24 February 1986 Z-NEWS 404 Z TIPS. Description of VMENU (and MENU) in Chapter 5 of ZCPR3: The Manual covers most aspects of the program. One thing not made clear is the use of SHCTRL in connection with changing directories and file displays. A useful command line within VMN script is: SHCTRL P;DU:;VMENU *.* fn.VMN. Shell stack is popped; next, log-in to pre-established directory with new menu screen with wild card file display of area. Of course, put in your desired DU:, file mask for other than all files, and name of your VMN file. Give menu line a one character (letter or digit, alphanumeric) name. Anyone using ZDMH debugger in interrupt-driven systems, e.g., SB180, should make sure three locations: 0CB1H, 0CCAH, and 0E11H have 0FBH values, not standard non-interrupt 0F3H. Echelon ZDM/ZDMZ/ZDMH debugger manual implies these changes have already been made--they have not! Simply load ZDMH.COM into memory using ZDM.COM (or DDT.COM). Using D command, display values. If not 0FBH, change using S command. Tip comes from ZDM author, Bob Doolittle. "Changes keep interrupts enabled at all times. You can still disable interrupts with the DI command when entering the target program but they will be enabled again when ZDMH regains control." Bob, thanks for information. More Graphics. Untouched film-strip photographs of a Wyse 50+ amber screen clearly show straight lines, boxes, windows, and pull down menus provided by Echelon graphics routines. Graphics package is offered for $49.00 with how- to-use documentation, Item 28 on EI Price List. Don't forget to download graphics demo from your local Z-Node. Look for file GRDEMO.LBR. Enjoy. "Five CRT screen photos showing graphics and windows." Incidentally, file ZL.ZEX in GRDEMO.LBR is a good example by ZRDOS author, Dennis Wright, of a "quiet" ZEX batch processing file. Many of you have had trouble getting ZEX to do what you wished; ZL.ZEX may be of assistance in your search for quiet. Z-Node Activity. More nodes going online. Clinton Cook, Merced, CA 95348, converts his existing RAS (remote access system) to become Node #54 with 209/383-6417 modem number. Clinton runs an Ampro with 10 megabytes of hard disk storage. Roger Warren, San Diego, CA 92109, takes over Z-Node #9 with 619/270- 3148, assisting coverage of vast state of California. Roger also runs an Ampro. (What would our world be like without Little Board computing machines!) Ron Stone, Z-Node #5, Lisle, IL, puts 40 megabytes online. Z-Node Central goes to 20 megabytes. More files and data, data and files. Where does it lead; to increased understanding, to wisdom? We WONDER. Speaking of more, ZCPRM3/B3 and ZRDOS3 (Z-News 401) will permit several callers to simultaneously communicate with a single-computer RAS. Of course, RAS must employ multiple phone lines--new era for Z-Nodes and 8-bit BBSs soon begins. Amateur Z User's Corner. ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) can be either 7 or 8 bits for data. The rest of transmission byte (word in this case) consists of start, stop (could be two), and parity bits. Start and stop bits are used to establish beginning and ending of each word. That's simple enough but the parity bit is usually a source of confusion, to anyone not already having an understanding. The parity bit may be used simply to make the word length correct for the transmission protocol. Then it's fixed, included as "mark" or "space." Terms mark and space are carry-overs from the days of teletypewriters (TTY). Mark is high or true bit state, loop current flowing, i.e., a one; space, a zero or false state. Parity, when actively used, tells of a possible transmission error at the receiving terminal. Value of parity bit is determined by sum of bits in particular byte, and may be either odd or even, depending on convention selected. Even parity tells receiving computer that data bits in transmitted word add up to an even number, i.e, number of ones and number of zeros sum to an even number, 2, 4, or 6. On receive, if sum is not even, an error probably occurred. The parity bit on transmit is made either a one or a zero to make the sum even. The letter "A" would be sent as 01000001 and the letter "C" as 11000011. Without even parity, it would be 01000011, standard ASCII 8-bit value. Most microcomputing systems don't use parity to catch transmission errors, but instead use a block (a group of bytes, usually 128 bytes up to packets of 16k-bytes) error detection method called CRC, cyclic redundancy check. CRC provides more reliable indication of errors existing in a block of bytes than possible with parity checking. Presently, CRC methods are used for disk data recording and telephone communication checking and co-exists with parity-bit testing, latter mainly for solid state memory (RAM) checking. From Our Mail Box. Ron Crain (32881 Robinhood, Birmingham, MI 48010, 313/646-5159) has installed ZCPR3 on both a CompuPro 85/88 and an Otrona. "Even though Otrona is out of business, an Attache with the Z-System is about the most effective portable around." Ron, please make both installations available by placing instructions and necessary programs in LBR file and uploading to Z-Node Central. Of course, leave ZRDOS out of upload, as a license is required for its use. We encourage free distribution among users of ZCPR3 installations to promote having it run on as many machines as possible. Also, Ron is looking for WordStar/LaserJet page printer software. We suggest Newword; see Z-News 402 and 403 for more details. "I gather that some people are unaware that Rick Conn's original ALIAS (requiring custom assembly for each system) is the only one (as far as I know) which does not require an initialized environment, therefore is most useful for creating STARTUP.COM without having to initialize ENV in BIOS. Might be worth a mention." Note comes from Dreas Nielsen, Corvallis, OR. Yes, this clears up a mystery that many have wondered about. "What terminals can your graphics package be used with?" asks Malcolm Aukerman (Newport, IN). We are compiling a list of terminals that work, first with graphics and second, handle windows. Task is not trivial because we haven't been able to find an up-to-date single-source for terminal information. (We own two copies of "A Programmer's Guide to Video Display Terminals," by David Stephens, but more details are required than these books contain.) We are working with terminal vendors now and hopefully will receive sufficient information from them to develop a comprehensive, accurate list. Stay with us. "The May/June issue of Micro/Systems Journal will carry a construction article on how to build an HD64180 S-100 CPU card the easy way. You might want to tell your newsletter readers to look for it." Sol Libes, Editor and Co-Publisher writes. "We would be interested in doing a review of the Z- System. Let me know if you are interested." Yes, we are interested. Certainly someone will volunteer to write. Many have asked, "Why get Discat when NCAT is in the public domain?" Several reasons: 1) Discat is much faster in handling catalogs with more than about 50 diskettes, because of efficient database technique and the use of working catalog concept. Really quick updates are made to working catalog. When computer has nothing more pressing to do, working catalog is merged with one or more master catalogs. Yes, more than one master catalog is possible. 2) Discat software modules work together like other Z-System utilities, are screen-oriented and installed with Z3INS. Menus, either MENU, VMENU, or VFILER CMD, are used to control all functions, from putting names on disk, updating catalogs, to removing names. Every operation may be from command line or performed from a menu, one you can easily change. 3) You support Echelon, the company that continues to support 8-bit upward-compatible CP/M world. (Review Z-News 401 for our plans.) Most others have abandoned origins of microcomputing to pursue simply making money; they troop (Zeffirelli, Z- News 304). We strive to achieve something higher, with making money a fall- out; we believe you agree with our philosophy. From Charlotte, NC, Mr. Carey Dowd writes, "Please ask Echelon staff to take it easy on the Zinfandel--my local merchant is out!" We are told staff uses only as much Zinfandel as they need to get through the day, to make rough places plain. Potpourri. Idea-processing program, called Out-Think, offered in streamlined version for only $49.95 (Z-News 007). Runs on any ZCPR3, Z-System, or CP/M 2.2 system that has at least 48k-bytes of TPA memory, and 200k-bytes of disk storage. Now here's a bargain--greatly assists organizing thoughts and textual material. New version is more memory-based than original, much faster and easier to both understand and use. Call or write Kamasoft, Inc. (formerly Compusophic Systems), 2525 S.W. 224th Ave., Aloha, OR 97006, 503/649-3765. They accept credit card orders. Those wishing to obtain literature on Kodak flexible disk drives, 2.8, 5.2, and 10.0 megabytes of formatted storage mentioned in Z-News 309, should call 716/724-7522; ask for Mr. Martin McFadden. Trust lots of computer manufacturers (OEMs) are considering one or more of these beauties for use in their next-generation machines. More information on QMS's $1,995.00 laser printer "KISS" (Z-News 401) can be gained by calling Mr. Robert Girola at 205/633-4300. Congratulations to Bruce Morgen and his premiere issue of The One-Eighty Filetm newsletter, a welcome addition to exciting world of high-performance 8- bit computing. If you own an HD64180-based computer, e.g., Micromint SB180, Magnum Digital PRO-180, Intelligent Computer Designs XL-M180, etc., this is your newsletter. Twelve issues are offered for $15.00. Order by calling 215/443-9031, or write NAOG, P.O. Box 2781, Warminster, PA 18974. Comment Line. When we started Z-News nearly two years ago many said supplying information to customers every two weeks was over-doing it. Most companies have newsletters that come out every three months, some not at all. We thought our community deserved something more--so a fortnighter was conceived and born. We regret not that moment our spirit was driven to such lengths: a fortnighter. It sounded good to us then, and still does now. Our culture is undergoing a radical change and many see it not. Those that have lost their jobs, jobs no longer necessary because of changes in technology, they know of what we speak. Labor is so cheap "off-shore" we can not use USAians in many tasks that Orientals can do. Our world is small because of jet airplane travel and satellite communications, goods can be produced and shipped here at lower cost than we can make them ourselves. Our work ethic is such we have trouble striving for improved ways to produce higher and higher quality. Orientals are just becoming materialistic, as we have been for 50 or more years--we are jaded, but still appreciate value and quality. As we stated in Z-News 308, "Reason we buy Japanese imports is same reason they wouldn't buy ours, no matter how fair and easy the marking channels. Ignore scape-goats, increase value." We investigate same subject from many angles in other newsletters, always with one view: it's up to you and me. We are IT. We have come far without much understanding primarily because of blessings of heritage, our natural location with resources of water, land, and weather. We are rich because of them and much inefficiency could, until now, be tolerated and still we were superior. But no more. New thinking and new ways are needed if we are to stay superior. We welcome thoughts on these matters. See you down the lines... Echelon, Inc. 885 N. San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022 USA Telephone: 415/948-3820 Z-Node Central (RAS): 415/489-9005 Trademarks: SB180, COMM180, TKBBS, Micromint; PRO-180, Magnum Digital; XL- M180, ICD; HD64180, Hitachi; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Z-Com, Zas, Zlink, ZDM, Revas4, Z-Msg, DSD, Term3, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon and owners and authors; CP/M, Digital Research; WY-50+, Wyse Technology; WordStar, MicroPro; Newword, Newstar; SCSI/Plus, Little Board, AMPRO Computers; One- Eighty File, NAOG. big thumb * here Z S e t s Y-O-U F r e e ! * * Z-News 404 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is given to Echelon.