26 August 1985 Z-NEWS 301 Z TIPS: From Jim Whorton (Wichita, KS), VDO editor author, comes an alias to create flavors of VDO, Version 2.5a, having different defaults. Using POKE&GO technique suggested by Bruce Morgen (Warminster, PA), two or more versions of editor are available with single copy on disk! See Z-News 107 and 109 for WordStar pokes. Alias, call it VDN, in sample command line: VDN [fn.ft]. Command elements of alias: 1 --> GET 100 A0:VDO.COM |Load VDO.COM into memory from declared drive 2 --> POKE 1B17 03; |Set help level, 01=expert, 02=regular, 03=novice 3 --> POKE 1A5C 00; |Set insert toggle, 00=OFF, 80=ON 4 --> GO $1 |Run VDO with any supplied arguments Jim finishes a version of VDO that uses ZCPR3 Environment Descriptor (SYS.ENV, Z3.ENV, and ZC.ENV) for terminal and system definition. Hope he includes DU and DIR directory reference forms, as well as knowledge of system environment. Coding with VLIB, Z3LIB, and SYSLIB subroutines makes these additions easy. We welcome his fast, memory-oriented editor as a proper Z-System utility. Jay Sage's VALIAS is big hit--breaks alias-creation/modification bottle- neck! Jay's program permits changing, or adding, individual commands without retyping the whole alias. And it's screen oriented with built-in, in-context help--so easy to use. Rumor has it that Bruce Morgen is tightening the code using ZAS and full Z-80 mnemonics. Meanwhile, Richard Conn's MKALIAS takes a different but just as fruitful path. More about it as it matures. Can't wait to release both alias utilities! During the same period, Richard has produced a virtual cornucopia of new Z-System programs and updates. Look for just-out LRUN, LDIR, LHELP library utilities using automatic unsqueeze techniques, updates to XD, CRC, DIFF, and more. Also a new set of routines, LULIB, is being added to REL library trio SYSLIB, Z3LIB, and VLIB. Find foursome source code on some Z-Nodes! Simultaneously, he finished new SYSLIB, Version 3.3, offering many additional routines. Stimulated by suggestions from Don Delwood (Columbia, MO), quick Richard developed eighteen (18) computed-GOTO and CASE routines. While at it, he added a Unix-style (ARGV) string parser and several arithmetic IF routines. New routines in Version 3.2 and 3.3 greatly assisted in writing Term3. SYSLIB grows in strength, more to come (Richard still has "libraries" checked-out)! On subject of libraries, Martin Murray (Austin, TX), author of NULU super library file manager, is said to be making his program a full ZCPR3 utility-- hurray! Be sure to get and try Paul Pomerleau's new VERROR handler. Has built-in WordStar-like editor to alter unexecutable commands on the spot. Similar to ERROR23, but with different taste. So many new utilities support Z-System! It's worthwhile to read what Richard Conn had to say about creating utilities, "I encourage everyone to enjoy their ZCPR3 system, write tools for it, and contribute them to the user community." Read his full commentary in 12 November 1984 Newsletter 009, on page 4. Z-Node Activity: Three new nodes started operation during fortnight. Chicago suburb (Lisle) Sysop, Ron Stone, Node #5, has 40-megabytes online. Such capacity shares call-traffic with Node #15, Richard Jacobson, in greater Windy City area. Contact Ron (and Z-Msg) by dialing 312/420-1722. Richard's number remains 312/649-1730. Z-Node #28 Sysop, Stanley London, informs us he is up and running in Aurora (Denver), CO. His mile-high number is 303/680-9825. Welcome! Marvin Eyre, Z-Node #37 Sysop, is up...plans to expand soon to hard disk operation. Call his Robards, KY, node at 502/521-7011. You asked for it! You now have it--a compiled list of current Z-Nodes (file Z-NODES.LST)! Sysop name, city, state, zip code, and telephone number will be kept up-to-date. As RAS (remote access system, more accurate and descriptive than BBS expression; a Z-Node is a RAS) changes occur, we'll update in timely fashion. You help by leaving message if you see inaccuracies in file. Also don't forget, especially if you use Tandy machines, Jon Schneider in El Paso, TX. Jon joins Richard Peterson (The Pass Sysop) to handle traffic in southwest Texas area. His number is 915/592-4976; Richard's, 915/821-3638. Notice to DISCAT Owners: We found and fixed output-to-printer bug in CATSCAN. If you return your original, disk we update free! This we feel we owe you; it's not an upgrade, simply a fix. Amateur Z User's Corner: New comers to computers expect much more than received, at least on-surface, from their systems. Most want instant productivity increase, gratification, to learn little from potential perpetual experience. Let it be proclaimed: gratification comes from personal accomplishment through work--work that changes, adds to your Being. Frustration over-come gracefully develops extended character, a character tender as a Lotus, tough as a stone. Happiness is path followed, not destination to arrive at! It comes from each achievement being perceived as higher (greater, of more importance) than any previous. So, when things don't go as planned, computer acts against your intentions, relax--study again available material--try again. From such efforts we learn what we don't know, what we are, how computer works, how we fit in! Z-System users are destined to be golden boys and girls of this marvelous decade. We wait for early Spring (of Life), when flowers bloom and robins sing! Now, disk drives and their number. A one-disk system is not easy to use because of difficulty making backups. There are single-drive copy programs that make operations as convenient as possible, but still process is time consuming and distracting. A two-drive system has been standard with most desktop computers. Here, disk swapping is greatly reduced, but still much removing of system disk (boot disk) with data disks occurs. The ideal minimum for maximum ease of use is three (3)! Drive A contains system utilities and often-used application programs; Drive B holds working data disk with Drive C used for automatic Drive B backup. More than three drives (logical and physical) simply are needed as storage requirements increase, otherwise making number of files per directory too large (Z supports 32 directories per logical drive). We personally prefer less than 100 entries per user area (directory, DU or DIR reference). VFILER handles up to 72 files per screen display; more than 144 on a directory slows down operations having to switch through three or more screens to cover all files. Notice the situation represented by menus of MENU.LBR (128k-byte file on Z-Nodes). AC of ZRDOS archives certain files after they chance without operator concern. Of course, Drives A and B are normally logicals of single physical hard disk; and C, high-capacity (greater than 360k-byte) floppy. From Steven Hirsch (Burlington, VT): those needing help in understanding aspects of ZCPR3 and Z-System should feel free to contact one of our good- neighbor helpers. These volunteers are listed in file Z-HELPR8.BBS on Z-Nodes. All are ready to assist pushing you over some hurdle. Steven is an Apple and Z3 expert. His number is 802/658-4793. Try him (and Doug Thom or Kevin McDonald, both Apple experts, at 408/253-1306 and new 408/462-3731, respectively) and other good-neighbor helpers before calling us! They want your calls and letters. Software Bug Reporting: We request that our "Software Update Form" be used for all bug reporting plus suggestions relative to products or services. We simply cannot efficiently comprehend from verbal inputs your requests. The form suggests the information we need to act on your problems and enhancement suggestions. Please! One More Time: ZCPR3 and ZRDOS programs (Z-System) are not public domain...copyrighted by Richard Conn and Dennis Wright, assigned to Echelon. While we welcome users enhancing ZCPR3 programs (we fix ZRDOS), we are final authority as to acceptability of changes. Procedure for updating: 1) from Z- Node Central (either from direct chat with David McCord or with posted message) obtain permission to work on file, 2) then obtain latest version of program from official area (ZCPR3) of Z-Node Central, and 3) finally, return your updated version within agreed upon period of time, or determine if extension is possible. So much extra work has been caused by some few who have used other than latest versions, or didn't check file out first. Only one version may be active at once! If your ideas deserve a new name for a program then proceed that way. Understand Echelon supports these programs with OEM's and VAR's (without which we cannot be in business) and must maintain absolute control. So be it! From Page One of ZCPR3:_The_Manual: "In the development of our understanding of complex phenomena, the most powerful tool available to the human intellect is abstraction. Abstraction arises from a recognition of similarities between certain objects, situations, or processes in the real world, and the decision to concentrate on these similarities, and to ignore for the time being the differences." In addition to explaining over 90 commands, both resident and utility, manual has individual chapters covering online HELP, MENU and VMENU, Shells, VFILER, and DU3. Using ZEX is make clear as well as how to use the four error handlers. Also packed with details on how to install and use Z3...get your personal copy now! Still only $19.95, plus shipping and handling. We offer a 25% discount to those buying 5-49, 33% for 50-249, and 40% over 249. Shipping from stock! Call 415/948-3820 to order with Visa or Mastercard, or for UPS- COD. Paradox? Farsightedness and living in the-now go together, is not paradoxical. Planning is a now (present) function. Using what's available presently (created by past thoughts and doings) produces future environment. Detroit auto-industry started with fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines to power their cars, moved to V-8's, and now has returned to four's. Are you going along with crowds and popular movements? Are you learning, becoming what you could be? Are you creating your efficient environment in spite of contrary trends? (Tried California white Zinfandel?) When will resource- conserving 8-bit systems using assembly language coding gain popularity? IT'S_UP_TO_YOU! Turbo-four or V-8, the same job gets done; but, one is substantially more efficient, less brutish, more sapient. Homo sapiens, become thrice sapient! See you down the lines... Echelon, Inc. 101 First Street Los Altos, CA 94022 Telephone: 415/948-3820 Z-Node Central: 415/489-9005 Trademarks: SB180, COMM180, TKBBS, Micromint; HD63484/64180, Hitachi; Z80/800, Zilog; 8080/85/88/86/186, Intel; 9580/81, Advanced Micro Devices; WY- 50/350, Wyse Technology; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Z-Com, Zas, Zlink, ZDM, REVAS, Z-Msg, DSD, Term3, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon and their respective owners and authors; MOSART, XE1201/03, Xecom; NSC800, National. Z-News 301 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is given to Echelon.