it
directly from H-P; the cost is $27 or so and it was shipped the next day.
There's a toll-free (WATS) line; my notes say it's (800)637-4772. (That's
an H-P number, I'm not sure that it's the order line.) That's the good
news.
The bad news is that the H-P soft fonts I've looked at don't exactly match
the specifications laid out in this manual. In particular, several fields
in the fonts are marked as "reserved" and the manual says those fields
should be set to zero; in several cases the H-P fonts have non-zero values
there. Also, the font headers contain the copyright notice in a form
which isn't permitted according to the information in the book. Is there
someone on the net from H-P who can shed some light on this?
Joe Morris
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 88 10:49:35 -0800
From: shm@aerospace.aero.org
Subject: IBMPC Lending Library
Greg,
Where on the net is the lending library? I seem to recall it was
going to be moved to simtel20, but I haven't been able to figure out
or find a path name on their system that leads to the files.
Thanks,
Steve
[See blurb under the TOPICS in this issue. gph]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 88 09:18 EDT
From: "SCHOLTES%ASC@SDR.SLB.COM" <SCHOLTES%ASC%sdr.slb.com@RELAY.CS.NET>
Subject: Sources of Columbia PC Systems Support
This is reply is for the query by Kvancamp@ARDEC.ARPA about sources for
Columbia PC support:
Columbia PC support has been actively taken on by "Godfathers Used
Computers", a mail-order house in Florida. They have DOS 3.2 upgrades,
memory upgrades, and hardware support. I've seen their ad (in BYTE, I
think), but don't have the number handy.
--mike scholtes, Schlumberger Well Systems, Austin Systems Center
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jan 88 17:59:30 GMT
From: jkg@gatech.edu (Jim Greenlee)
Subject: AutoMenu Sources
>Marshall can be contacted, or AUTOMENU ordered at
> MAGEE ENTERPRISES
> 6577 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
> Norcross, Georgia 30092-3796
> There is no telephone listing for Magee Enterprises, but Marshall's E-
>Mail address on Compuserve is [70167,2200]
The local Atlanta telephone directory lists the phone number for Magee
Enterprises as (404) 446-6611.
Jim Greenlee
--
The Shadow...!{decvax,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,rutgers}!gatech!jkg
Jryy, abj lbh'ir tbar naq qbar vg! Whfg unq gb xrrc svqqyvat jvgu vg hagvy
lbh oebxr vg, qvqa'g lbh?!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 88 13:11 N
From: <HANIA%HENTHT5.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Mathematical Wordprocessing
A few weeks ago some discussion was going on about T3, an expensive mathe-
matical wordprocessor.
At the University of Twente, The Netherlands ChiWriter is most commonly
used to create documents wihich contain formula's. ChiWriter costs much
less than T3. The program itself, including font designer, manual and 9-pin
printer support costs $79,95. High-resolution display drivers cost $19,95,
24-pin printer support $19,95 and LaserJet support $49,95. Also available
are special chemistry fonts, which enable you to create all sorts of chemi-
cal formula's. In the PC-BLUE library a (limited) demoversion is available
on vol. 173.
This disk and the complete package can also be obtained from:
Horstman Software Design Corporation
140 East San Carols Street, Suite 200
P.O. Box 5039, San Jose CA 95150, USA
(408) 298-0828
Simon Hania - HANIA@HENTHT5.BITNET
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1988 20:03 MST
From: Keith Petersen <W8SDZ@SIMTEL20.ARPA>
Subject: New Titles From the Info-IBMPC Lending Library
From: Gregory Hicks COMFLEACTS <hicks at walker-emh.arpa>
Just uploaded the following new programs as mentioned in various Info-
IBMPC Digests in the recent past...
3d-plot.for a FORTRAN hack to do 3-D plotting
ATFMT.ASM A quick and dirty program to do a low level format of hard
disks. Can specify interleave factors.
BIOS.ASM An update to Ya'kahov Miles BIOS.ASM program from the
Lending Library.
CAPSCTRL.ASM From Hess.Unicorn ... A very short program (TSR) that moves
the CAPS and <CTRL> keys back to where they belong.
dskrd-wr.pas An instructive program that demonstrates how to do DOS disk
reads/writes from TURBO PASCAL. Be warned: if you do as the
author suggests, you lose some of the flexibility of Turbo.
Documented in the code...
HERC-EPS.PAS A TSR that replaces the DOS BIOS Prt-Sc function for those
of you with HERCULES Monochrome Cards
SATELITE.BAS A program that shows the requestor where various satellites
are located in reference to his location. Must input
orbital data, shows location graphically.
SETTD.C A hack to set the time and date on ATs. Saves setup data
to a specified data file. Can re-load the setup data in the
event that the battery fails and needs replacement.
Regards,
Gregory Hicks
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 88 14:33:34 EST
From: David Kirschbaum <kirsch@braggvax.arpa>
Subject: DOS Backup Programs
Re: <ac04%NTSUVAX.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Re: DOS BACK-UP Programs
> One of our hardware technicians claims that software like Fastback is
>likely to cause problems on floppy-drives. He thinks we should simply
>recommend the use of DOS Backup/Restore.
>
> However, in addition to being painfully slow, I understand there are
>compatibility problems between the DOS backup/restore on different DOS
>versions, and since we have 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 out there, this may present
>some problems for us. Any advice on these issues?
>
>Dave Molta
>Manager of Academic Computing
>North Texas State University
>AC04@NTSUVAX.BITNET
Dave,
I'd (again) suggest Buerg's FBR package ("Fast Backup and Restore"), avail-
able via anonymous FTP from SIMTEL20.ARPA's archives as:
PD1:<MSDOS.DSKUTL>FBR161.ARC (a binary file)
This package contains documentation, plus the three following programs:
FB.COM Back up selected or all files in a subdirectory
FS.COM Show the directory of a specified backup file
FR.COM Restore the files in a backup file into the current (any)
subdirectory and drive.
The FBR utilities use technology similar to the old LU (Library Utility)
from CP/M and early MS-DOS days (before wonders like ARC and PKARC came
along). Designated files are not compressed, simply added to a backup file
(uniquely identified with a name that resembles the original subdirectory
name).
More than one subdirectory can be backed up to a single floppy (since their
backup files have different names). If the current backup file being built
exceeds available floppy disk space, it is closed and you are prompted to
enter a new floppy. A new backup file (same file name, but 001 bumps to
002 or some such .. don't recall exactly) is created. This process con-
tinues until the entire subdirectory backup is completed. Each floppy is
efficiently filled right to the maximum capacity (since a single file from
the hard disk may be split between two floppy disk backup files).
FBR isn't DOS-particular (e.g., different DOS versions won't cause
problems). It doesn't really care where you "restore" the files from the
backup file (so you don't have the problem of maybe overwriting existing
files as when DOS's RESTORE tries to work). You can even "restore" the
files to a completely different drive and subdirectory.
Works nice, works fast, well documented, and most of all .. it's portable
across DOS versions and machines.
I use it all the time to back up my XT clone (80286, PC-DOS 3.1, 40 Mb
hard disk with a Konan controller (so I get a "logical" Drive D:). Files
are compatible with (and can be "restored" via FR) to my ATT 6300 (MS-DOS
2.21, I think) and a local XT Turbo (V20) with MS-DOS 3.3.
DAMN, that Buerg does good work!
If you don't have access to SIMTEL20, yell and I'll coordinate EMailing the
archive (uuencoded or something) directly to you. (And don't all you guys
on BITNET jump at me, now!)
David Kirschbaum
Toad Hall
kirsch@braggvax.ARPA
[David: Since BITNET now can access the SIMTEL20 Archives via
LISTSERV@cicge.rpi.edu, He may not have to request assistance... gph]
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 13:08:07 CST
From: "Richard Winkel UMC Computing Services"
<CCRJW%UMCVMB.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: SIMTEL20 access from Bitnet
Bitnet users have access to Simtel20 again! Here's the doc:
Selected portions of the SIMTEL20 public domain software archives
are available via a file server at RPICICGE.BITNET. At present the
collections include the following directories:
PD1:<CPM.*> -- The Info-CPM archive (CP/M machines)
PD1:<SIGM.*> -- The SIG/M User Group archive (CP/M machines)
PD1:<MISC.*> -- The Miscellaneous archives
PD1:<MSDOS.*> -- The IBM-PC/MSDOS archives
PD1:<PC-BLUE.*> -- The PC-Blue User Group archive (MSDOS machines)
Planned:
PD:<CPMUG.*> -- The CP/M User Group archive.
Any of the files in these collections are available from the file server
LISTSERV@RPICICGE.BITNET.
[The remainder of this article was sent separately to BITNET subscribers.
If you (BITNET) have not yet received it, send me a message after 5 Feb.
I'll send it as soon as I can. gph]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1988 21:12 MST
From: Keith Petersen <W8SDZ@SIMTEL20.ARPA>
Subject: Turbo Pascal to QuickC translator available from SIMTEL20
Now available via standard anonymous FTP from SIMTEL20...
Filename Type Bytes CRC
Directory PD1:<MSDOS.C>
T2C.ARC BINARY 152264 75ECH
GLOCKENSPIEL TURBO PASCAL(TM)-TO-QUICKC(TM) TRANSLATOR
Each programming language has its own unique features and strengths.
Many people have indicated an interest in converting TurboPascal
programs to C, to take advantage of C's speed and flexibility.
Microsoft hopes that this Turbo Pascal-to-QuickC Translator will make
what could be an onerous task as fast and as easy as possible.
Because of the complete compatibility between QuickC and Microsoft's C
5.0 Optimizing Compiler, both Microsoft compilers can be used to
compile your C code.
The program is designed for legal Turbo Pascal programs, written
with TurboPascal version 3.0 or earlier. It even converts all the
graphics routines.
Microsoft is providing the translator on bulletin boards and sending
it to user groups and to anyone that calls and asks for it.
--Keith Petersen
------------------------------
Date: Sunday, 17 January 1988 20:22-MST
From: Mike Day
<tektronix!reed!qiclab!bakwatr!mikeday@BEAVER.CS.WASHINGTON.EDU>
Subject: V2080 MSDOS CPeMulator (shareware archive)
Now available via standard anonymous FTP from SIMTEL20...
Filename Type Bytes CRC
Directory PD1:<MSDOS.EMULATORS>
V2080J88.ARC BINARY 24267 643BH
64K V2080 CPeMulator Version 3.21 as of 8 January, 1988
OPERATION: To run a program, type "V2080 FILENAME" at the MS-DOS prompt
(CP/M programs are assumed to have a filename extent of .CPM). Use of this
program requires that a NEC V20 chip be installed in the computer in place
of the 8088 mpu (or V30 for 80186 machines). This will allow you to run
8080 based CP/M-80 programs on your MS-DOS machine (within hardware and
software limitations).
This archive contains two versions of CPeMulator, one with ADM3A emulation,
and one without (use your own DOS device driver). The archive also contains
documentation on the use of the V2080 CPeMulator.
Mike Day UUCP:...!tektronix!reed!qiclab!bakwatr!mikeday
Chief Bit Washer, Day Research, P.O. Box 22902, Milwaukie, OR 97222
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 88 16:41:43 EST
From: MEHL <jimm@vax1.acs.udel.edu>
Subject: HPLJ font formats
The format of the softfonts which I purchased from HP basically follow the
pattern shown in Figs. 3-1 "Font Descriptor" and Manual. There are some
minor differences but the essential information (dimensions, etc.) is the
same. I understand that this manual (or its update) is not included with
the Series II; it must be purchased separately. (My copy came with a
LaserJet Plus.)
The files can be easily examined using V. Buerg's LIST in the hex mode.
When I got my LJ I found that the width tables which came with my word
processor were not correct for the AD soft fonts, so I wrote a quick-and-
dirty T. Pascal program to read through a file and print out the width
tables. I learned that all TmsRm fonts are not alike, apparently as a
result of evolution of the designs.
J. B. Mehl, Physics Department, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 18:27:50 GMT
From: NETWORK%FRSAC11.BITNET@cuvma.columbia.edu
Subject: Shell Sources Requested
I'm in great need of sources for a shell, in C. The use: further hacking.
Style: Bourne or Csh or Korn.
Reply directly by email, if possible.
On simtel20? where? what name? On the info-ibmpc lending library? where
what name how to access? I can FTP, but my usual address is on bitnet.
Regards,
Jean-Pierre H. Dumas
network@frsac11 (bitnet)
network%frsac11.bitnet@mitvma.mit.edu (arpanet)
dumas@sumex-aim.stanford.edu (arpanet)
[Some shells, .login scripts, awk hacks, csh aliases and such are available
from file PD2:<unix.utils1>unix.tricks ... Use standard anonymous login
with FTP and snarf the file... Its ASCII (about 128k though) and interest-
ing reading. File is circa '85 ... but still useful. gph]
------------------------------
Date: 19 Jan 88 13:03:42 EST (Tue)
From: uunet!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen@rutgers.edu (Wm E. Davidsen)
Subject: SIMTEL20 access
I have been getting stuff off ST20 via FTP for years, based on the
information found in articles. The question: how do I get a directory
of the directories (list the available directories rather than the
files in the current directory). We can't find any TOPS-20 people who
could tell me how to do this.
bill davidsen (wedu@ge-crd.ARPA)
{uunet | philabs}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen
"Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me
[I don't think that it is possible to get a list of the directories when
using FTP. I believe that trying to get a 'list of directories' is not
implemented on most hosts. You have to know the name you're looking for...
However, a list of the MSDOS directories can be found by giving the command
LIST PD1:<msdos>*.* and looking in the file <msdos>msdos.directories (or
some such variant...]
------------------------------
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End of Info-IBMPC Digest
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