t-rayc@microsoft.UUCP (Raymond CHEN) (07/03/90)
[
Summary of major changes:
Keith Petersen is no longer administrator of the SIMTEL20 archives.
Brian O'Neill has temporarily lost internet access.
The csnet ftp server has been shut down indefinitely.
This context diff may be applied via the `patch' program. Since the
FAQ file is not very long, it's probably easier just to snag a new
copy.
--rjc
]
*** faq.jun
--- faq.jul
***************
*** 1,4 ****
! [@(#)faq.csip 4.6 Last revised on 4/30/90]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
--- 1,4 ----
! [@(#)faq.csip 4.8 Last revised on 7/2/90]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
***************
*** 19,26 ****
1.4) The unpacking program said that the archive was corrupted.
1.5) What public archives exist, and what are their IP numbers?
1.6) I do not have ftp access. Can somebody email me the files?
- 1.7) Those answers didn't help. Can you go into more detail? And how
- do I get these "uudecode" and other programs?
CHAPTER 2: PROGRAMMING
--- 19,24 ----
***************
*** 241,248 ****
1.5) What public archives exist, and what are their IP numbers?
The most famous such is WSMR-SIMTEL20 [26.2.0.74], the White
! Sands Missile Range in New Mexico USA, whose MSDOS archives are
! administered by Keith Petersen (w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil).
This is a very busy site, so try connecting at really obscure
times of day. (SIMTEL20 is in the Mountain time zone, -7 hours
relative to GMT.)
--- 239,245 ----
1.5) What public archives exist, and what are their IP numbers?
The most famous such is WSMR-SIMTEL20 [26.2.0.74], the White
! Sands Missile Range in New Mexico USA.
This is a very busy site, so try connecting at really obscure
times of day. (SIMTEL20 is in the Mountain time zone, -7 hours
relative to GMT.)
***************
*** 301,314 ****
word HELP to BITFTP@PUCC. Using this service to ftp to SIMTEL20
is discouraged, however.
- Another FTP server is at info-server@sh.cs.net. Send the message
-
- request: info
- topic: help-ftp
- request: end
-
- to info-server@sh.cs.net to receive instructions.
-
If you don't even have email, most MSDOS SIMTEL20 files are available
for downloading on the Detroit Download Central network at 313-885-3956.
It is not a free system but the hourly cost is only 17 cents.
--- 298,303 ----
***************
*** 315,342 ****
It's also accessible on Telenet via PC Pursuit and on Tymnet via
StarLink outdial.
- 1.7) Those answers didn't help. Can you go into more detail? And how
- do I get these "uudecode" and other programs?
- Brian O'Neill (oneill@bass.bu.edu) has written primers on obtaining
- files from comp.binaries.ibm.pc and via ftp, as well as a Starter's
- Kit. He has graciously made these files available via email. Send
- the following message to uuserve@bu-tyng.bu.edu:
- address your-internet-address [BITNET users must use this]
- size 1500
- ascii
- send bin.man
- send ftp.man
- send starter.kit
- end
-
- This will transfer all three files via email. If you don't need a
- particular manual, omit that line. Make sure everything starts
- at the beginning of the line. Give the server a couple of days
- to respond before you start complaining.
-
-
CHAPTER 2: PROGRAMMING
2.1) How do I program the mouse/joystick? What does interrupt X do?
--- 304,311 ----
***************
*** 427,435 ****
Here's a checklist:
! [ ] Consult the "old.questions" index on my mail server to see
! if somebody else has asked the same question and to see who
! responded. Send them email asking them for their opinions.
[ ] Write a letter to the Better Business Bureau.
--- 396,405 ----
Here's a checklist:
! [ ] Consult the files "products" and "old.questions" on my mail
! server to see if somebody else has asked the same question and
! to see who responded. Send them email asking them for their
! opinions.
[ ] Write a letter to the Better Business Bureau.
***************
*** 635,650 ****
In general, if you are looking for a program, look first in the file
PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS>SIMIBM.ARC. This is a directory of all the files
! in SIMTEL20's MS-DOS archives. Keith Petersen spends a LOT of time
! keeping it up-to-date. Please make the effort worth his while.
! (And I'm pretty sure he won't mind an occasional thank-you letter.)
You can also send requests to my email server to search through the
index for a word or phrase.
- Every month or so, Mr. Petersen also posts a list of SIMTEL20's new
- acquisitions to comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d.
-
5.3) What about GIF images? How do I view a GIF image?
GIF images are kept on wuarchive.wustl.edu (/graphics/gif),
--- 605,615 ----
In general, if you are looking for a program, look first in the file
PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS>SIMIBM.ARC. This is a directory of all the files
! in SIMTEL20's MS-DOS archives.
You can also send requests to my email server to search through the
index for a word or phrase.
5.3) What about GIF images? How do I view a GIF image?
GIF images are kept on wuarchive.wustl.edu (/graphics/gif),
***************
*** 714,722 ****
one, but also looks up programs in the SIMTEL20 index, the grape
index, and the chyde index. (So you have no excuse for not looking
in these indexes before posting a request.) If you send email to
! raymond@math.berkeley.edu with the subject "Command" and containing
the single line "help", you will receive instructions; sending the
! message "send directory" gives you an index of all the files
available on the server.
One file in particular you might be interested in is "faq.more"
--- 679,687 ----
one, but also looks up programs in the SIMTEL20 index, the grape
index, and the chyde index. (So you have no excuse for not looking
in these indexes before posting a request.) If you send email to
! raymond@math.berkeley.edu with no subject and containing
the single line "help", you will receive instructions; sending the
! message "directory" gives you an index of all the files
available on the server.
One file in particular you might be interested in is "faq.more"raymond@math.berkeley.edu (Raymond Chen) (09/04/90)
*** t1996 Mon Sep 3 16:07:56 1990
--- faq.csip Mon Sep 3 16:08:07 1990
***************
*** 1,2 ****
--- 1,4 ----
+ [$Id: csip.faq 4.10 90/09/02 20:35:43 raymond Exp Locker: raymond $]
+
TABLE OF CONTENTS
***************
*** 98,105 ****
You should probably also check that your question hasn't been asked
! to death before. Many of the files on my email server address
commonly-asked questions whose answers are too long to list here.
! I also keep an index of previously-asked questions on my email server.
! Instructions on using the email server are posted separately.
0.3) Somebody just said that a { Mac, Amiga } beats the socks of a PC.
--- 100,107 ----
You should probably also check that your question hasn't been asked
! to death before. Many of the files in my archives address
commonly-asked questions whose answers are too long to list here.
! I also keep an index of previously-asked questions in my archives.
! Instructions on accessing the archive can be found in Appendix A.
0.3) Somebody just said that a { Mac, Amiga } beats the socks of a PC.
***************
*** 117,121 ****
FCC to impose surtax on modem usage: This is simply not true.
! Consult the file "fcc" on my mail server for a letter from
the FCC debunking this rumor.
--- 119,123 ----
FCC to impose surtax on modem usage: This is simply not true.
! Consult the file "fcc" in my archives for a letter from
the FCC debunking this rumor.
***************
*** 142,154 ****
files publicly available for transfer via ftp. Usually, this is done
by logging in as userid "anonymous" and giving your electronic mail
! address as the password. (Although rumor has it that nobody actually
! saves the passwords typed to the ftp program.) It's only polite to
! minimize your connect time, since each machine can service only a
! small number of ftp users at a time.
Beyond this rather sketchy description, the details vary from machine
to machine. On many UNIX machines, you can get information by typing
! "man ftp". In any case, check with your sysadmin for information
! peculiar to your site.
Here is what a typical ftp session might look like.
--- 144,155 ----
files publicly available for transfer via ftp. Usually, this is done
by logging in as userid "anonymous" and giving your electronic mail
! address as the password. It's only polite to minimize your connect
! time, since each machine can service only a small number of ftp users
! at a time.
Beyond this rather sketchy description, the details vary from machine
to machine. On many UNIX machines, you can get information by typing
! "man ftp". In any case, check with your system administrator for
! information peculiar to your site.
Here is what a typical ftp session might look like.
***************
*** 208,211 ****
--- 209,217 ----
file for that particular archive site for information.
+ Mike Jones (mrj00496@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu) maintains a comprehensive
+ list of archive formats, available for anonymous ftp from
+ ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (128.174.5.59) in the directory doc/pcnet.
+
+
1.4) The unpacking program said that the archive was corrupted.
***************
*** 240,245 ****
Sands Missile Range in New Mexico USA.
This is a very busy site, so try connecting at really obscure
! times of day. (SIMTEL20 is in the Mountain time zone, -7 hours
! relative to GMT.)
In the PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS> directory, the file AAAREAD.ME
--- 246,251 ----
Sands Missile Range in New Mexico USA.
This is a very busy site, so try connecting at really obscure
! times of day. (SIMTEL20 is in the Mountain time zone, 7 hours
! behind GMT.)
In the PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS> directory, the file AAAREAD.ME
***************
*** 264,274 ****
My email server has the index files for SIMTEL20, grape, and chyde.
! A much larger list of ftp sites is posted to comp.archives
! sporadically. You can also send the message "send help" to
comp-archives-server@twwells.com (or to comparc@twwells.com
if your mailer doesn't like long userids) to obtain information
! on how to obtain information about archive sites. (You might
! also look at the file "ftp.list" on my mail server.)
1.6) I do not have ftp access. Can somebody email me the files?
--- 270,282 ----
My email server has the index files for SIMTEL20, grape, and chyde.
! A very large list of ftp sites is maintained by odin@pilot.njin.net.
! The most recently list can be ftp'd from pilot.njin.net (128.6.7.38).
!
! You can also send the message "send help" to
comp-archives-server@twwells.com (or to comparc@twwells.com
if your mailer doesn't like long userids) to obtain information
! on how to obtain information about archive sites.
+
1.6) I do not have ftp access. Can somebody email me the files?
***************
*** 283,287 ****
For general instructions, send the message "GET PDGET HELP".
! BITNET users can also use send LISTSERV commands to LISTSERV@NDSUVM1
or LISTSERV@RPIECS to accomplish the same thing.
--- 291,295 ----
For general instructions, send the message "GET PDGET HELP".
! BITNET users can also send LISTSERV commands to LISTSERV@NDSUVM1
or LISTSERV@RPIECS to accomplish the same thing.
***************
*** 317,321 ****
A list of books on programming the IBM PC can be found in the file
! "books" on my mail server.
2.2) How do I do direct video access from C? Read/write an arbitrary byte?
--- 325,329 ----
A list of books on programming the IBM PC can be found in the file
! "books" in my archives.
2.2) How do I do direct video access from C? Read/write an arbitrary byte?
***************
*** 332,338 ****
so your program can assign a value to "screen" depending on
whether the program is being run with a color or monochrome card.
! (Use 0xB0000000 for monochrome cards.) See also the file
! "flickerfree" on my mail server for tips on doing flicker-free
! video access.
To read and write arbitrary bytes, you can use essentially
--- 340,345 ----
so your program can assign a value to "screen" depending on
whether the program is being run with a color or monochrome card.
! (Use 0xB0000000 for monochrome cards.) The file "flickerfree"
! in my archives contains tips on doing flicker-free video access.
To read and write arbitrary bytes, you can use essentially
***************
*** 343,346 ****
--- 350,358 ----
of a far pointer.
+ Note that this method works only for compilers which store pointers
+ in segment:offset format (e.g., MSC, TC). Other compilers
+ (e.g., Lattice) may do things differently. Consult your compiler
+ manual to be sure.
+
2.3) How do I reboot my computer via software?
***************
*** 372,378 ****
handling for MSC and other compilers.
! More details can be found in the file "memory" on my email server.
! Books which describe the use of expanded and extended memory are listed
! in the file "books" on my email server.
2.5) I get the message "floating point formats not linked" when I
--- 384,388 ----
handling for MSC and other compilers.
! More details can be found in the file "memory" in my archives.
2.5) I get the message "floating point formats not linked" when I
***************
*** 387,390 ****
--- 397,401 ----
the Borland Forum on CompuServe. There is also a Turbo-C mailing list
on LISTSERV@UCF1VM.BITNET.
+ (There's also a Zortech-C mailing list on uunet!ztc-list-request.)
***************
*** 395,400 ****
Here's a checklist:
! [ ] Consult the files "products" and "old.questions" on my mail
! server to see if somebody else has asked the same question and
to see who responded. Send them email asking them for their
opinions.
--- 406,411 ----
Here's a checklist:
! [ ] Consult the files "products" and "old.questions" in my archives
! to see if somebody else has asked the same question and
to see who responded. Send them email asking them for their
opinions.
***************
*** 442,451 ****
formats for .OBJ and .EXE files can be found in the MS-DOS Encyclopedia.
On SIMTEL20 is also the Borland BGI toolkit, which can also be obtained
! directly from Borland. Send the message
- old /BGI/
-
- to my email server for information about obtaining BGI files.
-
3.4) Rumor has it that company X is working on a new version of product Y.
Does anybody have any information about it?
--- 453,459 ----
formats for .OBJ and .EXE files can be found in the MS-DOS Encyclopedia.
On SIMTEL20 is also the Borland BGI toolkit, which can also be obtained
! directly from Borland. Many questions and answers about BGI files
! are logged in the file "old.questions" in my archives.
3.4) Rumor has it that company X is working on a new version of product Y.
Does anybody have any information about it?
***************
*** 566,571 ****
mounting it sideways?
! A record of these debates the last time they went around can be
! obtained from my email server. Request the file "24hrs".
CHAPTER 5: MISCELLANEOUS
--- 574,579 ----
mounting it sideways?
! A record of these debates the last time they went around is
! kept in my archives; consult the file "24hrs".
CHAPTER 5: MISCELLANEOUS
***************
*** 591,595 ****
PD1:<MSDOS.TURBO-C>RESLB201.ARC Function library for Turbo-C to make TSRs
! Books on TSR programming are listed in the file "books" on my email server.
A more complete vi comes as part of the MKS Toolkit, available
--- 599,603 ----
PD1:<MSDOS.TURBO-C>RESLB201.ARC Function library for Turbo-C to make TSRs
! Books on TSR programming are listed in the file "books" in my archives.
A more complete vi comes as part of the MKS Toolkit, available
***************
*** 600,604 ****
get public versions like MicroEmacs and Freemacs or commercial
programs like Epsilon or Unipress Emacs. The similarity to GNU Emacs
! varies.
In general, if you are looking for a program, look first in the file
--- 608,613 ----
get public versions like MicroEmacs and Freemacs or commercial
programs like Epsilon or Unipress Emacs. The similarity to GNU Emacs
! varies. The file "editor" in my archives discusses this, as well
! as other popular questions about editors.
In general, if you are looking for a program, look first in the file
***************
*** 611,618 ****
5.3) What about GIF images? How do I view a GIF image?
GIF images are kept on wuarchive.wustl.edu (/graphics/gif),
funic.funet.fi (/disk1/pub/misc/gif) and elsewhere. GIF viewers can
be found at those sites, as well as on SIMTEL20 (PD1:<MSDOS.GIF>).
! See the file "gif.sites" available from my mail server for a larger list.
5.4) How do I turn the ECHO off from a batch file?
--- 620,628 ----
5.3) What about GIF images? How do I view a GIF image?
+ Archives for GIF images come and go (mostly go).
GIF images are kept on wuarchive.wustl.edu (/graphics/gif),
funic.funet.fi (/disk1/pub/misc/gif) and elsewhere. GIF viewers can
be found at those sites, as well as on SIMTEL20 (PD1:<MSDOS.GIF>).
! See the file "gif.info" in my archives for more information.
5.4) How do I turn the ECHO off from a batch file?
***************
*** 674,690 ****
APPENDIX A: ANSWERS TO MORE QUESTIONS and AVAILABILITY OF THIS FILE
! I operate a mail server which not only dispenses files such as this
! one, but also looks up programs in the SIMTEL20 index, the grape
! index, and the chyde index. (So you have no excuse for not looking
! in these indexes before posting a request.) If you send email to
! raymond@math.berkeley.edu with no subject and containing
! the single line "help", you will receive instructions; sending the
! message "directory" gives you an index of all the files
! available on the server.
One file in particular you might be interested in is "faq.more"
which contains answers to MORE questions, but which weren't included
! here for reasons of space. Send the message "send faq.more" to
! obtain it. Its table of contents follows:
1) I found a bug in program X!
--- 684,704 ----
APPENDIX A: ANSWERS TO MORE QUESTIONS and AVAILABILITY OF THIS FILE
! The archives I keep mentioning in this document are available
! for anonymous ftp (see question 1.1) from math.princeton.edu
! in the directory pub/rjc/csip. The files are compressed via
! the UNIX "compress" program (see question 1.3). The file "directory"
! describes the contents of the directory.
+ People who cannot ftp can request the files via email. Send
+ email to rjc@math.princeton.edu with no subject and containing
+ the single line "help" to receive instructions.
+
+ The email server also looks up programs in the SIMTEL20 index,
+ the grape index, and the chyde index. (So you have no excuse
+ for not looking in these indexes before posting a request.)
+
One file in particular you might be interested in is "faq.more"
which contains answers to MORE questions, but which weren't included
! here for reasons of space. Its table of contents follows:
1) I found a bug in program X!raymond@pepto-bismol.berkeley.edu (Raymond Chen) (11/03/90)
For those playing along at home... 1c1 < [$Id: csip.faq 4.10 90/09/02 20:35:43 raymond Exp $] --- > [$Id: csip.faq 4.12 90/11/02 13:02:30 raymond Exp $] 58c58 < 5.2) Where can I get curses? vi? emacs? How do I remove a TSR from memory? --- > 5.2) Where can I get UNIX-like utilities? How do I remove a TSR from memory? 66a67 > APPENDIX B: OTHER SOURCES OF ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS 85a87,90 > In particular, if you wish to add something to the FAQ, don't just > post an article saying ``This should be in the FAQ'' because I probably > will miss it. Send me email directly. > 267c272,273 < chyde.uwasa.fi 00readme Timo Salmi (ts@chyde.uwasa.fi) --- > chyde.uwasa.fi HELP Timo Salmi (ts@chyde.uwasa.fi) > Harri Valkama (hv@chyde.uwasa.fi) 312a319,325 > The archives at chyde.uwasa.fi are also serviced by a mail server > that is still in an experimental stage. Send mail to hv@chyde.uwasa.fi > with a subject of "chyde-request" (no quotation marks, lowercase is > important), and whose body contains the two words "send help" (again, > no quotation marks, lowercase is important). Do not include a signature > because it confuses the server. If you do not understand, don't > use the email server. 313a327,329 > It must be emphasized that mail-based file transfer is frowned upon > by system administrators, and you are strongly encouraged to use ftp > if at all possible. 323,324c339,340 < SIMTEL20 as PD1:<MSDOS.INFO>INTER290.ZIP (as of 1 MAy 1990). < This listing is updated four or five times per year. --- > SIMTEL20 as PD1:<MSDOS.INFO>INTERxxx.ZIP (the last three digits > indicate the version number). 331c347,353 < The hard-core (hard-code) method is to say --- > First comment is that direct video access is poor program engineering > since it ties your program down to a particular hardware configuration. > (Device drivers and TSRs are also known to reprogram the video board, > thereby making accurate direct video access difficult.) > > Nevertheless, here's the answer, more to illustrate the concept > rather than as a suggested method of action. You can say 335,336c357 < and treat "screen" as if it were an array. A more flexible < approach is to say --- > and treat "screen" as if it were an array. You can say 397c418 < the Borland Forum on CompuServe. There is also a Turbo-C mailing list --- > the Borland Forum on CompuServe. There is a Turbo-C mailing list 399c420,421 < (There's also a Zortech-C mailing list on uunet!ztc-list-request.) --- > > There's a Zortech-C mailing list on uunet!ztc-list-request. 413c435,436 < [ ] Write a letter to the Better Business Bureau. --- > [ ] Write a letter to the Better Business Bureau. They've been > archiving this sort of information for years. 427a451,453 > In particular, a long summary of the debate over Mark Williams' > "Coherent" product is available from my archives. > 435c461 < TIFF, BGI, OBJ, EXE file formats? How can I write my own BGI driver? --- > TIFF, BGI, PCX, OBJ, EXE file formats? How can I write my own BGI driver? 452,456c478,484 < GIF, TIFF and BGI file formats are available on SIMTEL20, and the < formats for .OBJ and .EXE files can be found in the MS-DOS Encyclopedia. < On SIMTEL20 is also the Borland BGI toolkit, which can also be obtained < directly from Borland. Many questions and answers about BGI files < are logged in the file "old.questions" in my archives. --- > SIMTEL20 has GIF, TIFF and BGI file formats, as well as the Borland BGI > toolkit (also available from Borland). The formats for .OBJ and .EXE > files can be found in the MS-DOS Encyclopedia. The PCX file format can > be obtained from ZSoft (their address is in the old.questions file). > > Indeed, SIMTEL20's <MSDOS.INFO> directory is just chock full of > assorted technical information. 590c618 < 5.2) Where can I get curses? vi? emacs? How do I remove a TSR from memory? --- > 5.2) Where can I get UNIX-like utilities? How do I remove a TSR from memory? 593c621 < These programs and others are available from SIMTEL20: --- > Here's just a *sample* of what's available from SIMTEL20: 600a629,630 > There's plenty more where they came from. > 607,610c637,642 < There are several different emacs implementations for the PC. You can < get public versions like MicroEmacs and Freemacs or commercial < programs like Epsilon or Unipress Emacs. The similarity to GNU Emacs < varies. The file "editor" in my archives discusses this, as well --- > The GNUish MS-DOS project is moderated by Thorsten Ohl > <td12@ddagsi.bitnet>. Their efforts can be found on SIMTEL20 > and elsewhere. > > There are several different emacs implementations for the PC. > The file "editor" in my archives discusses this, as well 687c719 < for anonymous ftp (see question 1.1) from math.princeton.edu --- > for anonymous ftp (question 1.1) from math.princeton.edu[128.112.128.157] 692,694c724,738 < People who cannot ftp can request the files via email. Send < email to rjc@math.princeton.edu with no subject and containing < the single line "help" to receive instructions. --- > People who cannot ftp can request the files via email. Before sending > mail to the server, make sure you are using the instructions from the > most recent version of this file. > > Send email to rjc@math.princeton.edu with no subject and containing > the two lines > > path your-return-address > help > > replacing "your-return-address" with a valid reply path > *from*me*to*you*. (British users take careful note!) > Actually, the server tries to guess the return path, > so the "path" command is needed only if your mailer puts bogus > headers on outgoing mail. 700,702c744 < One file in particular you might be interested in is "faq.more" < which contains answers to MORE questions, but which weren't included < here for reasons of space. Its table of contents follows: --- > APPENDIX B: OTHER SOURCES OF ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS 703a746,748 > The answers to the following questions can be obtained from the > archives described above, as the file "faq.more". > 724c769,770 < 14) How can I toggle NumLock/CapsLock/ScrollLock from a batch file or program? --- > 14) Why is my program limited to only 20 open files? How can I increase > this value? 728a775,779 > 17) How do I disable call waiting? > 18) Redirecting printer output into a file. > > Prof. Timo Salmi also has his own collection of Frequently Asked Questions. > Watch for his periodic postings.