borne@stsci.EDU (Kirk D. Borne) (09/19/90)
I have been using the very ancient versions of ZDOS and CP/M that came
with my Z-100 back in 1983. Since I have been running very simple applications
at home, this has not been a problem. Now that I am trying to expand the
functionality of the machine, I find that most of the disks that I borrow
from friends are not even compatible with the disk file structure under the
old operating systems (320K vs. 360K is part of the problem I think).
I understand that there are disk utilities that can deal with the 320-360
problem, but I also need simply to update the old DOS.
Could someone please bring me up-to-date by sending me either some
relevant information or the name and address of an appropriate distributor
or both?
Thanks for your help.
+------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
| Kirk D. Borne | SPAN: SCIVAX::BORNE or 6559::BORNE |
| Proposal Systems Scientist | Bitnet: borne@stsci |
| Science Program Selection Office | Internet: borne@scivax.stsci.edu |
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| Homewood Campus | FAX: 301-338-4767 |
| Baltimore, MD 21218 | Telex: 684-9101-STSCI |
+------------------------------------+----------------------------------------+RDYSART@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (Dick Dysart STEWS-TE-LG 6125) (09/20/90)
Kirk, I'm not sure, but we solved the 320<->360K disk format problem along time ago. Check the DOS manual for the FORMAT command: to format a disk for 9 sectors per track use: FORMAT B: /9 to achieve IBM(sic) compatability. SECOND: Since ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) has dropped the Z-100 line, Can we (US ALL ON THE NET) share Z-100 ZDS software??? You need atleast MS-DOS v2.11.. If its legal, I'll provide. Dick Dysart (505) 523-4015 evenings e-mail queries, before spending $ for phone. -------
mac@harris.cis.ksu.edu (Myron A. Calhoun) (09/20/90)
In article <12623219984.25.RDYSART@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL>... writes: [several lines deleted here 'n there] > Since ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) has dropped the Z-100 line, >Can we (US ALL ON THE NET) share Z-100 ZDS software??? This IS an INTERESTING question! I'd sure like to know the legal ramifications, 'cause it might simplify my wife's acquisition of Z-100 versions of MailMerge and Speller for WordStar. Of course, there's still the manual problem; photocopying is easy, but I wonder if a "business" can own a copyright when the business is defunct. And what about UTAH COBOL (and UTAH FORTRAN and UTAH ....) written (?) and sold by Chuck Ellis of Ellis Computing, Inc., from 1977 up until last March. I've got lots of students who'd LOVE to buy copies. (And I have a brand new manual and his latest software release !-) --Myron. -- # Myron A. Calhoun, Ph.D. E.E.; Associate Professor (913) 539-4448 home # INTERNET: mac@harris.cis.ksu.edu (129.130.10.2) 532-6350 work # UUCP: ...{rutgers, texbell}!ksuvax1!harry!mac 532-7004 fax # AT&T Mail: attmail!ksuvax1!mac
zateslo@geomag.fsu.edu (Ted Zateslo) (09/20/90)
In article <12623219984.25.RDYSART@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL> RDYSART@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (Dick Dysart STEWS-TE-LG 6125) writes: >Kirk, > I'm not sure, but we solved the 320<->360K disk format problem >along time ago. Check the DOS manual for the FORMAT command: >to format a disk for 9 sectors per track use: > FORMAT B: /9 to achieve IBM(sic) compatability. Z-Dos (version 1.x) can't read or write (or format) 360K. You really do need 2.11 or above. As to the legality of copying it for others, it's definitely not legal -- Microsoft, if not ZDS, would be upset. But I'm not sure how else you'd get a copy! Ted Zateslo, FSU Geology Dept. Internet: zateslo@geomag.gly.fsu.edu
malpass@vlsi.ll.mit.edu (Don Malpass) (09/21/90)
> Since ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) has dropped the Z-100 line, >Can we (US ALL ON THE NET) share Z-100 ZDS software??? Another option: there are a lot of folks selling complete used Z-100 systems WITH SOFTWARE at fire-sale prices.
richard@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (09/21/90)
In article <9009202143.AA03559@vdd.VLSI.LL.MIT.EDU>, malpass@vlsi.ll.mit.edu (Don Malpass) writes: >> Since ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) has dropped the Z-100 line, >>Can we (US ALL ON THE NET) share Z-100 ZDS software??? > > Another option: there are a lot of folks selling complete used Z-100 > systems WITH SOFTWARE at fire-sale prices. As a matter of fact, I have one that I'd like to place in a good home. For sale: Zenith Z-100 Personal Computer 192K RAM Color memory installed; can be used with RGB color monitor or composite monochrome Two 360k floppy drives All original software and documentation Perfect operating condition $200 plus shipping, or best offer -- --- Richard +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | Richard M. Kershenbaum Bitnet: richard@ukanvax | | Manager, Technical Services Internet: richard@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu | | The University of Kansas Fax: (913)864-0485 | | Computer Center Phone: (913)864-0445 | | Lawrence, Kansas 66045 | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
pmd@cbnews.att.com (Paul Dubuc) (09/25/90)
In article <1990Sep23.120249.4344@techbook.com>, fzsitvay@techbook.com (Frank Zsitvay) writes: > In article <1990Sep19.195650.16894@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> mac@harris.cis.ksu.edu (Myron A. Calhoun) writes: > >In article <12623219984.25.RDYSART@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL>... writes: > > > > [several lines deleted here 'n there] > > > >> Since ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) has dropped the Z-100 line, > >>Can we (US ALL ON THE NET) share Z-100 ZDS software??? > > > >This IS an INTERESTING question! I'd sure like to know the legal > >ramifications, 'cause it might simplify my wife's acquisition of > >Z-100 versions of MailMerge and Speller for WordStar. Of course, > >there's still the manual problem; photocopying is easy, but I > >wonder if a "business" can own a copyright when the business is > >defunct. > > > look at it this way, do you think zenith is going to sue you because > you made one too many copies of zdos?? > > and if they do decide to spend the $$ to start an action, how will it > look in court if zenith tries to deny someone from copying a piece > of software when it is no longer available from the source that produced > it?? > ... Another way to look at it (from their point of view): Letting people freely copy "outdated" software could be seen as cutting into the market for new hardware and software. They might reason that fewer people would by newer computers and software if they could obtain better, but still unavailable as new, software for just the trouble of copying it. And, they would have a point, I think ... -- Paul Dubuc | "When freedom destroys order, att!cbvox!pmd | the yearning for order will destroy freedom." | Eric Hoffer |
fzsitvay@techbook.com (Frank Zsitvay) (09/27/90)
In article <1990Sep24.203250.2336@cbnews.att.com> pmd@cbnews.att.com (Paul Dubuc) writes: >In article <1990Sep23.120249.4344@techbook.com>, fzsitvay@techbook.com (Frank Zsitvay) writes: >> In article <1990Sep19.195650.16894@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> mac@harris.cis.ksu.edu (Myron A. Calhoun) writes: >> >In article <12623219984.25.RDYSART@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL>... writes: >> > >> > [several lines deleted here 'n there] >> > >> >> Since ZDS (Zenith Data Systems) has dropped the Z-100 line, >> >>Can we (US ALL ON THE NET) share Z-100 ZDS software??? >> > >> >This IS an INTERESTING question! I'd sure like to know the legal >> >ramifications, 'cause it might simplify my wife's acquisition of >> >Z-100 versions of MailMerge and Speller for WordStar. Of course, >> > >> look at it this way, do you think zenith is going to sue you because >> you made one too many copies of zdos?? >> > >Another way to look at it (from their point of view): Letting people freely >copy "outdated" software could be seen as cutting into the market for new >hardware and software. They might reason that fewer people would by newer >computers and software if they could obtain better, but still unavailable >as new, software for just the trouble of copying it. And, they would have >a point, I think ... >-- perhaps, but i don't think they would have a point, simply because there are a lot of us out here that cannot afford their new equipment. in the case of 8 bit cp/m stuff, there are no new manufacturers of 8 bit cp/m computers that i know of (well, commodore maybe, if you call that cp/m.) and cp/m machines aren't regarded as a business tool anymore. the z100 isn't really a pc clone, and as such doesn't compete with zenith's new equipment. (not that their new equipment is really compatible with the clones....) perhaps the guideline should be something like "when they stop supporting it, it should be public supported." -- fzsitvay@techbook.COM - one of these days i'll get it right... Version 2 of anything is usually the version that works.
pmd@cbnews.att.com (Paul Dubuc) (10/01/90)
In article <1990Sep27.003154.23966@techbook.com>, (Frank Zsitvay) writes: > In article <1990Sep24.203250.2336@cbnews.att.com> (Paul Dubuc) writes: > >In article <1990Sep23.120249.4344@techbook.com>, (Frank Zsitvay) writes: > >> > > >> look at it this way, do you think zenith is going to sue you because > >> you made one too many copies of zdos?? > >> > > > >Another way to look at it (from their point of view): Letting people freely > >copy "outdated" software could be seen as cutting into the market for new > >hardware and software. They might reason that fewer people would by newer > >computers and software if they could obtain better, but still unavailable > >as new, software for just the trouble of copying it. And, they would have > >a point, I think ... > >-- > > perhaps, but i don't think they would have a point, simply because there > are a lot of us out here that cannot afford their new equipment. > > in the case of 8 bit cp/m stuff, there are no new manufacturers of 8 bit > cp/m computers that i know of (well, commodore maybe, if you call that cp/m.) > and cp/m machines aren't regarded as a business tool anymore. Makes no difference (to them). Access to a newer copy of software for older equipment still can be seen as making it easier not to afford newer hardware. > the z100 isn't really a pc clone, and as such doesn't compete with zenith's > new equipment. (not that their new equipment is really compatible with > the clones....) Right. It doesn't compete mainly because of lack of access to newer software for the z100. The smaller the gap between what runs on the IBM clones and what runs on the z100 the more competition they would be for each other, especially if the z100 software were freely copyable. > perhaps the guideline should be something like "when they stop supporting > it, it should be public supported." I would surely support these guidlines. I just don't see much reason for those who own the copyrights to do so. I'm glad to hear about Paul Herman's efforts in this area. I hope he succeeds. -- Paul Dubuc | "Civility is highly prized by the uncertain. att!cbvox!pmd | It needs most to be exercised by the certain." | Richard John Neuhaus |