[net.micro] DEC PC's can format their disks

Seiler@mit-xx@sri-unix.UUCP (08/15/83)

From:  Larry Seiler <Seiler@mit-xx>

There has been enough interest expressed that I am posting this to everyone.

I saw an ad for a Rainbow 100 disk formatter in "Personal and Professional",
a new mag devoted to the DEC PC's (the ad is in both existing issues).  They 
only advertised software for Rainbow.  The price for the formatter is $65, 
and they say that it will work on any good quality diskettes.  Their address 
and phone number are below.  If anyone learns anything more, especially on
the subject of disk formatting for the Professional, please post it.

	Enjoy,				Silicon Valley Corp
	Larry (MIT)			150 West Iowa Ave.
					Sunnyvale CA  94086
					408-737-7577
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mel@houxm.UUCP (08/17/83)

Why, when I pay $250 for the operating software for the Rainbow, should
I have to search down and pay another $65 to someone else for a disk
formatter?  and another $40 to Priority-One for documentation for that
same software's CP/M-86?  and $25 to Lifeboat for documentation for that
same software's CP/M-80? (which turns out to not even be right - the
CP/M-80, I mean - Lifeboat's documents were fine indeed)  and $35 for a
little flier that tells how to open up the case and adjust focus, etc.
- DEC's "Technical Documentation Kit"?  and another $50 for a "Print
Set" that doesn't have anything on the keyboard or display unit?  Are
the other PC makers this screwed up?
  Mel Haas  ,  houxm!mel

ron@brl-bmd@sri-unix.UUCP (08/18/83)

From:      Ron Natalie <ron@brl-bmd>

Actually, IBM's PC has very nice documentation (that does not cost
you an arm and a leg).  There are some BIG COMPUTER MANUFACTURER
problems with doing stuff with such a little machine.  The PC Technical
Manual has a glossary that was probably distilled or referenced from some
larger IBM dictionary.  Under 'D' it lists:

	DSR:  Data Set Ready (...explantation of meaning of this
				modem control bit...)

	DTR:  Distribution Tape Reel

This I can live with however.

-Ron