CATS
CAPITOL AREA TIME USERS GROUP
I Eme M Y
NEWSLETTER
$1.00 per copy Please support your computer- JOIN CATS!
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4 4 9 CONTENTS 49 9 $9
— |
Prom the President.
January Meeting... 2 From the Editor........... d Treasurer’s Bill..........9
Notes from the Library....6
Vol. 4, No. 11 February 1987
Letters Page... ..esecessses? UU-CALC Check Register....8 9
1000/2068 Circle Games....
QL Backup Utility........10
pE——O—— BR PPE S ETE EEEE EEE A TE ES ES I STS IE TILE SESE LIC LE IE EE IES TOE ORL TUE
PRESIDENTIAL RAMBLINGS
First and foremost, Mark Steuber of Sharp’s, will be our guest speaker and demonstrator at the February meeting. Mark has written software for the 2068, Spectrum and QL. He will demonstrate "War in the East" for us. (It is available for the 2068 and QL.)
Among other things, Sharp’s is a major importer of Spectrum and QL peripherals and software. I have asked him to come prepared to demon- strate and take orders for what you need or desire. Turn out and show your support for your computers!!
Many of you who attended the January meeting may have noticed that the meeting was decidedly slanted to- wards the QL. I must state that we have no intention of deserting the 1000 or 2068. However, the QL is novel, and over half of those at- tending the meeting had purchased a QL within the prior month. There have been a few new developments for the 2068, and we continue to enter- tain any questions or concerns for these machines.
All is well with the 12 to 2 session before the general meeting. I have a few new slick tricks up my sleeve
. space for it.
for the QL. Come and find out about them! The order has been placed for twenty QL ROM boards and we have received confirmation from Care Electronics, in England. I expect to have the boards before the next meeting. Fourteen of the boards have been reserved at this time. If you
want to pick up your board, come EARLY!'!
There are still about ten SCLD chips left. Although the rush has tapered off, if you do not already have a backup chip, I suggest that you not put it off any longer. They won't last forever!! Orders should be placed with Ruth Fegley to avoid un-
` necessary delays.
The New Carrollton Library has re-
. primanded us because of litter left . around the meeting room.
If such lit- ter is left around in the future, we
: will lose our visitation rights.
Since we are all responsible, we
. should each make it a habit to take
out everything that belongs to us. . This will be one of our topics for discussion.
Finally, a short reminder of the TS Computerfest coming to the Holiday Inn North, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Remember to reserve some time and It's the first weekend ‘in May. TB
QL (Quantum Leap) Computers Put Together, Dissected at CATS Meeting
ASSEMBLERS: Tom Bent, rear, & (clockwise) Manny Quintero, Gail Osborne, Ruth Fegley & Stan Guttenberg finish up Ruth’s QL kit.
Bearing down on an SCLD socket soldering job are (clockwise, from top right): Phil Russo, Verne Smith and Mark Fisher.
In January, CATS produced a generous aggregation of small computer enthusiasts eager to learn everything available about Sinclair computers in general---and the rapidly-blooming @L (Quantum Leap) in particular.
The attendees were clever enough to gather two weeks ahead of the Metro-paralyzing Great Snows of '87.
This provided them much occupational therapy to engage in while the rest of the populace succumbed to cabin fever.
Hardware Meeting
Around noon members started trooping into the New Carrollton library toting large white boxes---their QL kits.
Soon the "hardware room" was filled with electronic hobbiests bringing their machines up to speed. Under the guidance of Tom Bent, CATS president and editor of the new "Guantum Levels" magazine, the owners assembled their cases (simple) and did two upgrades recommended by Tom (harder):
(1) inserting a capacitor at the input to the voltage regulator (no soldering); and
(2) setting up parallel power sup- plies (lots of soldering).
CATS member Mike Warmick videotaped Mark Fisher soldering an SCLD socket to a 2068 board. Next up will be a short video lesson on assembling the GL kit.
CATS
General Meetin
The prevailing spirit of "kids loose in a toystore" carried over into the rest Of the afternoon.
Tom Bent spoke continuously for three hours about the @L’s software and hardware, hardly even pausing for breath.
Questions from the audience were incisive and illuminating.
The subjects Tom touched upon included:
. Memory Map of the QL
. The @L’s 170 commands
. Protecting Microdrives
Running the CONFIGURATION program Running the INSTALL program Parameters for printers
Using the TOOLKIT II package
. Multitasking
. Using the INKWELL package
. Writing PASCAL programs
. Going 2068-to-8L and back again . Using two-pass compilers
An informal survey at the general meeting showed 45% of the attendees either had @L’s in their possession, or have one on the way. |
"A good look at the way things are going to be" was the overriding consensus of the day's happenings.
--CHD
February
znd Annual Midwest Tvs Computerfest
Number two will be bigger than number one! On May 2-3, the fest will be held at the Holiday Inn North, Indianapolis IN. Rooms will be $52.00 flat rate (in advance). Call 1-800-Holiday.
Display space will be twice as big as last year,along with a flea market, two sets of lectures and a pre-Fest social dinner F riday night. Admission will be $4.00 individ., $7.00 family before 3-1-87; $6.00 & $9.00 after. For more information, contact:
Executive Director - Paul Holmgren
(checks to -) Midwest TS Computer Fest
3231 Wilton Wood Ct.
Indianapolis, IN 46254
- or download TSFEST.TXT from CompuServe.
Perhaps some day it will be as long lasting as the.......
12th Annual Trenton Computer Festival
On April 11-12, the TCF will again be held at Trenton State College. There will be 156 vendor booths, as well as users groups and a flea market, General Admission will be $7.00 for two days, $5.00 for Sunday only. For information call (609) 771-2487
“fa curctronics PLUS
Your complete supplier for
parts
THE NEW INDUSTRY STANDARD
QUALITY NTE PARTS:
B Transistors Bi Bridge Rectifiers
Bi Thyristors Bi Unijunctions
E Integrated Bi RF Transistors Circuits BB Microwave Oven
B Rectifiers and Rectifiers
Diodes B® Selenium Bi High Voltage Rectifiers Multipliers and Bil Flameproot Dividers Resistors Bl Optoelectronic B Wire Ties Devices @ Electrolytic Bi Zeners Capacitors Microprocessors Œ Static Control and Support Products
Chips @ Memory ICs Bi Thermal Cut-Offs
WE ALSO CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF:
It's February 14th. Do you know where your T/S 1000 is tonight?
Contributors
Tom Bent
Hank Dickson
Ruth Fegley
Pete Fischer
Mark Fisher
Bob Howard
Akin. Olowofoveku Mel Richardson John Riley
@ cable: plenum- teflon, coaxial & data
Bi connectors
B shrink tubing
Bi cable markers
@ soldering irons &
tips Bi solder & flux Bi tools
@ panel meters B lamps & LEDs
FAX: (301) 982-0022
| L. ELECTRONICS PLUS
® proto boards
B equipment racks
B transformers
BB capacitors & resistors
@ speakers
Bi surge protectors
ards
Bi telephone products
W tubes
B industrial paint
Bil chemicals & sprays
(301) 441-9009
4c.
CATS 3 February
——_——— À 9600 Baltimore Blvd. College Park, MD 20740
From the Editor
This is not being written on a GL. Not because of any problems with my new computer - quite the contrary (I'11 get to that). But I want to emphasize that we will be bending over backwards to maintain suppart for the 1000 and 2068. The next editor uses a 2068 & disk drive, and this editor is about to try to get his disk i/f going. 1000’s are still the beautifully designed units they always were, uniquely (thanks to people like Dave P. Woods) accessible to the hardware hacker.
So where are the articles? Well, I hold up my end of the production, and I intend to continue to contribute - after all, I enjoy telling about the stuff I'm doing. I’m not under any illusion that I am remarkably better informed than others in the club.... so where are you?
As I am writing this, I got a call from Barry Washington, re. an article on the ’&7 income tax form. I'm hoping it will make this issue.
I want to continue to support the full line of Sinclair products, but that depends upon recieving articles. Take the time to write us - let us know what you've discovered!
AERCO "Kits"
Phil Russo, Akin, and I spent the two hours of the hardware session butting our heads against the AERCO disk i/f. There’s nothing to complain about, really. It was advertised as a bare board with NO assembly instructions; but I (and Phil and Akin) weren't prepared for the complexity of the i/f board. That, coupled with the fact that AERCO used components with nonstandard markings, left us with a discouraging pile of small electronic thingies. All the sockets are installed - now, all that is left is to find out where the thirty or so ant-sized pull up resistors go. Fortunately, I've just recieved the parts sheet that some other user$ group developed, and I have high hopes - still.
Phil pulled out of the deal, passing his Kit to Mike Warmick - perhaps we'll end up with a video to pass on to other clubs!
QL Kits
And now for something completely different. Almost all the CATS members that ordered GL’s recieved them in the week before the meeting, and a number of machines were assembled right at the hardware session. I don't know much about that as I was busy elsewhere (see above).
I assembled my machine before the meeting, and had the fun of getting told that that little tail after "mdvi." was a critical part of the command
syntax, not just the publisher's way of saying "push the ENTER key now stupid!" Honest Tom, I would have figured it out in a week or so.
But the assembly was a BREEZE - repeat BREEZE. And the few mechanical problems that have shown up in the twenty or so Kits have been PROMPTLY taken care of by A*. Now, 1f only it wasn't an orphan...
Functionally, I had been skeptical of the glowing reviews I'd seen - but so far it's lived up to them.
The "SUPERbasic" has a few quirks in the editor, but I understand that the Toolkit ROM takes care of them. ARCHIVE is the only program that I've spent any time with so far, and I’m really pleased with its D Base II-like abilities. The program editor within ARCHIVE is as smooth as I can imagine a line editor getting -
a real pleasure!
The only negative I can think of is the Keyboard - while better that the 2068, it can't match the WANG w/p Keyboard I've spliced onto my 2068. With disks, and Jerry's CPM (D Base II in the flesh?) I expect to get many more years of service from the rig. If my father-in-law can talk to a space shuttle on a Gonsett Communicator, I should be able to keep a 2068 going!
Schedule Saturday, February 14, 1987
Noon: Hardware Meeting
2 p.m.: General Meeting Business:
Treasurer's report Other reports
Old business
New business
First speaker: Mark L. Steuber President, Sharp's, Inc.
Break
Second speaker: David M. Rothman SYSOP for the Sinclair BBS on CompuServe
it's February 14th. Have you hugged your 2068 lately?
CATS 4 February
$$$$$$S$$$SS$$SS$SSES TREASURY TIDBITS FROM RUTH FEGLEY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
To better understand our financial situation and how the bookkeeping system is kept you need to know:
—— Receipts are dated the day I receive your money. (We are working on ways to shorten the time between pick up from the F.0. box and delivery to me.)
-— Dues were raised from $16 to $18 at our December 12th meeting. I used the date of your check, not the date of the receipt to determine if a balance is due. (If you used a form from an old Newsletter I noted the difference between the amount you paid and the fee for membership that was in effect at the time you paid.) Some of you have mailed the balance due. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
-— Since the financial records were turned over to me the end of September 42 of you have renewed and we have welcomed 14 new members to our ranks. One of the latter is the result of his being so favorably impressed with the November Newsletter that accompanied his SCLD chip purchase, (Mark certainly gets the credit for this!) These figures reflect our status following the last batch of P.0. box mail I received at the January meeting plus one check mailed directly me.
-- Dur unofficial goal is 150 members during the fiscal year July 1 through June 30th. We're slightly over one third of the way in four months time. Does that mean we have hope of reaching our goal?
-- My unpredictable disk drives plus my lack of skill in utilizing the capabilities of my Star Gemini 10X have resulted in Mark continuing to maintain the official membership list. I feed him data changes and he updates the program which produces the mailing labels. John Riley will assume that responsibility in another month, so please see that one of us is notified of needed corrections by/or during the February meeting. We'd like to have a current Membership Directory for the March meeting, so get your dues paid and correct address/telephone data to us pronto!
-—- AS of this writing (January 18th) 86 of the 102 SCLD chips have beens sold: 4 were complimentary: 2 are "promised"; and 5 are awaiting a check from California to consummate a telephone order of 3 weeks ago.
If you want one, get your check to me asap. (You might be wise to call first...301/542-2549.)
~~ Expenses for the SCLD venture have been $1410.39 and we've collected $1592.79 for a profit to date of $182.31. Sale of the remaining dozen could net another $200 or so, depending on whether they sell for $18 or $20 and the postage involved.
~~ Our check book balance is now slightly over $1900. All loans and bills have been paid!
CATS SF ebruary
2068 LIBRARY ERRATTA
Well, I guess it was bound to happen. Four programs have been discovered in the current version of the CATS 20468 scftware library that have bugs which prevent them from loading. Fortunately, they are all the same sort of bug and easily dealt with!
Tn creating the master. tapes for tke library, I first put all the programs on an AERCO disk system. Therin lies the problem in ail four programs, for the disk system uses the commands "CAT" and "MOVE" rather than "SAVE" and "LOAD". All four of the buggy programs are in Volume 3. I guess I was having a bad day that day! They are "Bold", "Extended Basic”, "Keyword", and "Toolkit". What is extra mortifying to me is that the last three programs are some of the best programs in the entire library!
Anyway, to fix them, you must do the following: 1) Load the BASIC portion of the program only into your computer, using the command MERGE "", LIST the program and go *5 the bad line. In "Bolc" this will be line 2O, in "Extended Basic" line 3, in "Keyword" line 7950, and in "Toolkit" line 9998. Edit the line, replacing the CAT statement with LOAD "" CODE. SAVE the altered program on a fresh tape.
Now, you have two options from this point. You can reset your computer, move your library tape back to the beginning of the buggy program, reload your corrected listing, and overwrite the old with the new. I have done this on the library master tapes so that future copies will be bug-free. But USE CAUTION! Be careful not to Cverwrite either the preceeding program or the code portion of the program you are trying to fix! I¢ you do you will have a bigger mess than you started with!
CATS 6
A second alternative, which I highly recommend, is to load the Program "Header" (also from volume 3}. Use this utility to read the Starting address and length of the block of code that forms the second Part of the program you are fixing.
Ncw, reset the computer, rewind the tape, and load the cade portion only of your program into the computer with the command LOAD "*" CODE. When the computer returns an OK report, save the cade onto your fresh tape that already contains the corrected BASIC program, with the command SAVE "c" (starting address), (data length). What you will pow end up with is a copy of the program cn its own tape, so that you will nc longer have to hunt through the library every time that you want to use it! In fact, I would suggest to all owners of the CATS library that i4 you find themselves using a particular program frequently, you should copy it over to a fresh tape where it will be more easily accessible. Think of your library tape as archival, rather than for daily use.
If some of the last paragraph was confusing to you, then take com- fort in the fact that I am going to submit a tutorial for next month’s newsletter on transfering Programs from tape to tape or from tape to disk. Meanwhile, I am still collecting programs for Volume 6 of the 2068 library, and hope to be releasing it within the next couple of months.
I* you have a program to submit to the library, or a question or comment about programs in it, con- tact me by letter (1316 Farrara Dr., 3denton, Md. 21113), phone (501-674-8560), or CompuServe (ID H73317,3526).
John Riley
February
REPLY TO REVIEW OF THE GUIDE
TO T/S TELECOMMUNICATIONS
THANK YOU MR. FISHER!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA what it feels like to be compared with Jack Dohaney and Barry Carter! I’m especially glad that you appreciated the "clear organization, a table of contents and index" aspectofit. Iputa lot of thought and effort in making this as accessible as possible. The index I putin is fairly limited, however. I'll be doing a better job on version 2.0.
I completely understand that you had difficulty reading the xerox-reduced pages. I knew it would be a problem for some. But when I sat down to draw up the criteria long ago, I wanted to get the maximum information to the maximum number of people without going into bankruptcy. I've already got a huge SPRINT bil - sol am off-line for a while until I catch up on that.
The only problem I have with your review is that it's TOO glowing. I think some people may be disappointed after reading your review. As it stands, the guide has about 300K of text. It took me about 60 hours just to type the finished product, never mind getting the information and composing it.
But all in all, your review was a tremendous boost to my ego. Out of all the copies I mailed I've gotten back VERY LITTLE RESPONSE in terms of the number of letters. Tim Woods of Time Designs wrote me a very congratulatory letter and I spoke with Mark Fendrick on the phone. He was also very impressed and planned a review in Feb. Computer Shopper. Unfortunately, I failed to include either Steve's or my address in the body of the Guide itself! I think that may be part of the problem.
I’m so glad you sent me a copy of your newletter because it contained the exciting news that 25 OL's were added to the Club. Amazing! I'd been hearing on and off about this deal Doug Dewey cooked up with you all and the L.I.S.T. group, but I had no idea you had that many members! I'm very happy to see such enthusiastic interest in the GL. Once people get a chance to SEE the thing and see what it does, it makes a big difference.
I'm very impressed with your newletter, this is the first copy I've seen. I wish I had the $18.00 to subscribe (Don't worry about that, Pete. Ed.). One other minor detail in your review, you make it sound like the $5.00 version is available now, but it isn't.
I get more information every day and it will be SOME TIME before it's all finished.
Thanks for vour enthusiastic endorsement,
Adios,
Phoenix Pete Fischer
P.O.Box 2002
Tempe, AZ $5281
Dear Pete
lagree that my review is too glowing. It’s partly an attempt to motivate CATS members to take a look at it - I'd like to see a lot more MODEM action in the club. My talk of 40% more information referred to the planned downloads of HELP screens, plus the larger format. I hope that you don’t have to type that all in! As to number of members, well, we've had steady attendance of over 40 for the past year, as well as over 100 paid up members. Now, if some of you would just WRITE!
You have been put on our exchange newsletter list. We exchange newsletters with about 30 user’s groups, and the mailing list is maintained to reflect those groups that have sent us materials within the last past six months.
MF
750 North Yaleton Aveune West Covina, CA 91790 January 12, 1987
C.A.T.S.
Capitol Area Timex Siclair Users’ Group
P. O. BOX 725
Bladensburg, MD 20710
Dear Tom, Mark, et al,
I see my sticker says my subscription is up with the January issue. Did you know that you are probably the only newsletter in the country that has a current month as it's date....my October QZX came in December
But you guys spoiled your victory...you blew it when you labeled it all
including your next meeting as January 1985... it is 1987 you know!!!
This letter is more Quill practice. I love the display of Quill, but keeping the screen pretty slows it up a lot. The QL kits are great but while you have them apart be sure to put in the Nachbar fixes from the Quantum Levels, which Tom will know about. I ordered the Supposed set of Version 2.3 software as in Doug's prospectus but got version 2.1 which I already had...so a letter went off to A+. I was also expecting the binder with the software as I have nothing that will fit the four hole spacing.
Enclosed ie my check for $18 for 198777771!
Keep us the good work! [ typed in Mark's Circuit Quest but seem to have an invisible man. | guess it uses a joy stick from the STICK entries in the program but | don't see anything on the screen except the maze and the half circles that were named as they appeared. I haven't tried to debug it yet as | just finished it before writing thie letter and only ran it once and saved it to disk. My 3.5 inch disks with the Oliger load in 1 second and save in 4, which is about 1/4 the time of the 5.25 Or 3 inch disks. The new version 2.0 I/O disk driver of John's gives the best features of both the Oliger and Aerco systems
-By the way our West Coast QZX net is on Sat. Pacific time on 7235 KHZ....40 meter band SSB. Ve had a San Diego member call in and tell us Ray Kingsley (Hot Z etc.) is now in San Diego and will be speaking to the local TSUG down there. One of our guys, Bob VA6OJJ in Apple Valley has his TS-1000 on packet and got through to Alex the QZX publisher in New Mexico. Bob is going to have the whole thing ina brief case portable so he can take in on the airplane. (He is a pilot for an aerospace firm. He is using the ComLINK for the terminal and RS-232 add on to the TS-1000 and the MFJ
Nus.
I asked my proofreader about the date question, and she told me she just pasts up what she's given. Hmmm... Sorry to hear of the (hopefully) minor problem with À*. Other reports from members mark them as unusually responsive. As to the four-hole paper, I just re-punched it with US standard holes - it dosen't stick up too much in the binder if the bottom of the paper 1s set at the US standard point.
morning 10 AM local
Sincerly,
Bob Howard, WA6DLI
Dear Bob
Wishing vou a productive 1897, MF
CATS 7 February
Check Register on VU-CALC
Location: Instruction
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Expense Journals,
getting them to run,
VU-CALC as Check Register
Gooch isd Journal 28,91 M EATERPRISES. Expense Journal ---->0g, 014 1613 DAYTON ROAD ADE Pal, NO 26783 CHECK REGISTER 3333832353 8228283342324522324; 453312841282333421224: 240929: 23242: - UNDER BATE — CODE — DCSCKIPTION CHECK AMT. — MPOSIT BALANCE DAAM: FORMARD. 1009.00. € gd t Mbia Redit, ww »w 100.00 imo aw gd Barore Supply 174.33 aw 33.43 wo a 2 Julius Stationer zat 6.00 501.28 wo nu) o Deposit 9.00 "nn 45.83 *» nu o Deposit 0.00 1006. Ov 132.43 3 nS d Baters Dairy 122.32 0.00 1821.13 IM oaa 2 Liam 23.00 6.00 1798.13 WS du è Bakery Maec 123.09 9.90 n.n" 1 ou) à 1090.00 0.00 1873.1] *» wu o Deposit 9.00 una 26.47 won? 3 M bas 39.23 600 2035, won? 3 PEP Electric 4.18 6.00 1991.08 mon? 3 bel Telepnone u.n 0.00 1903.25 no du d Julius Seite 106.00 v.00 1603.25 m gun o? Maryla Jase 18.00 0.00 1845.25 m ag 3 Taoaas Lteon 173.00 0.00 1670.23 Hj un od Makers Supply 3$. 6.00 1012.23 m oon ? Post Regering 28.12 9.00 1366.33 L] 0.00 6.00 138.33 L] 0.00 0.00 1364.35 9 9.00 0.00 1580.53 9 9.00 9.99 1586.53 9 0.00 V. 1580.53 9 9.09 DL 1560.33 9 9.00 9.00 1584.53 L] 0.00 0.09 1560.33 9 0.00 6.00 1586.53 9 0.00 9.00 1580.53 9 0.00 9.00 1580.53 L] 9.00 6.90 1560.53 L] 9.09 0.00 1569. 52 9 0.00 t.w 128.3] L] 0.00 6.00 1580.53 9 0.00 6.00 1540.33 * 9.00 0.00 1586.53 [] 0.00 0.00 1388.53 L] 0.00 0.00 1582.53 L] 0.00 9.00 1388.33 è 0.00 0.00 158.53 L] 6.00 9.0 1388.33 TOTALS 1208.00 185.31 Ld
VU-CALC as Expense Register
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1613 Dayton Rd. Hyattsville, MD 20783 NOTE: You'11 need a VU-CALC 2068 program that can print to an 80
Then load Check Disbursement-
saved as "c/etemp". Enter daily/weekly/monthly transactions. As some people have problems entering programs and
I've decided to make tapes available at $6
postpaid. Make check / money order payable to the above address.
CATS = February
CIRCLE GAMES by Mel Richardson
One of the delights of the Oliger Video Upgrade for the T/S 1000 is being able to run programs intended for machines beyond normal ZX capabilities. Peter McMullin has shown this with his recent article using the Modulo function and a 3 "Computer Recreations" column by A.K. Dewdney in the September Scientific American prints the outline of a similar program by John E. Connett creating "Wallpaper For the Mind". Connett found that using the formula for the graph of a circle (X#+Y?) to
assign a colour to the point X,Y. A complex pattern of circles emerges with an underlying pattern of squares. Thus the program is called "CIRCLE?”,
The patterns appear to repeat, but a closer look shows this is not so and each area is subtly different from its neighbors. Although the program is quite simple, I recommend reading the article. It has two more routines and wonderful photos with more background than be covered here.
This program is written for the Oliger system with Fred Nachbaur's "Jobasic" but a normal ZX using "Graphica" or the 2068 should handle it. The lines up to 10 are Jobasic initiallization and should be changed for your system. The "IF USR M2 THEN..." is also Jobasic syntax.
The variables CORNA, CORNB k SIDE define the lower left corner and side length of the part of the plane of numbers to be examined. In other words, @ smaller SIDE "magnifies" the image.
Lines 30-90 evaluate X*7«Y*? through the loops and piaces the resulting integer in "C". Line 100 tests C for "eveness" and line 110 plots the point if C is even. It might be interesting to assign colours to ranges of C. You are encouraged to experiment with the variables and the array size in lines 3O and 40. The figures in line 110 centre the display and should be changed to suit the array size.
Some examples to try» are: CORNA -15, CORNB -20, SIDE 87 CORNA -30, CORNB 3, SIDE 40 CORNA 20, CORNB -10, SIDE 20.
Sine - Ci K Nov 'S6
CORhA? -15 CARNES -2H SIRE? $2
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a i 1 d 1
I-CBPY — R-RESTRRT
COBRA? -30 CORRE? § SIME? 4d
T"
T-COPY R-RESTART
CATS 7 February
i REM CIRCLE SQUARED 2 REM by Mel Richardson, Sinc-Link Dec’8é6
Cleanup’ Backup para el QL
3 REM 4 REM li
nes %,50,60,140 are f
or the 2068, or hi-res 1000
5 REM li the stock 8 REM 9 PAPER
nes 31,61,141 are for 1000
0: BORDER 0: INK 7: C
by Mark Fisher
As you begin to amass files and programs on the QL’s little matchbook-sized cartridges, you will run into the problem of generating backups of your files. Our trusty manual tells us to "simply" type "COPY mdvi filename TO mdv2_file_n_bak" or some such. Not impossible, but if you're trying to copy more than one
LS file it can add up to an awful lot of typing.
10 PRINT “cornA = "; CLONE represents another way of generating
12 INPUT corná backups - but it requires a DATA statement containing
14 PRINT cornA;": "; the names of the files to be copied: another quantity
20 PRINT “cornB = "; of typing.
22 INPUT cornB LEANUP/BACKUP offers a third alternative. Like
24 PRINT cornB;": "; CLONE,itallows the user to duplicate an entire
30 PRINT "Side = "; source cartridge (on mdv2.), but, in addition it
32 INPUT side allows you to select the files to be copied. In this
34 PRINT side way, you can both eliminate those earlier versions of
40 REM 170 x 120 pixel displa the program you've been working on, and re-arrange the
y for 2068, 64 X 42 for 1000 order of programs in the cartridge for easier
50 REM FOR x=1 TO 170 reference.
91 FOR x-0 TO 64 For instance, you could re-arrange your files in
60 REM FOR y=1 TD 120 alphabetical order (with BOOT first, of course); or
ói FOR y=0 TDI sort your ARCHIVE data files so as to group all the
70 LET i-corn&tisidexx/100) screen files, then all the program files, then all the
80 LET j=cornB+(side*y/100) data files in sequence for a given application.
70 LET K=i*it+jxj To use the program, LOAD it, place the desired 100 LET c=INT k source cartridge in mdv2., and RUN. You will be 110 REM prompted to make sure there is a destination cart, in 120 REM test for evenness mdvi.. Upon confirming that, you will be shown a list 130 LET e-c/2-INT (c/2) of the contents of both drives, as wellas a menu of
2 n IF NOT e THEN PLO your options. They are generally self-explanatory, but
x ,Y*3éó I should stress that the (Dielete option deletes the
141 IF NOT e THEN PLOT x,y file from mdv2_, not mdvi_.
150 NEXT y
160 NEXT
x
170 PRINT AT 23,0;"Z-copy R-res
tart”
180 IF INKEY$="" THEN GO TO 18
0
190 IF INKEY$-"z" OR INKEY$="2"
THEN COPY
200 IF INKEY$="r" OR INKEY$="R"
THEN RUN
210 GO TO 180
The above listing has been re-written from Mel Richardson’s original. All references to Jobasic have been removed, and alternate lines for the
1000 and 2068 have been added. The 1000 version
has not been tested, so there may be some de-bugging needed. MF
The Works:
CLEANUP/BACKUP is divided into three parts. Parts one and two are fully automatic. Part one (lines 100 - 270) temporarily sets up a data file on mdv2. to hold the directory as it is read from the header. Part two (lines 280 - 340) then transfers this file to an array, and deletes the microdrive file. Part three, "select. fil," presents you with the contents of mdvi_ and mdv2., and allows vou to choose your next course of action. Line 1020 allows you to easily update the copy of the program on your microdrive, if you improve the program.
As it is set up now, it will handle cartridges with up to 14 files. The limitation stems from the size of the display. It would be possible to use the WINDOW and SCROLLing facilities of SUPERbasic to remove this limitation, but I’m not up to that vet. Anyone that is interested in the project should feel free to write it up.
CATS 10 February
100 REMark ####% cleanup/ backup utility XXe 110 WINDOM 500,235,0,0: INK 7: PAPER 0
120 REMark Create file to hold DIR
130 OPEN_NEWH4 ,mdv2. direc
i40 DIR #4, mdv?
150 PRINT 84, CHR$(26)
160 CLOSE #4
170 PRINT ‘Loading Array with file names”
180 OPENIN 84,mdv2 direc : CLS
190 LET count=0
200 REPeat rd
£8 — count=count+l
220 INPUT #4, ab
230 IF EOF (84): EXIT rd
240 END REPeat rd
250 count=count-3
260 PAUSE 200
270 CLOSE #4
280 DIM dir$icount,30)
290 OPENIN 84,ndv2 direc : CLS
300 FOR i=0 TO count
310 — INPUT 84, dir$ii?
320 END FOR i
330 CLOSE #4
340 DELETE mdv2 direc
350 select. fil
360 STOP
370 DEFine PROCedure prdir
380 FOR i=0 TO count
390 PRINT TO 4ü:dir$c D
400 END FOR i
410 END DEFine
420 DEFine PROCedure select.fi!
430 CLS
440 PRINT "Cartridge in MDU1.? Press space to continue - (0) to Quit ^: r$2INKEY$C-1)
450 CLS : IF r$ ^ THEN EXIT select fi!
460 PRINT ‘NDVI now contains:’; TO 40;’MDV2 now contains:’\\ 470 prdir : nune? : AT 2,0: DIR mdvi
480 AT 20,0 i 492 PRINT “Press : (C)opy all files -- MDVi WILL BE ERASED ENTER) to copy selected file’
500 PRINT ' (Delete selected program Format MWI”
510 PRINT ’ (^ or v) Select files Quit
550 REPeat updn
5áü AT num:2,35: PRINT/---)'
570 key = CODE £INKEYSC-1DD
580 AT num+2,35: PRINT’
590 num=numt(Key=214)-(Key=208)
609 — IF numdcount THEN num=count
é10 IF num42 THEN num-2
620 IF key=i0 THEN cpy:AT 2,0: DIR mdvi_ 430 IF KeysCODEC c^) THEN cpyall
é40 — IF Kev=CODE(‘d’) THEN de!
650 IF KeysCODEC^ £^). THEN fmt
660 IF Key-CODE(^q^) OR key-CODEC(^O^) THEN EXIT updn 670 END REPeat updn
680 END DEFine
690 DEFine PROCedure fmt
?00 a$-dir$t0, i TO ^ ^ INSTR(dir$(002-1) : PAUSE 50 : a$-a$( 1 TO 6)&’_bak’
710 AT 19,0: PRINT "Press ENTER to format as’!a$!’, @ to quit , or type new vol. name’; : INPUT !q$;
720 CLS 3
730 IF g$-'/q' OR q$-/0/ THEN RETurn
740 IF q$07^ THEN a$-0$
750 AT 19,0: FORMAT “mdyi_*&a$ ;: CLS 3
760 AT 2,0: DIR movi: PRINT * 1
770 END DEFine
780 DEFine PROCedure cpy
790 a$-dir$inum
800 IF a$-'000000' THEN RETurn
810 COPY 'ndv2."&a$ TO "mdvi '&a$
820 END DEFine
830 DEFine PROCedure cpyall
840 fnt
850 FÜR num=2 TO count
Béü cpy
870 END FOR num
880 AT 2,0
890 DIR mdvi.
900 PRINT '
910 END DEFine
920 DEFine PROCedure de!
930 — ad$-dir$(num)
940 IF a$-/000000/ THEN RETurn
950 AT 19,0: PRINT “DELETING ^;a$;'. Press SPACE to continue, (0) to abort:^;:g$2INKEYSC-1)
960 CLS 3: IF q$z'q THEN RETurn
970 AT numt2,40: WER | : PRINT '------------------------- e
OVER 0
980 DELETE 'ndv2.'&a$
990 dir$inum)= 0000007
1090 END DEFine
1010 STOP
1020 DELETE mdv2 cleanup: SAVE mdv2 cleanup
Get it RIGHT!!
Does CATS have current membership information about you?
If there is enough interest, Treasurer Ruth Fegley can bring her Sinclair/Aerco configuration to the next meeting, along with her membership diskette.
Then, if you drop by to see her, your information can be put on her monitor for you to verify.
So make it a point to see Ruth at the next meeting, stop and say hello, and bring your records up to date all in one trip!!
CATS 11 February
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The Capitol Area Time:/Sinclair User's Group
isa non-profit group devoted to serving the Submissions of pertinent articles are gratefully
interests of those who own, use, or are interested ' accepted - preferably in 3 5/8" columns. The in the Timex/Sinclair family of computers. deadlines are...... Officialdom Newsletter Meeting February 14 President & Tom Bent February 23 March 14 contact person (301) 730-7187 March 23 April 11 Vice-President Hank Dickson Treasurer Ruth Fegley Newsletter exchange: Editor Mark Fisher N/L Production Sarah Fisher CATS maintains a gratis exchange of newsletters Mailing & Finishing Bob Curnutt with approximately 30 User’s groups across the country. Clubs not sending a n/1 to us for six Monthly meetings are held from 12:00 to 5:00, on months are automatically dropped from the list. the second Saturday of each month, at the New Carrolton Branch Public Library. Network Info: Membership Info: Timex SIG on Compuserve: Wednesday night, 10PM Eastern time (GO CLUB) Memberships cost $18.00 per year, and are good for ' QZX BBS:(505) 522-7081 FIDO net 15, node 6 12 months. 95% of dues goes to printing and first ---"--- East Coast: (703) 547-4815 FIDO net 18,
class mailing costs.